X-Factor Vol. 3: Many Lives of Madrox

X-Factor (2005) (Collected Editions)

by Peter David, Pablo Raimondi (Illustrator), Khoi Pham (Illustrator)

Five words to strike fear into the hearts of spies and evildoers everywhere: Jamie Madrox, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Except that when Madrox decides it's time to start gathering in the stray dupes that are still wandering around, the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent doesn't especially want to go...and S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't especially inclined to let him go. Plus: Remember X-Factor #87? "X-Aminations," the analysis issue? Sure you do. Everybody does. Well, Peter David and new regular artist Pablo Raimondi evoke memories of that classic tale with "Re-X-Aminations" as the new team unloads their hopes, fears and darkest secrets to an attentive Doc Samson. Collects X-Factor #13-17.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, X Men, Superheroes, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

120 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2007

About the author

aka 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.

Reviews

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

X-Factor continues to be the best X-men type of comic I've ever read.

So this volume finally talks about the moments that happened in the last book. Remember when Madrox slept with two ladies? Not at the same time silly, he just made copies of himself, and each slept with two of the major teammates on the X-Factor team. Pretty screwed up huh? We also deal with the fallout of a certain murder and how the character grows from it. Also the twist and turns with the Hydra plotline were interesting.

Good: I really do love the dialog. It's sharp, witty, and just overall really fun. The art remains extremely strong as well. A dark yet hopeful look into the world of the X-men. I love the prison scene, and of course the final issue, all really bring this series to light for me. Focusing on the injustice of mutants and that is always number 1 thing for me in a X-Men series.

Bad: It dragged a little with the Hydra storyline. While fun two issues worth can get a little grating. Also the fact everyone else had a more interesting plotline right now.

Overall X-Factor Volume 3, without giving spoilers, keeps out characters growing and going into new areas. I really loved the shit out of these characters and hope it continues to be very very solid.

[Vinton Bayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best volume yet. I love the moral exploration.

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, this series is amazing! It would be such an awesome TV show. 5/5 stars.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

ha ha ha, so Doc Samson is terapist to mutants now?
I am completely lost when it comes to the Marvel Universe. I used to be the penultimate Marvel junkie, and used to buy just about every book Marvel put out, then somewhere at the end of the eighties or start of the nineties, something happened and I just quit... cold turkey.
Apart from some self-contained series, I have not been keeping up with Marvel continuity.

All that to say that, apart from Doc Samson, I have absolutely no ides who any of these characters are.

Not to say that this wasn`t well-writen, or well illustrated, it was. But it felt like I was just walking into the middle of something and I was completely lost. I donèt really feel compelled to find out what I missed or am missing after following this.

Not regretting the read, but then again, m'eh.

Ce livre est un des multiples livres qu'y m'ont été offert par Martin du groupe Goodreads, Merci Martin.

[Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another virtually perfect volume. This series just keeps on delivering. This time the focus is on character development. That much is obvious from the first issue "Re-X-Aminations" where we see each member talk to a therapist, each reacting differently but ultimately shining a light on what demons they're facing. Brilliant issue. From there we jump into an arc where Madrox is hunting down some dupes he sent out prior to the beginning of the series. This leads him into all kinds of moral conundrums regarding his powers. We also see lots of developments for all the other characters; every single one. As usual, it's all expertly handled by Peter David.

As for the art, it's mostly done by Pablo Raimondi, who pencilled the Madrox mini. His work is very good, but after seeing Sook, Calero and Arlem, I don't enjoy it as much. It's great, don't get me wrong, but those other artists have spoiled me. It's worth pointing out, however, that Raimondi's panel layouts are better. The coloring doesn't help too much; again, not because it's bad, but because the others have all been so damn good. Still, overall this series is a looker.

As a whole, this gets a perfect 10/10. I could go a half point lower due to the art, but honestly this run is just too damn good as a package. Easily my favorite X-book so far.

[Alex Sarll]

I stalled on this series for years through not being able to find this volume in libraries, but my word it was worth the wait. Opening with a reprise of the classic Doc Samson issue from David’s first X-Factor run, the on-the-couch interviews serve as a handy recap after my hiatus, and also emphasises that this team are even more of a mess than their bickering predecessors. And the theme of them all being broken people is made fabulously literal in the following issues, as Madrox sets out to round up the duplicates he’s created and let loose over the years. The whole point of the character, at least as David writes him, is that he’s the man who never has to make a decision – but when he finds the lives his copies have made for themselves, suddenly he does. Re-absorb them and their experiences, at the cost of ending their individual lives? Or let them stay free, at the cost of never quite being whole himself?

