barbarakaterina's review against another edition
3.0
Could have done without the rapey damsel in distress situation. I understand it's a staple of the noir genre, but Madrox managed without, so...
matt4hire's review
4.0
I forget, sometimes, how really excellent the first year of X-Factor is. This is the first half of that. The riot in Mutant Town, the Tryps, Layla's ultra-creepy intro...it's all great.
crookedtreehouse's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best X-books to hand to someone who's never read one before. This superhero noir story features depressed depowered mutants trying to find their place in society, a super powered mutant who can't trust himself when he uses his powers, a mysterious orphan who "knows things", and a series of smaller storyarcs that help brace the larger one.
This is Peter David at his finest, and an artist (Ryan Sook) who has precisely the right style and talent to bring peak David to life.
While it does feed off the continuity from David's previous X-Factor run, a little bit of Generation X and New Mutants, and the Marvel Universe at large, David did his best to fight editorial mandates, and keep his story contained. And it worked. While the series doesn't stay five stars all the way through (and I can't think of a single one that does), I remember it being fully satisfying, at least through Messiah Complex, which is many volumes away.
I recommend this for people looking for intricate noir superhero storytelling, fans of B and C level mutants getting an A+ level story, people who wish The Watchmen had less of a head up its own ass, and anyone looking to try a new series.
This is Peter David at his finest, and an artist (Ryan Sook) who has precisely the right style and talent to bring peak David to life.
While it does feed off the continuity from David's previous X-Factor run, a little bit of Generation X and New Mutants, and the Marvel Universe at large, David did his best to fight editorial mandates, and keep his story contained. And it worked. While the series doesn't stay five stars all the way through (and I can't think of a single one that does), I remember it being fully satisfying, at least through Messiah Complex, which is many volumes away.
I recommend this for people looking for intricate noir superhero storytelling, fans of B and C level mutants getting an A+ level story, people who wish The Watchmen had less of a head up its own ass, and anyone looking to try a new series.
briarrose1021's review against another edition
5.0
A group of mutants is working as private investigators and, among other cases, are trying to solve the case of why the decimation of mutants occurred. For some unknown reason, 90% of all mutants suddenly lost their powers. Some mutants are happy with this, as they feel like they will be able to fit in, while others are extremely unhappy and want their powers back. It is members of the latter group that has been reaching out to X-Factor Private Investigators. As the various PIs begin investigating different cases, there seem to be some connections between them - some they see and others they don't. Then throw Layla into the mix, a young girl who shows up and just knows things, and things begin to go sideways.
The story in this volume was compelling, and the artwork was beautiful. For a story about mutants that doesn't just follow the well-known mutants of the X-Men, I enjoyed it even more for that reason. In fact, I already have Volume 2 and I'm ready to read it.
The story in this volume was compelling, and the artwork was beautiful. For a story about mutants that doesn't just follow the well-known mutants of the X-Men, I enjoyed it even more for that reason. In fact, I already have Volume 2 and I'm ready to read it.
nerdinthelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
This rules. I might review it later, but if I don't just know that it's real good and I can't wait to continue. I especially love the beginnings of exploring how lowkey fucked up Jamie's powers are.
kfan's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it fine. There aren't any characters who really interest me, besides Layla Miller. She's awesome. I'll read more at some point.
ladydewinter's review against another edition
4.0
This was recommended to me, and I have to say I didn't expect this book to grab me as immediately as it did. I'm usually not an X-Men enthusiast, but I think I fell in love with Madrox after three pages? So. I'm going to keep reading this.
quilly14's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a sucker for stories about the other guys. The merely average players. The consistently good (but not spectacular.
X-Factor are "the other guys." A group of characters who have been kicking around the X-Men universe for years, rarely making waves. They come together to form a private detective agency dealing with mutant-related cases.
This volume of the story is dark, in tone and its visuals. Peter David writes a setting full of murder and distrust. The art team (Ryan Sook on pencils, Wade Von Grawbadger inking and Jose Villarubia coloring) complements the writing by creating a noir sensibility throughout.
This volume is only the beginning of the X-Factor story, but it's good enough that I'm about to order Volume 2.
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