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X-Factor (2005) (Collected Editions)
X-Factor, Vol. 15: They Keep Killing Madrox
Layla Miller. Jamie Madrox. Husband and wife. Lying murdered in their honeymoon suite. The moment you thought would never come is here, and not only are you a witness to it, but so is Jamie Madrox himself. We feel safe in saying that this is X-Factor as you've never seen them before, in what has to be the trippiest story arc in the history of Marvel. COLLECTING: X-Factor 229-232
112 pages, Hardcover
First published May 30, 2012
About the author
Peter David
3,712 books1,384 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 31, 2025
A very week 6 out of 12, Three Stars for this rather uninspired trip for Madrox across realities, which may make more sense further down the line... who knows? The plus side is the 'Regenesis' issue sees Wolverine visit post Schism with a surprise for the team.
2018 read
2018 read
April 8, 2019
Story: This was a more weird story than straight narrative. Basically, from the events of the last chapter, Jamie is offically dead. Or so we believe. This is comics...nobody stays dead. So with that Jamie is jumping through various different universes in this story. At the same time the team is dealing with the loss of their leader and not in a very good way. Fighting, screaming, and bickering. Wolverine comes by to say hey and introduces some old teammates to the new x-factor team.
Art: Overall pretty solid. This series is not on its stride of keeping up to date with the art and not mix matching again. The designs and such are always a big plus.
Enjoyment: I liked some of the alternate realities. My favorite being if Scarlet witch said "No more Humans" instead of "No more Mutants". A really sick future that is scary as shit. I also liked the x-factor bickering and bitching to each other, it makes them feel more real and like a family. The ending is leading up to something interesting.
What didn't work: Didn't really care for some of the alternate realities. The worse being the doctor strange one. Also, it felt too obvious they would be coming back.
Overall, not the strongest volume. While still fun and entertaining it was missing the oomph I would expect from the series. A 3 out of 5.
Art: Overall pretty solid. This series is not on its stride of keeping up to date with the art and not mix matching again. The designs and such are always a big plus.
Enjoyment: I liked some of the alternate realities. My favorite being if Scarlet witch said "No more Humans" instead of "No more Mutants". A really sick future that is scary as shit. I also liked the x-factor bickering and bitching to each other, it makes them feel more real and like a family. The ending is leading up to something interesting.
What didn't work: Didn't really care for some of the alternate realities. The worse being the doctor strange one. Also, it felt too obvious they would be coming back.
Overall, not the strongest volume. While still fun and entertaining it was missing the oomph I would expect from the series. A 3 out of 5.
October 8, 2012
Unfortunately, the central concept of this volume — Madrox bouncing from one dysfunctional reality to another — just isn’t that interesting. Sure, David creates interesting backgrounds, but this hasn’t been an original idea since the 1980s. Thankfully the volume is saved by David’s wit and characterization, particularly by the too scant bits we get of the main team.
Also, I'm not impressed by Marvel padding out this volume with a script just so that they could overprice it. $16.99 for four issues is really disgraceful. That's *more* expensive than the single issues even if they were some of the ones priced at Marvel's ridiculous new $3.99 price point. Marvel should be ashamed of themselves.
Also, I'm not impressed by Marvel padding out this volume with a script just so that they could overprice it. $16.99 for four issues is really disgraceful. That's *more* expensive than the single issues even if they were some of the ones priced at Marvel's ridiculous new $3.99 price point. Marvel should be ashamed of themselves.
November 27, 2020
Bueno, pues en Las Muchas Muertes de Madrox, Peter David vuelve a demostrar que es el maestro en esto de ir mejorando sobre lo mejor. Por primera vez en mucho tiempo Factor-X deja de ser una serie coral y esta historia está protagonizada completamente por Jamie Madrox, uno de los personajes favoritos del guionista, convertido en la estrella de este arco... diría estrella única, pero con Madrox de por medio sabemos que hay pocas cosas únicas.
