X-Factor: The Only Game In Town by Peter David, Marvel Comics (2008) Hardcover

X-Factor (2005) (Collected Editions)

by Peter David, Pablo Raimondi, Valentine De Landro

X-Factor: The Only Game In Town by Peter David, Marvel Comics (2008) Hardcover

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

Unknown Binding

First published October 1, 2008

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]

Another great volume of Peter David's X-Factor, featuring the machinations of Arcade, Val Cooper's ultimatum to the team and the final fate of Mutant Town. It's all good, baby!

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the weakest volume in the series so far. Saying that, it's still good!

So now we're dealing with the gamemaster and him destroying mutant town. Pretty fucked up, huh? but it's not X-Factor with our pals Jamie and crew dealing with life issues and relationship problems. When everyone begins to drift away and the events of Massiah complex taking our Laila away, we begin to have everyone going different ways. Oh yes, and someone is prego. Because nothing like baby-mama drama!

Good: I liked all the character's interaction and of course them dealing with each other. They all act so human-like it's great. The art is still very unique and special and I really enjoy it. Oh and the ending...well damn, where we going from here?

Bad: I thought the gamemaster or whatever was a weak villain. Also the whole big bad shield like people coming in was kind of been there done that.

Even at it's weakest X-Factor is still plenty entertaining. As long as this is the worst I'm going to love the whole series. A 3 out of 5.

[Alex E · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the X-Men disbanded and Mutant-town now lacking mutants, the X Factor team finds itself drifting away from each other.

I haven't really read much of this title - I only picked up this one because its part of the whole "divided we stand" event happening around this time, but Peter David does an excellent job on keeping the interpersonal relationships of the team pretty interesting. I think that's really where the book shines. The way the characters act around each other, and how they react to things seems very human and is relatable to the reader. That aspect of the book is by far the strongest trait regarding the volume, because the "big bad" of this one is Arcade, and that whole plot was kind of inconsequential at best.

I may one day do an X-Factor read through because this definitely peaked by curiosity. Highly recommended for fans of the X Factor team.

[Fugo Feedback · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lo tengo en la edición de Panini (#s 25 al 28) desde hace rato, pero recién me lo leí cuando me prestaron Complejo de Mesías. Como sea, me pone contento tener otro tomo de X-Factor sumando revistitas. La saga me gustó bastante pero Arcade, el gran villano, me parece insoportable, así que lo uso como excusa para poner el tomo un poco por debajo de otros de la serie. Como también me leí el one-shot de Layla Miller (#29 español) que me gustó mucho, podría haberlo promediado para arriba. Pero como veo que en este recopilatorio no entra, sigo haciéndome el nabo. Ahora espero leerme la historia de Invasión secreta antes de que se me borre cómo iba la (más bien pedorra) historia principal.

[Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annnnd another great volume. This volume serves as a good finale to all of the events leading up to this. We get a resolution to all of the plot threads, the team dynamic changes, characters evolve or move on with their lives, and pieces fall into place. It serves as much as an ending and as a beginning for the next set of arcs. Jamie seems to have matured a lot, and it shows here. His dupe's time in the dystopian future seems to have affected him a lot. Wolfsbane moves on to X-Force. Monet seems to ease up a bit, Rictor acts out but overall seems to have changed a bit, and Strong Guy is good ol' Strong Guy. The Layla issue (collected in the second complete collection, but not here) was great, and shows more of her time in the internment camp, as well as how that future will turn out after the events of Messiah Complex. The Quicksilver issue (this is is collected here) provides a nice redemption story for Pietro. Overall a very cathartic volume. Feels like a natural stopping point, but also a good prelude to the new status quo of X-Factor. I'll be taking a break from this run for now, but will be definitely coming back to finish it.

To quickly address the art, most of these issues are handled by Valentine De Landro, who's a great artist on par with the others that came before him. I did just read Bitch Planet, which also features his work, so it was nice to see him again so soon. His line work is very elegant and clean, and while I feel he works better with brighter color schemes, the noir look still suited him well.

All in all, this is a strong 9/10. Great conclusion to this big 6-volume epic. I will be definitely reading the entirety of this series eventually.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A steller volume, with some big status quo changes to the series.

