psc@lzaz.UUCP (Paul S. R. Chisholm) (11/27/85)
Flame :setTemp SpanishInquisition. "NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!"
About twenty years ago, Stan Lee created the X-Men. It was typical
of Marvel comic books at the time: some characterization, lots of wish
fulfillment (a bunch of kids who were scorned for being different, but
whose differences helped save the world), and lots of *sock* *pow*! It
was nothing special (not even in sales; anyone else remember when it was
a bimonthly?)
Over the years, it got special. Scott Summers got over his
inferiority complex, stopped asking himself, "How can I tell Jean that I
love her?" and became *the* team leader for all other superteams to
admire and emulate (in my eyes, anyway). Largely due to Misters
Claremont and Byrne, the characters became alive, not to mention
interesting. Not long before issue 100, the team underwent a drastic
turnover, replacing some wimpy characters with some powerful and unique
ones. (Hank McCoy became a non-wimp in the Avengers book. Jeez, it's
depressing to remember how many good comics I used to buy *every*
*week*!) Colossus and Nightcrawler competed for the love of Storm, and
happily settled for her friendship. Wolverine competed for the love of
Jean Grey, and when he couldn't win her, grew to respect Scott. Marvel
Girl got too much power (Thor had the same problem in the Avengers), and
went though some interesting times trying to control it. Claremont and
Byrne figured out how to settle this problem, but were overridden by Jim
Sh**ter.
Why is he telling us all this? Because X-Factor #1 is too damn
much like X-Men #1, in that the characters are nothing special. But by
this time, they should be! They've been around for twenty years,
growing up, maturing, and aquiring depth as characters. The only new
element is a racist scam of having the mutants get back at their
enemies, the *primary* thing that separated the X-Men from the mutant
villains.
Oh, yeah: the art was less than impressive, the dialog was
stilted, and none of the characters (Factorers or otherwise) were well
motivated. And I can't ****ing believe (SPOILER) that Scott hasn't told
Jean yet about his (ex?) wife and child.
I say it's feces, and I say we return it to the anus from which it
came.
--
-Paul S. R. Chisholm The above opinions are my own,
{pegasus,vax135}!lzwi!psc not necessarily those of any
{mtgzz,ihnp4}!lznv!psc telecommunications company.
(*sigh* ihnp4!lzwi!psc does *NOT* work!!! Use above paths.)
NOMINATE MARK LEEPER (mtgzz!leeper): HUGO AWARD FOR BEST FAN WRITER IN 1986