X-Factor is not canceled. The following month will see the numbering switch to issue #200, and the story is double sized so we need to give the artist extra time to get a jump on it.
PAD
X-Factor is not canceled. The following month will see the numbering switch to issue #200, and the story is double sized so we need to give the artist extra time to get a jump on it.
PAD
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YEA!!! I was hoping that this was going to happen. Congrats on the fantastic run so far, and I look forward to many more enjoyable issues.
Praise the Lord!
I’m very selective about the books I read and this is one of my favorites!
I saw at Cup o’ Joe this morning that X-Factor was “far from canceled,” which was comforting news. Yay! for double-sized issues!
Thank goodness! I was so pleased to read the news this morning. It sounds like there’s a lot of interesting things coming up for my favorite X-Book.
Ah, okay. I was guessing it would get a new #1. I was a little off, I guess.
Excellent news, and I knew it from the start. Or dearly hoped. =)
Although, I guess we’re just gonna forget the four issue X-Factor miniseries from 2000 or so, since it had nothing to do with anything? 😉
I’ll be sad to see DeLandro go, I’ve really come to love his work, and he has amazing potential still to come.
J
YIPPIE KI-YAY LAYLA MILLER!
That being said, Peter, what do you think of all this business of all the books being rolled to their “All told” issue count? I kind of like it but I worry that, you know, when the series involved ultimately gets reorganized or cancelled and then picked up again, won’t I get confused?
Eh, I’ve suffered through much more confusing stuff for my fanhood. But what’s the move about?
I like the 200 renumbering. Yes, I know PAD has said many times that he doesn’t like sequential numbering, but I do dig just the insanely huge numbers (Hulk 600! X-Factor 200!) just because I think it gives the book some historical heft. That may scare of other new readers, though, and while I do understand that… hey, this is X-Factor #200! That’s two anniversary issues (50 and 200) back-to-back. That kinda wacky stuff can only happen in comics.
Eh, it just means down the road that Marvel can relaunch each title with a new #1 for the umpteenth time, only to re-roll them back into the ‘old’ numbering any time they find a significant number they want to push.
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At this point, I just find it insulting to my intelligence.
I really can’t see how pushing an issue from a marketing perspective with a notable milestone can be considered insulting to one’s intelligence. Considering how it’s a number on a comic book which generally tend to sell slightly better when they hit whatever-significant number.
But I don’t think this book HAS historical heft – everything that’s great about this incarnation of X-Factor is completely distinct from everything that came before. I think it’s an utterly bizarre move, particularly given the gap between #149 and the new series was something like seven years, and there was a four-issue series in between which presumably won’t be counted. Still at the end of the day it’ll be the noirish X-Factor I like and I’ll read it despite the silly number on the front. I just hope this stunt doesn’t turn people off. (I like the sound of the new direction too.)
The 200 number is a push for publicity. That may mean more sales, which means more X-Factor. This cannot be a bad thing.
My only problem is for the poor soul the is contemnplating back issues and sees the gap between last issue and 200 and says “forget it”
My favorite writer writing one of my favorite comic books ever… and it’s going to have Franklin Richards in it. This has to be one of my best days ever.
Heh I was at Fanexpo waiting to see for the cup of joe panel to start and I check comicbookresources to see if they had anything on the Dark reign panel that i missed yesterday, and they already had the X-factor 200 announcement.
had to say Just a little annoyed at that. Pleased as hëll about the announcement, but I just wish Toronto didn’t always feel like the Red-headed step child of the conventions.
Does this mean my entire prediction was wrong? That’s the last I take advice from the future echos in my toilet.
Woooo Hoooooooo! Thank God! I’m loving the series and this new direction seems like a good change! Im guessing Shatterstar is in for the long haul? This is awesome news. I feel like you’ve got a great group of characters coming into the 200th issue. Here’s to issue 200 and to expecting the unexpected!
YES YES! Finally, GOOD comic news.
And quite a fitting title to relaunch. Just, really great, great news for my favorite book on the pull list.
You know I’m curious whether our dear PAD was itching to spill this news or was secretly reveling at the chance of keeping people guessing about the future, heh.
But great news, exciting news. The new status quo sounds really interesting – I’ve always wondered why New York seems to be the hot spot for about 50% of Marvel’s superheroes and kinda wish they built up a nice community of them elsewhere, but this is definitely a great opportunity to raise X-Factor’s stock in the larger MU. Bumping into the FF too in the first arc… kind of fitting considering Jamie’s first comic appearance. Overall the potential for story and fun seems great. I don’t think I’ve ever been so invested in the future of a comic I’ve read before, so this has definitely made my day.
I’m curious, but shouldn’t x-factor have hit 200 already? I mean vol 1. ran for 149 issues, vol 2. ran for 4, vol 3. will go for 50 before the re-numbering and what about one-shots. I mean after that weird shoehorning of Incredible Hulk to get 600, which included the restart of a series as well as the continuing of the current Hulk series. Does that mean the hulk numbering gets incremented by 2 each month? Doubt it until the next milestone is nearby. I really wish that comics would take the season approach like Fathom and the Ultimates, I think it would make more sense that way.
