FNSM #10 wraps up the three part Uncle Ben Returns storyline, while X-Factor finishes out its Civil War crossover.
Whad’ja think?
PAD
FNSM #10 wraps up the three part Uncle Ben Returns storyline, while X-Factor finishes out its Civil War crossover.
Whad’ja think?
PAD
• 
Hey there! First of all, -loved- this issue of X-Factor. The emotion was conveyed well in the whole issue, and we get a real sense of how tense the situation is right now. Not so sure what to think on the convo between Layla and Madrox though… *cough*
Anyway, I heard word from a friend at the ComicCon that you liked the Madrox shirts we made 🙂 If you’d like one, just hit me up via e-mail and I’d be more than happy to send one your way.
enjoyed both and out of a huge amount of books this week x-factor was the book of the week. what issue of spider-man adventures do you take over?
cheers Bill
X-Factor: You are just having a ball writing the character of Layla, aren’t you? Nice line about she and Maddrox getting married in the future. Only now did I stop to think she might be pulling his chain – whether she is or isnt’, either way it works great.
I think the stance X-Factor took reflects your own views strongly, vis-a-vis Bush and company, but I don’t have a problem with that (I agree with you and the characters). You sold it well within the book. Maybe someone who doesn’t know your own views wouldn’t pick up on that. Maybe a Republican reader would, and be annoyed? I’ll be interested to read what others think.
Spidey: Nice twist on the Ben ending. I can’t say I saw that coming. I’m curious if we’ll ever find out how the “Homeless Ben” got there – or maybe we did before and I’ve missed something, I’m late to this book. Some great potential here. But what I really appreciated, and why I’m back as a fan of your work lately are all the truly human touches in your work. I felt Aunt May’s reaction was very “real”. Perfectly unexpected within the story – two long lost lovers reunited – but at the same time, it felt just right.
So, bravo on both books. An excellent month.
I spent the weekend getting caught up on a lot of Marvel comics, and read all of FNSM from the Other on.
Keep in mind I’m a big fan of your work, Peter. I’m buying your book on writing comics. I’ve loved a lot of what you’ve written before. I’ve drank the PAD Kool-Aid.
But this last story was just terrible, some of the worst Spider-Man comics I’ve ever read. This story’s up there with the excess of the Clone Saga and Sins Past. It’s a bad clunker that damages a character that shouldn’t be damaged without a REALLY good reason, Ben Parker. The story didn’t give me that reason.
Yes, I accept this isn’t the “real” Ben Parker. This Ben failed at raising Peter on his own. This Ben was rejected by Aunt May, and didn’t stick around to try to convince her that he was real. But a murderer?
I sort of get it. Take a man and push him beyond belief, and he’ll do anything. But why make Ben Parker that man? I came away with the same disgust I felt when I read Sins Past, that the guy writing the story didn’t really understand a major character in the Spider-Man legend. It made no sense to me then that Gwen slept with Norman AND NOT Peter. And it makes no sense to me that a Ben Parker could murder a man in cold blood, not when it really wasn’t necessary, not when other options had been pursued. The ending felt rushed and tacked-on and inappropriate, and it wiped out any enjoyment I had.
After reading all of the stories in the past year, I’m really left wondering if this title hasn’t wandered astray from its initial vision. When FNSM was first hyped, we were promised that Ringo was looking to draw a Ross Andru-inspired Spidey, and that we were going to get some great stories. But the need to show the Spider-Armor has eliminated that, and the stories post-Other just haven’t been that special. We’ve gotten a one-off about a woman who thinks Spidey is a stalker, a two-part story about a family of Mexican wrestlers, and now the Spider-Man of 2211, which had promise until you killed him off. I’m just left thinking that you and Ringo are capable of better work, and it’s not there.
Sorry, PAD. I really didn’t like this one. Hopefully I’ll like the next one.
