X-Factor

This isn’t a secret because I announced it back at Dragon*Con, but Bleeding Cool seems compelled to announce it incorrectly by stating that X-Factor is cancelled with #19.

Which is not true. It’s cancelled with #20.

Also for some reason Bleeding Cool is associating it with the fact that Quicksilver will be returning to the Avengers and that’s why the book is going away. No, it’s because not enough people are buying it. Which is exactly the reason they cancelled “Gambit” as well, so it’ll probably be a long time before he gets to star in another book.

All I did was write a book that got tons of positive write-ups. Which I guess is enough to encourage people to buy it when it comes out in trades, oblivious to the fact that books get cancelled when you do that. Whatever.

Me, I remember when Rich Johnston used to write to me for confirmation before running stuff. Apparently that’s no longer the case.

PAD

115 comments on “X-Factor

  1. PAD,

    I don’t have time to read all the comments right now, but I suspect Bladestar’s point about discretionary income has a lot to do with why people are waiting for the trades more so than purchasing single issues.

    As for myself, as much as I enjoy the medium of comics, I’ve cut back a great deal on what I buy, primarily because of the high cost of individual issues (and because of my own financial circumstances). Right now, the only title I buy in individual installments is Buffy. And that’s in part because it comes out every six weeks or so and partly because it has a letter column.

    Whenever an Astro City comic comes out, I’ll buy an issue. Same with Age of Bronze. But I haven’t seen an issue of that since…. um, who’s president now?

    I’m buying Fables in trades, but started out buying it in individual issues. Once it was clear that series was well established (several years in), and was already being collected in trades, I switched to the trades because it was more cost effective.

    For the record, I bought individual issues of Fallen Angel instead of waiting for the trade, because I wanted that series to last. If that series had reached a point where it was being regularly collected in trade format (meaning it was selling well in the individual issues), I might have switched to the trades. It would have depended on a number of factors.

    Like I said, Fables is the only book I’m getting in trade format. The only other sense in which I might wait until a trade paperback edition comes out is if it’s a title in which I have a mild interest. In such cases, my thought process is, “If a trade shows up in a few months, I’ll page through it. If it looks interesting, I’ll buy it.” But those are situations where I’m not likely to buy the individual issues in the first place, not ones where I’m choosing to hold off on buying them because I’d rather have a trade edition.

    By the way, I haven’t seen an issue since Fallen Angel: Reborn. Have there been any more that I might have missed?

    On the flip side of the “waiting for the trades” attitude is buying both individual issues and trades. Despite the fact that I own your run of Hulk in individual issues, I’ve also bought the Hulk Visionaries collections of your run, even though it meant paying twice for the same thing. Number eight is the most recent collection I have and I got that more than a year ago. Will there be more?

    Years ago, you wrote, “Sooner or later, I think companies are going to have to bite the bullet and collapse several titles together into $3.50 perfect bound titles on slicker paper with stiff covers, 32 or 48 pages, and *that* will be the regular format.” I assume you meant “several issues” rather than “several titles”, but it sounds like what you were describing in that 2002 “The Price is Wrong” thread was something somewhere between individual issues and trades. If people are waiting for the trade anyway, would something like that be the way to go? From a writer’s (and former sales exec’s) point of view, would you have wanted X-Factor (or any other book) to be published at say, 48 pages every eight weeks, instead of C. 20 pages every four weeks (or whatever its release schedule is)? In short, given the high cost of individual issues (even higher now than the $3.50 example you gave in 2002), could the best solution to the “wait for the trades” mentality be a format midway between individual issues and trades that’s published every two or three months?

    Rick.

  2. I work in a comic book store. I have been working in comic stores on and off for over 20 years. In my experience, the people who place the comic orders don’t actually read comics. These individuals still order comics based on the previous months sales. We always have more than a dozen Uncanny X-men issues left on the racks at the end of a month. We never have more than one issue of All New X-Factor left on the racks at the end of a month. Yes, I try to point this out, but what do girls know about comics? Girls just like the books with pretty boys right? Our opinions don’t really have any impact on sales. Fortunately, my customers value my opinion a bit more than the comic publishers or the people who order the comics.

    One of my biggest problems with trying to sell books like All New X-Factor is: How can I reasonably convince customers to try a ‘newer’ comic series when I only have one tattered copy of issue 8 on the rack? Uncanny has issue 6-12 still on the rack! I do try. I also try to promote the trade paperbacks. If the comic book had the words Uncanny X-Men printed on the cover instead of All-New X-Factor, the sales numbers would be significantly higher. Retailers always carry more of the big name titles because they recognize the names, and they can make an inaccurate guess about sales numbers. Favorite movie characters also get similar treatment.

    Virtually every day, I have a customer walk into the store looking for Gambit related comics and merchandise. I have seen these customer become frustrated with the lack and eventually they switch to reading about Loki or Hawkeye.

