December 30, 2005

OUT THIS WEEK: FALLEN ANGEL #1, X-FACTOR #2

Why, it just seems like a few weeks ago that X-FACTOR #1 was out. And it just seems like a few months ago that FALLEN ANGEL was consigned to the scrap heap by DC. Yet here are the next issues of both. What were the odds?

Whad'ja think?

PAD

Posted by Peter David at December 30, 2005 10:18 AM | TrackBack | Other blogs commenting
Comments
Posted by: John at December 30, 2005 10:44 AM

What were the odds?

Oh, about 1 in 2.

There were 4 Tuesdays in December, so a 1 in 4 chance that the first new issue of Fallen Angel would coincide in the same week as issue #2 of X-Factor. However, since issue #1 of X-Factor was late, there were 2 weeks out of the 4 where the two titles could have coincided.

Oh, that was meant to be a rhetorical question? Sorry.

What did I think of the issues?

I don't know yet, as I'll pick them up tonight. But I couldn't resist being a geek by posting the odds.

Posted by: Eric! at December 30, 2005 11:13 AM

Liked X-Factor a lot, (I picked up 1 & 2 this week due to positive buzz). The art was strong on both issues considering a fill-in here and there on pages on the second issue. So far am liking the mix of mystery/gum-shoe and good old fashioned "men-in-tights" action. I hope the team stays close knit and tight, I don't care much for revolving characters ala X-men/Avengers. All this and a letters page too, even though I don't think Strong Guy would wear a Anti-Republican T either, but defend his right to do so ; ).

Posted by: Gorginfoogle at December 30, 2005 11:22 AM

Haven't read Fallen Angel yet, but I really enjoyed X-Factor. If nothing else, openly insulting the House of M nonsense is enough to make me content, and as Eric! said, I do enjoy the continuation of the Madrox Raymond Chandlerish feel.

Posted by: JDR at December 30, 2005 11:56 AM

I loved both, and am really happy to see the noirish take on the X-Force crew (even though I'm still a big fan of the JFM/Pollina run). I was blown away by Fallen Angel - the art was fantastic, as expected, but I am more pleased to see the additional bits of backstory revealed. Maybe it's because of the time-crunch of an LS, but I think it's an improvement for PAD to step up the pace of the exposition... if this were the previous series, I have a feeling we would have been waiting three issues to find out who Xia was. It's still wonderfully enigmatic, though: is Lee immortal, and if so, why has she aged while neither Dolf nor Malachi have (assuming that's gray hair, and not highlighting)? What happened to Malachi's - and Jude's - wings? And, of course, who-the-heck-is-Holly?! I bought an extra copy, since I have a feeling this is one issue I will be reading until the cover falls off... can't wait for the next!

Posted by: Bunch at December 30, 2005 12:11 PM

Fallen Angel: Happy to see an origin and loved the vastly improved artwork. Bummed that Angel is 18 years older.

X-Factor: Story was great. However, found your reply to the letter-writer complaining about the anti-Republican shirt, a little lacking. While this does contribute to character uniquenes, it does ring a bit hollow when it's always one-sided (always tilted to the left), in comics.

Posted by: David Van Domelen at December 30, 2005 12:16 PM

If you want frothing pro-Republican comics, Bunch, try out Heroic Publishing. They're leaning back that way, after being more neutral in their relaunch.

Posted by: Fred Chamberlain at December 30, 2005 12:22 PM

Great second issue! As far as the Guido t-shirt, how can anyone familiar with that character believe that he is anything but a liberal? The guy is the modern day equivalent of a hippie and has been since he was introduced.

Posted by: Peter David at December 30, 2005 12:30 PM

"While this does contribute to character uniquenes, it does ring a bit hollow when it's always one-sided (always tilted to the left), in comics."

Really. Betty Banner was a staunch Republican and dissed Clinton. Rahne--as least as I'm writing her--is a religious conservative. I think your assessment is a bit harsh and a lot inaccurate.

PAD

Posted by: Rob Staeger at December 30, 2005 12:43 PM

I haven't read Fallen Angel yet (I preordered it and will get in in a shipment at the end of January, since my December shipment came early), but X-Factor #2 was a great read. I'm very curious as to what's going on between the Santiago sisters.

Posted by: Dylan Lange at December 30, 2005 01:15 PM

Fallen Angel # 1 was excellent. It was moody and great storytelling. X-Factor # 1 and 2 were both excellent as well, but I have to say I really liked Fallen Angel.

Posted by: Eric! at December 30, 2005 01:33 PM

Oh, yeah almost forgot. Please ditch Layla "I know things" Miller, she is the Wesley Crusher of this book and I don't mean that in a good way.

Posted by: dranj70 at December 30, 2005 02:03 PM

Re: Fallen Angel #1

I was happy to see this issue move the storyline along rather than simply be a catch-up issue for those who are meeting Lee for the first time. (Certainly, Slate's narration provides enough information for the new readers to grasp the concept.) It seemed more was revealed in this single issue than in any other single issue of the prior series.

Anyways, at last we learn that when Lee said 'Li...' when she first me Juris all those years ago, she was not going to say 'Linda', but instead Liandre. (In some ways, she'll always be Linda to me.) And given her scars, we all assumed she was literally a Fallen Angel; now after meeting Malachi, that seems to be a sure thing.

But what an ending! First Juris' botched ceremony and the realization that Lee did not miscarry. Then to see Jude grown and a priest of all things ... nice twist. He does look a bit older than 18 though. Perhaps his 'genetic makeup' makes him assume an older form quicker than usual.

Lastly, I am intrigued that Lee seems to have aged 18 yrs when in 'gym teacher' mode but appears young and vibrant when in her Angel garb.

I am hoping that not all things about Lee will be revealed in this arc and that some things will simply remain a mystery.

Thanks again for keeping Lee alive for the fans PAD!

