X-Factor, Vol. 16: Together Again for the First Time

X-Factor (2005) (Collected Editions)

by Peter David

As Havok and Polaris take the reins of X-Factor Investigations, the Isolationist returns! And when Monet calls out Layla, what starts as a catfight rapidly gets ugly. Then, when something begins eviscerating super heroes in Seattle, X-Factor is called in to investigate. But when they encounter the villainous Scattershot, who looks suspiciously like two members of X-Factor Investigations ... Shatterstar goes berserk!

COLLECTING: X-FACTOR 233-236

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

112 pages, Hardcover

First published March 21, 2012

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

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm having an absolute blast re-reading all these X-Factor books. It's making me quite sad that there's no PAD-written X-Factor book on the shelves at the moment, to be honest. Best line in the book?

'Zip up yer damned uniform; even I'm sicka lookin' at'cher rack!'
- Pip the Troll, to Monet St. Croix

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

X-factor remains super fun and interesting.

Jamie is back from the dead. Whohoo! But coming back isn't without consequences. Right off the bat they blame Layla since she now can bring people back to death and Monet and others aren't too happy. On top of that Jamie now has to work with Havok to run the X-Factor. Last but not least we have the villains behind the scenes building towards something real bad.

I enjoyed almost all this. The dialogue is sharp and fun as always. I also enjoyed seeing the team back together and bickering. The villains are okay so far, probably weakest part of the volume. The extra issue is useless. Overall a 3.5 out of 5, but I'll bump it to a 4.

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Isolationist is back! And someone's killing fake super heroes! More quirky fun, as the team continues it's quirkiness despite Havoc and Polaris rejoining post Schism. A weak 6 out of 12, despite the great dialogue.

[Emmett Spain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short volume that was a little more scattershot than previous volumes, but still very readable. Not the most memorable arc in an otherwise excellent run.

[Alex Sarll]

In light of Madrox's death, Havok and Polaris take over leading the team – only for Madrox to turn up alive after all (and as Guido asks, by now, why are superheroes even surprised by this?). Otherwise, the stories here are pretty rudimentary: an anti-mutant cult, and a satire on half-arsed wannabe superheroes and reality TV. Which is fine, because these issues are more about bedding in the returning cast members and foreshadowing something big and bad on the horizon. Still a fun read, but three-quarters of the way in there is a sense that it ended at about the right time.

[Tomás Sendarrubias García · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pues mientras Madrox andaba muerto y Layla esperaba que resucitara, el mundo no se había quedado parado, y más o menos en este ínterin, Pícara había dirigido un equipo de la Patrulla al Imperio Shi'ar para encontrar a Kaos, Polaris y Rachel, que continuaban en el espacio desde la ya lejana etapa de Brubaker en la que se habían unido a los Saqueadores Estelares y habían participado en los eventos de Guerra de Reyes. Así que con Kaos y Polaris de nuevo en la Tierra y del lado de Lobezno, ha llegado el momento de que Alex y Lorna vuelvan al equipo que fundaron en su momento, con Val Cooper de nuevo como interventora y enlace del grupo, reuniéndose así prácticamente la primer alineación del grupo de la primera etapa de Peter David, en la que estaban Kaos, Polaris, Madrox, Fortachón, Loba Venenosa y Mercurio. Y aquí tenemos las primeras misiones del grupo con Kaos y Polaris de nuevo con ellos, y el regreso de Madrox y Layla, con lo que queda un equipo de lo más numeroso... aunque David no tardó mucho en empezar a trabajar dividiendo el equipo, y enviando a Madrox y Estrella Rota en una misión particular. Y es que hay alguien que está matando a jóvenes aspirantes a héroes en Seattle, de forma que ambos acuden a investigarlo... para encontrarse con que quizá hay un vínculo entre el asesino y el pasado de Estrella Rota...

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the great x-read of 2017/18...

Another enjoyable volume in David's run of one of the best x-book. This one is a little more scattered (and short, filling it up with an old Shatterstar/Wolverine tale...) but still a great read. I'm happy to see more information on Layla and this one has a lot of great humor.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the typical Peter David/X-Factor wit is present, the story is incomplete and isn't very compelling. The story seemed like a half-finished filler story and that's not good. Leonard Kirk delivers good pencils but its a step back from last volume's artist. Overall, this doesn't seem like essential reading and that's a problem.