I’m not sure what other options Ben had at that moment. Spider-Man 2211 told him he was there to return him to his own timeline. That was stupid…he should have just done it. Spider-Man 2211 didn’t seem very smart in several places.
There are no good reasons for Uncle Ben to return to that timeline. His son is a better man in this timeline, and Aunt May is here. He is sticking around to try to convince her. (He had to leave the scene, or otherwise he might have been arrested for harassment. But regrouping isn’t the same as giving up.)
The only power Uncle Ben had to resist losing this Peter and this Aunt May for good, lay in that gun. And he knew it.
I’m not even sure Spider-Man of 2211 is dead. There is a huge time paradox that needs to be resolved — by someone from 2211. And once it is resolved, Spider-Man 2211 might be alive again.
— Regarding X-Factor. I certainly hope Layla is pulling Madrox’s chain. What is there — 25 years difference in their ages? If she’s not, Madrox should be locked up now before he has a chance to commit the crime.
“Son” above should obviously be in quotes. That’s how Uncle Ben feels about Peter.
This issue of X-Factor raised something I’ve noticed about “Civil War”: The two sides seem to be talking about different things. (Which is actually very realistic as far as political arguments go in the real world…)
Perhaps this has been stated more explicitly in one of the other crossovers (I’ve only been buying the core book and the titles I buy anyway), so I’ll ask: Does the Superhuman Registration Act apply to a) costumed vigilantes (i.e. people who fight crime without direct legal sanction), or b) people with super-powers, regardless of what they do with them? (Or c), both?) In other words, does it apply to someone like Kate Bishop of Young Avengers, who fights crime without any super-powers, or to random mutant A who has superpowers but never dreamed of using them to fight crime? Is it about what you do or who you are?
The impression I’ve had (reinforced by things like the “Daily Bugle” special) is that it’s a). Jamie’s speech in this issue suggests that he thinks it’s b). (Or possibly that a) will inevitably lead to b), which is an understandable attitude from him but not necessarily true.)
I ask because this makes a big difference to the reader in evaluating the Act itself (as opposed to how it’s enforced). A government taking a say in who gets to enforce its laws is a lot more reasonable than one going after people just because of how they were born or what accident they may have had with radiation.
In a related question, which may have some bearing on the team’s reaction, does anyone on the team besides Jamie have a PI license? Because it’s possible they’ve been violating New York state law, with the SRA having nothing to do with it. (Yeah, no one ever worries about that sort of thing in comics, but being a PI is different from just going out and fighting crime, and I really doubt they make an exception because you’re a mutant.)
Ray pretty much said everything I wanted to say about FNSM. I’ve been a fan since your very first Spider-Man story arc, Pete, and I’ve tried to stay on with FNSM, but the ending to this series was the last straw. When I first saw that you were bringing Uncle Ben back, I said that unless you pulled a very impressive rabbit out of your hat, I’d be dropping the book. You didn’t. You simply stuck with the tried and true Marvel tradition of cheapening the death of a character. Once again the point is driven home to us – “who cares if a character dies? They’ll come back. Anyone can come back. Sure, they might be a clone or from an alternate universe, but it’s still them and they’re back!”
It’s part of why I never get excited about any so-called major story or “event” in comics now. I know that as soon as a new writer and/or editor comes in and wants to change things, or if someone thinks it’s going to make a lot of money, or just because a new guy on a title has a grudge against the previous guy (something you’re familiar with), no changes to a title are permanent.
X-Factor is awesome and Dennis Calero’s artwork is getting better (i.e. “readable”). The ending on FN Spidey was… unsatisfying, mostly because the current storyline is ending. If I knew that I’d have more Tales of Two Bens to come, then I’d be excited. As it is, I have to wait for the plot point to come back. And, if my luck and your luck ring true, they’ll kick you off the book before you get to do it! Those bášŧárdš!!
Another fun issue of X-Factor. Of course, it’s great that this is as much “House of M Fallout” as it is “Civil War”, with the X-Men being a bit (although not entirely) on the sidelines for this big event and all.
