A new artist for X-Factor (no, Larry’s not coming back), the Angel draws closer to what she needs to dispatch Moloch, and Apropos makes his comic debut with a nod to the Dark Tower. Whad’ja think?
PAD
A new artist for X-Factor (no, Larry’s not coming back), the Angel draws closer to what she needs to dispatch Moloch, and Apropos makes his comic debut with a nod to the Dark Tower. Whad’ja think?
PAD
• 
The change of artist in X-Factor is welcome news. The previous artist’s work caused me physical pain.
The change of artist in X-Factor is welcome news. The previous one caused me physical pain.
Sir appropos was a bit too silly especially in the beginning and the art had some strange colouring techniques, but it got really interesting towards the end so i have a feeling that it will grow on me by the next issue.
I like the new artist on X-Factor, the story in Fallen Angel continues to be great (though J.K.’s ability to render eyes could still use some work), and I liked Apropos, as it brought back a lot of good memories from the novels, and I was glad that Robin took your vision of seeing Seth Green in the role to heart, though I didn’t care for the coloring and inking, and wondered why his leg doesn’t look bent.
I get the sense that there’s a behind the scenes story with Larry’s departure, especially since I see in the recent solicitations that he’s working on another book. It’s a shame, since we were all excited to see you guys reunited, but whether you guys had some conflict, or the reception wasn’t good enough, looks like it didn’t work out. Still a great book though.
X-Factor was delightful, with a welcome change in art. By the way, thank you for reading my mind and bringing Longshot, one of my favorite characters, into the book. Now all it needs is Sage and it will have my four favorite X-characters (counting Madrox, and assuming that Longshot is staying and Layla is returning at some point).
I’m continuing to enjoy X-Factor. Storywise it’s still pretty solid.
I have to say that I prefer the new artist. I don’t think it is “great”, but it makes the story much more readable for me.
I know Larry and you had a great run on the original X-Factor, but honestly I didn’t like the pencils there either. It was a struggle to keep reading the book because the story was so good but the art was so freaking jarring. I just don’t enjoy his style at all. I’m sure there are those that do, but I find the book much more accessible without it.
No disrespect to the prior artist, but I *loved* the new artist. I am a big X-factor fan, and I thought the most recent issue was great.
I like DeLandro’s art in X-Factor, but I liked seeing Siryn administer an Epic Úš-Whupping on Val Cooper even more. Rictor’s remark about “trade paperbacks” had me in transports of joy.
Another excellent addition to the Fallen Angel saga. We finally see the third of the mythical cities, and once again it belies expectations. Ironic how much more lively the city of death was than the city of life. Also, quite appropriate that the lingering tension between our questing heroes would explode in the divisive tower of Babel.
Sachs, Violens and Benny was a brief but well done interlude. I wonder why exactly the serpent wants people willing to stand up to Moloch. This latest arc has brought some welcome development to his character.
JimS
I wonder why exactly the serpent wants people willing to stand up to Moloch.
The first thought that occurred to me was that the City under Moloch’s rule is not a good hunting ground for him. Benny works his hunting/scam by gaining people’s trust and then betraying it. I figure it’s hard to get people to trust you in the city as Moloch’s running it.
I expect that there’s more to it than that raw self-interested service of his stomach and that Mr. David’s got something more convoluted in mind, but that might be the reason that he has Benny give. Afterall, I never expect Benny to tell the entire truth. That would be naive.
X-F 37 was solid as always. While I am the rare fan of Stroman’s work, I have to agree that it wasn’t just quite working and this issue’s storytelling was much clearer with DeLandro’s art. But to be honest, I think I look forward to each issue just to read what’s up with your family on the intro text page.
Otherwise, this was an awesome mix of action and non-action scenes that were paced in a way reminiscent of the pre-decompressed storytelling days. And of course, you left us with another great cliffhanger. Keep ’em coming, PAD.
I still believe that X-Factor is the only X title that worths my money. That and X-Men First CLass, but I’m old school so my opinion doesn’t matter. I like the new artist better too.