Y es que después del sorprendente final del anterior arco, donde Madrox había sido asesinado por Baño de Sangre, nos encontramos a Jamie saltando de realidad alternativa a realidad alternativa, pero siempre donde un Madrox acaba de morir. Y David no recurre a las realidades clásicas, sino que se inventa algunas propias, y de hecho una es bastante interesante, la verdad. Así, vemos a Madrox aparecer en un mundo donde se está casando con Layla Miller y ambos son asesinados por la hija de Rahne y Hrimhari, otro donde Iron Man domina el mundo con sus grandes centinelas, el Capitán América es Deathlok y la Bruja Escarlata dijo "No más humanos", y un tercero donde Madrox ha sido el aprendiz del Doctor Extraño. Y todo esto con el enigmático Mister Tryp ejerciendo de enigmático invitado y el anuncio de algo que está por llegar y de lo que ya nos han hablado antes, La Guerra del Infierno en la Tierra.
En fin, no mucho más que decir, mola mucho, es muy Peter David y eso es muy bueno .
Y es que después del sorprendente final del anterior arco, donde Madrox había sido asesinado por Baño de Sangre, nos encontramos a Jamie saltando de realidad alternativa a realidad alternativa, pero siempre donde un Madrox acaba de morir. Y David no recurre a las realidades clásicas, sino que se inventa algunas propias, y de hecho una es bastante interesante, la verdad. Así, vemos a Madrox aparecer en un mundo donde se está casando con Layla Miller y ambos son asesinados por la hija de Rahne y Hrimhari, otro donde Iron Man domina el mundo con sus grandes centinelas, el Capitán América es Deathlok y la Bruja Escarlata dijo "No más humanos", y un tercero donde Madrox ha sido el aprendiz del Doctor Extraño. Y todo esto con el enigmático Mister Tryp ejerciendo de enigmático invitado y el anuncio de algo que está por llegar y de lo que ya nos han hablado antes, La Guerra del Infierno en la Tierra.
En fin, no mucho más que decir, mola mucho, es muy Peter David y eso es muy bueno .
Read
December 26, 2019The Multiple Man, presumed dead, is in fact bouncing from alternate reality to alternate reality, all of them sucking even worse than his own. Back home, Wolverine turns up asking the team to take his side in the X-schism, which threw me because on some subconscious level I think of this book as being from longer ago than that and I couldn't tell you why. Also, everyone is giving Guido grief about literally having no soul, even if they can't put their finger on quite why. Nor is it clear how sincere he's being when he says the only effect he's noticed is going off James Brown. Deep in its own mythology and melodrama by this point, and what Volume 15 wouldn't be, but still a deeply relatable and humane read.
September 23, 2016
nuthin hapenin here...
December 15, 2021
4.5.
I loved this volume!! Watching Jamie go to different worlds each time he dies is a really cool concept to watch play out. My only complaint is that I wish it weren’t just apocalyptic worlds. I liked the first world, because he saw alternate versions of his friends, I would have liked to see more casual worlds. Even so, I loved it.
I thought the scene where the whole team was fighting was kind of funny. All of them in this tiny room, yelling at each other over Madrox and Guido.
Someone calling Guido a “half-man.”
Guido: I’m all man! You want to see these pecks in action?!
Shatterstar: Actually I would-
Rictor (jealous): Knock it off!
Oh ‘Star you always lighten the mood.
I wish this team would get along a bit better generally though. There’s always something they’re fighting about, from time to time I like to see their friendship. Also, some unlikely friendships like Terry and Rictor, or Guido and Shatterstar, or Layla and Monet. One of my favourite moments in the whole series was Monet tanning on the roof and Shatterstar was hanging out with her. I think they would make the cutest best friends. Absolute girlbosses. I also loved ‘Star “singing in the rain” and Rahne annoyed at him, it was endearing seeing them work past their jealousy regarding Rictor. I live for these small moments. I just yearn for more.
This series is an absolute gem.
I loved this volume!! Watching Jamie go to different worlds each time he dies is a really cool concept to watch play out. My only complaint is that I wish it weren’t just apocalyptic worlds. I liked the first world, because he saw alternate versions of his friends, I would have liked to see more casual worlds. Even so, I loved it.
I thought the scene where the whole team was fighting was kind of funny. All of them in this tiny room, yelling at each other over Madrox and Guido.
Someone calling Guido a “half-man.”
Guido: I’m all man! You want to see these pecks in action?!
Shatterstar: Actually I would-
Rictor (jealous): Knock it off!
