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X-Factor (2005) (Collected Editions)
X-Factor, Vol. 4: Heart of Ice
With Mutant Town under siege and the X-Cell having taken refuge there, X-Factor races both the clock and their own divided allegiances as they try to stave off the very real possibility of every former mutant being rounded up and imprisoned as a potential terrorist. But will they have to reveal their knowledge of M-Day's secret... and, if so, what will the fallout be? Collects X-Factor #18-24.
168 pages, Hardcover
First published March 19, 2008
8 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,567 books1,362 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 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 23, 2017
Another great X-Factor volume. At worst this series is good, at best? It's amazing. Right here is some good stuff.
This volume really focuses on the after effects of House of M. Mutants are freaking out. They're are far less of them now days. ON top of that the volume also has someone go after Layla, we have someone offer Gudo a new job, and our favorite pair of kickass girls go on a mission to save some kids. Pretty much everyone is busy in this, but things about to go insane, and by the end we have some pretty great moments.
Good: The fights are great. The girls teaming up are hysterical. The twist with Layla was crazy. The whole thing runs so well in pacing it's never really boring. I just love the bickering between all the characters and Multiple Man is fucking FUNNY.
Bad: The villains are okay in here. What they did with Quicksilver here was weird. I don't know how much I like that.
Overall it's great. X-Factor remains to be the best X-Men comic I've ever read. It's funny, it has heart, and the characters are just too f'ing fun. This is another great volume, 4 out of 5.
This volume really focuses on the after effects of House of M. Mutants are freaking out. They're are far less of them now days. ON top of that the volume also has someone go after Layla, we have someone offer Gudo a new job, and our favorite pair of kickass girls go on a mission to save some kids. Pretty much everyone is busy in this, but things about to go insane, and by the end we have some pretty great moments.
Good: The fights are great. The girls teaming up are hysterical. The twist with Layla was crazy. The whole thing runs so well in pacing it's never really boring. I just love the bickering between all the characters and Multiple Man is fucking FUNNY.
Bad: The villains are okay in here. What they did with Quicksilver here was weird. I don't know how much I like that.
Overall it's great. X-Factor remains to be the best X-Men comic I've ever read. It's funny, it has heart, and the characters are just too f'ing fun. This is another great volume, 4 out of 5.
January 3, 2012
After reading my first X-Factor collected edition by writer Peter David (X-Factor: Second Coming), it placed his entire run on the series on my list of titles to watch out for in the my book store hunts. Komikon 2011 on November 19 gave me a chance to hunt for X-Factor compilations at a good price. I actually found two and I elected to go with Heart of Ice.
This hardcover actually contains two story arcs. The first arc is drawn by Khoi Pham and the second arc by series regular Pablo Raimondi. The artists have contrasting style that would normally clash, but it works here since their respective arcs are clearly delineated.
The best reason to read X-Factor is Peter David. He infuses his scripts with humor which is his trademark. Reading this book is like watching a superhero sitcom. He has an established cast which utilizes to its potential by having his stories revolve the relationships in Jamie Madrox’s crew of private investigators.
This hardcover actually contains two story arcs. The first arc is drawn by Khoi Pham and the second arc by series regular Pablo Raimondi. The artists have contrasting style that would normally clash, but it works here since their respective arcs are clearly delineated.
The best reason to read X-Factor is Peter David. He infuses his scripts with humor which is his trademark. Reading this book is like watching a superhero sitcom. He has an established cast which utilizes to its potential by having his stories revolve the relationships in Jamie Madrox’s crew of private investigators.
February 6, 2017
Not quite as funny and interesting as the last volume, but still a good series. The bad guys in this one weren't really that interesting as they were written, but the Huber guy really has some potential. I would have liked to have heard more about his background and his powers - is it because he is a mutant or is there something else going on?