Coming right off the back of Messiah Complex, this book deals with the fallout of everything that happened. The X-Men are done, and from the looks of things X-Factor is heading in the same direction. With the members either leaving, trying to leave or already gone, and Jamie doing his best to keep everything together.

Here we're presented with another lackluster villain, but he isn't in the story enough to bother me. I'm too focused on Jamies excellent inner turmoil and the drama between him and everyone.

Hope they don't undo the big changes we see here in the next volume! I'd be a bit disappointed if they don't spend some time with the new status quo.

[Hunter Lambright · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a transition arc can go, it wasn’t too too bad.

[Odo · Rating 3 out of 5]

6.75/10

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series, although I am a little irritated with some of the egotistical personalities (or maybe petty is what I am trying to say).

[Adam Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the Burn It All Down point in David's X-Factor run where he wipes out the status quo: the location, the team members, the B and C stories, and prepares to take the story in a different collection.

This is probably because the entire X-franchise was moved around after X-Factor, and David's initial premise no longer made sense in that universe.

Unfortunately, the way David moves X-Factor out of their previous situation is clumsy. Arcade has never been an interesting villain, and he makes very little sense as the agent of destruction brought in by an excommunicated Purifier.

It's still worth reading if you're a fan of David's X-Factor run, and it's still better than most of the X-books of the era.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a great series. Hoping to be able to find the next volume somewhere.

[good book detector · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful comic. There’s so much I love about this team, first and foremost being the unique characters. All the members of X-Factor Investigations have been through the ringer at this point in the story. And then you take this group of tortured people, all at the end of their ropes, and then their home of Mutant Town starts blowing up left and right. Their neighbors, mutant who are both powered and de powered, are in danger. What do they do? They save these people. Because they’re heroes. It’s the kind of story I really love in this medium. “The Only Game in Town” is an earned payoff for this book, full of the lowest lows and the greatest highs. This is my favorite arc of the series so far, and it makes me genuinely excited to see where my favorite band of Mutants go from here.

[Kris Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid writing by Peter David and excellent artwork by Pablo Raimondi (Issues 29, 30 and 32) makes this a must-read title. It's nice to actually see the team fight a villain! I won't say who; it'll spoil the reveal. The end of Issue 32 sees the team relocate to Detroit. There's even a drawing of the old train depot. One nice thing about being superheroes in Detroit: if they do damage to buildings, no one would notice. This series has been on something of a simmer, and I would like to see things kicked up a notch or two. It's possible that Peter David is setting up one Helluva payoff, so I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the great x-read of 2017/2018...

And I am continuing to love this series so much. These characters are just so fantastic together.

I do miss Layla being part of the mix (well, she is sort of here...) and I still want to know what happened to that second multiple that Jamie and Forge sent off into the future (hopefully that plot point will eventually come back around...) but I just really dig this series.

And someone made Arcade into a credible (even dare I say creepy?) villain? Kudos to Peter David for that.

[Scott Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellence continues, if not perfection. The continually varied art makes for a four out of five rather than a five out of five. Certainly Peter David has done everything possible on his end, but Marvel seemed to determined to underwhelm with the parade of pencillers and art teams they provided David on this book.

The story here wraps up the team's time in "Mutant Town" as it slowly becomes "The Middle East Side" instead, the few remaining mutants (including X-Factor Investigations by the end of the book) having packed up and moved on.

[Lilli W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still enjoying this series, but this is the weakest volume so far. I still love the characters and their interactions, but the villains and the art of the series has been getting weaker and weaker. The last issue shakes things up and moves the team out of Mutant Town, which is a shame. I might read more later, but I really loathe having to get through crossover issues when I have no interest in the event. I'm curious to see Darwin though. Going to read some X-Force comics before I come back to this, but I feel like no volume will reach the highs of the first.

[Terry Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading David's run on X-Factor as it wove in an out of various Marvel events. I think the highest compliment that I can pay it is that it is never dull. While this arc meanders a tad in the second half, I appreciate that the creative team is trying something somewhat more daring than what they're doing on the flagship titles. While this wasn't the absolute best, it was enjoyable enough throughout, and will appeal to most fans of Marvel's mutant titles.