Oh ‘Star you always lighten the mood.
I wish this team would get along a bit better generally though. There’s always something they’re fighting about, from time to time I like to see their friendship. Also, some unlikely friendships like Terry and Rictor, or Guido and Shatterstar, or Layla and Monet. One of my favourite moments in the whole series was Monet tanning on the roof and Shatterstar was hanging out with her. I think they would make the cutest best friends. Absolute girlbosses. I also loved ‘Star “singing in the rain” and Rahne annoyed at him, it was endearing seeing them work past their jealousy regarding Rictor. I live for these small moments. I just yearn for more.
This series is an absolute gem.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2018
Continuing the great x-read of 2017/2018... (and I am very far behind on reviews again so this batch will once again be short. One of these days I will get back to reviewing each volume as I finish them so they don't all sort of start bleeding together in my head as they tend to do.)
Still loving David's run even if the jumping-from-alternate-reality-to-alternate-reality-trying-to-get-home bit has been done and done to death.
Also, I love Layla Miller. David has taken her from precog Lolita 2d character who primarily existed to throw weird wrenches into the plot into someone who never does exactly the expected but always has her own reasons. She is a fascinating character and I hope that she sticks around. Her character growth has been fascinating to watch.
Still loving David's run even if the jumping-from-alternate-reality-to-alternate-reality-trying-to-get-home bit has been done and done to death.
Also, I love Layla Miller. David has taken her from precog Lolita 2d character who primarily existed to throw weird wrenches into the plot into someone who never does exactly the expected but always has her own reasons. She is a fascinating character and I hope that she sticks around. Her character growth has been fascinating to watch.
November 30, 2019
If Jamie Madrox is dead, then how can he be a witness to his murder? To make matters worse, it is on his wedding night, and his new bride also a victim of a gruesome crime. It is another bizarre case in which Madrox, the Multiple Man must find his way back to X-Factor.
Time travel and alternate realities are so common in the X-Men books that writers need to find a way to make a story stand out. It starts as an interesting whodunit but turns into another routine transdimensional caper. To make it a little more disappointing, this is also a solo story, so we don't get the team dynamics and banter that make Peter David's stories so fun to read. Emanuela Lupacchino's artwork did not help me get excited about this collection.
Time travel and alternate realities are so common in the X-Men books that writers need to find a way to make a story stand out. It starts as an interesting whodunit but turns into another routine transdimensional caper. To make it a little more disappointing, this is also a solo story, so we don't get the team dynamics and banter that make Peter David's stories so fun to read. Emanuela Lupacchino's artwork did not help me get excited about this collection.
March 10, 2019
Peter David always has the perfect voice for the X-Factor characters. Here he has Maddrox bouncing around to different realities trying to figure out his life or death circumstances. Its pretty fun. I wished there wasn't an obvious alternate dimension matchup though. The X-Factor team got some interesting visitors and a fantastically insightful conversation. The art by Emanuela Lupacchino is fantastic. Overall, a good but short story that could have used another couple of issues.
July 6, 2019
A fairly dull alternate reality story where every time Madrox dies, he wakes up in a different timeline. It's a bit like Peter David's take on a one-person Exiles team, but it doesn't lead anywhere interesting.
The art is great, but the story seems to be treading water.
I recommend it for Exiles fans, people who like it when Wolverine shows up, and fans of the classic Peter David X-Factor lineup.
The art is great, but the story seems to be treading water.
I recommend it for Exiles fans, people who like it when Wolverine shows up, and fans of the classic Peter David X-Factor lineup.
August 15, 2021
Peter David does his own little Cross-Time Caper, except it doesn't overstay its welcome. Madrox is catapulted into some truly weird alternate universes that do interesting things with the character's personality and powers, while Wolverine appears just long enough to boost sales by 20% and remind everyone to buy the latest X-Men crossover. And it's always gratifying to see Mr. Tryp make cameos like it's Alan Davis Excalibur. Does this really have any lasting impact? No, but it's a lot of fun.