Does any of the internet talk back influence a creator? I am thinking it must, at least subconsciously, to have every point of every issue analyzed deeply by dozens of people. But I am thinking this might be a bad thing.
As far as the stories, I don’t read X-Factor, but FNSM has been very good. I read the first issue of Uncle Ben Returns, and I really enjoyed it-but then, I am a big fan of alternate reality stories. It was very sad too, which was a good thing, it made me feel.
I have not read beyond that, though it is ordered, because I switched to mail order, but ordered way too late and June and July at the same time, and they are apparently and hopefully sending my June and Julys together the first week of August, because I did not get the June books yet.
Okay, who was that guy in the alley that Ben shot? Why was his face not fully shown, and what did the portions of it that were shown identical to Uncle Ben? This confused me. And as much as I like Mike Wieringo’s art (The only professional sketch hanging in my room is a headshot of Rogue by him), I don’t think the art served the story very well. I don’t know if it was him, or the inker, or what, but I think there needed to be a variance in line weight for such a heavy story. The shots of the time manipulators in that control room, and that shot of the dystopic scene of wrecked buildings, etc. would have benefited from a greater sense of depth, IMO.
As for X-Factor, I liked it a lot. I’m really intrigued at all the possibilities that characters like Layla and Jamie provide, and Peter, you’re certainly milking it well. I do sometimes wonder all the exterior shots of characters standing in the street show the street to be completely deserted, except for the characters central to the story, but I appreciate the fine line Callero and company provide to those background buildings.
FNSM was a great issue PAD, I loved the time paradox.
It will be interesting to see how the entire Jarvis, Aunt May, Uncle Ben triangle pans out.
XFactor…I notice that Quicksilver is becoming more and more like Magneto.
[Is there any chance that we will see a cameo from the Master of Magnetism in the near future?]
Regards:
Warren Samuel Jones III
Anyone tell me what’s up with X-Factor-I mean, a description of the general vibe or “mission” of it compared to other X books. Generally on a mission to streamline what X books I am collecting and that is why didn’t pick this up.
I did enjoy many of PAD’s work, including Hulk, Aquaman, FNSM, and Captain Marvel for awhile. and Jean DeWolf. I also liked, at least for a time it is hard to remember, a previous run on X-Factor. I am not sure what else he did that I have read, I used to not pay too much attention to creators.
FNSM:Just a so so story with some fun elements. However, if this so so story leads into a much better story down the road, cool. Other than retcon bombs, this whole arc left me pretty luke warm. The dialog between Ben and May felt off. I just couldn’t see Ben, or anyone else, ever, act like that with May. Walking away after a minute of confused talking? With the wife you haven’t seen in decades?
I’m not too concerned with bringing back Ben, or clones, or alternate universes, etc. If you don’t like genre conventions, change genre. Tell a good story with is, and that’s all that matters to me.
XFactor: I should mention that I cut my comic book teeth on the first XFactor, so anything that reminds me of that will get bonus points for me. This is the first comic in the series where I chuckled out loud, so that makes me pretty happy.
The dialog in the whole issue was a tight as I’d expect from a PAD book, but the end with the X-Men was just great. The last line, where Cyclops said he’s not going to help X-Factor in the future, was just money. I wanted Jamie to strangle him and yell that that’s what they’ve been saying, but its clear why he didn’t.
I think its time to show a little more of Guido. He always reminded me of Hawkeye, with the jokes and quips and internal emotional pain and depression. This can dovetail really well with what’s going on in the story.
Rahne’s character needs to pewp or get off the pot. What does she contribute to the story? I haven’t seen a justification for her yet.
Keeping Madrox as the centerpiece seems to be working. He seems like a different Madrox from the one from the old X-Factor. I would have chalked that up to different writers writing an inconsistent character… Is this related to his ‘death’? Will you be exploring that at all? Am I just wrong?
