X-Factor Vs. The Outsiders

 

This is the First time that The Outsiders have met X-Factor, but as the X-Men, these groups have a bit of history on the blog - The Outsiders first tried to tame The Phoenix in STF #3454 and first met her in STF #112, and the one hero able to withstand The Phoenix Force was revealed in STF #2526... The X-Men came to The Outsiders assistance in STF #2595... and both teams had an adventure at The Statue of Liberty in STF #2675...

The Spectre and X-Factor

 

Jean Grey went from an innocent young mutant to arguably the X-Men's most powerful member.  She committed some terrible acts while under the influence of the Phoenix Force, however. Would the spirit of vengeance find her responsible for those deeds?  Finding out might make for an interesting issue.

X-Factor Vs. Solomon Grundy

 

I remember thinking the premise to X-Factor was a little odd.  The original X-Men disguised themselves as mutant hunters in order to secretly help mutants, it didn't make a lot of sense to me.  They didn't stick with that set up for too long, fortunately. 

Glad to use a Solomon Grundy image here by the very talented Scott Kolins here.  I was lucky enough to pick up a couple of original pages by him (Flash #200 inked by Doug Hazlewood and Thing: Freakshow inked by Andy Lanning): 

Superman and X-Factor

 

I am always glad to feature the artwork of Walt Simonson.  I remember being impressed with his work on Manhunter, which was unlike any artwork I had seen before.  Like many though, it was his run on Thor that really got me to take notice and become a gig fan.  I met him briefly at a convention several years back and he was very nice and enthusiastic about comics.  He was kind enough to do a quick sketch (with his trademark dinosaur shaped signature) for me:

Captain Atom and X-Factor

With the conclusion of X-Men: Days of Future Past, the chances to see this actual First Class of X-Men have slightly increased, but from what I have read about X-Men: Apocalypse, I don't know if that will be the case.  Then there's the fact that Scott, Bobby and Jean still seem to have been born at their established times, despite the timeline shift - I'm not sure how it would work to have them appearing in a movie that takes place in 1983.

Booster Gold and X-Factor

I remember being very excited when X-Factor was first announced.  X-Men spin-offs were still an uncommon thing in those days, and here was one that promised to unite the original team!  It was a strange book, though.  They had a wonky set up - "we'll disguise ourselves as mutant hunters in order to secretly protect them", and then they changed Angel to Archangel and Beast back to his human form, neither of which I was too crazy about.  Still, it was always enjoyable to see the first five together.  I do remember the Walt Simonson run of the title fondly.