May 11, 2016
Poor Jamie going from one alternate reality to the next. The first one he went to was actually my favorite! I would love to see more of that place! I really liked Shatterstar and Longshot's looks! It was interesting how Rictor didn't like Shatterstar in that timeline. I would have loved to meet Police Chief Parker! I liked when Wolverine did show up at X-Factor in the normal reality, that he didn't takeover the story like usual. He and Layla had a nice talk. Shatterstar's comment about how only Justin Bieber is in more places than Wolverine was great! It was so freaking true! Poor Guido, Monet is not being very nice. Guido and Terry had some good points about how not having a soul could have some benefits. I liked what Pip had to say too until he told Monet to zip up her suit. Not cool Pip...NOT COOL! I love that Longshot's just like,
"So how is it different not having a soul?"
"Well, for one thing, James Brown just don't do it for me no more."
I like that Polaris is now in the mix. I don't care much for Havok. The other alternate realities were interesting, but not as cool as the first one Jamie went to. Steve and Tony always end up disagreeing over something. Magic Madrox was interesting. The dupes having different powers was interesting. Still not sure how I feel about Jamie and Layla as a couple.
"So how is it different not having a soul?"
"Well, for one thing, James Brown just don't do it for me no more."
I like that Polaris is now in the mix. I don't care much for Havok. The other alternate realities were interesting, but not as cool as the first one Jamie went to. Steve and Tony always end up disagreeing over something. Magic Madrox was interesting. The dupes having different powers was interesting. Still not sure how I feel about Jamie and Layla as a couple.
May 26, 2014
Well, let's see, it wasnt a bad read at all, it was enjoyable but let's face it, it's the problem with all "alternate realities" stories, pretty much nothing really happens.
You would think that with a story called "They Keep Killing Madrox" you would get to focus on the rest of the team, but it's quite the opposite. Basically Madrox died and is stuck in alternate realities, and everytime he dies he jumps from one reality to the next. Bunch of stuff happens that I wont spoil for you. So that's Madrox's storyline.
The rest of the team's storyline is yelling at each other like a bunch of overemotional teenager, Layla is brooding, and then Wolverine shows up and... yep, that's it.
So it's still funny, it's well written, but the previous storyline was excellent and emotional, and the book sets up the next storyline which will be bonkers, but this one is just a filler episode between those two, the sort you can skip and not miss a thing. And that's unfortunate.
You would think that with a story called "They Keep Killing Madrox" you would get to focus on the rest of the team, but it's quite the opposite. Basically Madrox died and is stuck in alternate realities, and everytime he dies he jumps from one reality to the next. Bunch of stuff happens that I wont spoil for you. So that's Madrox's storyline.
The rest of the team's storyline is yelling at each other like a bunch of overemotional teenager, Layla is brooding, and then Wolverine shows up and... yep, that's it.
So it's still funny, it's well written, but the previous storyline was excellent and emotional, and the book sets up the next storyline which will be bonkers, but this one is just a filler episode between those two, the sort you can skip and not miss a thing. And that's unfortunate.
May 5, 2022
Apparently Jamie Madrox "died" in the book before this one, which leads to him being shunted into an alternate universe where he takes the place of that universe's local Jamie, who has also just died...
For some reason his dupes work like the local Jamie's would have, which is different from what he and the reader know about his power. He gets killed in every issue collected here and moves from universe to universe before eventually arriving back in his home reality.
Meanwhile everybody else in the X-Factor team is the bitter, snarky, bickering, wise-cracking version of themselves that all Peter David characters turn into. All very repetetive.
For some reason his dupes work like the local Jamie's would have, which is different from what he and the reader know about his power. He gets killed in every issue collected here and moves from universe to universe before eventually arriving back in his home reality.
Meanwhile everybody else in the X-Factor team is the bitter, snarky, bickering, wise-cracking version of themselves that all Peter David characters turn into. All very repetetive.
June 1, 2012
Far too short, and too long removed from the last volume int eh series pulls this 4-issue collection back from the 5 stars it really deserves. I find more and more that I have no patience at all for the X-books as a whole, but eagerly await any new offering from Peter David (new, I'm not even trying to defend "Spider-Man:the Other" or "Apropos of Nothing").
The characters are on point, focused, and a joy to read as always. More than any other x-book, X-Factor is a family, warts and all. Do yourself a favor and read "Super Unnatural" immediately before picking this book up.
The characters are on point, focused, and a joy to read as always. More than any other x-book, X-Factor is a family, warts and all. Do yourself a favor and read "Super Unnatural" immediately before picking this book up.