[Silas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume continues to intrigue, as some rather bold steps are taken after the events of Messiah Complex. A lot has changed, and the team is falling apart until they come together to confront a tremendous threat that takes them in a new direction, though with some changes in the roster. A very good read that has me wondering why I take so long between volumes of X-Factor.

[Meredith Katz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Transition arc out of the effects of Messiah Complex (ps, it would be great if they put in the book that the missing 3 issues were in the Messiah Complex book, I had to go look that up myself). Arcade was not terribly interesting, but the developments with the team were nice (even if I hate pregnancy drama, but I'm glad that Monet immediately called out the Misunderstanding Trope).

[Judith Groen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, X-Factor never ceases to impress me. I am very curious as to how the team will turn out after this volume. I really hope that Layla is okay there in the future, and that they get her back. She was one of my favorite characters. Although I all kinda like them. I am also going to read X-Force, so I won't have to miss Rahne :)

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

A solid story that gets you excited about the new direction for the series, but more importantly acts as a solid and satisfying end to the status quo (and a great epilogue to Messiah Complex). Plus, death traps make everything better.

[Arthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

barely a 3

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is perfectly serviceable, though without any distinguishing characteristics. It's like those MFA bores all are.

[Dony Grayman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lo editó Panini en revistas, en los números 25 a 28, que traducen los issues USA #28-32 y The Quick and the Dead.

[Elinor · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad per se but really not as good as the first volumes imo
(also i hate this cover)

[Christina Nightengale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good volume of X-Factor! I felt like Rictor got some good character development moments. I like how the story shows his character struggle with his power loss and grow because of it. I appreciate how he is also often the voice for the former mutants that have lost their powers as well. Monet and Strong guy offer some much needed comic relief in a rather serious story of what is happening to Mutant Town and how dangerous it is for the Mutants and former Mutants there. The art fits well with the story. The bit about homeless and crazy Quicksilver at the end is very interesting. I do love how Peter David keeps building the story and seems to have a defined plan for where it is going even if the reader isn't sure where that is going. This is a series I can't recommend enough! :D

[Matthew Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter David’s “X-Factor” from the last part of the ‘00s is, for the most part, both consistent and consistently underrated.

As part of the X-Men crossover event “Messiah Complex,” Madrox and Layla Miller visit the future. And while this is necessary for the events of the crossover, Peter David takes pieces developed here and uses them throughout the next two years of storylines.

Dealing with post-crossover syndrome, David deals with the ramifications of Jamie’s trip to the future. Wolfsbane leaves, to join X-Force. Quicksilver gets some closure in the “Quick and the Dead” one shot. The team fights Arcade, because as the last mutant team standing at this point in the public eye, they are “the only game in town,” which is also the name of the trade paperback collection of issues 28-32.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has a lot of really nice moments in it--comedy, tragedy, angst, bitchiness. The pacing is a little weird, because the beginning is really just the aftermath of the previous volume, then the middle ramps up quite a bit, but it's over sort of suddenly. Then there's a tacked-on one-shot about Quicksilver. But let's be honest: we're not really reading this series for the plotting (which is a little sporadic: brilliant one moment, weak the next), but for the character moments. So on that front, the book is successful. A quite good, if not quite excellent, volume in a fantastic series.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sick in bed so I'm powering through these books. Peter David does a great job of following up on the stuff that went down during the X-Men crossover Messiah complex, including having the characters think and talk about the plots that aren't yet resolved and moving along some plots we've been waiting for. Classic snappy dialogue. Could have used more Layla Miller (yes, she's creepy, but interesting stuff happens when she's around).

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love X-Factor as a series. I mean, X-men plus noir, yes! This book definitely seems to be a weak point in the story though. It felt like not much is going on. There's no character development, and a weird antagonist. Arcade, again? Really. Bluh. Where's my Layla and my Rahne! I'm really going to miss her character in these stories. Boo. I'm giving it three stars instead of two because hopefully it'll pick back up next series.