Fallen Angel was great as always. Boy, when Lee doesn’t want to do something, she doesn’t do it no matter what. We also learned that Lee’s ‘mother’ language is Aramaic. Details like that is why Fallen Angel is one of the best ongoing titles.
RE: X-Factor
What? They survived last issue’s explosive ending? Go figure. Thought you wanted a whole new team. 🙂
The bad guys thinking someone might have survived shows intelligent writing. Nice.
Noticed the change in artist on the very first page. Can’t wait to see the new addition to the team (assuming the labor doesn’t last 18 million issues!). Also can’t wait to see the return of Banshee. I don’t believe he is dead either. 🙂
Iowa Jim
I’m sorry to any of his fans, but I totally loath Larry Stroman’s work. All of his faces are unrecognizable. He seems to have an obsession with drawing obscene huge a$$es. And over all it is hard to tell what is going on from panel to panel. The only reason I didn’t cancel this book when I heard he was coming on was the hope that it wouldn’t last long. As much as I love PAD’s writing, no one writes well enough to get me to pay money to see that crappy artwork for too long.
Obviously I am thrilled that he is no longer on this book.
The change in artist on X-factor was something I was very happy to see, and I have to say that I enjoyed this issue immensely. It was nice to actually be able to follow along and not want to just throw the book down in disgust, which has been my reaction the last few issues.
Michael
Xfactor is still the best current marvel title but when is Layla coming back?
Larry’s Art was indeed unique for comic format, but I actually liked it–especially for X-factor (Nostalgia from your original run I suppose). I know not everyone was pleased with his style for the book. Had there been too much criticism on his work?
Love the twisty-turns in Angel… but not too happy that I have a particular song running through my head. 😉
Is the Sir Apropos of Nothing a re-telling of the novels in comic form or are they new stories? X-Factor and Fallen Angel rock, but I’m so sad to hear that She-Hulk will be cancelled.
Apropos is an entirely new story.
PAD
I honestly feel sorry for Larry Stroman, because he really took a lot of flak. I’d be lying if I said I was a big fan of it, but there are ways to express your displeasure without going overboard. Just as honestly, I should also say that I have always liked Valentine De Landro’s work and I really prefer it to Stroman’s.
That covers the art, now for the story.
Being the practical-minded guy I sometimes am, I wondered why the dupe didn’t give Monet his pants as well as his shirt, since he had pants. I guess the answer is either “the waist was too large for Monet and they would keep falling down” or “if Monet had pants, nobody could say anything about her legs.”
And now that I think back, didn’t one of the Hydra people mention the potential of Jamie’s powers to duplicate limitless atomic bombs when he was being brainwashed by them? I wonder if he’s given any thought to what he could do with his powers beyond detective work or superhero work. Making a lot of bombs is one possibility, and one I doubt Jamie Prime would be terribly enthusiastic about, but you could also make a lot of food, or make clothing for people unlike Monet who actually find themselves needing it for warmth instead of modesty.
I felt sorry both for Jamie and the dupe who materialized inside the guy who apparently was about to knife him. If there’s an issue coming up where dedicated to Jamie addressing the problem of his uncontrollable dupes, I look forward to reading it. Having said that, I’m a little confused about why he’d be reluctant to absorb the dupe covered in gore. I realize that having that dupe’s experience in his head wouldn’t be pleasant, but Jamie’s done it twice before (to my knowledge). If he could bring himself to do it back then, why not now?
I noticed something that I missed in previous issues: Maru’s got kind of a Skrully chin, doesn’t he? Hmmm….
I wonder how many people knew who Pyrrhus was without having to look it up. If more people were familiar with the concept of Pyrrhic victory, or that Pyrrhus himself reportedly said “Another such victory over the Romans and we are undone,” maybe they’d realize that there are times when it’s wiser to “wave a white flag of surrender” than to keep taking losses for nothing more than pride.
Favourite Siryn dialogue this time: when she told Val the good reasons to allow her to pee. When she confronts Jamie (as well as Guido, I guess, since he also knew about it) about him being blackmailed by Val and keeping it from everybody, I hope she exercises more restraint than Monet in issue #13, and that Rictor does too.