    The comic store I work for is using an archaic method to determine sales numbers because the system ‘seems’ to work for them. Marvel is using an equally archaic method to evaluate sales.

    Long story short. In the real world, name brand recognition still outsells quality merchandise because most retailers don’t actually evaluate the merchandise they sell. Customer feedback must be overwhelming before retailers will change ordering patterns.

    All New X-Factor is a spectacular comic. What a novel idea to have character development and a plot! Thank you so very much for your hard work Mr. David. I will continue to do my best to sell the comics that you write. I will certainly keep buying them!

  3. Peter,

    It feels like we are being driven to trades by the publishers, but then they base the longevity of books on singles. As a reader, I am exhausted in having to deal with reboots. (I stopped reading Hulk comics shortly after World War Hulk because I never saw any character development due to the twice a year reboots.) I really like All New X-Factor and am sorry it didn’t sell well enough to justify a monthly. It is one of the two single issue comics I buy any more. (Saga being the other.) I am sad to see it go.

    Be well and stay awesome!

  4. I haven’t missed an issue of X-Factor since 2005. The All New X-Factor is.. INCREDIBLE. What can I, as a fan who actively purchases single issue comics, do to help?

  5. I am sorry to see a book written for you get cancelled. And I’m sorry to be part of the problem.

    I hope you don’t take this in a bad way, because, even when I’m not supporting the book in it’s actual form, I would like to tell you in the hope that that could be corrected.

    I think you are one of the most solid and consistent writers. But as a visual medium for me the drawn part of the book is important. I can’t say that your artist is bad… what I can say is that the style is not my cup of tea and it doesn’t appeal me to buy it.

    I maybe losing something good here because of that. I don’t want to justify me. What I want to do is just to consider that the books failure could be that.

    Reading you several times, I think you are loyal to your coworkers. Probably if you value the work of your artist you will defend his right to draw in his style and lament the lack of “open mind” of people that thinks like me.

    I’m well aware of that.

    I buy in a budget. I would give it a chance, even when I don’t like the art, if things were not so. But they are. And for me the art killed the book.

    Sorry.

  6. All-New X-Factor had the problem of being really good but being an evening slower burn that that previous series.

    Like many others, I’ve cut down on my pull list and Diamond has all but forced me to go for trades on Spider-Man 2099. With issues #1-3, my comic store ordered 50 copies. Diamond sent them 30. They had 48 people on the subscription list. They tried to get their order filled and for #1 were sent 20 copies that were damaged, some didn’t even have covers.

  7. So so bummed to read this. X-Factor has been my favorite title since Havok joined all those many years ago. And right now the team of Polaris, Gambit & Quicksilver has been so well written. Longshot is coming up which I was excited for and was even holding out hope for a Madrox return. Or visit. Sincerely hoping you get a reprieve or an All New All New X-Factor in the new year. 🙁

  8. It’s too bad that All-New X-Factor is being cancelled. In recent years due to budgetary constraints I’ve started to become more of the problem than the solution, as I’ve started moving over more and more to trade paperbacks.

    That being said, with All-New Factor I purchased both singles and the trades, with the single-issue purchase being somewhat motivated by getting a bonus digital copy of the series (same with Spider-Man 2099, which I’m also purchasing in singles and eventually also in trades).

    As someone who likes to loan out comics, and enjoy them during commutes, etc, the trade paperback collection can be a preferred method, even taking economics out of the equation (which, to be fair, isn’t a ridiculous statement, considering how the cost of hardcovers and trades has steadily risen to the point where at times it’s more expensive to buy the collected edition than the original singles).

    Anyway, I’m very sorry to see All-New X-Factor go, I really enjoyed your take on the characters, and thought it was a fun new idea, seeing a corporate team of heroes. Your take on Gambit I also found quite appealing and enjoyable.

    Another big highlight for me on the book was Carmine Di Giandomenico, his artwork remains fantastic on the book, despite the aggressive publication schedule. I’ll miss his artwork on a regular book a great deal. He’s a fantastic storyteller, who’s done work on some of my favourite mini-series (Daredevil: Battlin’ Jack Murdock, X-Men: Magneto Testament, amongst many others).

    So long, All-New X-Factor. You were a great ride while you lasted.

  9. Unfortunately, I’m partially to blame for this. I am a trades-collector. Besides the obvious financial problem with buying single issues, there is the whole storage, re-sellability and accessibility of single issues. I wrote a 2-part piece on this in my blog that no one reads…

    I predicted the fall of B&N comic rack a couple of years before it actually happened.
    http://www.ign.com/blogs/deathtojohnny/2012/11/09/the-future-of-comics-pt-1/

    http://www.ign.com/blogs/deathtojohnny/2012/11/09/the-future-of-comics-pt-2/

  10. As someone who’s discretionary income has been reduced significantly with age (not that I make less, on the contrary, but now I have to worry about my children, wife, home, etc…). I can attest to the fact that the current cover price for the majority of the single issues is far too high.