Posted by: Luigi Novi at December 30, 2005 02:18 PM

I'm liking X-Factor, though the art seems a bit inconsistent from page to page. I'm still curious to see where it's going.

I did not like the art on Fallen Angel at all. It seems that J.K. illustrates it as if there's a big white spotlight on each character, just off-panel. And he (she?) depicts flesh as if it were gray. I didn't understand the panel in which Lee is showering, because it looked like she was showering in white paint.

I'm interested by the story, though. So now Juris knows about the baby. Interesting that this story takes place at least 18 years after the last series ended, and everyone looks the same age. An effect of the city? :-)

Posted by: Scavenger at December 30, 2005 02:34 PM

I have Fallen Angel batting clean up, so it'll be the final book of the week to read. I dropped the old series at #12, but I'll give it another try.

X-Factor: I was wondering if you were going to snipe at the "Decimation" title...reminds me of the Hulk dissing the whole concept of "Acts of Vengence".

Layla Miller: For a character that doesn't really feel like was planned on being there as much as...given...to the book by the PTB, I'm liking what's being done with her.

Guido: Why would people not think he'd be anti-republican? What part of a career as body guard for a galactic rock star would lead people to think he's conservative? Why would ANY mutant support the side that includes things like Reverened Strykers crusade, the Graydon Creed campaign types, the purity groups and so on?

Posted by: Jmic at December 30, 2005 02:34 PM

Mr. David,
X Factor has been excellent. Thanks for taking this tone with the book and previously with the Madrox series. I was always a fan of X Factor in it's initial run. I have to admit that when you began your 1st run on X Factor with the new team, I was concerned, but quickly enjoyed your characterizations. (I still think you are the only one to ever GET Pietro.) I've always liked Jamie, but now that you've been developing him even more, he is just outstanding! Kudos! Thanks again! (Now if only Captain Marvel were still in print......)

Posted by: Bunch at December 30, 2005 03:07 PM

"Really. Betty Banner was a staunch Republican and dissed Clinton. Rahne--as least as I'm writing her--is a religious conservative. I think your assessment is a bit harsh and a lot inaccurate.

PAD"

Peter,

If you look at my statement again, you'll see that my assessment is targeted at the industry as a whole, not your stories in particular (after all, you had already explained that the artist threw in the Anti-Republican t-shirt, not you). Mark Millar's recent HolocaustWolverine-Anti-Bush story was a perfect example of the slant I've historically seen in comics as a whole. My central critique was of your reply to the letter writer, not your stories. In fact, your reply to me was much better and more explanatory.

Posted by: Robert Fuller at December 30, 2005 03:28 PM

"I'm Layla Miller. I know things." I laughed every single time I read that. It's never going to get old. I think she's already my favorite character, next to Molly Hayes from Runaways.

Posted by: Adam Sorkin at December 30, 2005 04:17 PM

Loving X-factor...

But Fallen Angel was not available. My shop ordered #4, and they'd sold out since yesterday. Now it's back in my pull file, and on reorder for me, at any rate.

Posted by: Ben at December 30, 2005 05:37 PM

Did anyone get an extra copy of the Retailer Incentive Cover of Fallen Angel by David Lopez they would be willing to part with?

If so, email me at vamplestat6@aol.com

Thanks!

Posted by: AdamYJ at December 30, 2005 05:38 PM

Let's see. I liked X-Factor to a certain degree. I do like the characters and will see it through a little farther. However, I'm not really the "noir" type, so I don't know if I'll stick around. Layla Miller proved to be surprisingly interesting and amusing in this comic. Good job on that.

I also bought Fallen Angel #1 because . . . I din't want you to be mad at me. I know it sounds weird, but the first thing I thought of when I saw it listed on the shipping lists was "It's the new Fallen Angel series. I should buy it so Peter David won't be mad at me". I'm still trying to figure out that rationale. Anyway, bizarre impetus aside, it was pretty good. It was a lot more interesting than the last Fallen Angel #1. I figure I'll try the next couple of issues too.

Posted by: Queen Anthai at December 30, 2005 05:40 PM

FALLEN ANGEL #1.

Oh my God.

I can't gush enough about it.

I love the artwork, first of all. You picked an excellent artist who is definitely putting the "noir" in Bete Noire. That said, I loved seeing the beginnings of Liandra's backstory. I presume that at one point she was this "Holly's" guardian angel, and after Holly was brutally murdered, she went down to Earth to become an avenging angel of sorts, which led to her fall. I'm dying to see what she has to say about going back up to Heaven. Of course, if she said yes, we probably wouldn't have a book. Hmm. Could it be that she can't ascend anymore, being so intricately tied to Bete Noire? And what would it do to the city if she did leave?

I'm anxiously awaiting next month. I'm so glad you fought for Lee, Peter, because she's one of the best characters you've ever created, and I'm not just kissing your ass here. I can't get enough of her. I'm looking forward to seeing what Juris' actions will be now that he knows of Jude's existence, what Slate's motives were in going to Jude (and how did he find out the kid was even alive?), whether we'll be seeing Sachs & Violens again, more of Lee's backstory and the relationship between Bete Noire and its denizens...

...dare I say I'm hooked all over again? :)

Posted by: Michael at December 30, 2005 06:01 PM

I really enjoyed [b]X-Factor[/b]. I'm enjoying the blend of noir, humour and unpredictability. (I even enjoyed Layla Miller's "I know things.) My favourite new series, right now.

[b]Fallen Angel[/b] was good, too, but unlike many others, I miss Lopez on the art. I did notice that Woodward was drawing many of the characters in the Lopez style, however, which helps. I'm not sure about the 18-year gap, yet, but I'm willing to see where this is all going.

My only complaint? That two books from the same writer came out the same week. I'd prefer things spaced out a bit more...

Posted by: mmj at December 30, 2005 06:34 PM

No Fallen Angel #1 at my store.

