X-Factor Issues #1-11 Recap & Marvel Legends Wishlist

Per the Marvel Legends team’s request, here’s a wish list of figures for more of the original X-Factor team. But not in the traditional way.
For this one, I decided to do a more detailed and comprehensive look at X-Factor. And what better way than to do a deep dive into the original series.
I look at X-Factor’s origins from the early days as X-Men, their split and reunion as the mutant “hunters” X-Factor. All the while identifying characters that would make for essential, hopeful and probably never gonna happen Marvel Legends candidates.
Want to follow along? Check at Epic Collection X-Factor: Genesis & Apocalypse over at my affiliate Amazon: amzn.to/4hnBlAG
This first installment wraps up in Mutant Massacre, also available at Amazon: amzn.to/4hjgEWg
Want to see more of these comic book/figure features? Let me know in the comments.
I do not own the rights to any of the artistry. All rights are owned by the respective companies.

[@johnmorrissey4106]

I feel so spoiled!!! Thank you for this FANTASTIC episode! I'm gonna promote it LIKE CRAZY on Thursday night in an effort to get more viewers to join the channel so that they can see this wonderful installment for themselves!! Thanks for this, Jeffrey!!

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Thanks John! It was really fun to put together and revisiting one of my favorite comic book runs. I doubt I could resist finishing X-Factor until the team reunites with the X-Men though there's a rush of arcs in the second half that aren't as dramatic and warrant a full issue breakdown as the first three years. Definitely appreciate the kind words my friend!

[@cyke68]

@@LylesFigureFiles Yeah, it definitely loses some steam after Inferno. But I still find the extended "Judgment War" arc underrated, if anything. That stretch of issues in the 50's is pretty meandering though, and probably made worse by a lot of inconsistent/fill-in art. Thankfully things pick up again with "X-Tinction Agenda" right on through the end of that first iteration.

[@benjaminwiseman6567]

That was great! Nice history lesson. It's especially interesting to see how Apocalypse originated and how far he's come as a character.

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Thanks so much. It was tricky trying to determine just how much info to include. Next up is an even higher focus on Apocalypse!

[@benjaminwiseman6567]

@@LylesFigureFiles nice! He's my all-time favorite villain.

[@cyke68]

LFG, LFF! Love this! My relationship with X-Factor is a strange one, as I read pretty much the better part of the first 50 issues over winter break in 1997. I was 14 and those back-issues pretty much made up my Christmas list (I guess by that point my parents were used to oddly specific requests). Even at that young age, I also immediately picked up on the blatant "inspiration" from Ghostbusters and got a kick out of it. Because of those memories, I'll always have an outsized fondness for the series... despite the reality that its first five or so issues are, well, NOT great. It did irreparable damage to Scott's character that many old school fans haven't forgiven to this day and used an unsustainable, BONKERS premise as its springboard. The suggestion that these veteran heroes would just fall in line and be complicit in actively promoting anti-mutant hysteria, even if for "the greater good," was absolutely ludicrous. Louise Simonson's efforts in actually reckoning with the consequences of that decision and gradually dragging the book into a workable direction are nothing short of monumental. That said, I really dug the art first from Jackson Guice, which would get even better once Walt Simonson came onboard. And Jean's characterization is very strong from the jump, as she really is central to the new team's formation. Incensed by recent events, it's Jean's fiery call to action and demand of her complacent friends to DO SOMETHING that I always look to as one of her most impressive qualities, especially when too often writers fall back on depicting her as the "team mom." For as much as a shame it was for Claremont's happy ending for Cyclops to be upended so crassly, hey at least it generated some textbook mutant angst and soap opera (again mined to great effect by Wheezie). X-Factor doesn't get enough credit for the huge success story it became. Not only was it consistently one of Marvel's highest sellers for the entirety of the O5 era, but it arguably managed to settle in as the best X-book at its peak. Happy to see ML seemingly coming around on showing the series some love.

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Looking at that avengers annual it sure seemed like Claremont had more in store for Madeline at some point so I’m doubting he had that happy ending locked in permanently for Cyclops. Louise Simonson was soooo great for the book! I’ve got a new appreciation for Guce’s artwork. It was very clean!

[@johnmorrissey4106]

And WOW... was this a LOT of work and editing!! Yes, I;'d love some more, but I am reluctant to ask you to do so much work again!

[@LylesFigureFiles]

The real work in the editing was me deciding my first take wasn't good enough and actually writing out a script for a change. And then resisting my "storyteller" urges and not doing all the nods and Easter Eggs to everything referenced. I definitely have some contenders for the third video after X-Factor :-)

[@michaelsolis283]

As someone who only saw pieces of this run this video explains why people are so connected to X factor and why hasbro should make more figures of this era

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Thank you, Michael. Glad it was informative for you!

[@ryandaly01]

Nice recap, Jeff. Definitely want a Perez-style Beast and a new, improved Iceman with some actual legit ice slide effects. He should be treated like a figure and vehicle/ultimate riders set.

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Thanks Ryan! I'm with you. An ice slide/legendary rider setup would be great for Iceman!

[@johnmorrissey4106]

Yes, I'm watching this episode again! It's just sooooo good! Perhaps this 8th viewing will be enough?!? Nah, I doubt it!!