LOVED the X-factor issue. Thanks for writting it.
* sigh *
Y’know…I *thought* fans were observant. I *thought* they could put things together.
There is a huge verbal clue on the last page of FNSM that makes clear to anyone who is truly observant that all is not what it seems. There are further clues in the previous issue–a dangling thread–that should lead you to the right conclusions. No one on any board has picked up on it. I was hoping someone here would.
Gentleman, I’m disappointed. Serious disappointment here. I’m talking to you, Ray Cornwall. You too, Iowa Jim. You’re letting me down. Rise to the challenge. Figure it out. It’s all right there.
PAD
Intersection points, by any chance?
To be honest PAD, I thought the man in the alley was Chameleon when I first saw it, and that Chameleon killed Uncle Ben and took on his form. It was just that looking at the art at the end of the issue of the facedown body I couldn’t tell if it was Uncle Ben or if maybe it was body jumper then I got real confused.
So, the guy who gave Ben the gun was ALSO Ben from another reality.
That one was evil Ben and when the first Ben didn’t take the gun, he killed him and left him lying in the alley (for some reason he stuck a hat on him. er…)
The Ben the future Spiderman was trying to return to the other reality was evil Ben.
I assume that’s what was going on, but…
I have to concur it wasn’t the best story. I’m not concerned with the whole childhood raping Ben thing, simply that I found the plot a bit convoluted and focused mostly on characters I had no interest in instead of Peter himself.
Er.. or as the poster above said, it was Chameleon. Just the Chameleon from the alternate reality, explaining how he happens to be alive again in future stories.
If nothing else, we have two Uncle Bens at the end, one who shoots Spidey 2211, and one left dead/dying in the alley (from the last panel). And thus the stranger in the cap that the main Ben (Ben-1) meets in the alley is almost certainly another Ben (Ben-2). One key bit of information we are missing. What happens between the scene in the alley, and the scene at the grave? Specifically, which Ben is shot, and which does the shooting? We are being lead to believe that Ben-1 shoots Ben-2, and then Spidey 2211. But it could just as easily have gone the other way. That could be Ben-1 lying dead/dying, and Ben-2 is the one that shoots the other two. And with Ben-2, we have no idea what his motives are in all this. Ben-1 being the shooter just seems a bit out of character, even with all he’s gone through. But we have no idea who Ben-2 really is.
On a different, but vaguly related subject, I had to chuckle at the Doctor Who in-joke in the alley scene. For anyone who does not watch, the phrase “Bad Wolf” was prominent in the first season of the new Doctor Who series, popping up all over the place as an ongoing mystery that was finally resolved in the first season finalle.
Um, PAD, I didn’t enjoy the issue the first time, clue or not. You’re going to make me read it *again*?
And if Angelophile is right, and it’s ANOTHER Ben, but this one was evil, and so on and so forth, then you killed off a Ben I was somewhat interested in AND a Spider-Man 2211 I was somewhat interested, all for a story that no one you’ve read has figured out. Even if you’re right, and I missed something, what’s the payoff to the reader for following all this? Sometimes a bad story is a bad story. I had caught that there was something hinky going on with the two Bens, but by then, I had given up caring.
I’ll tell you what, though- I’ll give it another shot when I get home tonight. I’ll post and tell you what I think, then.
PAD,
X-Factor: Loved it! This is currently at the top of my MUST READ pile. Layla Miller is my favourite character. My wife’s friend was talking to her about Anne Rand (sp?)’s “Atlas Shrugged” and I couldn’t help but let them know about that particular scene with Layla Miller reading the same book on a New York street.
A note to spiderrob8: The general vibe or feeling one gets from X-Factor is that of a “Film Noire” movie. And what is that? The best description was given by a character in the first few pages of the MADROX mini-series.
FNSM: I’ve got to admit that I wasn’t thrilled at the beginning of this story arc that “Uncle Ben is back from the dead”. I was afraid that this whole idea was going to be a ‘Retcon Bomb’!!