[Rob Marney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This arc is fine. There's a cool premise - superhero wannabes interacting with the C-listers of X-Factor - but too much of the arc is devoted to resetting the board, catching up with increasingly ornamental characters Havok and Polaris, and giving Shatterstar some space. Evil Guido's characterization is spot on, but this filler arc is just OK.

[Austin Gorton · Rating 2 out of 5]

A transitional arc, with the first half dealing with the return of Havok & Polaris to the team, followed by a mildly-interesting two-parter that maybe could have used another issue. Art is perfectly cromulent, nothing too exciting but gets the job done.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so Peter David managed to write this series for 90+ issues and everything was working fine without Havok & Polaris, and the series seems to be on its tail end, so why the hell does he now feel the need to bring these 2 characters in? **Addendum: It didn't last: Havok leaves the team at the end of X-Factor - Volume 18: Breaking Points to join the Marvel Now! Avengers team.

Hopefully David's going somewhere with the return of the Isolationist (last volume he brought back Mr.Tryp - albeit briefly). Maybe he'll finally tie up these dangling plot threads. Oh, and Madrox is back from the dead (that didn't last - but then again he's arguably the central character of the series).

I did not care at all for the "bonus" issue (Wolverine #54) from 1992. Was the fact that it features Shatterstar the only reason for its inclusion? Looks like.

On a side note, I was disappointed that this went straight to softcover trade paperback format, instead of having the hardcover version come out first. It seems the next volumes to be released will be like that as well. Too bad for me, I guess (I much prefer the hardcovers!).

[Christina Nightengale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best line by far in this volume was, "I'm your worst nightmare people! I'm a super-strong Muslim Mutant with PMS! So BACK the Hell off!" Oh how I love Monet St. Croix/ M!!! I loved the first half of this volume, but the second half wasn't as good. Havok was doing a good job as team leader. It was cool to see everyone's powers on display. I did like how Polaris decided to take a stroll through Central Park. Jamie's dupe grabbing his butt during the group hug was hilarious! Monet and Layla's talk was well done. Jamie and Shatterstar's undercover costumes were great, but that was one of the few good parts of the wannabe Seattle Mutants storyline. Havok and Jamie's fighting got old fast. Guido's soulless film criticizing was great!

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first couple of issues, showing the reintegration of the new team, are enjoyable even if they’re mostly plotfree or else setup for the future. Nonetheless, the characterization carries them [7/10]. Unfortunately the second two issues, about Scattershot, are pretty dull without a lot going for them. It feels like David wrote the whole thing just to whine about reality TV [5/10]. Finally, the Wolverine issue was totally unnecessary, especially since we saw much the same plot in the last two X-Factor issues, and it wasn’t even very good either [4/10]. I guess Marvel included it to try and justify their continuing high price of $16.99 for these micro volumes.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Madrox is back, but so is Alec Summers and Lorna Dane. The result? Madrox gives up a little bit of his leadership of X-Factor investigations, and maybe the team is working better as a team under Alec.

An well executed and somewhat sad story is Shatterstar and Madrox investigate the murders of super heroes in a story that appears to be inspired by those who in real life have taken to patrolling their city's streets trying to do good deeds without super powers or training. A story that shows why people shouldn't do this.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The team find out that Jamie has come back from the dead, meanwhile Havok is not too happy about sharing leadership. Someone is killing wannabe superheroes and X Factor investigate. The case storyline is interesting, and has some nice touches. Especially Shatterstar's reaction to the murders. A good read.

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marvel continues to collect this enjoyable series in too-small chunks. Only four issues this time, with a vaguely related issue of "Wolverine" thrown in to pad out the page count and (sort of) justify the $16.99 price. I like the story and art but am just as glad I got this from the library.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely love this series and it never disappoints.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Individual issues on marvel unlimited

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, that was short and incoherent. Three issues?!?!?!?!?!? #233-236?!?!?!?