Good news. It stills amazes me that this series, well-written, serious believable characters, good stories, grown-up material is still going, but I guess there is a God, or something just as powerful, keeping this little lamb in the fold.
Never surrender. X-Factor is the best superhero title out there.
Wow, just a few days ago, people theorized about that in the X-Axis. Will the renumbering stay? Any idea if something similar happens to exiles (issue #150)? The last issue of the latest series is in fact issue #149 after all
This is good news!
I definitely like renumbering issues to a larger number. Aside from creating a sense of history, it makes life easier for someone who jumps on board late or who for one reason or another falls behind and needs to catch up. Either way it makes it easy to tell if an issue is one you need, especially in a world of multiple/generic covers. Mind you it wasn’t necessarily a big a problem with X-Factor because the first #30 and the latest #30 are from completely different eras, but I once accidently bought the first Don Slott She-Hulk #8, which I already had in trade, when I actually needed the second #8 during his run, because the two #8s came out a lot closer to one another.
HMm, is there a spoiler buried in the CBR article, Jamie’s quote about Valeria? Of course it could be taken two ways…
Good to hear. Now bring on Black Tom and Mondo!
I would love to see Tom in X-Factor, though preferably not in a criminal capacity.
Is there any chance that this #200 is a once off ala She-Hulk #100 and then it reverts to #52 next issue? 🙂 The number-counting geek inside me is screaming at the fact that there was a 5 year gap between Volume One and Two, which just totally invaliates the need for a #200 on the current volume.
That said if renumbering is the worst that’s gonna happen, I’ll get over it. Any hints about the artist?
Love the idea of the renumbering. I think people are more likely to pick up an established title on #200 than they are on #50. It’s not as good as a fresh #1 start, but I don’t think anyone wants to see a reboot of the series.
So the next big question is: WHO IS THE NEW ARTIST? Do we have to wait until the December solicits to find out? It sounds like whoever it is has been working on the issue already- it has to be someone big or else Marvel would have announced it already. Right?
Great news! I just hope Wolfsbane returns…wishful thinking I know
Very excited about #200 coming out, can’t wait!
Craig,
I actually agree with you for a change. I absolutely haaaaaate this constant renumbering. Besides being unnecessarily gimmicky, it makes it increasingly difficult to develop new collectors/readers. The barrage of these “anniversaries” really annoys me of late. I don’t care about crossovers to increase sales. I don’t care about foil covers or variant covers. If those generate sales, fine.
I’m all about comics doing what they can to sell units. But to slap on #1s left and right, to “relaunch” a book like “Captain America” multiple times to get the benefit of a new #1 while stating “those high issue numbers tend to turn away new readers” and then turn around and slap a big number on a book in the name of “giving it historical heft” is absolute bûllšhìŧ, IMO.
Why not EARN those numbers? Those higher issue numbers were worthy of celebration because it showed a book survived and was able to be published on a continual basis for an extended length of time. AND if a new launch of say “Ms. Marvel” lasted long enough one could measure it against it’s last series by saying, this incarnation has surpassed the last in terms of longevity. It therefore DIMINISHES the true history of a book or character.
I was really looking forward to this incarnation of “X-Factor” lasting long enough to pass it’s predecessor. Now that won’t happen. And if some mom says her kid loved “X-Factor” #200 and goes looking for issue #199 she will likely be confused and frustrated.
This appeals to only avid, insatiable fanboys and makes it harder for new readers to follow the hobby.
I am very glad the book is not canceled, but this whole numbering thing just torques me.
I don’t think it diminishes it at all. If it’s Ms. Marvel, Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Spider-Man, X-Factor, Uncanny X-Men, whatever, it has still been a core group of character (or characters), concept, whatever that has gotten the book to that number. It’s really simple math: new #1’s generally sell better, milestone issues with big friendly numbers (50! 200! 600!) also generally sell better. It’s about pushing the product. And a higher number does make a book to say from the racks, “Hey, look at me. I will survive! If I’ve been along this long, I must be good, right?” It could also say, “Hey, look at me! I’m an impenetrable fortress of 200 issues of backstory that you’ll never have a chance of comprehending” but that’s just being really cynical about the whole thing.
I ordered 5 extra copies of #50, to a total of 20 copies. That’s about on level with Red Robin. I’m going to be pushing issue #50 and #200 on customers.
Now you can’t say I didn’t order more copies. 🙂
Hmm. You have Rictor and Shatterstar reveal their mutual affection and get seemingly little reaction (which might be seen as a good thing). You get a silly number change, and it is love/hate reactions. (Ok, I am sure there was more reaction to the former, I just didn’t see it.)
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I noticed the missing listing but never thought the book would be canceled. I could care less about the numbering, but I am happy for the added attention. If it keeps the book around longer, it is a good thing. As long as it doesn’t hurt X-Factor, I don’t care. Because for me it comes down to story, not the number on the cover.
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So congrats. It is an accomplishment to be celebrated, whether it was sought or not.
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Iowa Jim
Why all the fuss about the numbering. Who cares? And why thoses who cares cares? Seriously. It could been “numbered” december 2009 and it would also be fine.
That said, I think it’s a great news. It made my week.
I’m a little annoyed by the re-numbering, mainly because it just means that now, suddenly, I don’t have the complete series anymore. Yeah, I know the numbers don’t mean anything and nothing has really changed, but there’s just something comforting about knowing you’ve read a series from #1 on up, which is something I could say about every series I read, until now.
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Plus it just makes it confusing. It’s somewhat understandable in the case of Spider-Man or Fantastic Four, which have been continuously published for nearly 50 years (it’s still silly, but it’s more understandable). But the current X-Factor isn’t really the same series as the previous one. It’s not even the same concept. Then again, the original series wasn’t the same concept when it ended as it was when it started. “X-Factor” has become a generic tag to place on any series about mutants who aren’t currently involved in the X-Men.
The way I see it, if you have issues 1-149 of X-Factor Vol. 1, you slap in the current Volume of 1-50 in between there, and continue onwards at 200. And toss the Madrox mini in there for consistency. I would also add that most recent issue of Wolverine First Class in there too, if only because it leads nicely into the Madrox mini-series.
Well, no, my point is I don’t have 1-149 of vol. 1.
It’s fantastic news that X-Factor isn’t cancelled.
I sincerely hope the X-editors are not too upset at the somewhat displeased e-mail I sent them when under the misapprehension that cancellation was due, however!
Here’s to 200 more issues of ‘noir’ x-factor. Hope Longshot remains in the cast…I love his perspective on things.
Whew!
Good news!
Peter, glad to hear X-Factor will continue! You’ve done great work with it. One question: do you see the back to NYC move as organic to the storyline you’ve created so far? Or do you see what is to come as a new direction?
In any case, good luck with it.
Great news! I heard at the Fan Expo, and spoke with Mr. DeLandro there. I’m really relieved to hear the book is sticking around, and so is Shatterstar by the sounds of things.
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Thanks for giving us more time to enjoy the book.
Heh – I kind of knew, because I started yelling bloody murder, HRC, and boycott, boycott, boycott at a buddy who’s SO works at Marvel, and he told me to “calm down” and explained the renumbering thing. I was so tempted to, a day after I was ranting on here, post “oops, my bad. No harm no foul” and leave it at that.
Glad to hear about #200. Wonder if the gap is going to be, ah, evident in the book. Marvel has been spotty on that one. I remember with the whole “X-Men Alpha” thing right after the Age of Apocalypse was just filled with a bunch of fascinating pieces and you felt disconnected (but intrigued), while that “Counter-X” foolishness after (dang…I can’t remember what happened) just made me confused and mad (Black Ops X-Force w/Pete Wisdom as leader, Emma’s suddenly uber-meanie again, Sync is suddenly dead, Nate Grey as a shaman).
Yikes. Sorry for the rant.
hi Peter ( X-Factor rules ),
I’m glad that X-Factor isn’t canceled witch makes sense after all the wonderfuls set-ups you managed…I can’t wait for the vanished Invisible Woman story you anounced…
I know you have many others projects, but is there anothers characters in the MU you’d like to work onto ? To give you my opinion I think you could really shine onto ‘Avengers : The Initiative’ but I’m actually bashing at Marvel Blah Blah Blah Blog to make them launch new ongoings about B-List characters like Machine Man, Wonder Man, Sleepwalker…have you any interest onto these ones ?
May I ask you also your opinion about such a character like Sentry ? Do you conceive writing stories about a Superman kinda-type of character ? Does it interest you ?
Thanks for the reading anyway,
best,
So good to know that X-Factor is still around. I’m reading the series in the Premiere Hardcover collections as they come out. Will continue to follow the series for PAD’s crazy plots and witty dialogues.
People like me care about the numbering because it offends our sensibilities; maybe it’s just our OCD kicking in. My spreadsheet with 15,000+ comics in it looks like sh!t with the numerous renumberings and I am tired of having to consult the OPG just to keep track of what’s going on (Captain America is a particular irritant – good thing Brubaker is writing it!).
If the concept is that number 1’s sell better, followed by milestone numbers, then the logical progression is to have forty-nine #1 issues followed by #50, then forty-nine more followed by #100, etc., thereby maximizing sales (by that theory). Won’t that be great?!? After all, if you really care what order they come in, you can always check the indicia, right?
There’s a reason why I’m down to about 12 comics a month from 30+ during my collecting heydays…
I’d adding X-Factor to my pull list now.
I’m putting X-Factor on my pull list now.
I have been reading X factor since you started writing it and have not missed an issue, so far I was okay with the story lines, noticed that you certainly have changed somethings in regards to your writing style but one or two things I am not sure about. One the numbering from 50 to now 200, which is a completely weird thing because collectors may not be aware of the huge gap. Secondly, for those of us who never used to read X factor before you came on board explain to us why have you spent so much time on Madrox? and very little on Longshot? such aspirations, how his powers works and him and his maker?
In closing, I think you are doing a great job, especially with the sense of humour that you include in the story lines, the timing is priceless.