But I’m genuinely intrigued at the story possibilities of having evil Uncle Ben from an alternate reality running loose in the Marvel 616 Universe.
So the future Hobgoblin mentioned (while talking to Spidey) that she’s been mucking with the timeline for a while now. And Evil Ben was from yet another alternate reality. Somehow — being almost identical in thought patterns — he knew that the First Ben would show up at that spot. Evil Ben tempted him into commiting suicide (which he did) and then killed the future Spiderman at the gravesite. Presumably he did this because he has unfinished business with the Marvel 616 Spidey. Have I got it right, or am I missing something?
Until Uncle Ben runs for political office,
Make mine ….er, um…. PAD!
OK, while sitting here at work, I think I figured it out, PAD. I will go home and verify it tonight.
I am not sure I like what the real story is, but if it is what I think it is, I will admit that it is a bit better than I thought. I think.
I kinda figured alternate Ben gave himself the gun…. Not sure how but it seemed to be the case.
Warning: the following is a geeky, fangirl response on what is otherwise a serious message forum, from me, a usually serious comic book fan not used to being so happy with Marvel and X-books….
PAD, I love X-FACTOR. Each issue is better than the last. But now, with Pietro in the book, I’m ecstatic. Please tell me you can keep Quicksilver around as an adjunct to the team.
I liked Pietro’s nifty suit and tie, in #9, and was he renting the best apartment (or is it a condo) in mutant town? Did he go into the future, see what stocks were winners, or what lottery numbers would be picked, and make himself a fortune? I love the way Pietro is being written now. (I am a huge fan of David Hine’s SON OF M, also.)(I loved Bendis’ HOUSE OF M, too, which I get a lot of flack for.)
Have you ever written Magneto? I second the request for a Magnus cameo.
Best characterization of Maddrox ever. Siryn is awesome.
Rahne is one of my favorite comic book characters — but I have one complaint. She’s too plain-Jane in the last few issues. I thought she’d gotten over that repressed Calvinistic mopey behavior. She started to look more elegant, and sexy, in recent years. I recall the prediction of what Rahne will look like as an adult, in an old issue of NEW MUTANTS, and she will be classy and gorgeous. Could the artist maybe move a little more in that direction?
As for Layla, awesome character. Someone on one of the message boards came up with a theory that I subscribe to — I think Layla is a “time-dupe” of her future adult self. Contrasted to Maddrox’s “spatial” dupes. Current time, duplicates everything on him, in his pockets, etc exactly the way the exist at that moment in time. But with Layla, and possibly the Tryps, the dupes extend throughout her life-cycle — child Laylas, teen Laylas, young adult Laylas, old lady Laylas — you could do a whole lesson on Erikson’s life stages just using Layla. (You know, Autonomy vs. Shame, or Industry vs. Inferiorty, or Intimacy vs. Isolation, etc.) Of course, that’s just a theory, and if that’s not correct — NEVVERRMIND. (But it would explain the creepy comment that Layla made saying she will be married to Jamie one day, in the sense that her future self is married to him at the same time she’s saying it. Layla would then not be a precog, but just sharing the thoughts, memories, and perspective of her future self-dupes.) (But like I said, if this is all wrong, then oh well … 🙂 )
Everyone connected with this book is doing an excellent job. I can only thank Quesada profusely for giving X-FACTOR back to you, with most of the old team to boot. All of the X-books are great right now, but X-FACTOR is my favorite book, and the one I read sitting in the car outside the comic book store, before I can even start the car to drive home!
DrObviousSo
Are you aware that PAD wrote the first X-Factor book that you are so fond of? He left after issue #89- one of the editorial requests that Peter did not agree with was the death of Multiple Man. The Jamie he writes now is very consistent with the Jamie he wrote back then- he has just had more time to explore the character.
