73. X-Factor vol 1 #1 ... Marvel ...

Similar to our review of Wolverine Origins, there was a time when a new X-Title was something to be anticipated rather than today where you have to decide which title you want as there will be heroes who appear in more than one and there must be at least over 10 Mutie titles a month including the current style where they also form special ongoing with various Avengers' members

In this series, the X-Men has had only 1 spin off in the form of the Mutants. So when X-Factor was announced, there is anticipation especially since it picks up on the story of Jean Grey/ Phoenix. For those not in the know waaaaay back then Jean Grey became the super powerful Phoenix on one of the X-Men's mission. Subsequently she sacrificed herself to save the universe and it became one of the X-Men's instant classics

Here, the story starts in Fantastic Four and Avengers before continuing here ... something deep in the waters where the X-Men first crash landed back on Earth after their outer space mission with Jean before her transformation ... well, the waters have started to boil and there is something at the seabed ... something that is retrieved and subsequently burst free to be ... (SPOILERS) the one, true Jean Grey

So like everyone else, we are left asking WTF?!?!?!?!

Of course now we know the answer but back then? It was a good yarn. So aside from Jean, we see the other 4 of the original X-Men, where they are today and how they are summoned back to help in the wake of Jean's return. The only one not so committed is Scott as he now has a baby with another woman whom he married and he feels guilty being with Jean now

Anyway, the costumes you see them wearing is when they decided to reform the old team and fight for Prof X's dream ... peace between humans and mutants ... as they believed the X-Men to be gone ... yet all the while they want to track down new emerging mutants to train them ... however (and here's the really stupid part) ... they bought the PR bloke's story of using a mutant-hunting human team as their cover. I mean, come on! You are pretending to be humans? And hunting your own people? Of course all this does is stoke the flames of hatred! D'uh!

Ratings: 7/10 (not so much for the remark above but for the overall package)