June 17, 2018
Aaannddd yet another great volume. Peter David just keeps on delivering. Just like a lot of the previous arcs, this arc was very busy, but it's all so well paced and brought together that it remains smooth and easy to follow. I appreciated how this arc gave Quicksilver a nice conclusion to his arcs from House and M and Son of M. It was very well done. I like how Rictor and Rahne got more focus, I loved the interactions and blossoming friendship between Monet and Syrin, the new change for Strong Guy seems interesting, Madrox remains one of the best characters Marvel has, and Layla Miller stops knowing stuff. Very interesting developments. I also enjoyed the use of some lesser known (ex)mutants, and the introduction of a new overpowered villain. This volume dealt more with the ramifications of M-Day, which works well considering this leads into Messiah Complex. Great writing as always--witty, funny, introspective, well-paced, and eventful. I could see Peter David becoming one of my favorite comic writers.
As for the art, we have Khoi Pham on for 3 issues, and he does a great job and suits the less noir issues very well. For the remaining 4 issues we have Pablo Raimondi return and knock it out of the park as usual. The inking is lighter and the coloring is brighter, since these arcs aren't as noir-influenced, but looks very appealing regardless.
This one's a strong 9/10. Maybe very slightly weaker than last volume, but nonetheless top tier. Still one of the best X-books I've read.
As for the art, we have Khoi Pham on for 3 issues, and he does a great job and suits the less noir issues very well. For the remaining 4 issues we have Pablo Raimondi return and knock it out of the park as usual. The inking is lighter and the coloring is brighter, since these arcs aren't as noir-influenced, but looks very appealing regardless.
This one's a strong 9/10. Maybe very slightly weaker than last volume, but nonetheless top tier. Still one of the best X-books I've read.
May 29, 2021
Definitely the worst volume so far. Which is a bit unfair to say, since despite being the "worst" volume it's still solid, and I had a ton of fun reading it.
Lots of great character moments and some hilarious jokes. Where the book suffers is with the dreadfully boring villains.
There two stories in this volume. One where the team takes down X-Cell -a mutant terrorist organization- and another where they fight a guy whose power is to have every mutants power. Super thin plot, and by the end it really devolves into the villain droning on and on and on about his plan.
However, still worth a read. Some big character development here, which was well-written enough to keep my attention, despite lackluster plot.
Should also be noted that this book contains content from X-Men: Endangered Species, which felt pretty shoe-horned in and unnecessary. I think the volume would have been better if it hadn't been forced to tie-in to Endangered Species, but hey, still a good book!
Lots of great character moments and some hilarious jokes. Where the book suffers is with the dreadfully boring villains.
There two stories in this volume. One where the team takes down X-Cell -a mutant terrorist organization- and another where they fight a guy whose power is to have every mutants power. Super thin plot, and by the end it really devolves into the villain droning on and on and on about his plan.
However, still worth a read. Some big character development here, which was well-written enough to keep my attention, despite lackluster plot.
Should also be noted that this book contains content from X-Men: Endangered Species, which felt pretty shoe-horned in and unnecessary. I think the volume would have been better if it hadn't been forced to tie-in to Endangered Species, but hey, still a good book!
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June 15, 2017I can definitely see why people loved this series so much. The bickering relationships within the team recall Giffen and deMatteis' JLI, so even when you get three issues of Z-list mutant villains like Marrow and Reaper trying to regain their powers, it doesn't get chance to drag too badly. And then it moves on to a story with a far more interesting angle on the mass depowering of M-Day, and another angle within that, and elements you hadn't even realised were set-up from previous stories are woven together, and even once those are resolved a bunch of other subplots have been set moving for the next volume (which I already have from the library). I miss this sort of sprawling, long-run, soap operatic Marvel book, and hope they return to them before too much longer as even the sales shine wears off the constant events and relaunches.
July 23, 2019
My friend leant me 5 volumes of this series and while I feel like the arc came to a satisfying and fascinating end, I want more! During this first arc of the Peter David run, I have come to care about these characters and interested in their stories. This is a high compliment because at the start of this run, I had never heard of the members of X-Factor; I would jump at the opportunity to learn more about all of them.
I don't know if the next part of this run maintains the noir vibe, but I really hope it does and tells me more about Layla Miller and the stuff she knows...
I don't know if the next part of this run maintains the noir vibe, but I really hope it does and tells me more about Layla Miller and the stuff she knows...
January 24, 2016
Quicksilver what happened to you? This portrayal is disturbing.