[@caseysmith3329]

Stellar job, Lyle! I’d love to see more of these. Great recommendations. I think we could get a powered down X-Factor Bobby and Hank in a two-pack. And then one with them powered up. Bit of a long shot, but it’s what wishing is for. The Marauders are long overdue as is Frenzy and Freedom Force.

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Thanks! I'd love to get a powered down Bobby and Beast two-pack!

[@JayWoods483]

What a completely thorough overview of X-Factor Jeffrey. Thanks a lot for your efforts on this one. As an ole fart being a fan of the OG X-Men, I found X-Factor quite a break from Uncanny X-Men. X-Factor's adventures were enthralling during this era. Ideally, I would like to see ML complete the initial team in their yellow and blues. However, their X-Factor uniforms are a close second favorite and ML looks like they are on their way to finish it with Jean Grey and Cyclops as a start. With the Angel from last year, I am praying for an Ice-Man and Beast. Wouldn't it be a great way to get a Maximum Ice-Man, with all those accessories and a deluxe super articulated Beast? Great show Jeffrey - loved this concept.

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Thanks so much Jay. It was a lot of fun to do! I was surprised we didn't get a set for the X-Men anniversary. Seemed like the perfect time. I think getting Iceman as a deluxe that's heavy on the accessories could work since he wouldn't need the whole new sculpt and $50 for his ice slide might make for an easier sell.

[@PimpfDM92]

😅Hi Jeffrey. Thanks for this video, I am a huge X-Men fan and a huge Xf-Factor with the original team of the first X-Men. Having Louise Simonson and Butch Guice leading it and after Walt Simonson, what a pleasure. Having those on Marvel legends would be great. Just as you I am so glad with Scott/ Cycke and Jean Grey in their first X factor suits it is already so great. Can't wait to see Iceman, Angel and mist of a,l the human Beast done to finish this team. Great job really enjoy that video as i am huge X -factir and the original 5 X-Men. You did a good summary of how all lead to this team and how it happened in the first issues.

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Thanks so much. I really enjoyed being able to do a deep dive on one of my favorite comic book series! Hopefully it won't be long before Part 2.

[@shaneshooter9550]

I love this. Awesome work. Yes finish X-Factor and Give me more comic stories like this 💪🏿

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Thank you, Shane! Appreciate that and definitely will do some more in the future.

[@paulkeenan5378]

Great video Jeffrey. I agree we definitely need more x factor figures from Hasbro 👍

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Thank you so much Paul!

[@darthprime4916]

This was a very cool video/ breakdown.

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Thanks so much man! I enjoyed putting it together!

[@dieselnautburkey4677]

This episode was so f'n dope!!!!!

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Thank you so much. Very glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[@dieselnautburkey4677]

@LylesFigureFiles This was a perfect, fun blend of figures and comics!!!

[@constantineholmes]

Jean Grey needs yellow boots! Yes, I am still getting her!

[@allenwhiteside7838]

Want A Human Form Beast in a brown and yellow outfit. The Avengers and FF prelude issues and X-Factor #1 was my intro to the Mutant Titles. The Mutant Massacre was my full blown into into mutant titles eat up every tie without X-Factor might never got hooked on the X-men TItles

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Same! I got in at a good time as they were putting out Classic X-Men at that time too so I could learn the backstory of the characters while their current day adventures were playing out.

[@allenwhiteside7838]

@@LylesFigureFiles Loved Classic X-men helped me fill in gap from GIant Sized threw #143 was able to go back and get #144 up easily but wasnt willing to pay back issue prices for those at time.

[@docavenger1560]

Did you know Madeline Pryor first Appearance is in Avengers annual 10 she’s the little girl in the hospital where there examining Carol Danvers after her attack by Rogue and Mystique

[@LylesFigureFiles]

I didn't realize that. It sure seemed like Claremont had some more "sinister" plans for Maddy if she was a little girl at that point in the continuity.

[@hardact2follow663]

One of the Hasbro team members (Dan Yun) was on Unparalleled Universe’s channel a few days ago and stated that they forgot the boots during production and that the figures shown on the broadcast were considered the final version. (8:18 into the show) So they are making Jean without the yellow boots. Plus the boots are on the box of the figure. Smh kzbin.info0ske0H5I_7Q?si=1HlAGZpEIYUbmFDt

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Yep. The lack of the boots are disappointing.

[@xmini-ul7je]

Like every Hasbro figure, always the same issue, big heads, low small shoulders, small chests, just by comparing the Cyclops figure to the comic cover that is shown in this video, you'll notice it right away, and many times the legs are as long as their arms, like Sabretooth's, where is the classic heroic male "V" shape?, replaced by weird metrosexuals from the 2000s on, CHRISTUS VINCIT, CHRISTUS IMPERAT. DEUS BENEDICAT TIBI.

[@LylesFigureFiles]

I’m glad there’s other Marvel lines for people to pick up!

[@kyledamron]

Jean should have stayed dead because the way they brought her back completely destroyed Scott. He left his wife and his own son!!! He became a deadbeat

[@LylesFigureFiles]

Eh, I think Claremont and Simonson came up with a solid solution to avoid that hanging over Cyke unlike how one bad incident ruined my guy Hank Pym for so long.