Hello,
For FNSM I was hoping someone to explain it to me. I have the idea…
Spider-man 2211 would have taken Uncle Ben back into the past, but that would have caused the problem of living with spider-man when he would not be a hero. Or going back to die/hide. If he hide, it would be a terriable life as a street bum so not to mess up Peter’s life.
But I could be reading it wrong and curious about other ways.
I’m confused about the Bens too. I’ll have to go back and look at it again….
PAD, I’ve two questions about X-Factor #8 if you don’t mind. (My shop sold out when it was originally released and only restocked this past week.)
1). Siryn’s examples of ridiculous lawsuits, are those actual cases you read about or did you make them up? (They sound sufficiently absurd to be real.)
2). I might be missing something here since I’m not as mutant-savvy as I used to be, but does Siryn have a persuasion power associated with her voice? I ask because I cannot imagine how she could possibly successfuly vamp Peter Parker into revealing the truth behind M-Day. (He’s got a supermodel wife at home for God’s sake.)
“Regarding X-Factor. I certainly hope Layla is pulling Madrox’s chain. What is there — 25 years difference in their ages? If she’s not, Madrox should be locked up now before he has a chance to commit the crime.”
Huh? More like 10-15 years. Just how old do you think Madrox is? But even if you were right, it would hardly be a crime to marry her.
Um, in the future, that is.
I enjoyed the FNSM arch – though I think I missed something you meant to convey. I know we are supposed to be a bit smarter than the average monkey, but if nobody got it – surely you can’t blame the readers. That’s like getting ticked at people if they don’t laugh at your jokes.
Loved the reference to Doctor Who – in my view a cut above american sci-fi, and indeed the inspiration for much of it. I’m thinking the Bad Wolf may even be a clue to your secret plot… but I still didn’t get it. Liked what I DID get, though.
I didn’t actually even pick up on the duel Ben’s – – for this I blame the artist (passing quality, but all too average – not a selling point for the book).
If Chameleon IS involved – that would be cheap and stupid. Might as well say the Skrulls are involved, or Mystique, or the bloody freakin’ Devil. I don’t think so.
I wasn’t put off or annoyed with the subject until you shamed readers for not entirely getting it :). I was happy to have Ben dragged about and used in a story – – allowing characters to actually be AFFECTED and CHANGED is a lost art in comics. Peter and May should be reflecting on that experience for a long time to come.
Loved X-Factor – and I feel it is Marvel’s strongest book, by a good distance. I read a handful of Marvel these days too – – it outshines all the other mutant titles. You have a wonderful way with these characters – and though back story isn’t a strong element, it is clear from how they are written that you KNOW their back story and are consistent with it (within reason).
Less interested with the story of Singularity as time goes by, though. You are probably stuck there, with a good story but an obligation to keep up with the Civil War and Marvel continuity shenanigans before you can get to it.
Happy for your bowling wiz offspring as well (or was that last issue?)
Thanks for the great work!
NM
Peter, a related question: Did you write the X-Factor article for the 50-cent Daily Bugle Civil War issue? It “sounded” like you, especially with Guido’s misleading the reporter on what powers “Multiple Man” had 🙂 Thanks!
OK, PAD, as promised, I went back and read it with an open mind. But I’m sorry to say that I still can’t figure out where you’re going.
As I see, there’s two possible endings. One is that the Ben that kills SM2112 is one of the Bens from the alley. Alley Ben mentions that for every choice that’s made, another universe is made where the opposite choice is made. Thus, the “other” Ben is one who didn’t make the choices that either “other” Ben made, or possibly even our Ben.
There’s another thought in my head that maybe Professor Nyvan somehow is involved, but I can’t seem to make that work. I doubt that retconning someone makes them live in another universe; if that’s where you were going, then I’m really lost.
Sure, Nyven was the “stone” that set everything into motion, and SM2112 can’t see the “stone” given the nature of what he does. But still…
See, any of these endings leads us with a story I don’t like. Either way, we’ve ended up with a Ben Parker that murders a Spider-Man. I don’t care what quantum physics says about the subject; it may be possible, but it sure isn’t a good story.
I do hope you offer an explanation. And, again, it’s not like I’m going to stop reading over one story that we disagree about. I’ve had a tough week; maybe I’m just missing something. If anything, you created a story that I cared enough about to reread to see if I missed something; maybe that’s enough. Thanks again.
I loved X-Factor. I didn’t like the art, but everything else was great. I liked the reaction to the X-men coming in. I liked their stance on the Registration act.
Layla’s ‘eventually we get married’ line was fantastic. I didn’t think anything could top that….and then I got to the HHGttG quote. I actually laughed out loud at that point.
I think this week’s issue of X-Factor was one of my favorite things you’ve ever writtenI laughed like a goon for a good five minutes after the guy that could fly couldn’t land.
FNSM was a little off to me, but I’ll keep reading it as long as you keep writing it.
Oh and I finished the first arc of books for new Frontier on the plane to and from SDCC. Really quite good. I can’t wait to pick up book 5
PAD
I have to say that I really loved the latest issue of FNSpidey!!! This Spidey title has someting that has been sorely lacking from comics (especially Marvel these day): heart. Yup, you heard me correctly. I don’t mind it when a comic character cries . . . and by darn it, Spidey 2211 has cried in the last two issues! And why wouldn’t he? The man had to choose between societal duty and familial duty. who can say what they would do when faced with a similar situation. And you know the best part? Spidey 2211 realized he has made mistakes. Wow!
I enjoy reading about flawed, human characters. Its refreshing and intriguing . . . all at the same time. Bravo PAD, bravo.
Speaking of flawed characters, I almost felt dirty reading Civil War #3. It just doesn’t “feel” right, you know? I just don’t see how comrades at arms could turn on each other so quickly. And I don’t think that Spider-Man would ever raise a hand against Captain America. But in #3 he does . . . and acts like he enjoys it! Brrrrrr . . . .
PAD,
Rise to the occasion? Hmm. Ok, consider myself challenged and intrigued. I definitely missed the clues. But seeing as how I usually race through the comic (like someone drinking water after a long day in the desert), I am sure I missed something. I will reread it and look for the clues.
If what you hint is true, then I fully admit I owe you an apology for my other post. What really annoyed me about it was that it did *not* fit the character. That was not like you.
Other than the ending, I did like FNS. And you will note I did NOT threaten to quit reading the book after the ending. I was unsure enough with what was going on that I was going to stick around for a while to find out.
Concerning X-Factor, I particularly liked this issue. And Layla is a huge reason why. I don’t know what it is, but X-Factor seems to bring out the best in you (or maybe I should say it brings out the style of writing I like best). Madrox is the other reason (in the current incarnation). While I may have some pretty strong convictions, that does not mean I don’t wrestle with doubts or hear (figuratively) the voice of the other side in my head. I find it fascinating how the team looks to him for guidance and really expect it from him. He is respected by them and he doesn’t get why.
Iowa Jim
Ok, it is 1 am and I just reread FSN.
The first time I read it, I got that there were two Bens, but didn’t get what it meant. I didn’t consider beyond that point.
The second time, I saw the “if he is the right man” line, but would never have thought about it if you had not given a clue.
Bottom line, as long as you did not turn kind Ben who put up with selfish Spidey into a murderer, I can live with it and will stick around to find out what I missed. If kind Ben is a murderer, I will stick around but will be less happy about it.
Iowa Jim
Story kicked ášš. Art kicked ášš. Comic kicked ášš.
Ben-2 at the end didn’t know that futureSpidey was from 2211 – he just introduced himself as Spider-Man of TOTEM (BAAAAD joke…) – so how could he know the year when saying “so, if it’s okay with you Spider-Man of… 2211…”? Ergo, the “real” Ben from last issue was shot in the alley. That’s the clue.