July 25, 2019
I'm still totally fanboying over this book and Peter David's phenomenal writing job. The introduction of Huber in connection with the purifiers in this volume is fantastic, and its nice to see a villain with such a powerlevel take a really intelligent, strategic approach. He didn't walk in trying to physically overwhelm folks, he manipulated the situation and worked things to his advantage. Great work.
And Huber has one of the most sympathetic villain stories I've ever read. He's still a psychopath, but the reader can understand how he's essentially been driven mad and has settled on this twisted path to escape his situation. Excellent work.
And Huber has one of the most sympathetic villain stories I've ever read. He's still a psychopath, but the reader can understand how he's essentially been driven mad and has settled on this twisted path to escape his situation. Excellent work.
February 17, 2018
Continuing the great x-read of 2017/18 and what do you know? Two good volumes in a row!
X-factor is the series that is the hardest for me to keep myself in continuity. Each time I finish a volume, I want to fast forward to the next volume to see what happens rather than read the other books along the way.
It is just such a great mix of really well-written characters all wrapped up in some intricately plotted mysterious craziness.
I cannot get enough of this title.
X-factor is the series that is the hardest for me to keep myself in continuity. Each time I finish a volume, I want to fast forward to the next volume to see what happens rather than read the other books along the way.
It is just such a great mix of really well-written characters all wrapped up in some intricately plotted mysterious craziness.
I cannot get enough of this title.
November 9, 2019
A solid volume for character interactions and development of their relationships with good art, but the villain-of-the-day is so perfectly designed to fit into the mutant-vs-human themes that it feels a little trite and the overabundance of narrative text boxes makes it kind of a slog. Everyone's got a monologue in this one, really. (Also, I could have really done without the racism vs fatphobia fight tbh).
December 9, 2019
I like this series. I just don't remember being in love with this volume. Maybe they're all too intense for a happy-go-lucky reader like yours truly?
As in volumes 2 and 3, the big villain is to the mutants as the mutants are to the people. Feels like a real theme. (But maybe the only way to have a good threat in a funnybook is to have a villain whose power scales to the heroes'?)
As in volumes 2 and 3, the big villain is to the mutants as the mutants are to the people. Feels like a real theme. (But maybe the only way to have a good threat in a funnybook is to have a villain whose power scales to the heroes'?)
February 19, 2021
Well written, but not as exciting as the previous stuff. I like how throughout the series there have been dialogue connections between scene changes. The “Isolationist” is a pretty interesting villain. This book has more fighting than the previous books, and our team has their asses handed to them by some real losers.
What I learned: It’s a challenge to balance realist fighting and tactics, with the need for narrative tension.
What I learned: It’s a challenge to balance realist fighting and tactics, with the need for narrative tension.
October 26, 2020
Warning: I finished this over a week ago so I've only got one thing to say.
It's another solid collection but Huber being behind everything seems like a weak tack-on. And also, he reminds me of Mimic without having to be in the range of a mutant to copy their power.
It's another solid collection but Huber being behind everything seems like a weak tack-on. And also, he reminds me of Mimic without having to be in the range of a mutant to copy their power.
June 13, 2021
A small-scale story that doesn’t try too hard to set up Messiah Complex - it’s just another nice installment in the X-Factor story. Also very clear what’s going on if you’re a new reader, which is nice.
January 18, 2018
Some developments happened too fast, in my opinion. But it was otherwise a great book. Looking forward to the next volume :D
October 10, 2019
The lonerist stuff was a little bit like showing your cards before the call, but overall I enjoyed seeing the characters be characters throughout.
June 6, 2020
I really love this series... It just keeps me wanting more. Peter David really is An amazing writer!
March 4, 2021
la trama del aislacionista aun siendo buena, no lo es tanto como las anteriores.
March 19, 2021
my heart belongs to Layla Miller who knows stuff (and also to Jamie)
April 9, 2022
Publicado en las revistas de Panini en los números 16 a 21.
April 10, 2022
Cuarta saga de X-Factor, publicada en castellano originalmente en revistas y después como parte de la colección Investigaciones X-Factor.
October 13, 2024
3.5. This would make a FANTASTIC TV show, animated or live-action!
June 8, 2025
First part: confusing; second part: better. Best parts were the witty banter and humor throughout. RIP, Peter David.
April 20, 2025
Hi guys it's another X-Factor review. I don't have quite as much to say about this volume as I did with the last one although I still did enjoy it. Because it's back-to-back more-value-for-your-money bad guy throwdowns it's pretty light on actual content. Story one:
QUICKSILVER ACTS LIKE A DICK
My man Quicky S is still stirring the shit in Mutant Town. This time he's allied himself with a group of post-mutant terrorist fugitives called the X-Cell. Quicksilver was re-powered back in Decimation: Son of M and his new power set includes being able to cure Decimated mutants but in a perverse fucked-up way. Because of Quicksilver's wiggly powers, the X-Cell plot wraps itself up pretty quickly... The monkey's paw curls as all of their powers go completely haywire and Abyss puts them in stasis by pulling them into the Brimstone Dimension. They don't come back for another hundred issues or so. Sheesh!
Brief aside but it's occurred to me that X-Factor is written like if Seinfeld was a comic book. There's a lot of very nineties humor about suicide and sex and therapy and how yucky sushi is. Tell me I'm not the only one?
Anyway. Story two:
ENDANGERED SPECIES
Josef Huber (The Isolationist?) has been hanging out in the Arctic for a looong time. But post-Decimation he decides to come back to man's world and fuck with X-Factor. I think this is where the Singularity Investigations plot picks up? Honestly I wasn't crazy about this arc. Rictor puts the kibosh on Huber's dastardly schemes and sends him packing back to his Fortress of Solitude. The Marvel wiki says The Isolationist was introduced way back in Peter David's first X-Factor run. Hmm. Egg on my face but I must've missed it.
Hey looks like I did have stuff to say about this volume after all! 5/5 because I thought Layla Miller whupping Quicksilver's ass was funny as fuck. Love a guy whose arch-nemesis is a twelve-year-old.
QUICKSILVER ACTS LIKE A DICK
My man Quicky S is still stirring the shit in Mutant Town. This time he's allied himself with a group of post-mutant terrorist fugitives called the X-Cell. Quicksilver was re-powered back in Decimation: Son of M and his new power set includes being able to cure Decimated mutants but in a perverse fucked-up way. Because of Quicksilver's wiggly powers, the X-Cell plot wraps itself up pretty quickly... The monkey's paw curls as all of their powers go completely haywire and Abyss puts them in stasis by pulling them into the Brimstone Dimension. They don't come back for another hundred issues or so. Sheesh!
Brief aside but it's occurred to me that X-Factor is written like if Seinfeld was a comic book. There's a lot of very nineties humor about suicide and sex and therapy and how yucky sushi is. Tell me I'm not the only one?
Anyway. Story two:
ENDANGERED SPECIES
Josef Huber (The Isolationist?) has been hanging out in the Arctic for a looong time. But post-Decimation he decides to come back to man's world and fuck with X-Factor. I think this is where the Singularity Investigations plot picks up? Honestly I wasn't crazy about this arc. Rictor puts the kibosh on Huber's dastardly schemes and sends him packing back to his Fortress of Solitude. The Marvel wiki says The Isolationist was introduced way back in Peter David's first X-Factor run. Hmm. Egg on my face but I must've missed it.
Hey looks like I did have stuff to say about this volume after all! 5/5 because I thought Layla Miller whupping Quicksilver's ass was funny as fuck. Love a guy whose arch-nemesis is a twelve-year-old.
May 7, 2014
Really, this one isn't quite a 4/5. But OK.
Man, David's X-Factor books have so many moments that leave me chuckling later. There's plots and all--and not bad ones--but I'm definitely reading this for the characters.
Unfortunately, this volume isn't as good as previous ones. The first story is a little goofy, and it's hampered by some sub-par art. Also, usually David's love for D-list characters is appealing, but in this case...well, I guess he just phoned in this one. The second storyline here--The Isolationist, I think--is much stronger. But there's just no getting around the fact that the ending is pretty much nonexistent. After bringing together a lot of dangling plotlines, and setting up a potentially interesting bad guy, it all just ends in the last couple of pages. I haven't checked a chronology yet, but I'm willing to bet the next issue is a crossover of some sort, and that we just ran out of time.
But, invariably, it's not the plot. It's the characters.