Anyone else in the UK get it?

Posted by: LCN at December 30, 2005 07:11 PM

Glad to see the same characters back. I've recently lost interest or felt let down by most other books I've been reading lately, but this issue reminded me why I love comics. David Lopez's departure was definitely noted as the new artist brings a whole new different style to the book - like Cameron Steward being replaced by Alex Ross - it'd be a treat to see what journey Lee will be put through now. Only complaint is no next issue teaser box. I'm also not sure if this book is monthly, bi-monthly, or a mini-series. Whatever the case, it's good to read Lee's dialogues again - I just love how she is so direct. I do wonder if we'd see Black Mariah again - but knowing Peter David - we probably will - eventually.

Posted by: Bethany K. at December 30, 2005 08:35 PM

I was a big fan of Fallen Angel and I would love to read this new issue. However, in the time in between I've moved to the back end of nowhere and I have no idea how to find a comic book store. Are there any websites or something where I could purchase it?

My apologies if this question is dumb/innapropriate.

Posted by: KnockaroundGuy at December 30, 2005 08:53 PM

Well, due to limited finance and budgeting on my part, I only picked up X-Factor. Though I have been interested in having a look at Fallen Angel (being a fan of PAD’s Supergirl run), I guess I thought it a bit safer to pick up the X-Factor book instead – being very familiar with these characters and all. And I am sooo loving it.

My only disappointment was Rictor. Not because of anything he’s said or done so far. Not because of the way he's written or his characterization. My reason for it is simple. Months ago, when I saw the sneak preview of the cover for issue 1, I thought Ric looked an awful lot like Chamber sitting back there next to Guido (I mean M made the team, so Chamber wasn’t too much of a push). Chamber is my all time favorite mutant and I went berserk when I thought he was going to be on the team… Only to discover it wasn’t him at all. Oh well… Don’t suppose you’d have any plans for Chamber PAD? I’d consider it a personal favor if you’d jam him in there somewhere (but struggling to become a writer myself, I understand that you can’t just shove a character into a story for the hell of it).

Regardless of the lack of Chamber, this is definitely the best X-Book on the shelves (and I know it’s the best read out of the three or four titles I can afford to pick up each month). Keep up the good work PAD :)

Posted by Gorginfoogle at December 30, 2005 11:22 AM
“I really enjoyed X-Factor. If nothing else, openly insulting the House of M nonsense is enough to make me content,”

How so? I didn't read House of M, so would you mind elaborating?

Posted by AdamYJ at December 30, 2005 05:38 PM
“Let's see. I liked X-Factor to a certain degree. I do like the characters and will see it through a little farther. However, I'm not really the "noir" type, so I don't know if I'll stick around.”

I disagree simply on the terms of, IMO this is exactly what the X-men should be. Dark and real. Forget the circus costumes. Forget the multi-million dollar mansion and jet. Forget the alien tech. To me THIS is the X-men. I’m in it for the long run :)

Posted by: rahnefan at December 30, 2005 10:37 PM

PAD: "Rahne--as least as I'm writing her--is a religious conservative."

Man, I'm begging you...pleading with you...please don't make her the mutant example of all that is wrong and evil on that side.

Please, please, please.

Posted by: r marvin at December 30, 2005 10:58 PM

Almost missed the first issue. Picked it up today when I was rechecking the file to see if Daredevil came in (I collect Elektra). Well done. I have read the original series from the get go and have enjoyed them all. I find Lee and Juris fascinating in the dance they do. I hope you recapture your audience and IDW stays solvent. Unfortunately my store (Bookery Fantasy, Fairborn OH did not get the variant in--boo!!) But the store has always supported the title. You always continue to add layers to the characters and make this title unpredictable. It gets read by me and not tossed on the sim over pile. Now if I can just remember which cancelled box I put the DC run in. I've learned never pull a set out until I hold the copy in hand. (Still miss your Young Justice by the by.

Posted by: JosephW at December 30, 2005 11:01 PM

Posted by Knockaround Guy:
"My only disappointment was Rictor. Not because of anything he’s said or done so far. Not because of the way he's written or his characterization. My reason for it is simple. Months ago, when I saw the sneak preview of the cover for issue 1, I thought Ric looked an awful lot like Chamber sitting back there next to Guido (I mean M made the team, so Chamber wasn’t too much of a push). Chamber is my all time favorite mutant and I went berserk when I thought he was going to be on the team… Only to discover it wasn’t him at all. Oh well… Don’t suppose you’d have any plans for Chamber PAD? I’d consider it a personal favor if you’d jam him in there somewhere (but struggling to become a writer myself, I understand that you can’t just shove a character into a story for the hell of it)."

Actually, Chamber was the centerpiece of the first issue of "Generation M", and, from that story, there's not much likelihood of PAD using Jono.

SPOILER ALERT


BIG SPOILER ALERT


YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

Chamber is now a former mutant (I absolutely refuse to say "ex-mutant" in regards to any of Marvel's now depowered characters; it cheapens the pretty fond memories I have of a mid-80s title) and he's being kept alive through artificial means.

Posted by: Scott Iskow at December 30, 2005 11:29 PM

Fallen Angel was gorgeous. I followed the series before, so I don't know how this book is for newcomers, but I could tell you pulled out all the stops to make it accessible. I only hope there wasn't too much information to take in all at once.

X-Factor is great and remains unpredictable. I can already tell that you will do wonders with this cast. I don't know what you have planned for these characters, and for me that's just one more reason to keep reading.

Posted by: AdamYJ at December 30, 2005 11:29 PM

"I disagree simply on the terms of, IMO this is exactly what the X-men should be. Dark and real. Forget the circus costumes. Forget the multi-million dollar mansion and jet. Forget the alien tech. To me THIS is the X-men. I’m in it for the long run :)"

Well, I'm glad you like it so much. Different strokes for different folks. I just happen to prefer the lighter and more fantastical material. In fact, I tend to prefer comedy most of all in my superhero comics. That's what led me to this site in the first place years ago. I do find it interesting when people say stuff like "dark and real" as if the two words go together completely naturally. I hear it so often these days. The truth is that in my (admittedly limited) experience, the real world is a cornucopia of different things. The phrase "dark and real" is just as true as saying "light and real". Then again, what do I know?

Posted by: DF2506 at December 31, 2005 12:35 AM

I got X-Factor on Thursday and thought it was really good. I like the characters, especially Madox, and the storyline is very interesting so far. The cliffhanger was good too, though not as shocking as #1s was! Whew.

Definitly the coolest X-men book right now, imo. Keep up the great work PAD!

DF2506
" Looking forward to more X-Factor! "

Posted by: Peter David at December 31, 2005 12:45 AM

PAD: "Rahne--as least as I'm writing her--is a religious conservative."

"Man, I'm begging you...pleading with you...please don't make her the mutant example of all that is wrong and evil on that side.

Please, please, please."

You absolutely need not worry. To Rahne, religion is that from which she draws comfort and security and has a fundamental sense of morality. She doesn't use it to bludgeon people over the head...unless, y'know, they're about to jump off a building, but she was trying to save both a life and a soul under extreme duress, so it was understandable.

Check out issue #6--in particular a conversation she has with Layla--to see the way I'm handling it. In any event, worry not. I have no intention of using her faith to make her a punching bag. It would be cheap and easy and frankly kind of insulting.

PAD

Posted by: KnockaroundGuy at December 31, 2005 02:47 AM

Posted by: AdamYJ at December 30, 2005 11:29 PM
'I do find it interesting when people say stuff like "dark and real" as if the two words go together completely naturally. I hear it so often these days. The truth is that in my (admittedly limited) experience, the real world is a cornucopia of different things. The phrase "dark and real" is just as true as saying "light and real". Then again, what do I know?'

I know what your saying. But when I said dark and real, it's simply a statement meaning more street level than the majority of superhero books. Yeah. That's it. Gritty and street level (in the context of the majority of "super hero" comics). That's what I ment :)

Posted by: Neil C at December 31, 2005 07:10 AM

Yum! Loved the new Fallen Angel. I really enjoyed the first series, and this really made for a great Christmas present for me & the wife (a few days after the fact, but who's counting :)

The artwork is very nice, though I always enjoyed Lopez' work too, esp. his facial expressions. Couldn't track down a copy of the alternative cover around town here...

Looking forward to the next issue (it is intended to be monthly, yes?)

Good work, and Happy New Year to all!

Posted by: Rich F at December 31, 2005 07:26 AM

Is it only 18 years since the first run ended? I don't remember Xia. My impression was that she was introduced in this issue. I admit that I missed the end of the old run. Was Xia pregnant at the end of the last series or do we have to add the time for Juris to meet and impregnate Xia, plus nine months, to the time line?

Posted by: Thomas E. Reed at December 31, 2005 11:58 AM

I tried to post this a few days ago in a different thread, but something went weird...I picked up "Fallen Angel" #1 Thursday. It was superb, especially the moody art and brief but descriptive captions.

The big kicker was the comic book expert at my local shop. He supervises the pull lists and promotes comics he wants to sell. He wasn't doing it to "Fallen Angel," though. "The book doesn't sell. We have only two or three people who order it." He claims to read Mr. David's blog, and says he doesn't understand what all the fuss is about.

In other words, this book doesn't make him as much profit as "Braless the Vampire Slayer" or whatever his big seller is. And therefore isn't worth promoting. I had to beg him to get Paul Dini's new "Jingle Belle" before Christmas. I guess if it was part of the "House of Infinte M & M's" it would've been no problem for him.

Just for the record, a comic book store is supposed to be a service business, not a mass market service. They are supposed to get the hard-to=order oddball books we can't, and draw attention to well-done books that aren't necessarily the crowd pleasers. It's as if a clerk at an upscale store didn't want to order that Beluga caviar you wanted, and tries to steer you to a can of the more popular StarKist tuna instead.

Posted by: Brian Douglas at December 31, 2005 01:02 PM

I'm not crazy about the art or the noir detective feel, but that said, X-Factor has some of the best characterization I've seen in any recent comic.

Btw, I loved the "Decimation is a source of gramatical confusion" gag.

Posted by: furioso2012 at December 31, 2005 02:18 PM

Liked X-F very much, although the inking team mix was a tad distracting. Smooth is good! Scratchy less good!

And as for FALLEN ANGEL, all I can say is "WOW!" (worth the worry & wait).

Posted by: Brian Geers at December 31, 2005 05:12 PM

I actually liked X-Factor #2 even more than I did #1. Layla Miller, annoying plot device that she was in 'House of M', becomes an amusing plot device here. In PAD's capable hands, she might actually even get a little character development this time around.

Insofar as the "T-Shirt Argument" is concerned, I've thought that Guido was the most openly and abrasively political member of the team (as early as when he coined the term "GeeCees"), so why wouldn't he wear his views on his sleeve (or on his chest)?

As for Fallen Angel #1, it was the last book I read this week (which is a good thing, really, because I save the books I'm dying to read until the very bottom of my pile). At first, I was a little leery of the extra buck I'd be paying (although it didn't stop me from pre-ordering issues 2-4 before having even read the first), but the production values are all top notch. Oddly, my local comic shop had this in on their "Marvel/DC" shelf as opposed to that vague nether region where all of the other indy books live. Perhaps it was a token attempt at showing that the book is at least as good as (*cough*betterthan*cough*) anything the Big Two is putting out. While I keenly missed David Lopez's distinct characterizations for Lee and company, there's no denying that J.K. Woodward's art is simply yummy. I really liked the explanation as to why Lee ended up as a P.E. teacher to a bunch of teenage girls. It was some pretty deep thinking on what originally seemed like a mundane and insignificant part of her character.

Posted by: John at December 31, 2005 05:59 PM

I have no intention of using her faith to make her a punching bag. It would be cheap and easy and frankly kind of insulting.

And while it is stating the obvious, it would completely invalidate your defense that you do have conservative characters, if you painted them in a way most readers would dislike them. The fact that you do have likable characters with different personalities shows that your comics at least aren't biased.

I remember reading one of your issues of Supergirl -- where you handled the difficult subject of controversial speakers on campus, and I was extremely impressed on how balanced it was. Left the reader to make up their own mind.

Posted by: Aaron Thall at December 31, 2005 07:23 PM

I disagree. PAD =SHOULD= use Chamber as he currently stands. Stick a massive zipper on him and BAM! "See-His-Innards-Man" is born! It'll sell a million copies, and be the most disturbing action figure ever put on the market.

Posted by: mike weber at December 31, 2005 07:29 PM

As to how long it's been in Fallen Angel -- Speaking in my capacity as someone who's going to be a step-grandfather Any Day Now, let me rimind the reader that is Dr juris's son is eighteen, and his mother hadn't even been seen in the last issue of the DC run, it's a lot closer to a minimum of twenty years than eighteen since the last issue.

So what's Slate's private agenda? (Of course he has one -- Peter Lorre always has a private agenda in noir stories.)

To be honest, i'm not all that happy about the art -- while there's nothing wrong with the draftmnship and rendering, the clear colours over monochrome gouache (as i understand it is) is a show-offy technique that's really not suited to all (even most) situations. (Rather like Andrew Wyeth and that damn dry-brush of his.) And where's her right leg in that bike shot?

And doesn't anyone notice that their teenage daughters are taking PE from the same coach that they did? (OTOH, this is Bete Noir, and the denizens have the examples of at least Dr Juris, Dolph and Slate to learn from...)

Posted by: KnockaroundGuy at January 1, 2006 01:21 AM

Posted by Aaron Thall at December 31, 2005 07:23 PM
“I disagree. PAD =SHOULD= use Chamber as he currently stands. Stick a massive zipper on him and BAM! "See-His-Innards-Man" is born! It'll sell a million copies, and be the most disturbing action figure ever put on the market.”

I’m just sure PAD could do something great with Chamber. And I mean Joe Q himself said that a good story is more important than continuity. So there's hope :)

Posted by: Peter David at January 1, 2006 01:28 AM

"And doesn't anyone notice that their teenage daughters are taking PE from the same coach that they did?"

Sure they do. And she looks twenty years older than she did when she was teaching them. Didn't you notice the crow's feet? The wrinkles? The gray streaks in her hair?

It's only when she's in Bete Noire at night that she looks the way she did twenty years earlier.

PAD

Posted by: Luigi Novi at January 1, 2006 01:44 AM

Well, there's barely any clear shots of her face during the non-Bete Noir scenes, and the "crow's feet" on page 3 lack any depth, looking as if they were just painted on. (Yeah, I know, they were painted on, but they're not supposed to look like it.) True age isn't a matter of lines drawn on a face. There is a weight and gravity to the skin and muscles and the face as a whole, which that shot does not convey at all.

Taking a closer second look at the subsequent shot of her in the shower, that shot does look more like an aged Lee, but because Woodward used some bizarre gray/purple tone to render her face, it requires one to really look hard at it.

It's because of this lack of clear shots of her face, odd choices in coloring, and lack of a convincing under-structure to the art, among other things, that the art obscures what it's supposed to convey, and doesn't look that good to me. No offense to J.K., but it doesn't look like he's mastered the skills necessary to pull off whatever technique he's using, and the art ends up looking amateurish as a result.

I think you deserve better, Peter.

Posted by: Gorginfoogle at January 1, 2006 04:51 AM

Knockaround guy:

"How so? I didn't read House of M, so would you mind elaborating?"

I had meant PAD's joke about the definition of 'Decimation', which was one of the follow-up miniseries about House of M. Not to mention the probably unintended subtext that, since it took Iceman all of one issue to get his powers back, it may well be that only 10% of the mutants in the world will have permanently lost their powers by the time this whole mess ends.

Posted by: Jonathan (the other one) at January 1, 2006 08:46 AM

Of course, House of M came with a built-in reset button - all anyone has to do is sit down and have a long talk with Wanda about the best ways to achieve peace amongst people. Making sure that mutants remain a tiny, easily-eraseable minority is a sure way to perpetuate the persecution...

...of course, I'm also waiting for someone in the comics to take exception to the fact that the verbiage is controlled almost entirely by the bad guys. (Guido did take a shot at it once, but he was too busy making a smartass comment to make sure people got his point.) I mean, Homo superior? Really? In what way, aside from a knack for manipulating magnetic fields, is Eric Lensherr "superior" to the people he attacked at that missile base, back in the day? How is the Toad superior to, well, just about anybody? I think somebody ought to propose replacing that misleading nomenclature with something more accurate - Homo sapiens novis, perhaps, or Homo sapiens mutandis (hope I got the Latin right - it's 5:45 am here, and I've had a couple). After all, the mutants are still apparently Homo sapiens - they can still interbreed, and bear viable, fertile offspring. Changing the nomenclature can go a long way toward changing the attitude, after all...

Posted by: Cradok at January 1, 2006 10:13 AM

"No Fallen Angel #1 at my store.

Anyone else in the UK get it?"

None of the three stores in Dublin received any copies. I'd say this is Diamond UK being their usual selves, and hope that it does actually show up at some point...

Posted by: Fred Chamberlain at January 1, 2006 12:18 PM

>I had meant PAD's joke about the definition of 'Decimation', which was one of the follow-up miniseries about House of M. Not to mention the probably unintended subtext that, since it took Iceman all of one issue to get his powers back, it may well be that only 10% of the mutants in the world will have permanently lost their powers by the time this whole mess ends.

I am still thrown by the fact that in the same descriptor paragraph of the results of House of M, which states that there were a few million mutants, a point is stressed that 90% of mutants are gone and only a few hundred are left..... is my math wayyyy off or are they off by a few thousand?

Fred

Posted by: Arthur at January 1, 2006 12:59 PM

Peter,

I've followed Fallen Angel from the beginning, and thought that this was the best issue yet. Two questions, though...

1. I would guess that the painted artwork takes a considerably longer time to produce than your standard penciled-and-inked comic, and I did not see any indication as to when the next issue will be available. Is FA a monthly, bi-monthly, or something else?

2. Any chance of another Sachs and Violens appearance?

Arthur

Posted by: Tony at January 1, 2006 01:46 PM

>>1I really enjoyed [b]X-Factor[/b]. I'm enjoying the blend of noir, humour and unpredictability. (I even enjoyed Layla Miller's "I know things.) My favourite new series, right now.

[b]Fallen Angel[/b] was good, too, but unlike many others, I miss Lopez on the art. I did notice that Woodward was drawing many of the characters in the Lopez style, however, which helps. I'm not sure about the 18-year gap, yet, but I'm willing to see where this is all going.

My only complaint? That two books from the same writer came out the same week. I'd prefer things spaced out a bit more...

--but didn't it feel like the old days when we had several books by Peter in the same month?

Posted by: Tony at January 1, 2006 01:52 PM

>>I am still thrown by the fact that in the same descriptor paragraph of the results of House of M, which states that there were a few million mutants, a point is stressed that 90% of mutants are gone and only a few hundred are left..... is my math wayyyy off or are they off by a few thousand?

Fred

--nah, you're right. I noticed it myself with the Decimation one shot.

Posted by: Tony at January 1, 2006 02:07 PM

>>Why, it just seems like a few weeks ago that X-FACTOR #1 was out. And it just seems like a few months ago that FALLEN ANGEL was consigned to the scrap heap by DC. Yet here are the next issues of both. What were the odds?

Whad'ja think?

--I think X-Factor has the potential to be your finest comics work. The level of detail you've poured into the characters in just 2 issues is more than most writers do in half a dozen.
I particularly like Siryn more than ever--largely b/c of the change in her powers and how that will affect her.
I came to actually like and feel sorry for Rictor after issue one.
Monet is a character that I think will need a bit of work. She's always been this snobby rich girl, but rarely has any other facet of her personality been present (of course there has to be other sides or she wouldn't even be at X-Factor Investigations to begin with; obviously she has a few caring bones in her body...ala Cordy in S2 and S3 of Buffy). That said, you've written her to a "T". I loved the playful banter between her and Rahne.
Guido is probably the only cast member that I don't care for. It's not that I have anything against him, he just never appealed to me in any way. That may change given time though.
Layla "plot device" Millar's "I know things" was amusing throughout the issue, though I found myself wondering why no one asked the simple question "how do you know things?" It will be curious to learn how she survived the destruction of HoM, as IIRC she was created in that world.
Rahne is an interesting character. Her personality is intriguing, but I've never really liked her powers. They're just kinda "blah". Can you switch her powers with Monet for one issue? That might be really fun!
The one character that I really like is Jamie. He is probably the one that I feel the most like. I know what it's like to have a dizzying array of ideas floating through your head and the desire to explore all your options. I know too, what it's like to freeze up b/c your options and interests are so vast that you can't pinpoint one and work from there. Jamie takes that to the opposite extreme, but that doesn't readily solve his problems. I'm very curious to see where his character is going.

As for Fallen Angel, the art was fantastic and while I can't say I was the biggest fan of the book (though I did buy every issue of the DC run), this issue (and the origin story as a whole) interests me quite a bit.

Tony

Posted by: mmj at January 1, 2006 03:43 PM

"None of the three stores in Dublin received any copies. I'd say this is Diamond UK being their usual selves, and hope that it does actually show up at some point..."

Thanks for the reply, Cradok.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for next week.

Posted by: SAM-EL at January 1, 2006 04:05 PM

As I read through the thread, I notice people with little money for Fallen Angel, but plenty for X-Factor. What are you doing? WHy are you even posting on here?

Don't you listen to what Peter said about FA being the best work he's ever done? Drop Infinite Crisis, Son Of M, or any of that bull thats keeping you from an intense and incredible story.

SAM-EL

Posted by: Robert Fuller at January 1, 2006 04:39 PM

Geez, Sam, lighten up. Just because someone is a fan of Peter's work, it doesn't mean they have to read everything he writes. I read Fallen Angel, but I don't read FNSM, since I don't give a rat's ass about Spider-Man. I certainly can't blame someone for not buying FA, especially with the price tag it comes with. Nobody likes to be told what to read or what not to read (especially since Infinite Crisis is quite good, as is, from what I've heard, Son of M).

Posted by: Rivet head1 at January 1, 2006 04:58 PM

Was a little let down by X-FACTORS second issue. I guess I was hoping for more of a follow up as to Madroxs dups actions. It just felt like; "Ho-hum, back to biz.". I did love Monets appearance but why is she baggin on Rahne so much? I know M has some kind of childish attitude locked away inside her but she already had this attitude towards Jubilee in Gen X. Is her attitude going to be this way towards all woman? Is it a competitive thing for her?
As for the letters comment about the anti-rep. shirt? Waaah. Who cares? As tired as these fans are of "having left wing views infiltrate thier comics" Im as tired of hearing them bitch about it. Get over it. You arent the only people on Earth. And if the artist had drawn an anit-Dems shirt? You'd be sure these same fans would be slappin thier happy lil knees in appreciation over it.
PAD, I dig your work in general. Regardless of the comments I or others make about your political views, please, as a fellow artist, don't stop voicing your opinion. That's what art is truely based in.
The nay sayers would realize that if they took the time to think about it.

Posted by: Sleestak at January 1, 2006 07:32 PM

Please bounce Layla Miller from X-Factor ASAP. She's dragging down what is otherwise the best X-title going right now.

Posted by: vocalyz at January 1, 2006 10:20 PM

X-Factor: This is fast becoming one of my favorite titles.

Fallen Angel: Loved it, LOVED it, LOVE-ED IT! My only question is whether the short story in the back of the book has something to do with the series, or just an extra to help promote the author?

I don't much care for the price, but it's one of the few books for which I'm willing to pay over $3--for now. Fair warning to any DC or MARVEL price-setters. As soon as a book breaks the $3 point as a regular price, I'm letting the story arc run it's course and bailing. As much as I love your books, this hobby is becoming waaaaay too expensive. I'll probably limit myself to two books a month at that point.

Happy New Year,
Daniel 8^)

Posted by: Jim Lawless at January 2, 2006 12:12 AM

X-Factor #2: Another enjoyable issue. I like what we're seeing from the non-powered Rictor ... and I like the schtick with the rogue Madrox dupe.

Nicely done.

Posted by: Robert Fuller at January 2, 2006 05:15 AM

"Please bounce Layla Miller from X-Factor ASAP. She's dragging down what is otherwise the best X-title going right now."

No, she's making it even better!

Posted by: One at January 2, 2006 08:54 AM

Just one question, I'm pretty sure Monet supposed to be black. Was this just a colorist's mistake?

Posted by: Robert Fuller at January 2, 2006 04:25 PM

"Just one question, I'm pretty sure Monet supposed to be black. Was this just a colorist's mistake?"

I think she's North African, like Moroccan or something.

Posted by: Sleestak at January 2, 2006 06:58 PM

Layla is a Macguffin. Bounce her.

Posted by: Godzina at January 2, 2006 07:03 PM

"I think she's North African, like Moroccan or something."

Albanian, to my knowledge.

Posted by: SAM-EL at January 3, 2006 06:43 AM

Yeah, apologies for that. It's a great book. I just wish people would take the risk with it.

Just tore through X-Factor, and found them both to be very good. I'll add it to the list of X-books that are great...

Posted by: Craig J. Ries at January 3, 2006 09:08 AM

since it took Iceman all of one issue to get his powers back

For all the people out there that are completely not paying attention to what's going on with Iceman (and there are many of you), while I don't trust Marvel to "stick to their guns" on this in the long run, I don't see Iceman's situation as backpeddling.

It's explained just fine as to what happened with Iceman.

The basic fact? He never lost his powers due to Decimation.

Posted by: michael j norton at January 3, 2006 11:24 AM

Fallen Angel: Love it! Can't wait for more!

Michael

Posted by: JC Lebourdais at January 3, 2006 11:52 AM

So Lee is not Supergirl after all.
Rats.
I want my money back.

JC

Posted by: Cradok at January 3, 2006 12:19 PM

"The basic fact? [Iceman] never lost his powers due to Decimation."

Yeah, but you can see where they're coming from. Of the current three X-Teams, Iceman and Polaris were the only ones who seemed to be affected, and that's down to just Lorna now. And it would have been good to see Bobby having to cope with not having even the flimsy reason of his powers as an excuse for being an asshole.

Posted by: Michael C. at January 3, 2006 04:17 PM

Got my copies of X-Factor's #1 & 2, as well as Fallen Angel #1 over the weekend, and I was thrilled by all of them.

X-Factor is Peter doing superheroes they way he does them best. I find it funny that some people complain about the dark noir feel, when Peter infuses it with such humor. A neat blend of his dry wit and the look and feel of noir. The choice of cast is interesting; I've always been a fan of Rhane's, and Siryn was handled well, I like where she has headed. I think it's great that Monet is still a self-important snob, but hopefully we'll see a little more to her at some point. I have never really been all that interested in Jamie Madrox until the miniseries; now I find him to be pretty fascinating. What great fun.

And it's so wonderful to see that Fallen Angel has returned. The artwork is gorgeous, and I'm really enjoying finding out a little more about Lee's origins. I've always been a sucker for "angel" stories.

Michael C.
http://www.chlotrudis.org/colford

Posted by: PowerBum at January 4, 2006 09:11 PM

I'm completely loving X-Factor (well, not completely, still not totally sold on Layla) so far, and I can't wait for the next issue. One quick question, though, is Rictor's state-of-mind in any way an homage to the original X-Factor run when Angel lost his wings and considered killing himself? And really, the connections to the original series don't stop there. That was a character-driven series where former X-Men were trying to find a new way to help mutants as well. (In case you were wondering, I recently picked up the excellent Essential X-Factor collection and couldn't help but compare it to the new series.) Oh, and is there any chance we'll see the breathtaking return of TOWER? (j/k)

Posted by: Scavenger at January 5, 2006 02:19 PM

How can Layla Miller be dragging the book down? She hasn't done anything yet other then some filing. It's not like there's been a 8 issue story line that's based around her knowing things for mysterious reasons that is never explained. It's only issue #2.

Can someone tell me what M's powers are?

Posted by: KnockaroundGuy at January 6, 2006 09:06 AM

What about having a story where they )-xXx- Investigations)are held hostage by Emplate or something? I think Emplate is one of the most original X-Villains ever, and could use a bit of spotlight. And I get all goose bumps thinking about what PAD could do with him (But please don't touch on the mess that is M and Penance and M-Plate and Emplate and the twins and all that crap. Still trying to forget all THAT rubbish) :)

Posted by: Bob Jones at January 6, 2006 02:05 PM

X-Factor #2 is coming out with a 2nd printing variant cover. Great news!!! Sales must be Liptonian Brisk? :-)

Posted by: Dr. Panelology at January 7, 2006 01:22 PM

I am a big fan of your work, and Fallen Angel and X-Factor are both examples of you at the top of your game.