Finally, I say again: we need Deadpool in the delivery room with Terry.
(Nah, I’m not seriously suggesting that. But it would be cool!)
I also feel sorry for Larry. Actually I was rather enjoying his art. Yes, it was far more impressionistic than the artists who’d gone before, but I rather found them looking rather stilted. Larry’s was certainly dynamic.
Making a lot of bombs is one possibility, and one I doubt Jamie Prime would be terribly enthusiastic about, but you could also make a lot of food, or make clothing for people unlike Monet who actually find themselves needing it for warmth instead of modesty.
I doubt that it would work. I don’t know if it’s ever been explicitly stated, but I’m sure that if Jamie reabsorbed the dupe, the bomb/food/clothing/etc. would disappear as well. So using his dupes to create food and feed the world would also create a lot of mouths to feed as the food would disappear with the dupes. Self defeating.
I expect that’s also why Monet only got the dupe’s shirt. The dupe was still using the pants (thank God).
X-Factor was good as usual, although I must admit to being a tad confused as to how the dupe exploded that dude. I never quite thought dupes appeared in the same space, I thought they “fell out” of Jamie, kind of like how it was done in X3. As for the art, very decent (but considering how similar it looks does make me a bit nostalgic for Pablo Raimondi, who I wish was on every single issue ever). Great final page with the multiple Darwin’s.
I also picked up the IDW New Frontier trade paperback, which was the usual NF goodness. Very funny stuff on practically every page. And some pretty big developments in the NF verse that’ll be addressed in the books (but, as a standalone comic, the Lefer / Morgan plotlines were a little hanging.) Was the alternate universe Calhoun from the Mirror Universe? I never read the Mirror Universe short story compilations with Calhoun and Co., and I kind of felt like I was missing out.
I _loved_ Sir Apropos! I must admit I’ve never read the books, but the graphic novel was highly entertaining. The Dark Tower homage was hilarious, especially the cameo by Roland at the end. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
David Hunt wrote:
I expect that’s also why Monet only got the dupe’s shirt. The dupe was still using the pants (thank God).
My guess is that Jamie (and therefore the dupe) was going commando that day, and withheld the pants to cover his own….modesty.
I quite enjoyed my first exposure to Sir Apropos, by the way. I’ll have to put the novels on my reading list after I’m done hunting down the Wild Cards novels on Amazon and eBay.
Chuck
I really liked Larry Stroman’s run during Peter’s first X-Factor stint, but for some reason, it just grated on me this time. I don’t if he changed or I have, but seeing him draw every single character with a huge amount of space between their nose and mouth–so much so that they look like monkeys—not to mention the enormous amount of space he puts in between some characters’ eyes, just made it impossible for me to look at the characters and buy them as the characters they were supposed to be. I’m sorry, but that shot of She-Hulk on the final page a few issues ago did not look anything like She-Hulk.
In terms of writing, I’m liking the story, but I wish Darwin’s power to mutate according to his surroundings were not constantly referred to as “evolution”, since that’s not what evolution is, and would be more properly described as mutation. I also don’t like it when characters’ powers, or the applications or permutations of them, are suddenly changed or heightened for no good reason. Now all of a sudden, Longshot has precog powers??? Huh?
“Apropos is an entirely new story.”
This was a nice surprise when I picked up this title last week.
Longshot doesn’t have precog powers. He’s psychometric, which falls under the category of clairvoyance. And he’s had that ability since pretty much the beginning.
PAD
Ðámņ. I went through the last two issues but couldn’t find what I thought had been mention of that. (The psychometry, I’m familiar with). Sorry about that. Ðámņ Swiss cheese half of my brain…….
All joking aside.
After more than 30 years of collecting comics I am forced to stop.
I don’t want to get too ‘sentimental’ but as the guy who bought all my comics was loading his van I did notice that alot of my ‘SAVE’ boxes were filled with books written by you (and Steve Gerber).
SO, I want to thank you for the years and years of enjoyment you brought me.
And since I tend to leave comments when I come home from the bar and then never go back and look at any replies…..