Man, David's X-Factor books have so many moments that leave me chuckling later. There's plots and all--and not bad ones--but I'm definitely reading this for the characters.
Unfortunately, this volume isn't as good as previous ones. The first story is a little goofy, and it's hampered by some sub-par art. Also, usually David's love for D-list characters is appealing, but in this case...well, I guess he just phoned in this one. The second storyline here--The Isolationist, I think--is much stronger. But there's just no getting around the fact that the ending is pretty much nonexistent. After bringing together a lot of dangling plotlines, and setting up a potentially interesting bad guy, it all just ends in the last couple of pages. I haven't checked a chronology yet, but I'm willing to bet the next issue is a crossover of some sort, and that we just ran out of time.
But, invariably, it's not the plot. It's the characters.
September 1, 2016
Creo que de lo que va de esta relectura prolija que estoy haciendo de X-Factor (que en algunos casos, es la primera lectura) este tomo es el que menos me gustó... ¡Y me pareció muy bueno! David sigue sumándole villanos interesantes al grupo, sigue sumando quilombos dentro del equipo, sigue sumando duplos de Madrox impredescibles. En resumen, sigue sumando mucha diversión. Lástima que para la próxima saga ya me tengo que meter con crossovers, porque la relativa independencia que venía teniendo esta serie me estaba gustando mucho.
Oootro que ni siquiera estaba seguro de haber leído entero o si era de los que marqué al tuntún cuando recién arrancaba con esta página. En papel lo tengo casi todo (Panini #s 16-20), pero me falta el 21 (24USA) para la conclusión. Seguro que cuando lo tenga me los mando todos de una panzada.
Oootro que ni siquiera estaba seguro de haber leído entero o si era de los que marqué al tuntún cuando recién arrancaba con esta página. En papel lo tengo casi todo (Panini #s 16-20), pero me falta el 21 (24USA) para la conclusión. Seguro que cuando lo tenga me los mando todos de una panzada.
October 20, 2015
Peter David's writing goes great with Pablo Raimondi art! Quicksilver is a great villain in this and his wanting of Rictor almost comes off flirty at times. It's very fascinating to read. The gradual character growth of all the characters is something I really appreciate! Layla and Quicksilver play off each other well in a rival like sense. I really enjoy Monet and Terry's budding friendship. Wolfsbane and Rictor's romance is great! Wolfsbane gets some nice character growth moments. Rictor gets some great comedy moments in the book. I love the sense of how some of the story points in this volume feel like they will be very important later on in the series, but are still fun to read. It's not the best volume in the series, but it is still a very solid and enjoyable entry in the series. The art is so great and I love Monet's outfits! <3
April 6, 2013
Volume 4 of X-Factor is... a pair of relatively straightforward superhero stories, actually.
Superhero stories, with everything you might expect from Superhero stories. Villains plotting, fight scenes, resolution, self contained stories that you can read without being immersed too deeply in the mythology surrounding the book. Which makes for a fun read, don't get me wrong, but it's not what I read X-Factor for. I buy trade paperbacks because I like mythology, and while threads from previous storylines are picked back up here in satisfying ways and there's some interesting character work in parts, a straightforward superhero team book is, by the fourth volume of the series, very mildly disappointing...
Superhero stories, with everything you might expect from Superhero stories. Villains plotting, fight scenes, resolution, self contained stories that you can read without being immersed too deeply in the mythology surrounding the book. Which makes for a fun read, don't get me wrong, but it's not what I read X-Factor for. I buy trade paperbacks because I like mythology, and while threads from previous storylines are picked back up here in satisfying ways and there's some interesting character work in parts, a straightforward superhero team book is, by the fourth volume of the series, very mildly disappointing...
May 26, 2015
I continue to enjoy this run of X-Factor, even if a large part of this volume revolved around a kind of a weird antagonist whose nature was a bit of a mystery. I enjoyed the backup stories starring Beast, though since I only got bits here and there (they spanned all the X-Titles at the time, so I didn't get all of them), it was a bit spotty. They were more or less self-contained enough for me to still enjoy them, though. Anyway, the main story was quite interesting, with character developments all over, and some interesting action focusing a lot on Rictor, which was an interesting change of pace. It continues the sort of noir conspiracy tone, which is still a lot of fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews