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X-Factor Visionaries #2
X-Factor Visionaries: Peter David, Vol. 2
Look back to Multiple Man, Quicksilver, Strong Guy and Wolfsbane's earlier days together as the U.S. government's motley mutants meet murder and mayhem in the Middle East Then, it's stateside struggles against the Nasty Boys and the Mutant Liberation Front, which may pale before a threat that strikes mutantkind much closer to home Guest-starring the Incredible Hulk and the mythically mighty Pantheon Collects X-Factor #76-78 and Incredible Hulk #390-392.
141 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 2007
5 people are currently reading
76 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 3, 2023
The early days of Peter David and Larry Stroman's literally visionary X-Factor, sees a crossover with David's other main book at the time Incredible Hulk, and nothing's the worse for wear, the humour continues as does the fantastic character development especially of Rahne, Strong Guy, Madrox, but most of all Quicksilver! 8 out of 12, factored in Four Stars.
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2017, 2015 and 2010 read
Image from cafans.b-cdn.net
2017, 2015 and 2010 read
July 8, 2017
Re-reading Peter David's first X-Factor run. It's as good as I remembered. The great crossover with The Incredible Hulk is included in this volume, which is a nice bonus.
September 13, 2016
A very fine collection. Think I like the Hulk comics collected herein a bit more, though. Dale Keown art is pretty hard to beat - one of the best in the business.
X-Factor-wise David's writing remains strong. That final page in the final panel of the book - really give a heart-tugging humanity to the oft cold Quicksilver, a character all to often given the short stick by all too many authors. David handles Pietro's troubles with more care and tenderness in a few paragraphs than anyone else has given him in years.
X-Factor-wise David's writing remains strong. That final page in the final panel of the book - really give a heart-tugging humanity to the oft cold Quicksilver, a character all to often given the short stick by all too many authors. David handles Pietro's troubles with more care and tenderness in a few paragraphs than anyone else has given him in years.
August 15, 2018
Peter David and Larry Stroman were a team that was the most underrated of the 90s X-book line: most less convoluted in the plot than post-Claremore X-men and Uncanny X-men lines of the early 1990s, less laughable than much of the X-force of the Leifeld era. David and Stroman have a strong aesthetic, pulled largely from a feel of 90s sitcoms paired with an X-men book. The plots are simplified, the banner is witty, the pop culture references were immediately dated. However, David's attempt here to make X-factor more relevant by dealing a fictional middle-eastern dictatorship with Hulk on the other side of the battlelines comes off as tone deaf and seemingly jingoistic now. The Hulk collection end of this cross-over is stronger in its writing but weaker in its art. However, David still manages to make Rahne compelling and has probably the most skillful hand at humanizing Quicksilver than any writer before or since. Recommended with some caveats.
May 14, 2014
This review originally appeared on my blog, Shared Universe Reviews.
The second volume of Peter David’s tenure on X-Factor is actually half The Incredible Hulk and half X-Factor. There’s as much jade giant as there is green haired Polaris. Both series are written by Peter David and the members of X-Factor do appear in all six issues, but it made for an inconsistent read. The first two issues in the collection are The Incredible Hulk #390-391, parts one and two of a three part story. Issue #76 of X-Factor takes place afterwards and that is followed by one more issues of The Incredible Hulk and the collection ends with issues #77 and 78 of X-Factor. There’s nothing wrong about that reading order other than the fact that the Hulk issues and the story it tells completely distract from the story and the momentum David was building in the first volume.
Other than the Hulk: The End trade paperback, these are the first issues of David’s popular run on The Incredible Hulk that I’ve ever read. My first reaction is that Dale Keown’s art is excellent. It’s so good and I might have to order the first Visionaries volume of David’s hulk run just to see more of Keown’s art. Keown’s sleek and muscular art contrast pretty heavily with Stroman’s thin lines and exaggerated anatomy. Seeing Guido and Hulk on the same page is startling. Even when drawn by Keown, Guido’s musculature is so bizarre it’s truly because a part of the character. Larry Stroman only draws two of the six issues collected here and although it’s a shame because I was just getting used to his art, it is nonetheless a welcome break. I’m warming up to his style but being so closely juxtaposed with Keown, it does leave something to be desired.
I wasn’t overly impressed with the Hulk issues. The story was somewhat uninteresting but it did provide plenty of opportunity for good superhero action. That’s what the highlight was, in fact. Watching Keown’s Hulk in action was a treat and David has a much better grasp of him and his supporting cast (Rick Jones!) that he has on the characters of X-Factor. It’s difficult to judge the quality of these three issues of The Incredible Hulk since I haven’t read any of the others by the same writer and artist but I have a feeling that just like the X-Factor issues aren’t as representative of the rest of the issues written by David, the same can be said for the three-part Hulk story.
There was some good character develop in X-Factor. David is starting to get a feel for the characters and his story is developing beyond “good guys beat up bad guys” kind of stories.
I can’t finish this review without talking about the humour. It’s better than in the first volume. I think that has to do with David getting to know the characters better, he’s had the time to get accustomed to the members of the government sanctioned team of mutants. Guido especially is shaping up into an interesting character. He’s developing a voice and it’s often pretty funny. Rahne also starts to go through some changes and it’s adding some nice depth to the comic. I really like the cast of X-Factor. They’re interesting because I do not know every little thing about them and they’re not A-list characters so I know there can be and will be some serious and pretty permanent changes to their personalities and character makeup.
It’s unfortunate that The Incredible Hulk gets in the way. It’s a decent story and there are some interesting moral questions raises by some of the characters. I’m glad it was collected somewhere but I’m not sure this was the best place. I honestly can’t think of a better way to have included it. It’s right where it should be but it distracts from the real focus here which should be the X-Factor team. At the very least, Dale Keown’s art helps make the Hulk a bit more welcome in an x-book.
The second volume of Peter David’s tenure on X-Factor is actually half The Incredible Hulk and half X-Factor. There’s as much jade giant as there is green haired Polaris. Both series are written by Peter David and the members of X-Factor do appear in all six issues, but it made for an inconsistent read. The first two issues in the collection are The Incredible Hulk #390-391, parts one and two of a three part story. Issue #76 of X-Factor takes place afterwards and that is followed by one more issues of The Incredible Hulk and the collection ends with issues #77 and 78 of X-Factor. There’s nothing wrong about that reading order other than the fact that the Hulk issues and the story it tells completely distract from the story and the momentum David was building in the first volume.
Other than the Hulk: The End trade paperback, these are the first issues of David’s popular run on The Incredible Hulk that I’ve ever read. My first reaction is that Dale Keown’s art is excellent. It’s so good and I might have to order the first Visionaries volume of David’s hulk run just to see more of Keown’s art. Keown’s sleek and muscular art contrast pretty heavily with Stroman’s thin lines and exaggerated anatomy. Seeing Guido and Hulk on the same page is startling. Even when drawn by Keown, Guido’s musculature is so bizarre it’s truly because a part of the character. Larry Stroman only draws two of the six issues collected here and although it’s a shame because I was just getting used to his art, it is nonetheless a welcome break. I’m warming up to his style but being so closely juxtaposed with Keown, it does leave something to be desired.
I wasn’t overly impressed with the Hulk issues. The story was somewhat uninteresting but it did provide plenty of opportunity for good superhero action. That’s what the highlight was, in fact. Watching Keown’s Hulk in action was a treat and David has a much better grasp of him and his supporting cast (Rick Jones!) that he has on the characters of X-Factor. It’s difficult to judge the quality of these three issues of The Incredible Hulk since I haven’t read any of the others by the same writer and artist but I have a feeling that just like the X-Factor issues aren’t as representative of the rest of the issues written by David, the same can be said for the three-part Hulk story.
There was some good character develop in X-Factor. David is starting to get a feel for the characters and his story is developing beyond “good guys beat up bad guys” kind of stories.
I can’t finish this review without talking about the humour. It’s better than in the first volume. I think that has to do with David getting to know the characters better, he’s had the time to get accustomed to the members of the government sanctioned team of mutants. Guido especially is shaping up into an interesting character. He’s developing a voice and it’s often pretty funny. Rahne also starts to go through some changes and it’s adding some nice depth to the comic. I really like the cast of X-Factor. They’re interesting because I do not know every little thing about them and they’re not A-list characters so I know there can be and will be some serious and pretty permanent changes to their personalities and character makeup.
It’s unfortunate that The Incredible Hulk gets in the way. It’s a decent story and there are some interesting moral questions raises by some of the characters. I’m glad it was collected somewhere but I’m not sure this was the best place. I honestly can’t think of a better way to have included it. It’s right where it should be but it distracts from the real focus here which should be the X-Factor team. At the very least, Dale Keown’s art helps make the Hulk a bit more welcome in an x-book.
April 8, 2014
Collecting the crossover between "The Incredible Hulk" and "X-Factor", coincidentally both written by the fantastic Peter David. While I enjoyed the story, esp. the smart AND strong green Hulk, I'd grown accustomed to seeing Larry Stroman's X-Factor and Dale Keown (an amazing artist in his own right) didn't quite nail those zany mutants' look quite right. A small concern to be honest.
With most of the story taking place in a small dictator-rebel fought country, the topics brought up by this seemingly playful series remain just as poignant and divisive today. The last two issues are devoted to X-Factor meeting X-Force, and all of their assorted friends and foes. Lots of fun, even if it doesn't quite match the exciting intensity of the first volume. B+
With most of the story taking place in a small dictator-rebel fought country, the topics brought up by this seemingly playful series remain just as poignant and divisive today. The last two issues are devoted to X-Factor meeting X-Force, and all of their assorted friends and foes. Lots of fun, even if it doesn't quite match the exciting intensity of the first volume. B+
August 24, 2011
Peter David continues his early 90s X-Factor run (76-78). Never mind that the first half of this volume is the "War & Pieces" cross-over with his (superior) Incredible Hulk run (390-392). Dale McKeown's Hulk art is a far sight better than the much sketchier "fashion" shots of the X-Factor artists.
Storywise, there's not a huge amount of here here. Lots of brawling, lots of in-team bickering, plenty of trusty PAD jokes, but not a huge amount of character development here, and any plots that involve both Stryfe and Mr. Sinister are sure to cause a queasy feeling in most readers who lived through that X-era.
Storywise, there's not a huge amount of here here. Lots of brawling, lots of in-team bickering, plenty of trusty PAD jokes, but not a huge amount of character development here, and any plots that involve both Stryfe and Mr. Sinister are sure to cause a queasy feeling in most readers who lived through that X-era.
September 1, 2017
The couple of scenes with Sam and Rahne were great, but I so disliked the rest of it.
April 7, 2023
the first 4 (well 3 and a half) issues of this are a legitimately good hulk story about the hulk intervening in foreign politics of the middle east via violence, and x-factor is there to stop the hulk, and there's a side story with rahne being captured that's just kinda filler but it ends on a decent note (albeit one the artist didn't really convey well)
the last couple of issues are hot garbage that feel like theyre trying too hard to tie in to x-force. there's a decent plot about mutant "abortions" buried in there with characters trying to protect someone they disagree with that could ultimately do more harm than good to mutants, with characters actually showing some depth on the topic and having some good solid moments
but
thats all buried behind 90s x-force bullshit and some of the worst villains of the era, and art that, while sometimes legitimately good, doesn't always fit the book
when half of this book is a hulk story
and the other half is x-force
it leaves this volume feeling like x-force is just squeezed inbetween other plots, even if there is some good in there
the last couple of issues are hot garbage that feel like theyre trying too hard to tie in to x-force. there's a decent plot about mutant "abortions" buried in there with characters trying to protect someone they disagree with that could ultimately do more harm than good to mutants, with characters actually showing some depth on the topic and having some good solid moments
but
thats all buried behind 90s x-force bullshit and some of the worst villains of the era, and art that, while sometimes legitimately good, doesn't always fit the book
when half of this book is a hulk story
and the other half is x-force
it leaves this volume feeling like x-force is just squeezed inbetween other plots, even if there is some good in there
August 24, 2025
I enjoy Peter David's original X-Factor work, but this collected edition gets diverted with an Incredible Hulk crossover that's more of a Hulk showcase than vice versa. We do get to see how the team reacts to being called into morally dubious missions for the U.S. government, but the good guy/bad guy breakdown is pretty obvious, making the ultimate story simplistic.
The second act involves a plotline with the Mutant Liberation Front and a doctor who's developed a test to screen for mutant genes. The team is torn between defending the doctor's clinic and taking him out themselves, and the story, action and dilemma are on firmer territory.
David is getting more comfortable with the characters here, and the art by Larry Stroman is unlike anything else on the comic stands at the time. I didn't love the departure from the house style when I first picked up these issues, but now I enjoy the vitality and variety.
The second act involves a plotline with the Mutant Liberation Front and a doctor who's developed a test to screen for mutant genes. The team is torn between defending the doctor's clinic and taking him out themselves, and the story, action and dilemma are on firmer territory.
David is getting more comfortable with the characters here, and the art by Larry Stroman is unlike anything else on the comic stands at the time. I didn't love the departure from the house style when I first picked up these issues, but now I enjoy the vitality and variety.
October 6, 2022
This hasn't aged well. Crazy middle easterners deifying themselves in their corruption. The scratch X Men team, stripped of a few and repurposed to allow the frankly unnecessary return of Beast, Cyclops and Jean Grey to the main team. Instead we have a 2-D Havoc, an underused Polaris and a western female government fixer pressed into a bikini because...well, that does not make much sense. Plus the Hulk, into his 392nd outing of mucho smasho. This got a plus one for Rahne Sinclair, but it wasn't really pulling its weight at all.
December 9, 2020
Artwork: Great Story: Great . This trade paperback has a few issues from The incredible hulk mixes in as well. It moved the story along. It was an X-factor adventure that features the Hulk to carry it along. I just love Peter David's stories.