November 24, 2012
Enjoyed the comics collected here quite a bit, but if I were rating the book (as opposed to its contents), it'd only get two stars. Four issues of a comic (originally priced at $2.99 each) collected in a hardback, and Marvel charges $19.99. There is some attempt to pad the page count with s script sample, but that's all it is: padding. Way overpriced. Glad I got this from the library rather than paying for it myself.
January 18, 2014
All right the title does give away what happened in the prior TPB. So how do they keep this title going with the main character dead? By hitting one of my weak spots, jumping from one alternate reality to another (and we get a portrayal of Tony Stark that I think Iron Man movie fans would like).
But no spoilers as to the the reveal of Guido's secret, and Monet's smaller secret is revealed.
But no spoilers as to the the reveal of Guido's secret, and Monet's smaller secret is revealed.
August 3, 2015
Madrox starts travelling between alternative realities, and his team are trying to cope with the aftermath of their last battle. Some of the alternative realities are interesting, it reminds me of the Exiles series. A good read.
October 13, 2012
Leaving off the while Sliders rip-off, this was a pretty decent story with and interesting coda at the end.
March 10, 2014
Individual issues on marvel unlimited
March 8, 2014
It was well written, the artwork was great, and Madrox is now one of my favorite mutants. Well worth the read.
January 9, 2017
Honestly never have a problem with Peter David's run of X-men it's always been amazing. This book was no exception. Truly good read.
April 19, 2017
While it gets three stars for being *interesting* at it's premise and having good art, it is not as good of a storyline as the previous volume. This follows Madrox, who keeps dying in different realities but ends up being transported to different realities when he dies (?!?! it really isn't as confusing as it sounds when I try to explain it).
Basically this was one really long volume to get Madrox to forgive Layla and bring more weird, unknown villains into the fray.
Basically this was one really long volume to get Madrox to forgive Layla and bring more weird, unknown villains into the fray.
April 11, 2018
Rictor: "Someone unexpected showed up at the front door."
Rahne: "Aw God..."
Rictor: "You'll never guess who."
Shatterstar: "God?"
Rictor: "Uhm... no."
Shatterstar: "Justin Bieber?"
Rictor: "Not, it's not--"
Shatterstar: "Wolverine?"
Rictor: "Holy crap!"
Rahne: "How did ye know?"
Shatterstar: "Well, he tends to be everywhere. Not as much as Justin Bieber, but still..."
A+ dialogues as usual.
The art is also still great. This is my favorite comic-drawing style (even if I could, as always, live with a bit less boobs but... you know. Comics.).
I'm still thoroughly entertained by this story and especially this team. This volume is also stock full of cameos from different characters in the Marvel universe, cause you see... they keep killing Madrox. And every time they do our Madrox wakes up in another parallel universe full of (fun) surprises.
Apropos surprises: The last 20 pages or so of this compilation is the storyboard of the very first chapter aka black/white pages and written dialogue next to it. I don't know why it's there, cause it didn't tell me anything new and lead me to believe that there were another chapter after I finished the actual last one. Boooooo.
Rahne: "Aw God..."
Rictor: "You'll never guess who."
Shatterstar: "God?"
Rictor: "Uhm... no."
Shatterstar: "Justin Bieber?"
Rictor: "Not, it's not--"
Shatterstar: "Wolverine?"
Rictor: "Holy crap!"
Rahne: "How did ye know?"
Shatterstar: "Well, he tends to be everywhere. Not as much as Justin Bieber, but still..."
A+ dialogues as usual.
The art is also still great. This is my favorite comic-drawing style (even if I could, as always, live with a bit less boobs but... you know. Comics.).
I'm still thoroughly entertained by this story and especially this team. This volume is also stock full of cameos from different characters in the Marvel universe, cause you see... they keep killing Madrox. And every time they do our Madrox wakes up in another parallel universe full of (fun) surprises.
Apropos surprises: The last 20 pages or so of this compilation is the storyboard of the very first chapter aka black/white pages and written dialogue next to it. I don't know why it's there, cause it didn't tell me anything new and lead me to believe that there were another chapter after I finished the actual last one. Boooooo.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews