PeterDavid.net

It tends to go both ways, I agree.

The problem for me, as I've said before, is that I'd just like to see you write your own stuff for awhile - which you've gotten to do with X-Factor to date, not quite so much with F'N Spider-Man - rather than get dragged along for the ride.

And right now, with Marvel's strategy moving back toward the all-encompassing tie-in storylines each year, everybody tends to get dragged along. :)

What did I think? Veeerrrryyyy interesting. You definitely know how to tease. I must say you are using Layla in a way that really adds tension and twists to the story. And the Spidey revelation leaves me with one question: Will MJ ever hear all of it?

Add in a twisted, "evil" Quicksilver who apparently has echoes of his sister in his blood, and you have me wanting his power to jump ahead in time to find out what happens next.

One side issue: I found your comment on the letter page about the 5 month delay very interesting. Thanks for sharing that insight into how things work.

Regarding the whole "Civil War" issue, I find the "anti-reg" far stronger in most of the books (which does not surprise me). I think there is an attempt to be fair, but I suspect it is hard not to put oneself into the issue. I actually find myself pretty sympathetic to the "anti" view and would hope for some compromise (though none seems apparent) that would address the issues without putting the heroes at unnecessary risk.

Iowa Jim

Iowa Jim

"The problem for me, as I've said before, is that I'd just like to see you write your own stuff for awhile - which you've gotten to do with X-Factor to date, not quite so much with F'N Spider-Man - rather than get dragged along for the ride."

Yes, well, in point of fact, I only wrote two issues of FNSM that were part of a larger crossover. And as fans decried my participating in "The Other," I decided not to do "Civil War" tie ins and instead focus on my own stuff. Result? Sales dropped on FNSM while they stayed high or even higher on ASM which is all Civil War, all the time.

So when fans complain, "Why aren't we listened to?", there's an answer.

PAD

Hmmm. Peter, you should know by now to forget what the fans gripe about. The fans that criticize something are only a small minority of your total fans. While their views should not be ignored completely, they should never dictate your writing. You are a damn good writer. Frankly, I would have prefered to see your input into CIVIL WAR with regards to Spider-Man.

By the way, I loved your story in X-FACTOR. Not thrilled about the art, but your story is what makes me buy the book. I am really enjoying this title.

Very much enjoyed X-Factor. I really like the way you used Spider-Man in this story (moves things along very nicely).
Like the previous individual, I'm not crazy about the art. It isn't bad, but it doesn't really make me stand up and take notice either. I don't know if it might be helped by a different color pallette (everything is so murky currently).

And as far as fans jumping onto a book because of a tie-in/cross-over, well, it works for some I suppose. It can certainly be a tool for bringing it to the attention of an audience that might have otherwise ignored it.
But it also has the opposite effect for some people as well. I was excited when it was originally announced you would be writing FNSM. And then when it came around ... Marvel cut the legs out from my interest by doing what they did with The Other arc. And followed that up with a new costume and everything that is going on in Civil War. So I've yet to buy a single issue of FNSM and barring a dramatic change in direction from the company, I doubt I ever will (and that has nothing to do with you --- you were the reason I was going to buy and read it in the first place).

The strange thing is, I can't even remember if the "The Other" crossover bothered me or not. I remember more about debating it on this forum than I do about my actual reaction at the time.

Personally, I only have one doubt about this issue. While I get that M wasn't around the last time there was a registration arc, I'm pretty sure everyone else in the team was, and so they know it's not the best of ideas. But more to the point, Rictor has no powers at all, so why is he registering?

The only problem I can see and have in fact heard was that a number of people bought the book due to the words "CIVIL WAR" being on the cover and it had less to do with civil war and more to do with the house of m wrapup. Granted I know there's a connection but I've already read bitching in forums.

Crossovers now are an entirely different beast than they used to be. Now where a crossover can happen but one series stays congruent is the new thing. I loved the hulk "house of m" issues more than the tf issues. And "the other" was handled in an ingenuitive way that we can only hope will be ushered in as the new format for crossovers.
This is far from the cluster**** x-cutioners saga turned into with a bucket full of writers handling each others characters for 1/12 of a story at a time.
So go ahead and do crossovers if it makes sense to you and you're given the freedom, or don't do them if editorial mandate robs you of your freedom as a writer. You know what's going to provide for the best stories, forget about the monday morning quarterbacking.

I just want to know...did Ariel know you were going to mention her bowling skills at the beginning of the issue, and if not, what was her reaction? Cause I thought that was pretty cool. :)

I need to reiterate that I love Dennis's art and Jose's colors are amazing. (I like that I mention them by first name like I know them personally or something.)

I hope Quicksilver remains more ambigous than evil. In fact, it seems he and Layla have a bit in common--an "end justifies the means" mindset.

I miss Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch being heroes...

Just wanted to drop in and say that X-Factor's one of my favorite books on the stands. Crossover, no crossover, doesn't matter - I'm loving this book and look forward to more. Thanks, PAD.

Well, I liked the story. And maybe it'll finally answer the mystery of why Scott Summers seems to be keeping the House of M/M-Day secret from every X-Member who has no idea it happened.

I've been wondering about that myself, as it seems... weird for Scott to o something like that. I can understand him not telling the O*N*E, but not telling his fellow X-Men? Odd...

One thing - the recap page, "architect" was a badly-chosen word, since it makes it sound like Quicksilver planned the depowering when, even if it's ultimately his fault in many respects, he'd intended the exact opposite as his mini (Son of M) made clear. I've already had to set one guy straight elsewhere, which suggests that quite a few people who don't visit MBs will be confused...

> And the Spidey revelation leaves me with one question: Will MJ ever hear all of it?

It's a revelation TO the XFI characters like Siryn & Madrox, but not new info.

Loved it! Layla is one of the creepiest characters out there at the moment. The fact that I'm laughing at her comments one minute and horrified at her action in the next has me shaking my head and smiling to myself at how damn much that I'm enjoying this comic.

As to the FNSM/X-Factor tie-in issue, I'd guess that part of it would be the difference between the former being completely engulfed in the cross-over, while the latter had it introduced as a sub-plot that didn't derail, detrack or distract from your own tale to be told.

**By the way, do you actually have a favorite Bronze Age (1970-1979) comic artist? ;) **

Fred

It didn't seem to have much to do with Civil War to me... tied in more House of M. There were about two pages of Quicksilver (which is a Son of M follow-up rather than a Civil War tie-in, as far as I can tell) and a few of Jamie Madrox, Agent of SHIELD, getting Monet to sign up to the super hero registration act.

Still, I suppose I'm feeling this way because all of the other Civil War tie-ins thus far have been completely driven by the Civil War storyline, whereas this is really just X-Factor with a slither of Civil War.

I really liked it. Great job done by you and the rest of your team.

Hi,

I liked how it was a good cross-over. With some stuff, I hate how it is do I put it with my box with the series or do I put it with the box with the crossover. This is extra information from what is happening, does not provide key elements, but does stand by itself as part of the regular series.

Thanks for doing this crossover to a major event right,

Wade

In today's market, with the prevalence of Manga inspired art in the books, it is very hard for me to choose new titles that are out there. I never understood when exactly the mandate came down that the "Marvel Style" was out. I'm still not entirely certain if Manga artists are what the companies want, or if it is hard to find old school style artists to do the work. Although a great writer, like yourself, Peter, can overcome some of these obstacles for me and still make the book enjoyable...how much greater would the book be on a whole with a great writer and artist? Maybe just not enought old school art fans have spoken up to make the companies give us the art to accompany the great writing that's out there. I know there are still some old school artists working, but they seem to be the minority. Maybe the streamline style allows the artists to do more work per month. I know Mike Deodato, Jr when he started out his artwork was breathtaking. When he took on more and more assignments, his style became more production line, and the "art" was no longer there for me. Well, that's my rant...anyone else feel this way?

On the whole, I like the way Civil War is shaping up. I was a bit skeptical of it when it was first announced, but the creaters are really telling some good stories.

So, are the David daughter updates to become a continuining trend?

I think Siryn had some of the best comments I've seen so far in regards to registration. In fact, I'm largely surprised to see them in here since what I've seen of Marvel editorial's stance on Registration is not to give the anti-registration side too much firepower, because it's so easy. Have people seen how bad Registration looks in Frontline? Yeesh.

It really looks like things are coming to a head, Decimationwise. Siryn knows, and she, Pietro and Madrox are all about to get together. Given it's Layla's job to stop the undoing of Decimation (and I can't believe Marvel will allow X-Factor to undo it), I can't wait to see what happens next.

Still, I too miss Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch as heroes. Pietro's time in the previous X-Factor comic was brilliant, and Wanda's always been one of my favorite Avengers. Alas,

I assume those complaining about the crossovers were the regular readers who resented you being prevented from telling "your" story whereas the uptick from crossover readers were those completists who felt obligated to purchase very tie-in....some of whom become regular readers and proceed to decry any future crossover. :)

Yes, well, in point of fact, I only wrote two issues of FNSM that were part of a larger crossover.

Well, "The Other" would qualify as a rather important crossover, as it was 12 issues over 3 books - the first 4 issues of FNSM.

Result? Sales dropped on FNSM

I know somebody else had already mentioned this in another thread, but I think it bears repeating: I personally think you're possibly missing the effect that "The Other" had on sales.

While some people said they would avoid FNSM like the Plague because of "The Other" crossover, I'm getting the impression that FNSM received a significant boost in sales because of the storyline - people who wouldn't have even looked at the series picked it up so the story would be complete.

Yet, when "The Other" was done, they no longer needed FNSM. Thus, the drop in sales.

I'd have to think that that's the risk one takes when starting a new series as part of a crossover event with other series.

while they stayed high or even higher on ASM which is all Civil War, all the time.

ASM is also the flagship Spidey series to begin with.

What I like is that Marvel seems to have learned something: You can read the core book (which is, at the moment, Civil War) and get a full, satisfying story. But if you like that topic you can wander into other series and get additional stories.

Therefore I think, a good crossover is indeed increasing sales because it draws people to buy more comics without feeling the annoying need that you "must" if you want to understand what is going on.

My husband hasn`t read any comics for more than 10 years but when Civil War came out I explained what this series is about and he got curious. I gave him the first issue and he is hooked :). He asked me to get the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man books as well, and some other ones.

I very much enjoy your story in FNSM. If there is no reset button coming up, I am sure there are still opportunities in future to deal with the Civil War storyline.

To me, X-Factor is all right. I like it but I definitely prefer FNSM. Part of the reason is, I don`t like the artwork.

Reguarding Cyclops and other rememberers not telling, I thought it was due to the fact that they were scared out of their minds that a mutant did MDay to mutants, and that they didn't want anyone going to hunt down Wanda on the fly and possibly making it worse than it already is. Didn't the New Avengers do the same thing and not tell anyone other then their immediate teammates? Hank Pym doesn't know, if I recall correctly. Peter hasn't spilled his gut to MJ, either. SHIELD had to trick Spidey into getting it, so it was apparently something that the NA didn't want getting out.

(long time listener, first time caller)

I will say as someone who usually doesn't frequent the comics blahgosphere that I was really excited when FNSM and X-Factor were announced but thought, and still occasionally think, "I just hope the Marvel U stays out of his way long enough for him to really do his thing." I find myself torn between giddily enjoying your somewhat continuity-liberated take on Spidey while at the same time thinking, "I would love it if Peter David were handling JJJ's reaction to the Civil War unmasking."

It helps that Civil War is, as a book and as a concept, really good grist for the mill. (I know Civil War is good because the comics fans I've heard kvetching about it were kvetching that they had to wait so long before the tie-ins started coming out. You didn't get that with, say, "Atlantis Attacks.") Maybe the key is that the crossover should be a result of creator collaboration instead of dictum, or maybe people who say they hate crossovers really just hate bad stories.

Well, Peter, I liked the issue. Best Civil War tie-in to date. I still have to say this is the first time in a long while where one of the comics you wrote hadn't at least tied (sometimes even with something else you wrote) for the title of 'Jesse's Book of the Week'.
Don't feel bad. This week you were up against Sergio Aragones.

I think you did a great job of incorporating the Civil War plot hammer into X-Factor. It was nearly un-noticeable.

The only problem I had with the story was that a dupe says, essentially, "I am an agent of SHIELD. Sign this paper.", and they do. I would not sign without a court order and only if my attorney said I had to. Perhaps, though, this could be explained away that they were influenced by the fact that this was a Jamie dupe.

Which leads to: How many dupes can he have? Where exactly do they stay in the meantime? Is there an explanation of how the matter/energy exchange and the eventual reversal is handled? How does Jamie keep track of all his dupes, or can he? How long can a dupe stay separate from Jamie and still survive? Finally, can the dupes duplicate? I didn't think so, but what do I know?

I wasn't actually reading the Civil War books. When mega-events happen, I tend to wait for them to come out in trade paperback (the downside of this is that I've already had all the big twists of Civil War spoiled for me). I was buying pretty much all my comics that way until someone showed me the first issue of X-Factor, which is what got me back to buying single issues.

So, X-Factor is the first Civil War book I've read, and my first reaction to it being a tie-in book was how ugly the cover looked with a giant blue block covering most of it. I've gone back and collected every issue of X-Factor, and the covers are always beautiful... it actually pained me that the usual art was eaten by the monster-sized Civil War banner. Thankfully, that was the only part of the book wounded by the crossover.

The parts of the book dealing with the registration act were seamlessly woven into the book, even Spider-Man's appearance. Some of the wrinkles Civil War added were brilliant, actually, like the visiting "Agent of Shield", while leaving room for the Singularity storyline.

I usually think that great comics should be insulated from company-wide events, but one of the things I kept hearing in podcasts over the past few weeks was how much everyone hated the last New Avengers storyline because it was so far behind Civil War. For people like me, who follow a lot of books in trades rather than issues, it's no big deal which books are involved and which aren't, but when you buy books week to week, I think it makes a big difference when a book gets tied in. It's kind of corny, but it makes the books more real when events in one book effect all the corners of the Marvel Universe. At least, to me.

I remember reading X-Factor during the X-cutioner's Song crossover in the X-books. The event storyline completely superseded the book, crushing the regular storylines under its weight. Marvel's gotten a lot better at having these company-wide events, so much so that it seems like X-Factor would have suffered a little if it remained completely isolated from Decimation and Civil War. That's my two bucks, anyway.

I recently reread Crisis on Infinite Earths in Trade Paperback form. It was enjoyable, and it was a solid story with just the 12 issues of the main book. You didn't have to read a bunch of other stuff to understand what was going on.

I remember reading Crisis tie-ins 20 years ago. Most of them were still self contained, even though they dealt with the Crisis. The Crisis events added to their stories, but that was about it. The stories still began and ended in those comics, it was just that elements that happened outside of the comic affected what was going on.

This is my favorite type of event. The world ties together, maybe characters from other comics come visit, but you don't *have* to buy something else to get the full story of the characters you regularly read about.

Infinite Crisis was a mess. Lots of significant plot details happened outside of the main miniseries. Lots of stuff in other comics seemed like they would be important, but when you actually picked up IC to finish the story, they only got brief mention. So it really felt like you had to guess where the story was going.

Enjoying the OMAC project? Well then, there're 3 issues of Superman and 1 Wonder Woman that you're going to have to buy in-between OMAC issues. If you don't, then you'll miss something extremely significant.

When each comic brings something different to a side of a story, that feels like a good crossover to me. When the crossover feels like a long story that was structured in a way to sell more comics, that I don't enjoy as much.

But I have to admit, stories that are structured to sell more comics will definitely sell more comics. Since groceries are bought with money and not love, it's hard to argue with that.

I think this book is awesome. I hope the next artist keeps up the noir vibe.

My comic book shop moved across town....now a 45 minute drive and a very awkward spot to get to....so I don't get to see this week's comics till I decide if I want to drive that far to get comics.

I'd miss Fallen Angel, X-Force and Strangers in Paradise but maybe not the rest of my habit.

I'm so sad, but maybe my bank account will be happier without the $20 to $50 each week.

Tom Dakers

Adalisa wrote (at June 29, 2006 11:34 PM):
Personally, I only have one doubt about this issue. While I get that M wasn't around the last time there was a registration arc, I'm pretty sure everyone else in the team was, and so they know it's not the best of ideas. But more to the point, Rictor has no powers at all, so why is he registering?

That brings up an interesting question -- who is required to register under the this act? Anyone who has superpowers? Or just those who use the powers to fight crime? What about people like Hawkeye?

And what about groups like X-Factor? If you define the term strictly, you might be able to make the argument that they're not really superheroes; they're private investigators who happen to have powers that make the job easier.

Peter wrote (at June 29, 2006 10:51 PM):
Yes, well, in point of fact, I only wrote two issues of FNSM that were part of a larger crossover. And as fans decried my participating in "The Other," I decided not to do "Civil War" tie ins and instead focus on my own stuff. Result? Sales dropped on FNSM while they stayed high or even higher on ASM which is all Civil War, all the time.

So when fans complain, "Why aren't we listened to?", there's an answer.

I think trying too hard to listen to fans causes a lot more problems than it fixes, because the unhappy fans will always tend to be more vocal, even if there are a lot more of them.

So Jamie's a "blue beret" now thanks to this "Civil War" thing. Or one of him is, at least. A mixed blessing, admittedly, but kinda cool from my POV. I wonder how long this will last...?

And, Peter, as to reader reactions? I'm not overly worried myself at this point.

I laughed out loud for 5 minutes at "I can't land"

I feel like such a goober.

Oh and I just started the New Frontier books. That first one was way way too short. Otherwise quite good.

Question for Peter:

In this week's Joe Friday on Newsarama, Joe Quesada was asked about who the greatest detective was in the Marvel universe. He said that they didn't have a Batman level of detective.

Since X-Factor is a detective agency, do you intend to build Madrox up into the detective of the Marvel universe?

Ooh, you've got questions, I've got answers.

1) Madrox can have some 40 or so dupes at a time (see X-Factor #73, written by one Peter David, for the exact number.) Recently-created dupes will vanish if he passes out, but the longer a dupe stays "outside" of him, the more durable it becomes. (X-Factor #73 dealt with a dupe that had been separated from him for months, possibly years, and had developed a fear of reintegration.) Dupes can and do dupe themselves, and Jamie has no "dupe-sensing" ability that we know of (or, at the very least, it's so inconsistent that you can discount it for all practical purposes.) The details of where dupes come from and go have never been explained (and with good reason, since it violates the laws of physics in a pretty serious way and nobody could explain it.)

2) The Super-Hero Registration Act, unlike its predecessors (the Mutant and Super-Human Regs, introduced in 'Fall of the Mutants' and 'Acts of Vengeance', respectively), regulate activity instead of ability. Anyone wishing to "fight crime" (presumably defined as vigilante activities using an alias to protect one's identity), whether with powers or not, is now required to register one's identity with SHIELD and submit to SHIELD authority as a deputized agent. So yes, Hawkeye would be in violation of the act if he was still alive and fighting crime without signing on with Iron Man and his bootlick...er...trusted allies, that is.

3) Presumably, Cyclops didn't tell anyone that Wanda caused the Decimation because he didn't want angry mobs of ex-mutants hunting for her across the globe to force her to give them their powers back (or, alternatively, mobs of ex-mutants who had life-wrecking powers hunting her across the globe to kill her to make sure she couldn't. Your pick.)

And 4) I don't necessarily think that comics have gotten better or worse at doing crossovers over the years; I think it's always a tricky thing to try, with people who'll dislike either approach. Make it relatively stand-alone, and people will decry "red skies" tie-ins they got suckered into buying. Make it relatively interconnected, and people will complain about being "forced" to buy issues to figure out what's going on. It's a delicate balance, and I don't think they'll ever have it down to a formula (and nor should they, probably.) I've kind of been thinking a lot about this lately, though. (I'm writing a book on crossover history, he said, shamelessly self-promoting.)

I just want to add a comment about the "listening or not listening to fans" arguments.

My opinion is, of course professionals should listen to fans. But it is up to them if they actually do what they demand (or, more accurately, the majority or a very noisy fan group demands).

I wonder, has it ever happened to you, PAD, that you read a comment about your comics or novels and you thought, yes!, that is a really good idea and it influenced your future work? I hope so.

"Oh and I just started the New Frontier books. That first one was way way too short. Otherwise quite good."

Well, there was a reason for that. Remember, at the time we launched, Pocket had never produced a Star Trek series that didn't focus on the adventures of an already existing ship or TV series. There was some question as to whether anyone would even give it a try. At the time, Stephen King was having some success at releasing his books in small installments. So that's what Pocket did. They released what was essentially the first NF book in several small installments, with a lower cover price than other paperbacks, in order to encourage people to sample it. The reasoning was that people would be more inclined to plunk down $3.99 to try the new series.

PAD

Of course, tie-ins work best when the thing they're tying into doesn't suck. (House of M was okay, but not worth losing four issues of your return to the Hulk.)

John Seavey wrote (at July 1, 2006 06:43 AM):
2) The Super-Hero Registration Act, unlike its predecessors (the Mutant and Super-Human Regs, introduced in 'Fall of the Mutants' and 'Acts of Vengeance', respectively), regulate activity instead of ability. Anyone wishing to "fight crime" (presumably defined as vigilante activities using an alias to protect one's identity), whether with powers or not, is now required to register one's identity with SHIELD and submit to SHIELD authority as a deputized agent. So yes, Hawkeye would be in violation of the act if he was still alive and fighting crime without signing on with Iron Man and his bootlick...er...trusted allies, that is.

Is there a provision in the law in the Marvel universe to protect Superheroes from laws against vigilantes? If not, why would they need a new law to enforce a law that is, essentially already in effect? Why not just make the announcement that, starting now, vigilantism will no longer be tolerated?

If the registered heroes are supposed to be deputized agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., are they getting paid? Or are they purely "volunteer" agents?

If they're not getting paid, how do the paid S.H.I.E.L.D. agents feel about this? If my company started taking on a bunch of people who were doing my job for free, I'd be really worried.

Can they register and get told to leave the business because S.H.I.E.L.D. either a.) doesn't want to pay them (if they were being paid), or b.) deems them a threat? If S.H.I.E.L.D. approved Firestar's application (If she were registering), and she gave someone radiation poisoning, how does the government deal with that? Or what if they approve Sentry's registration, and he snaps again?

I'm enjoying the Civil War crossover, but I kind of wish they'd spent a little more time with superheroes (and MU politicians) debating the issues and the specifics of how this new bureaucracy is supposed to work.

I liked the issue, although that was due to the writing (i.e. the story) rather than the artwork. I don't know about anyone else, but I didn't recognise the "dupe in a suit" when he showed up - if all the other characters have to stand around saying "My word, he looks exactly identical to Jamie Madrox!", then I think that suggests that the art could be clearer.

The thing that most interested me was your comment in the letters page, saying that you only hear about stories in other issues when they hit the stands. Is that a recent change? I seem to recall the "Group Editor" concept from the mid 90s, whose job was to make sure that all the comics in a particular group (e.g. Spider-books or X-books) would fit together, although I suppose that Marvel may have had to make a few cutbacks since then. Come to think of it, this was something that you didn't really touch on in "Writing for comics", although maybe it would be better off in an "Editing for comics" book - what exactly does the editor do? I would think that it's their job to watch out for things like this, and email scripts between writers (cheaper than comp copies), but I say that in complete ignorance of how it all works in practice.

Ok, I got to read X-Factor #8 last night. Another enjoyable issue, PAD.

I've only read this and the ASM issues so far of the Civil War tie-ins, although I'm reading Wolvie #43 right now (and man the art is crap in that book right now *sigh*).

It was great. Dennis Calero's illustrations are getting better with every issue he draws. Keep him for the long run. As for the story at hand...I love this comic. Love it. It's just wonderful. This is the kind of stuff that'd make a great TV show. If it were to be made into a TV show, I think it'd work so well.

Other than Quicksilver being referred to as the "architect of the Decimation" in the recap page (he wasn't... he was the architect of the House of M), I loved everything about this issue, from Layla being, well, Layla-ish, to the scene with Spider-Man (I never thought the truth would come out so soon, although I suppose there's no better time than during the Civil War), to "Jamie Madrox, Agent of SHIELD," to the ending with Quicksilver. This is just damn good writing... precise, carefully controlled, and densely plotted, so that there's always something interesting going on in every page. I commend you.

Best moment: "I shrug." Beautiful.

First of all, I really liked this issue. I'm enjoying the Civil War, and I was glad to see X-Factor involved in it. I'm very much on the anti-registration side, and I enjoyed seeing your characters thoughts.

Layla is quickly becoming one of my favorite Marvel characters. She's so weird and creepy, it's great. I also liked her interaction with S.H.I.E.L.D!Jamie. I'm glad that Scott's behavior is being questioned as well.

My only problem was with the art. It's not really the style that bugs me, that style can be done well. My problem is that sometimes I couldn't even identify the characters. It wasn't even that they looked different then they have in past issues, it's that they sometimes looked different from panel to panel.

"It wasn't even that they looked different then they have in past issues, it's that they sometimes looked different from panel to panel."

Yeah, I noticed that, too. There was one panel in which Siryn suddenly looked exactly like Neve Campbell, but she didn't look that way in any other panel.

It was sold out at the store here in Jersey when I called prior to going there (which I guess means it's selling well?), so I'll have to either wait until next Wednesday when they've ordered more, or until the next time I go into the city (NYC) to get a copy.

"Well, there was a reason for that. Remember, at the time we launched, Pocket had never produced a Star Trek series that didn't focus on the adventures of an already existing ship or TV series. There was some question as to whether anyone would even give it a try. At the time, Stephen King was having some success at releasing his books in small installments. So that's what Pocket did. They released what was essentially the first NF book in several small installments, with a lower cover price than other paperbacks, in order to encourage people to sample it. The reasoning was that people would be more inclined to plunk down $3.99 to try the new series."

So How did that work out? I only picked it up because my roommate had it and she said it was good and I trust your writing. I just won 1-5 on Ebay, so I want to know how many books there are and if it's done yet.

Oh and how many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop?

1 I've been following this series since the beginning and have loved it so far especially witht the new artist but I have to ask, when are the detectives actually going to do some detecting? So far the only way they find out things is M's telepathy or Siryn hynoptising people, not exactly Sherlock Holmes.

I may as well just make bullet points!

1) I like Dennis Calero's artwork - I think his facial expressions, especially reactions, are fantastic, and he has the sketchy noir look down. I think most complaints are from people who want a more typical "comic book" look. I don't. I really didn't like the artwork for #7... it was too cartoony and cutesy in panels. Whoever is the new artist, please retain the noir feel!

2) Layla is fantastic, awesome, etc! I'm sure you've heard enough praise. I love the treatment and respect given to the other characters... Rictor's smackdown to Monet was pricless. Cast is just the right size as it is, with enough "screentime" for them all.

3) The Civil War crossover was handled very well. You always manage to make the characters sound intelligent too... Siryn's registration point to Spiderman was well made, and in contrast Rictor and M's indifference was also realistic.

4) Just a thought: if Cyclops has been keeping things 'to himself' for the greater good, doesn't that make him no betrter than Professor X's actions in Deadly Genesis...?

Also, want to add that I am horrified that Marvel has no system of informing writers what goes in other books. Always have suspected as much, but still. Would an A4 bit of paper, circulated with all the important developments that month, really be that hard?

"1) I like Dennis Calero's artwork - I think his facial expressions, especially reactions, are fantastic, and he has the sketchy noir look down. I think most complaints are from people who want a more typical "comic book" look. I don't. I really didn't like the artwork for #7... it was too cartoony and cutesy in panels. Whoever is the new artist, please retain the noir feel!"

Absolutely.

This book would make a fantastic TV show to fill the void for us Angel fans

Mr. David,

This was the first issue of X-Factor, with the exception of #1, that didn't make me cringe.

I'm buying the series because you are one of my favorite comic scribes, and because I'm a huge fan of the characters.

That being said, please give the other characters more face time. I'm sick of Layla; she's less and less engaging with each issue. She's far less interesting than the other characters to begin with.

Thank you for writing an issue where Siryn is starting to sound and feel like *Siryn.*

But my main issue? Your arbitrary division of the X-Factor personnel into pro and con registration.

Mr. David, NO ONE raised by Cable - meaning Rictor - would *ever* register in a government program tracking their whereabouts and identity. The premise that any mutant would go along with the SHRA is patently absurd, but that's likely idiocy on the part of the Editorial Powers That Be at Marvel, not yours.

That being said, the writing in this issue in the scene where Rictor and Monet sign up was truly jarring. There was no nuance, no skillful exposition, nothing.

It seems grossly contra-logic to have Monet and Rictor go along with the SHRA. Honestly.

I also decry your treatment of Siryn when she learns of Banshee's death. No one at Marvel has seen fit to provide us with anything approaching a tribute to Banshee, or a realistic depiction of reaction to his death. You had the chance to do that with Siryn. Instead, it felt like an artistic copout to play for comedy, with Terry in complete denial. I was so disappointed.

Sincerely,

Anne
San Francisco

Dear PAD:

Thank you for finally writing Terry properly. Yes, Terry aims for the head. Yes, Terry wouldn't support registration. Yes, Terry is clever and logical and actually thinks about things, which certainly seems to make her a minority on this team.

However, I get the feeling you've stumbled on correct characterization of Terry by accident. I say this because you don't seem to grasp Rictor very well, and the majority of information you have on Terry also contains information on Ric, so the fact that you've yet to write him with any appreciation of his backstory makes me question where you’re getting your info on Terry.

Rictor would never be pro-registration. No one raised by Cable and Domino would ever believe in giving the government that much power. It doesn’t matter that Rictor is powerless, it doesn’t matter that the members of X-Force never bothered to hide their identities because they never had lives outside of the team, they were raised to fight oppression and that’s exactly how they would view any kind of registration act.

Over the course of the comic, I have also seen a distinct lack of acknowledgement of the history that Rictor and Terry have together. You even have Ric call her “Siryn”! Julio has known Terry since he was fifteen. They grew up together. X-Force was more a family than any other group of X-types has ever been, and Terry and Ric are something approaching brother and sister. Now they are treating each other as if they barely know each other, with Terry reacting more to Jamie than she does to Ric. (I might understand this if there was acknowledgement of Terry dating one of Jamie’s dupes, but there isn’t that, either.)

I'm really glad you acknowledge the backstory of Rahne, Jamie, and Guido (and Pietro). Acknowledging backstory is so incredibly rare in Marvel these days that I'm willing to forget that it's involving the characters I don't give a damn about. But, honestly, there is backstory to these people that you didn't write way back when, and I think it’s worth acknowledging that as well.

--Angharad

PS I know it’s not going to make any difference, but I still have to make my plug for Shatterstar. Please? Ric would be so much happier.

Angharad: It might be that Rictor and Siryn have grown apart. I know that, according to the comic book timeline, they were on X-Force together, like, yesterday or something, but a lot of stuff can happen in one comic book day. At least Rictor got to save Siryn in issue... ah... I think it was 5.

Angharad said:
"Now they are treating each other as if they barely know each other, with Terry reacting more to Jamie than she does to Ric. (I might understand this if there was acknowledgement of Terry dating one of Jamie’s dupes, but there isn’t that, either.)


You are forgettng (or were not aware that) Jamie and Terry spent their adolescent years together on Muir Island. They were 18-20 years old when the Shadow King destroyed most of the island and sent both characters packing. Besides the romantic relationship they had in the Coconut Grove (which supposedly never happened- I say its b.s.), they were very very very close friends. They were the only two teenagers on that Island for most of the time (when Rhane wasn't around), and both lived in Moira's facility.

Was gone on vacation, but finally got caught up on my comic reading. This title has VERY QUICKLY climbed to the #1 spot on my list of favorites. Layla is Scary Good. As someone else said-one minute she makes my laugh, the next she sends shivers down my spine. I love the David family update in the intro. By the way Peter, if you really don't like to wait six months for reader feedback you could maybe send out some advance copies. :)

Dear PAD,

X-Factor is easily my favorite comic, of course it does help that Madrox is my favorite character. I have to agree with the poster above, what you have done with Layla Miller is astonishing, bringing her from a mere "plot device" in HoM, to a fan favorite, even though she had to eletrocute a guy to get there.

Jamie and Terry's realationship was an odd one, I believe that they may have flirted, but then she went with the dupe to Beat Street and joined the Fallen Angels they had a realationship, Jamie Prime later absorbed the dupe in X-Factor #75, met Terry again during the "X-cutioner's Song" crossover and said it was like seeing the realationship on t.v. he felt it in his brain but not in his heart......or something like that. Complicated isn't it, but then again which X-Relationship isn't?

P.S. Thank you for answering my letter in X-Factor #5, Mr. David, needless to say I was surprised and I can't wait for X-Factor #9

Picked up this issue, along with the rest of my pull box and other stuff from the last couple weeks, this weekend - and I was very impressed. This is INTELLIGENT writing, and it makes for a great read.

Subplots skillfully built up, the large Marvel U event coming up naturally, main characters you can't entirely trust - including Jamie, with the influence of his dupes... And, add me to the "like the art" column. For me, it feels very suited to the book.

And while we're on the art...

Robert Fuller said: "There was one panel in which Siryn suddenly looked exactly like Neve Campbell, but she didn't look that way in any other panel."

YES! She looked COMPLETELY like Neve! That was kinda cool.

And, again, the issue was very cool.

Just wanted to take this opportunity to tell you how much I'm *LOVING* X-Factor! Layla drives me crazy - but she's supposed to. Jaime... you've taken a 5th rate (at best) character and made me love him. Thank you!

Oh, and regarding other books of yours that have the initials FA... You Are Evil. In all the best ways. ;-D

Regarding your actual question - I thought you did a great tie-in without one needing to buy all the Civil War books to get it. That's the best way to do a crossover IMHO.

If something huge is happening, of course characters will respond. What made crossovers insane for awhile was the fact that the stories in the individual issues *made no sense* unless you bought the whole shebang.

I didn't see a better place to write this than here, but I just wanted to say how impressed I was by the latest issue of FN Spider-man. I have to admit, I was thinking of dropping the book until this issue. I always find the future Spider-men interesting, but this was a really solid time travel/alt. reality story. Between Uncle Ben and Spider-man: Agent of T.O.T.E.M.? Well done! And I LOVED the Doctor Who reference! Can't wait to see Eccelston in The Prisoner re-make.