November 16, 2018
Just too silly for me. There are these really serious really deep plots that are handled in such a strange way.
October 28, 2022
Just as good as the first volume.
November 4, 2022
A bit of a mixed bag as it suffers from crossovers
July 25, 2024
Early '90s Peter David was all one-liners, all the time. At its peak, focused on characters I like and intriguing plots, it's...endurable. But most of this trade focuses on a crossover with David's The Incredible Hulk Visionaries: Peter David, Vol. 1. Through no fault of David, I mostly don't care about Hulk stories. This particular political story about a dictator who hires X-Factor (via the US government) to battle Hulk And Friends exhausted me. Mainly because it tries to be a serious political action adventure while presenting unrelenting snappy patter.
I tapped out about halfway through.
The last portion of the book gets back to X-Factor and a battle with The Mutant Liberation Front, a movement that popped up in all the X-books in the late 80s early 90s. This particular adventure didn't engage me, either.
Your milage may vary.
I recommend it for fans of Peter David's Hulk run (it is considered one of the best runs ever on the character), people who enjoy Marvel crossovers when they're somewhat contained, readers who wish Stephen Wright and Henny Youngman wrote political thrillers, and comic fans who like their villains to be monologuing evil doers who are evil and tell you they are evil.
***Update for 2024 readthrough***
I actually enjoyed the Hulk crossover during this reread. Sure, it's over-the-top and has a moustache-twirling villain but I think the post-grey smart Hulk is a more fun version of the character than the traditional HULK SMASH. I also greatly enjoyed the incredibly stupid joke that Hulk's sidekick, Rick Jones, doesn't recognize Hulk in the library because The Hulk is wearing glasses. That is a top tier dad joke/Superman dig.
I bumped the review up a star because I think this book is actually better than many of the X-books that surround it. I feel like the story and the message makes up for some of the eyerolliness. Plus, there's some decent character development for Wolfsbane and Rick Jones in this book, even if they both come across as a bit hokey.
I tapped out about halfway through.
The last portion of the book gets back to X-Factor and a battle with The Mutant Liberation Front, a movement that popped up in all the X-books in the late 80s early 90s. This particular adventure didn't engage me, either.
Your milage may vary.
I recommend it for fans of Peter David's Hulk run (it is considered one of the best runs ever on the character), people who enjoy Marvel crossovers when they're somewhat contained, readers who wish Stephen Wright and Henny Youngman wrote political thrillers, and comic fans who like their villains to be monologuing evil doers who are evil and tell you they are evil.
***Update for 2024 readthrough***
I actually enjoyed the Hulk crossover during this reread. Sure, it's over-the-top and has a moustache-twirling villain but I think the post-grey smart Hulk is a more fun version of the character than the traditional HULK SMASH. I also greatly enjoyed the incredibly stupid joke that Hulk's sidekick, Rick Jones, doesn't recognize Hulk in the library because The Hulk is wearing glasses. That is a top tier dad joke/Superman dig.
I bumped the review up a star because I think this book is actually better than many of the X-books that surround it. I feel like the story and the message makes up for some of the eyerolliness. Plus, there's some decent character development for Wolfsbane and Rick Jones in this book, even if they both come across as a bit hokey.
April 20, 2025
Just wrapped up Peter David's classic X-Factor run and in hindsight there's not really that much classic X-Factor action to speak of. Volume one is pretty self-contained but volume two kicks off with issues out of the Hulk book P.A.D. was writing at the time. Volume three plays it straight but then volume four is the X-Men crossover X-Cutioner's Song. Havok, Polaris, Wolfsbane, Madrox, Strong Guy, and Quicksilver have a really fun team dynamic but I can't help but feel like they keep getting interrupted. >:(
That said those Hulk issues were really good. David had been writing Hulk for a little while before hopping on X-Factor and I feel like his Hulk issues flow a little easier than his fledgling X-Book.
Favorite moment: seeing X-Factor hanging out on the plane over to Trans-Sabal. These goobers don't know what they're getting into... 5/5
That said those Hulk issues were really good. David had been writing Hulk for a little while before hopping on X-Factor and I feel like his Hulk issues flow a little easier than his fledgling X-Book.
Favorite moment: seeing X-Factor hanging out on the plane over to Trans-Sabal. These goobers don't know what they're getting into... 5/5
April 11, 2011
Ok, but not as good a storyline as the first book.
October 3, 2013
Big drop off from the previous TPB.
July 1, 2014
Wasn't a big fan of this one. It had it's moments, but dragged on overall, and felt too much like the old school action comics to me.
April 5, 2023
Gems include the X-Factor v. Mutant Liberation Front 2parter
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews