X-Factor
(Return the Fun, Action and Comedy!)
by Phil Perich for the True Believers Blog
It was recently announced that the X-Men would be going back to basics with the classic two team approach. X-Men Blue will feature the young time displaced versions of the original X-Men (Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Iceman, and Angel) mentored by former enemy Magneto. X-Men gold will consist of Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Rachel Grey, Old Man Logan, and new team leader Kitty Pryde.
In my opinion, this is the perfect time to bring back another classic version of a beloved X-team, X-Factor, as they were written by Peter David. This team had a great cast of characters that didn't necessarily fit in at Xavier’s School.
Comedy
Of course it wouldn’t be a Peter David written series without jokes and humor. Team leader Havok would play straight man to team “comedians” Jamie “Multiple Man” Madrox and Guido. Everyone involved knew what they were getting with Guido even before he picked the team press conference to announce his superhero codename.
Romance
On again/off again lovers Havok and Polaris were reunited when this team formed. After years of separation, mental manipulations and faked deaths, did this couple ever have hopes for a loving, lasting relationship? And to add fuel to the fire, fellow teammate Wolfsbane had developed an obsession for Havok after the two had been forced to share a mental link.
Ahead of Their Time
At least a decade or two before Steve Rogers thought of the idea of an Avengers Unity Squad composed of Avengers and X-Men members, this version of X-Factor went to work for the US government as the country’s official sanctioned mutant team. So this series was not only full of political intrigue, but also the most public display of mutants working to be accepted by the general population. Valerie Cooper was the team’s government liaison, and while she steered the team where they need to go, they also had an effect on her, causing her to lighten up and have some fun once in awhile.
Action, Action, Action
You may be thinking comedy, romance, government regulations? This is a mutant book, where’s the action. The various members of this version of X-Factor were so powerful and had such a variety of powers, they were able to battle powerful groups such as Mister Sinister and his Nasty Boys and even the Hulk himself.
And there you have it. This classic team needs to return, written by Peter David of course.
And this team would be perfect for a spinoff Fox/X-Men movie, and could even feature a Deadpool cameo since most of this team’s members are already practical jokers in their own right and Fox has the rights to all these characters.
So what do you think? Bring back this X-Factor team in comics and movies? Let me know YOUR thoughts, I love to talk Marvel Comics!
@Nightwingpdp & @marvel_roundup on Twitter
You can hear me discussing all things Marvel (comics, movies, TV) every week with my cohost Charlie Esser (@CharlieEsser) on the All New Marvel Roundup and Superconnectivity, both part of the Nuff Said Podcast. I also write another blog, the Legends of DC and do a podcast of the same name. You can find all my podcasts, blogs and those of others at www.southgatemediagroup.com. You can also find all my creative endeavors at www.philperich.wordpress.com.
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