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best volume yet!

Despite being the least "focused" volume in the series so far, this X-Factor book definitely has the best stories. With two main plots running parallel, one with Jamie attempting to track down all the random dupes he sent out, and other with Monet and Siryn dealing with the fallout of Jamie's... actions... from the last volume.

Each issue was pretty great, however one issue in particular cemented X-Factor as one of the best X-Books of all time. Unlike most X-Books this whole volume was grounded and focused on the characters. No alien attempting to blow up the world or convoluted time travel mess- just people trying to deal with their problems.

The whole "people dealing with their problems" aspect of this book is shown of spectacularly in the first issue, where each character discusses what they're feeling with a therapist.

This is also the first X-Factor book that actually made me feel emotional, which is incredible considering this mostly a comedic story. Comedy, good action, good mystery and tells an emotional story? It's almost like this is the perfect X-Book.

Highly recommended.

[Dan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This has to be my least favorite X-force incarnation. The many lives of -zzzzzz was so boring.

[Jedhua · Rating 3 out of 5]

ABSOLUTE RATING: {3+/5 stars}

STANDARDIZED RATING: <3/5 stars>

[Desmond Killian · Rating 5 out of 5]

DK's House of M to Messiah CompleX reading order
1. House of M
2. Decimation: Son of M
3. X-Factor volume 1
4. X-Men: Deadly Genesis
5. X-Men: Supernovas
6. X-Factor volume 2
7. X-Factor volume 3
8. X-Factor volume 4
9. Messiah CompleX

Hi guys. I think I'm falling in love with X-Factor. These quirky characters are all so endearing and well-realized that it's almost like they're real people. This is another rock-solid volume and P.A.D. kicks it off with a sequel to OG X-Factor #87 "X-Aminations"-- "RE-X-Aminations." It's a thought-provoking ish and it helped get me back in the loop after a few volumes away from the XF team. (Even if it feels a little like he's playing the hits...)

The main thrust(s) (um. Pun intended?) of the volume is 1. Jamie's infidelity with Siryn and M and 2. his duplicate selves spiraling out of control. Siryn and M make nice and go to France where they bust up an anti-mutant riot, rescuing a Parisian mutant refugee (more on her next volume.) Meanwhile Jamie does a little soul-searching by attempting to reabsorb some of his wayward dupes. On a mission to recall an uppity SHIELD agent duplicate, he has his mind shattered by HYDRA, tilting his personality closer to Thanatos-- his death instinct. " And that's bad. Very... very... bad."

Then there's a heartbreaking encounter where we meet John Madrox-- a duplicate of Jamie's who has founded his own life and become a pastor at a homey little church. Jamie sees how much more successful John's become and grants him mercy by not recalling him. I'm not crying. You're crying.

Finally he meets a dupe who's mastered the art of detection... and become a stinking drunk alcoholic. Things have gotten too hot for Det. Madrox and we watch in horror as he commits suicide by cop. Damn!!

Tl:Dr Many Lives of Madrox helps flesh out X-Factor Investigation's resident goofball as we meet literal personifications of his fractured personality. Here's another book YOU SHOULD BE READING!

[Meredith Katz · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the aftermath of the Singularity incident, Madrox insists his team go to therapy, which was honestly one of the most interesting parts of a superhero comic I've read. I don't hold out hope that the therapist *isn't* a supervillain (since that's the obvious next step), but both getting to see the characters this raw and getting to see them getting help was a really good part of this.

Beyond that, the mystery is ramping up. Madrox has to deal with the fallout of him/a dupe sleeping with two of the team -- with the two ladies in question, after some initial resentment, deciding to just be mad at him rather than each other (another nice change), which is great except that they accidentally start an international incident in France. Madrox himself tries to deal with his being torn every which way by reabsorbing dupes until this causes a moral quandry. Also he gets kidnapped by Hydra.

The end of this volume introduces a new story twist (minister of defense getting attacked, Madrox on the case) which I'm excited to get into. Some noir-style misogynistic comments from characters directly, but that seems like a character choice since the women are solidly written all around and have their own shit going on apart from Man Problems. No more queer death, more queer on-page rep (Rictor just outright casually saying he's into guys being met by Madrox ribbing him about his friendship with Shatterstar, Madrox's therapist essentially pointing out that maaaaaybe Madrox jokes about banging dudes too much to be entirely straight and he might want to think about that). Not the most plotty volume but not every issue needs to be.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvel needs to put out a big Peter David X-Factor omnibus. I bought the first two volumes, enjoyed them for the most part. I had a few head scratching moments due to my complete ignorance of the other X-titles, but good stuff. Kinda drifted away due in part an impending crossover, but saw this on the "graphic novel" display at the library. It's very good, and I'd love to get a much meatier chunk of it. Raimondi's a terrific artist, strong designs, character acting, and layouts.

And Peter David is, I don't say it often because I read little Marvel, one of the best superhero writers in the business. His characters are psychologically grounded and real, giving stories gravitas, but he's also willing to have some fun and crack some jokes to keep the story fun and inviting.

[Scott Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. David continues to demonstrate that he's one of the best writers comics have seen. Granted this is a relatively old run, first published in 2011, so the quality of these books shouldn't be news, but it's at such a high level of storytelling it still deserves all the gushing it inspires all these years later.

David derives everything, everything from character. Even his various superheroey, villain initiated bits in the plot serve to illuminate character and relationships above all. This means the reader is always attached to these characters, always emotionally invested, whether the stakes are enormous or tiny, whether the action is screaming along or strolling. And that is the secret to good storytelling.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the great x-read of 2017/18

Oh man, do I love this one.

First you get an amazing followup to the Doc Samson psychotherapy issue from the old X-factor series (which is cool on a lot of levels), then follow that up with a surprisingly emotional triptych of Jamie deciding to reabsorb his dupes (or not).

I already really love this series and can't wait to see what happens next. One of my favorites of this whole crazy ordeal so far.

[Vladimír · Rating 4 out of 5]

Po eventovom volume 2 sa opäť vraciame do starých dobrých kvalitných koľají. Tím je v troskách a číslo odohrávajúce sa u psychiatra je top! Jamieho misia nájsť samého seba funguje skvele a prináša množstvo morálne zaujímavých križovatiek. Každá postava z tímu má svoje problémy a niekam sa posúva. Nikto nestojí bokom a nie je len do počtu. Jednoducho je to fungujúca tímovka, ktorá ma stále neskutočne baví.

[Brad McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two takeaways here.

Jamie starts to reabsorb the dupes he sent off to learn stuff. The reverend has a wife and son and pleads to be left alone. Jamie does. Then there's the world's greatest detective Jamie. Who gets himself killed.

At the end of this volume, Pietro gives some mutants their powers back because he thought he could control it by using the powerless Rictor as a conduit. It works for a short time before they spontaneously combust

[Ryan Fohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh hell yeah. I’m really digging this series. Learning more about all the messed up characters. My favorite issue was the one from the POV of the team’s therapist, there is hardly any action, and yet it’s everything I wanted. Pretty cool seeing multiple man crush hydra agents with a crowd of dupes. The artwork also got better.

“The future is written by the winners. History is written by the survivors.”

What I learned: Stockholm syndrome is also called “capture bonding.”

[Cat S · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the age rating of this book, visit my blog for the full article!

Okay, so this book had even less action than the previous one. Actually, it had almost none. What I did enjoy about it, though, is it gave us character development. There was a lot that happened in the last TPB that was addressed in this book in a deep way. I have to say that the first issue in this volume (#13) was by far my favorite. It was all talking and discussing, but the insights we got into the characters (and a bit of foreshadowing into what was to come) were phenomenal. I don’t know if I was just more attentive to this one and more in the mood to read it compared to the last book, but I enjoyed it just a bit more.

I remember that this was the set of issues that made me fall in love with the characters on a deeper level. I already enjoyed them because of their humor, but this helped me just really become invested. I loved the drama between Jamie, Monet, and Theresa. I know that’s not why you’re supposed to read comic books, but honestly, it adds so much more enjoyment to it for me. It’s comical at times and we get to watch the characters get closer to one another. It just ultimate adds more stakes to the eventual fight scenes where there’s a chance someone will die. Oh, I hope no one dies… my heart couldn’t take it.

This was a good TPB in my opinion so I really think you should continue reading. If I remember correctly, the next one is more exciting and it leads into the Messiah Complex event.

[Sharla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know the use of a shrink is common in noir, but it was a perfect addition to this volume of X-Factor. It gave each of the characters a chance to voice their issues in a way that felt natural and appropriate. It also set Jamie on an interesting journey that gave new insight to his powers and the effect they have on him. Another great volume; thank goodness I have the volume 4!

