PREVIEW: All-New X-Factor #1 by Peter David, Carmine Di Giandomenico

Since it’s incarnation in 1986 Marvel’s X-Factor has been many things. Originally, it was a way of getting the original members of the X-Men back together on the same team but has then evolved into other thing entirely such as government sponsored team and a detective agency. Under the helm of Peter David and Carmine Di Giandomenico X-Factor becomes something new again – a corporate sponsored team. You could almost say it is an All-New X-Factor.

Sponsored by Serval Industries this new team will be a mixture of known and lesser-known characters. To begin with there will be six members on the team with Gambit and Quicksilver being the most recognisable. Following them are Polaris, who has the ability manipulate electromagnetic energies, waves, and fields. Danger, a character created by Joss Whedon who was originally the sentience of the Danger Room. Cypher, who has the ability to easily understand any language. And Warlock, a cybernetic alien.

Who is Serval Industries? At the moment not much is known about them. It is most likely that throughout future issue we will find out more about the corporation. Peter David did mention in an interview this would be an ongoing sub-narrative, especially where Gambit is concerned as he doesn’t seem to trust them. He definitely doesn’t get along with Serval’s CEO, Harrison Snow.

Peter David has had a long history with X-Factor. He was the original writer of the government-sponsored team, which was well received at the time. He was able to take characters who had a secondary role and flesh them out into characters readers cared about. Then in 2005, he returned to the title with the investigation agency approach, which lasted up until late 2013. In that time the title had a devoted cult following. If his past success is any indication, then All-New X-Factor should be a great read.

All-New X-Factor #1 is available in comic stores and digitally from January 8th.

Take a look at the variant covers by Salvador Larroca, Skottie Young and Adam Warren in addition to a four-page preview.