I want to say Sorry to you and all your faithful followers.
I guess that’s all for now.
HOPEFULLY I’ll be back reading again SOON.
While I wasn’t asking for Larry’s head on a pole for the last few issues of X-Factor, I do agree that the storytelling has become a lot stronger with the new artist.
Is a visit to Doc Samson needed to get Jamie’s dupes in order? Maybe.
I picked up Apropos as well, and I’m glad to see that even for new readers (not me, mind you, I’ve got the books), it’s easy to see Apropos’ resourcefulness and knack for getting into trouble.
One book I wasn’t aware of was Darkness of the Light, which I picked up a few weeks ago. It took me a few chapters to get into it, since there’s a lot of characters needing to be introduced, but, man, once I got up to speed, I couldn’t put the book down. Interesting premise for a book, and I’m looking to see where you’ll be going in the next in the series, especially with all the changes that happened by the end of Book One.
Will the Sir Apropos of Nothing Comic Books be collected in a well – Collector`s Edition?
For Us PAD-Fans outside of the USA that would be terrific. It`s difficult to get your Comic Books in the single editions, for example here in Germany.
But thanks for returning to this fantastic Character, Mr. David!
Terrific.
I`m looking forward reading more of your work! Your last New Frontier Comic rocks!
Something of the story that I simply don`t understand – Why is the “Alliance” in M“k`n`zy`s Universe using Starfleet/Empire Ships? Is this a different Universe than the one seen in all the previous Star Trek Episodes? Or did the artist make a mistake? The only “Alliance” in TREK that I know are the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance from the Mirror-Universe.
Regards,
Stephan Mittelstrass
your greatest Fan in Germany (not kidding!)
PAD,
Just a quick thank you.
AER
I liked Fallen Angel. Wonder if Jude, Mariah or Lee will notice those skeletons around the vicinity of the “sword” before it’s too late for one or more of them? No, I don’t think that’s the real sword. Or if it is, the “trap” centers on how you approach it.
I’m familiar with the Tower of Babel story (probably first heard of it in CCD or during a homily at a mass one Sunday), but I didn’t know (or at least didn’t remember) that Nimrod was connected with it. Actually, I think it was through the Sandman story “A Doll’s House” that I learned “Nimrod” had any biblical connection at all.
So, Nimrod is “helping” Lee and company, and Benny is “helping” Ernie and J. J.? Benny’s “help” is clearly based on the “enemy of my enemy” school of thought, but why is Nimrod offering any “help”? Is he obliged to tell visitors to the City of Life where they are, what they need to seek, and that there are “challenges” he can’t talk about; or does he just do so because he hasn’t much else to do? His attitude (as well as his words) suggests the latter, but I could be wrong.
Of course, if he is obliged to help (to whatever degree) it creates an interesting counterpoint to his nature as a hunter. I wonder how many visitors he’s killed with one of his arrows?
Overall, I’m enjoying the series, as well as this particular storyline. I’m not crazy about the $3.99 price tag, and was tempted to drop it after issue 26 (it seemed a natural jumping off point), but I wanted to know what would come next for these characters. So I’ve kept getting the book.
Looking forward to the next issue.
Rick
P.S. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
I’m very happy with the first issue of Sir Apropos. Though it is very strange to see the world that Apropos resides in rendered in anything other than text. Good, but strange. I had somehow pictured Apropos completely different. Now I may not be able to picture him any other way.
RE: Po’
I also enjoyed the first issue a great deal. So far it doesn’t require the reader to have read the previous books. The art is clear and crisp. It reminds me a little of the black and white Conan comics published in the late 70’s.
As for Po I always pictured him as a young Malcolm McDowell. This comes form my fondness for all things Harry Paget Flashman related. When I read the first Po book I kept thinking he was more or less the Fantacy world equvilant of ol Flashy
Loved Fallen Angel, as usual, except for a little thing (and I know you knew it was coming, didn’t you?):
What the heck did Mariah say to Nimrod? Because it didn’t look like any french I know. When a Frenchman can’t understand what a character says in french, you know there’s something wrong going on.