Bravo!

Thanks for giving me a reason to look forward to Wednesdays. I look forward to reading both series for a long time.

Posted by: Iowa Jim at January 7, 2006 06:17 PM

To Rahne, religion is that from which she draws comfort and security and has a fundamental sense of morality. She doesn't use it to bludgeon people over the head...unless, y'know, they're about to jump off a building, but she was trying to save both a life and a soul under extreme duress, so it was understandable.

Hmm. So if you are trying to save a soul, it is understandable that you would at least "forcefully" try to make your beliefs heard? Nah, won't go there.

Unfortunately (for my wallet), I am already hooked on X-Factor (2nd Edition). I find the story engaging and the characters -- well, just that, characters. They have depth. They have texture. And things happen. While the ending was a little disturbing, I choose to wait to see "why" before going there.

On a somewhat related note, PAD, your issues of "The Other" storyline have been by far the best. Now that it is almost over it is safe to say that, while it was not a contest, you write the most interesting Spidey story. I will still get JMS Amazing, but Friendly will probably be higher on my list.

I was surprised (but should not have been) to see you responding on the letters page and appreciated it. I had forgotten about the t-shirt, probably because I really didn't care. It just made sense for his character and didn't come across as you pushing an agenda (even if you had been the origin of its contents).

Iowa Jim

Posted by: Porcelain at January 8, 2006 11:29 AM

On a random whim I picked up the first 2 issues of X-Factor with a bunch of other X stuff the other week (ain't shelled out for comics in years).

I honestly didn't think it would be my thing, but turns out I loved it to bits. Don't ever recall laughing out loud like that from a comic before.

The characterisation is great, each one is distinctive and I even kinda like Layla - looking forward to see how she unravels. It's particularly refreshing to see characters have honest reactions that ring true to the overall narative. With the exception of M (who I think you got spot on), the rest of the cast I've never really been interested in before, especially Madrox - now I can't wait to see a bit more of them. Most of all I love the sarcasm and humour that threads throughout.

Artwork is a definite plus too, best 'costumes' in a long while - they really can pass on the street, they look good and they make sense. A lot of attention is given to ensuring each character looks different too, right down to the facial features. Not so keen on Rahne's werewolf but I can more than live with it.

Yeah, I think I may be hooked...

Posted by: Somebody at January 8, 2006 01:42 PM

> Can someone tell me what M's powers are?

Telepathic Supergirl (less the vision powers)

Posted by: Brian Douglas at January 8, 2006 08:23 PM

Finally got to read Fallen Angel #1. Finally some insight into Lee's character. Looks like she actually is a fallen angel.

Oh, and I just had to point something out:
LIaNDrA

Posted by: John C. Kirk at January 9, 2006 07:28 PM

Now that both issues have reached the UK, I've enjoyed them.

Fallen Angel: I was a bit disappointed to see the Supergirl connection go away (although I suppose it could still be worked in somehow), but I liked the story as a whole. Is it just me, or does Xia look a lot like Lucy Liu?

X-Factor: Thank you for that line about decimation! Now we just need to enlighten the rest of the masses... Personally, I found Layla really annoying, but I remember reading a BID column that said people had the same reaction Wolverine when he turned up, so maybe she'll grow on me (or just grow up).

I've noticed that both comics keep being described as "noir". That's not the impression that I get, but then again I've never really been a fan of the genre. Anyway, I like them, and it doesn't really matter much what label gets applied to them.

Posted by: Black Canary at January 11, 2006 12:25 AM

So, I read Fallen Angel Volume 2 # 1.

Words CANNOT express how much I loved it. Literally. Each word on the page, each stroke of pen and ink...

I'm dying for issue number two out here!

Posted by: Luke K. Walsh at January 12, 2006 07:08 PM

I forgot to pick up X-Factor (!) - must add to my pull list and hope to find a copy of what I've missed. But - like Brian Geers above, I save the issues I expect to enjoy most for last - I have finally read Fallen Angel (series two) #1.

Great issue! (Spoilers ensuing, if one hasn't read the issue yet.)

I was initially thrown by Juris' son - "How'd Juris find him?? And why is Lee back with Juris?? And 'in the bottle'?" - but did soon figure out what had happened - certainly before Juris did :). And it's not just you, John C. Kirk - Xia does (often) look a LOT like Lucy Liu .... And we learned Lee's real name (and interesting point ABOUT that name, Brian Douglas :) ), and more of her history - QUITE a bit was revealed in this issue, actually. Including why Lee has her day job - does being the father of several daughters, PAD, have anything to do with this evaluation of teenage girls or is that purely coincidental? :) And at the end, realizing who Slade was talking to, and having that realization confirmed - very nice. And what is Lee going to do when her son shows up in Bete Noire, right when Juris has figured out that he exists?

Very glad that FA is back - and that it's doing so well for IDW that they've already "unlimited" it. This is a significant part of the best crop of comic reading I remember having in years. Congratulations on the successful return, and thank you, PAD!

Posted by: bryn at January 17, 2006 03:38 PM

Hi there,

I wasn't sure where to ask this, but I thought this was a good a place as any. Issue 5 Ryan Sook provides the cover but none of the interior artwork :( and I just saw the solicits for April (issue 6) and it says that Ryan Sook will not be the artist (neither cover or interior art) :( what happened? Is he coming back? Or is that his lot for X-factor?

Posted by: kelly hoose at January 20, 2006 10:19 AM

fresh ink on attack of the show on G4TV, you're x-factor is a BUY. She loved you abilty to write, said #1 is a sold out second printing...

cool, i really can't wait for you how to write comic book novel...

Posted by: Kenny at January 28, 2006 01:24 PM

Also wondering if Ryan Sook is off the title for good.

I miss him already.

Is Calero the new penciler?