    I sympathize with Peter when he says that books get cancelled when people such as myself buy the trades. However, it’s simply a far more economical and convenient form of acquiring the story. If they contain, let’s say 6 issues (as it can vary), you’re looking at about a 20%-50% savings, especially if you search around. Granted, it’s only a few dollars, but spread that out among most people’s varied tastes and it can definitely add up.

    I love Peter’s work. Having met him a number of times at Cons I know firsthand that he’s a charismatic and kind man, who deserves to be compensated for his work. I hope there are enough 14 year old versions of myself running out there and picking up issues every Wednesday that it offsets the 35 year old version of me who looks forward to the trades.

  11. NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

    this news has made me die a little inside. I love this book and will miss seeing it in my pull-list stack.

    maybe we could pitch a series about Guido’s adventures as the lord of Hëll? that could be fun! (feel free to take that idea; I can’t use it)

  12. I just started reading this book… on the Marvel Unlimited App. I know that doesn’t help keep books in business, but unfortunately I just don’t have the funds to bankroll comics. I love the Marvel Unlimited app because I can read as many comics as I can at a low cost per month. Once I started a family, I just couldn’t justify the cost of a comic book. I know if everyone moves in that direction, it’d cripple the industry–comic shops, printers, etc. But I’d hope things could go digital in a way that increases readership, lowers prices, and somehow increases margins to creators.

  13. This is too bad, I will miss this book.Like many other people seem to be I am disappointed that PAD places some of the blame on paying customers (Those of us who chose to buy the trades.) I have every X-Factor trade by PAD to date and it is wrong for the writer of those books (who earned royalties off of each copy sold) To be upset with me. If you are to be upset with anyone it should be MARVEL, who should take all sales into account (singles, trade, digital) when determining whether book should survive. You should be thanking all paying customers, no matter what format they choose to buy. The fact is that I would not be buying comics t all if not for collected editions. $4 for a 20-odd page stapled pamphlet (or a rented digital download) is too much.
    I realize PAD is upset about the cancelation. So am I-not nearly as much as Peter, I am sure. But the only thing that should be said too people who paid for your work is “thank-you”. Thank you for letting me rant, and lets hope the book can be saved so that we may continue to enjoy it, in any format we chose.

    1. I love how people keep saying that I’m upset. That I’m complaining. That I’m whining. That I’m castigating paying customers. No, I’m really not, and if you people think I sound angry, then I am frankly astounded at the low tolerance level of an Internet that thinks nothing of posting the most vicious, nasty, mean-spirited and typically anonymous comments about creators in the industry and then howl with indignation when any creator say anything that can be remotely construed as hostile.

      No, I’m not upset. I simply stated truth. There are some titles that are considered must-buys on a monthly basis and the rest are “I can wait for the trade” and that latter attitude leads to books being cancelled. That is simple fact. Now if people want to get angry with me simply because I’m speaking the truth, fine, go ahead. I really don’t care.

      PAD

      1. I am the Brian that Peter David responded too. I would like to point out that not once in my original post did I say that PAD sounded angry, or that he was whining. My post was also in no way vicious, nasty, or mean-spirited. It was anonymous. I have posted my full name here. If Peter would like my home mailing address and Phone # I will gladly provide it to him. I know that Peter did not say that my particular letter was any of these things, I just wanted to clarify. I also never stated that he sounded angry. I said he was upset. (I certainly would be, had I just lost a paying job.) Peter says he is not, and I was wrong to say he was when he never mentioned being upset. I stand corrected.
        I understand that, for some reason Marvel decides the survival of its titles on the monthly sales figures. I think this is wrong. As I said all sales should be factored in. I would like to know Peters opinion on this.
        I would also like to point out that I am a huge fan of Peter David’s work. I have hundreds of dollars worth of his TBP’s. I will continue to buy his work in the future. If any of this comes off as nasty/vicious/mean-spirited,(NVMS) then I apologize here. I want to state again that at no time in his response did PAD say that my particular letter was NVMS. He seemed to me to be talking about the internet in general. But it was posted in direct response to my post, so please read what I said which I think was polite, but misguided in inferring that Peter was upset.
        Thank you again for allowing me this space, & I still hope the Book can be saved.

      2. I think the main problem here is that there is no “must-buy on a monthly basis” for my fellow trade-waiters. We wait for trades because it’s the best we can afford as adults due to other financial responsibilities.

        Even without the financial responsibilities, until 2 years ago, I was still collecting issues.

        It wasn’t until 2011 when I realized I had absolutely no room in my closet that I had a problem.

        It gets to a point where collecting issues becomes nigh hoarding. Trades are a compromise to me and my family for keeping my collection out in the open in an organized location without accumulating closet space.

        Plus, it’s easier to access my favorite stories. I’m sorry, but once a comic goes into a box, it’s there for life.

  14. I realize the impact and influence the direct market has had on the health of the industry, but judging the market viability of comics on pre-orders of what are essentially “chapters” (or sometimes short-stories) just seems like a pretty backwards business model for Marvel and DC.

    Looking forward to what’s next, Mr. David.

    (Neither here nor there, but I’m reading Pulling Up Stakes this weekend and really loving it.)

  15. Speaking of trades killing sales,
    how much does Marvel consider digital comic sales compared to physical sales? I live far from the US and shipping is costly,
    so I subscribe to my comics through Marvel’s digital service.
    Thing is, I don’t know how much it matters in the grand scheme of things and I’d sure hate for it to be counter-productive to the writers I want to reward for their great work.

  16. Unrelated to the topic at hand, but is there a reason I can’t read any of the older comments? I can currently only view the 20-some most recent comments. When I click on the “Older Comments” link, it takes me to the very first comment (by Wildcat, Oct 1, 6:20pm) and shows NO other comments at all. Happened in Firefox and IE. Is this happening for other people?

    1. Yeah, it’s happening to me, as well.

      I’ve had problems for a long time now with the page not loading all comments. I often have to do a force refresh of the page to get them all to load, and that doesn’t always work.

      But in this specific case, yeah, I’m only seeing one common when I click on the Older Comments link.

  17. I am sorry to see the book go but there were some interesting stories that you told.

    You could have made Cypher more interesting and powerful by making him able to read body language as shown in his resurrection. Why did you downgrade his power ?

  18. Mr. David,

    Writing up a piece for Nerd Bášŧárdš right now and had a quick question for you. Do you think that the cancellation of X-Factor has anything to do with with Marvel not wanting to advertise characters or properties owned by Fox? Or, is it truly the lack of sales? Hoping to get a quote before running the piece. Feel free to respond in the comments or to my direct email, RushUrbalejo@gmail.com. Thanks.

  19. This is totally unfortunately. I’ve been a long time reader of X-Men. This is the first time I picked up X-Factor because I liked the line-up and loved every moment of it, and now it’s about to be dumped after 20 issues? I gave a new brand a chance, and would’ve stuck with it – wish more people made the same decision.

    All the best Peter.

  20. Peter,
    A shame the book’s been cancelled, but as you imply, such is the way of the world: Marvel’s a business and all businesses can only function if they’re making money.
    Thank you, for your work on X-factor over the last year – one of the few titles that I’ve been looking forward to with eagerness. A real, genuine pleasure to read character driven stories penned by a writer who’s love of the characters mimics my own.
    I’ve been a fan of Quicksilver since I started reading comics some *mumble, mumble* forty years ago and your interpretation of him has always been the most 3-dimensional (trying not to downplay other writers, here!) and sympathetic. I’m sure you had many other interesting roads to take him (and the other characters) down.
    If he does end up back in the Avengers, how much crowd funding do we need to raise, in order to beg/bribe/threaten you and Marvel into taking on the writing chores of that title? (after Jonathon Hickman’s run ends, of course!) 😉
    Thanks again, for those 20 odd issues and all the best for whatever takes it’s place in your writing life. I look forward to supporting that, too.

  21. Really unfortunate that ANXF is going to be cancelled. Was really enjoying it. My one question is why you referenced The Gambit solo cancellation, and then said he wont be starring in any title soon? Just what are you implying? I personally love Gambit, and is the reason I read the series. I am dámņ sure im not alone.
    Anywho, I really hope you get an opportunity to continue X Factors adventures in the future, with or without Gambit.

  22. I really don’t know what to say. I’m bummed by the news that All-New X-Factor is being cancelled. It is my favorite X-title nowadays. And it is so good to have two titles written monthly by Peter David. All-New X-Factor has been kinda nostalgic for me as it reminds me so much of his work with the team on the government sponsored era and takes me back to the Chris Claremont’s one with Uncanny X-Men. =(

  23. I’m sorry if this is a strange question. Maybe it’s just the fan in me trying to understand it, or it’s the fact that English isn’t my first language, but what does Peter David mean with:
    “Which is exactly the reason they cancelled “Gambit” as well, so it’ll probably be a long time before he gets to star in another book.”.

    I mean i understand the core of it. Gambit didn’t sell well enough and neither did X-factor in Marvel/Disney’s eyes.
    But is it stating that more Gambit fans should have made an effort and bought it or is it more: poor fans, they won’t be seeing him much in the foreseeable future.

    I’m just having a problem understanding the tone behind it(Yes I know, welcome to textbased communication and the Internet). An answer from PAD directly or just some other readers wisdom would be highly valued.

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