[Judith Groen · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this series! I like every single character in it. I love the soulsearching (literally) of Jamie and the descisions he makes while on it. I love the humor of Layla. The art is also very good. Can't wait to continue reading :)

[Lilli W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. An enjoyable volume, although the plot is a bit more disjointed. I really liked the first issue, which was a long therapy session for the characters. It reminded me of Young Justice season 1 episode 17, which is ironic since Peter David wrote the original Young Justice series in the 90's.

[Madeline Rossell · Rating 3 out of 5]

David is really great at creating dynamic men characters. Like they're so well written I almost want to ignore my critique and give it 4 stars. but while his men characters are really well rounded, his women characters fall flat.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent.
I laughed, I cried.
I cared.

Wonderful.

[Felipr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que buen desarrollo psicológico tienen los personajes.

[Michael T. Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another pretty solid story.

[Dony Grayman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Panini lo publicó en revistas en los números 12 a 15, si no me equivoco.

[Ondra Král · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I made a political statement."
Třetí knížka a stále skvělé, David umí a ty postavy jsou perfektní.
4,5*

[The_Mad_Swede · Rating 3 out of 5]

This third volume collects issues #13–17 of Peter David's latest X-Factor (vol. 3) run. Jamie Madrox goes on a quest to collect a number of duplicates he has sent out into the world to learn various things (including the one who has become an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.).

Taking a step back in grading from the preceding volume, I cannot shake the feeling of a possible discovery or realisation: Is David stuck in an MPD notion which is already outdated in psychological terms?

Do not get me wrong, obviously a character named the Multiple Man lends itself to thoughts around MPD, but I cannot help but ask myself if it is actually a Multiple Man feature or a David feature. I cannot remember ever seeing any depiction of Jamie Madrox's powers that indicates that the doubles are in fact different personalities of his (rather than full-on copies). Now this may of course be something I have missed, and might well have been established by some other writer than David, but given his work on the Hulk (a lot of which I am fond of), it does beg the question. Especially since psychology, as far as I have understood it, has moved away from the MPD diagnosis in favour of dissociative disorders (the explanatory models of which seem quite different).

I am not given up on X-Factor just yet, mind you, but in this volume where it was brought to the foreground particularly much, it did start to irk me a bit. We will have to wait and see on which side of the fence future volumes leave me.

[Munsi Parker-Munroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot going on in Volume Three of X-Factor, plots get advanced, characters get developed, everyone goes to therapy, but I'm going to focus on the bit that I liked best, because I'm in a good mood and as such want to focus on things I like.

The Many Lives of Madrox storyline tells the exact same story three times over the course of three issues, with wildly different tones and results, which I found fascinating. Jamie Madrox tracks down a duplicate he sent out years ago, has a look at the life he led, learns about himself and walks away a fuller person for the experience. Uncomplicated, right? And yet, the three issues in which the story repeats are, by turns;

1) A rip-roaring espionage story.
2) A contemplative meditation on faith, family and identity, and...
3) A powerful, mildly depressing story of desperation that moves the main plot arc of the story forward in unexpected ways.

Madrox is left with new aspects of his personality to explore and grow to understand, the team begins to stitch itself back together after the strain it's put under in the previous storylines, and the overall impression is one of small, personal moments rather than sweeping mythology, even as the team, split from one another, travel the world in search of their personal meanings. The rest of the team, during this, are also off having adventures and learning about themselves in ways that mirror what their leader's doing, but like I said, I liked the Madrox storyline best so that's the one I've chosen to focus on...

[Labyrinth Rossiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book opens with "Re-X-aminations" in which Doc Samson has a therapy session with each member of the team. This is in keeping with the book's focus on characterization. Short version as Doc puts it, They all bear further study." From there, Peter David continues the story's roller-coaster ride feel. You just never know what will happen next. There's always the "X-Factor" that sends events careening in a direction you didn't expect. For example, Jamie decides he needs to "get himself together," so he goes hunting down his dupes to reabsorb them. Even though they're HIS dupes, it's not as easy as you'd think. There's that SHIELD guy, and absorbing him sends Jamie on an interesting tangent with Hydra. And his dupes have become so independent that one has created a family! Finally, there's the detective that knows too much and... well you should read. Meanwhile Monet & Siryn go on an "adventure" in Paris where they're still coming across atrocities against mutants WHO USED TO BE MUTANTS... How awful. When you're saving people, be careful about that X-Factor though... Rictor & Rahne accidentally "save" a terrorist who looks like a kid from "thugs" who turned out to be FBI agents, which the government would like back, thanks so much, which leads into the next book...