X-Factor Epic Collection: Genesis & Apocalypse (X-Factor (1986-1998))

First off, this book is INSANE and I cannot believe that it exists. X-Factor that is.In this book you have the reintroduction of Jean Grey into the fold. The introduction to one of the X-Mens ALL-TIME foes, Apocalypse. All incredibly drawn and colorized.The overall quality of the book is nice. Well glued. I only wish that these Marvel Epic Collections would include an “Introduction” by one of the creators, similar to the Masterworks volumes, but what can you do.Yes it’s true, the “True Believers demanded it”, they truly did, however, this shall stand as a classic example of how the Marvel model worked back in the late ‘80s and that is (with all due respect) groomed talent taking the reigns and making it their own. The folks who wrote/drew these stories (Byrne, Layton, Simonson, Guice, et al) were practically raised and educated on material from Kirby in all the art schools in the 70s optimistically.In my opinion, what they have created is truly astounding and material that we will be drawing from continually for years to come in the MCU. Mark my words, their creations will be expounded upon in MARVELous ways in the MCU in years to come and I CANNOT wait to see the outcome.

It's only fitting for the Simonsons, Louise and Walter, to spearhead a story revolving heavily around a superhero paring, Cyclops and Jean. Despite what many may say, this was an incredible run that explores the original X-Men in interesting and respectful ways. Cyclops struggles with the fact that the Phoenix wasn't the women he always loved and that his former lover has returned, leaving him feeling estranged. In time, he will pay consequences for his absence from his family while eventually learning why he never felt comfortable around his wife Maddie in the first place. Jean, being back from the dead and all, is appalled by how the original X-Men have seemingly retired from Xavier's dream, but she also feels as if Cyclops isn't telling her something. Beast deals with his relationships with other women and what his intelligence really means to him as he goes through a sort of regression. Iceman begins to learn how much power he truly possesses and the control necessary for it. Angel will fall from Grace and turn into something he and his teammates never imagined.And this is only a brief summary of all of the character growth that occurs throughout this book. It reminds you that the X-Men are only human beings and that they're a family.

Bringing back Jean Grey was always a bad choice - it totally invalidates the sacrifice she made that rocketed Claremont's X-Men to fame. That being said, Louise Simonson makes the best of it by grounding things in fairly human drama. Jean and Cyclops have very realistic, tortured reactions to such an impossible event. This then drives them to reform the original team, under a new banner, with the extra layer of publicly posing as an anti-Mutant squad. That aspect and the mediocre costumes have always led fans to look down on this run, but it's actually pretty fun. Simonson balances the action with the interpersonal drama well, and we get some good new characters like Artie, Leech, and of course, Apocalypse. Although, if you are really looking for his true debut as the villain we know today, Fall of the Mutants Vol. 2, which continues this run, is the better read. The mid 80s was probably the weakest part of Claremont's run, and in my readthrough I generally found myself enjoying the Simonson stuff more, until X-Tinction Agenda got Claremont back on track.

Great book. Loved it so much. Great read. These early issues have superb story and artwork. Really fun stuff. Simply buy it

This book with the illustrations of John Byrne combine with an expert writing of Roger Stern, the writing of X-factor is basically the original 5 X-men working in diguise as mutant hunters as marketed by Cameron hodge who in the future becomes a well known X-men foe while in secret help the mutants they take in. Jean grey in particular being brought back into the present sure was one of the best parts moving the plot 10/10.

I remember my brother reading this when i was little. I didnt jump on till the later incarnation of x factor but its good to see how x factor started.

Un muy buen tomo de la coleccion epic de Marvel. Detalla el origen de X Factor el equipo de los mutantes originales de Xavier. Imperdible para todo fan de la saga de los Hombre X

At the time I was horrified that she was back, but trust Byrne to come up with a return that both made sense and did not negate the sacrifice.

Between good and great...But nice to read on an iPad

Esta Epic Collection é sensacional, ótima qualidade, apesar de não ser capa dura. As primeiras histórias do X-Factor presentes nesse volume não são lá essas coisas, mas vale a pena ler a origem do grupo na versão original, já que quando essas histórias foram lançadas em formatinho pela editora Abril foram retalhadas sem piedade dos editores, além da impressão daquela época ser péssima. Se você tem essa versão antiga das revistas Grandes Heróis Marvel e Capitão América, compare com esse material e verá uma diferença absurda.

The original X-Men... not some time-displaced ones or alternate universe versions... but the original ones. Oh, and Iceman isn't gay here. He's actually the Iceman we all grew up with. This is something we'll probably never get again moving forward. This is some of the best storytelling from the 80's. Really great character development. Some of the most dramatic stuff is the tension/longing between Cyclops and Jean Grey. Whoever said these two were boring together never read them in the hands of writers who actually knew how to write these two. I can't recommend this book enough. Great adventures with heroes we all know acting completely in character.