I have just read this comic book and must say, I would never have realized that the man Ben was talking to was another version of him. What I saw was Ben picking up the gun this man offerend him and committing suicide.
The last page mentioned that this female hobgoblin from the future never existed. Thinking about paradoxes gives me a headache but when her father said that he would set it right, I had no reason to doubt that he is capable of doing that.
Which means, what happened to the Ben in “our” reality will be erased, too. That made me wonder, what is the point of this story?
I guess, maybe, the point is that Peter should be grateful for the memories he has of Ben and move on. It is a touching message but I couldn`t help but wonder, too, hasn`t Peter been able to do that a long time ago?
Well, if I am wrong and this story was about one Ben killing the other one, I would be very disappointed. I find my version much more appealing.
Doug sez This issue of X-Factor raised something I’ve noticed about “Civil War”: The two sides seem to be talking about different things.
And that’s excatly the problem. The CW editor apparantly didn’t bother to explain what the SHRA is about. Either that, or a bunch of writers are idiots.
Tom Brevoort has said it’s only for people who want to be super-heroes. He or JoeQ said, for example, Doctor Strange…the most powerful guy on the planet, wouldn’t need to register as he’s a sorceror…not a super-hero. In which case, X-Factor wouldn’t need to register..as they’re detectives, not super-heroes. (For that matter, according to one of them, no one would approach X-Factor about registering, as all of the 198 mutants are defacto registered.)
Yet, PAD and other writers have written it that it’s about registering anyone with powers. And the statement that all the mutants are in effect registered becasue of the 198 fallout, says that it is about meta powers, not about wanting to be a super-hero.
Look at the Daily Planet special..you have the 2 different things being argued on the same page.
If it was the two sides were focusing on two parts of the same law, it’d be one thing…but you have the pro side saying “Super heroes should be licenesed and trained!” and the anti side saying “Meta humans shouldn’t have to register with the government to exist!” —They’re completely different things and they’d have to explain why She-Hulk, always shown as a liberal leaning lawyer would support people being labeled and registered…or say Why Thing, Sabra and Doc Samson, 3 of Marvel’s 4 major Jewish characters are supporting registration, when Jews typicaly aren’t for that kind of thing…it’s never gone well for us in the past. (Of course, they’d also have to explain why Sabra, an Israeli government agent is even involved, but why bother with trivialities).
Why does Mr. Fantastic for it now but against it in the nineties?
Rivka,
I couldn’t help but smile at your obvious excitement when your weekly comic fix comes in. ‘Nice to know there are plenty of fangirls out there as well as fanboys.
“Doug sez This issue of X-Factor raised something I’ve noticed about “Civil War”: The two sides seem to be talking about different things.
And that’s excatly the problem. The CW editor apparantly didn’t bother to explain what the SHRA is about. Either that, or a bunch of writers are idiots.”
Two sides talking about two different things is entirely realistic. Almost every major political debate is like that. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a debate about gay marriage where both sides were talking about the same thing.
Guys, look at the “Bens”. When they meet in the alley the “shadow Ben” has a knit cap. The dead Ben has a ball cap that says “KAT”. Add that to the “right man” comments and I believe that the shadow Ben killed his “nicer” counterpart and not the other way ’round.
But whether “KAT” is supposed to mean something I dunno. It’s just clear that the shadow Ben was not immediately killed and simply left – else he would be a dead guy in a KNIT CAP.
I missed an issue so maybe I’m failing to get something, but that’s what I’m seeing…
I reread it. Look at the man in the alley again. Its not Ben at all when you first look at him. He appears a bit younger and certainly thinner. Then it pans it while he has the newspaper covering his face.. Then he seems to look more like Ben. The guy in the alley is a shapechanger.. maybe the Chameleon (I don’t know how he died) More likely, could it somehow be the Green Goblin’s boyfriend from the previous issues? Although, it kinda looks like the burgler that killed Ben to begin with. (That part just came to me while writing this and now I’m sold on that explanation)