X-Factor, Vol. 13: Hard Labor

X-Factor (2005) (Collected Editions)

by Peter David, Paul Davidson (Illustrator), Emanuela Lupacchino (Illustrator)

Hoping to be absolved of recently committed sins before she gives birth, Wolfsbane goes to confess - but it isn't forgiveness that awaits her. In fact, she's going to have to face her demons head on. Literally! Oh, and that baby she's carrying? Turns out that it's not quite what she expected either.

Collecting X-FACTOR (1986) #220-224.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, X Men, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

120 pages, Hardcover

First published October 19, 2011

About the author

aka David Peters

Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 2 out of 5]

This being one of the 'less than five' books that I have read, but not reviewed, plus my giving it Two Stars pretty much says all I need to say about the 'Rahne has a child' era of this once, very good series! A meagre 4 out of 12 Two Star read for me.

2018 read

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn’t your Daddy’s (or Simon Cowell’s) X-Factor. X-Factor started as “mutant hunters”, became a government sponsored team and have now become X-Factor Investigations. The team was first composed of the original X-Men but has since gone through multiple roster changes.

Peter David is the writer here and combines a fast paced story line with his trademark wit. The story is about a pregnant Rahne Sinclair, Wolfsbane, who’s being chased by every single wolf-related character (except Cap-Wolf, no Cap-Wolf. Damn!), god, demigod that Marvel can possible conceive.



And some demons. And Hela, Asgardian goddess of the Underworld.

It seems that the father of the child is the Asgardian Wolf Prince and a child born of a god and a mutant is something that everybody wants a piece of. And like every other birthing story Marvel has ever written, there are going to be complications.

And just wait until you see the little tyke. Red meat would have been the perfect baby shower gift.

Bottom line: A good story, I’ll give anything by Peter David (and with Jaime Madrox) a chance.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the puntastic title indicates, Wolfsbane finally has her baby... and to say things don't run smoothly would be the understatement of the century! Another superb volume of X-Factor from PAD & Co.

[Nicolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Peter David's X-Factor is like watching a television series that bends genres. In fact, I'm surprised why they haven't made a show out of this one as it could translate quite well from the page to the small screen. X-Factor doesn't have mutants with showy powers and that is what would help make the jump well.

This arc closes Rahne's story that started from Kyle and Yost's X-Force run. She doesn't know if she's about to give birth to a savior or antichrist but the ending was a surprise to me. Never a dull with any David-penned book.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

X-Factor keeps going along, and it keeps the quality it almost always had.

So this one focuses a lot on Shatterstar and Renee. The second we go into a church and this little renee girl wannabe starts killing people, you know things are going to get crazy. Not to mention some new love interest for Gudo? Oh snap! Oh and we can't forget about Renee's baby. That little wolf pup has to come out some time, but we know it's not going to be a normal pregnancy. Is it ever? Let's go!

Good: The art is pretty solid most of the volume. The end result with Renee's baby is...different. A little weird, and dunno if it comes back later, but a interesting set up. The new love interest is out of left field but I'm intrigued. I also really loled at a lot of Jamie's one liners this volume.

Bad: It fills a bit filler. Renee baby being born is big but it felt a bit stretched out.

Overall, another great volume. While not mind-blowing, it has the drama, tense emotional moments, and the lolz. All worth it. A 4 out of 5.

[William Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Russell, Werewolf by Night?!!??!?

Peter David, you really have a knack for taking the lost misfits of the Marvel U and turning them into an absolutely fantastic team. Pip the Troll? Who could have or would have ever thought this would work. Bringing in Werewlf by Night on this arc? A brilliant idea. Somehow, David just knows what I want to see. He knows by instinct what will work and is ready to fit all the misshapen pieces together. He's a master. And unlike other writers of the 80's, he's been able to keep up and evolve his writing style with the times. Maybe Chris Claremont should take writing classes from him.

I was a huge fan of David's original run on X-Factor in the wake of the Muir Island Saga. And I can say I'm an even bigger fan of what he's done here. Especially since he's basically cut the team off from the other X books and makes a completely honest and uncontrived story in each and every arc without having to inject Wolverine into every book.

Read it. Every volume. It's classic.

Writing: A
Art: B

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Points to Peter David for bringing in some obscure Marvel Universe characters and myths (real or not I didnt do the research) to resolve the issue of Rahne's pregnancy.

Without doing huge exposition dumps David explains why her pregnancy is moving along so fast, and why her child is desired by some many pantheons. Well paced, a huge plus is that the pregnancy story line is not drawn out forever. At the same time a story point to be resolved is Rahne's religious beliefs and issues revolving around her child.

[Rob Marney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This five-issue arc could easily have been one issue. Rahne, the one remaining Christian on the team, fights a bunch of demons and werewolves and demigods, all of whom have exactly the same thing to say about how what's coming next is Even Worse (TM). The final issue resolving the mystery and dealing with the fallout from Guido's resurrection is pretty good, but it feels like "Road to Onslaught" level filler for several issues.

[Sonic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hilarious mutant adventure a la Peter David.
It is a shame that Marvel can't hook this entertaining writer up with stronger artists.
What is wrong with you MARVEL???

Seriously!

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rahne is back in the fold and David works overtime to deal with the nonsensical BS they put her through in X-Force (Brainwashing (again!) and cannibalism) and taking care of her magical pregnancy. These four issues speeeees through what could have been great character stuff thanks to the modern comics mandate of relentless action, decompressed storytelling, and endless events.

Seriously, how much better would this have been in David's original X-Factor run with Guido, Rahne, and company dealing with regular pregnancy stuff in between the action? The gang setting up a nursery? Werewolf pregnancy cravings? Guido shopping for teeny-tiny baby clothes? Rahne dealing with her catholic guilt as an unwed mother and seriously addressing the trauma of being mind-controlled multiple times now.

Nope! 4 issues of chase scenes and coughing up a hairball baby.

[Alex Sarll]

With the real father of Rahne’s unborn child revealed, all manner of supernatural forces start taking an interest in the first hybrid of god and mutant. Many of them have big teeth. Plus, Shatterstar gets into musicals despite it being pointed out how much of a cliché this is, Pip gets on everyone’s nerves, and Guy (or is it?) gets to nick one of Dredd’s best lines. The book’s increasing lean into the legendary feels a little like straying from its strengths, not least its opportunity to flip between modes more often, but it’s still enormously entertaining.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the great x-read of 2017/2018... (and I am really far behind with my reviews so I will be putting up a bunch of quick-takes to catch up...)

Yep, still one of the best x-series out there.

[Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was definitely the strangest volume yet.

I loved Shatterstar singing in the rain, that was adorable. I’m happy that Rahne and Star are bonding, I can definitely see them being friends.

Though, all the gods coming after her was really odd. This new werewolf dude character helping her seems kind, and I thought it was adorable how he took Rahne’s child in. However, I am suspicious of him, I think he’s up to something.

I knew Monet and Guido get together, and I’m okay with it, I think it’s a little rushed though.

I really just love this series, so good.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book ends a lot of build up; but does it really end anything? The finale is pretty vague about how much these plot lines are going to continue. However, it's still a great, fun read.

[Christina Nightengale · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art isn't the best at first, but then it gets back to it's usually good style. I'm glad Jack Russel, the Werewolf at Night is in this! I really enjoy his character. I did really enjoy Shatterstar and Rahne's time together. Shatterstar singing in the rain, helping homeless people, discussing religion and Rictor was great! The church scenes were cool. Shatterstar finding Rahne's naked and pregnant form beautiful was interesting. I did enjoy seeing Feral as well. Monet bring Strong Guy home from the hospital was sweet. How she reacted to everything was perfectly in character. Rictor, Rahne and Shatterstar's talk when Rahne and Shatterstar got home was great. Those three have an interesting dynamic together. The Fenris Wolf has a nice appearance in this. Best quote from Monet in this, "I could kill you just by thinking hard. You know that, right?" Monet is so great! Rahne's baby is as cute as he is creepy. It's an interesting mix. It fits well with how Rahne gave birth to him.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

High four, borderline five. The only downside to this was that there wasn't more of it. Also I did the dumb newbie thing and jumped in in the middle of a story because I've always wanted to read Marvel comics but I'm starting late and I had to pick a point to start. So naturally I picked a Wolfsbane story because I love the character. The art and the dialogue in this collection were amazing, and the story was really well done. Like I said I would very much like to read more of these stories, and hopefully in the future I'll be able to do just that! As first experiences go though this was a great one.

[Adam Stone · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first of Peter David's 21st century X-Factor run that I found disappointing. There's a different artist on almost every issue, the story is more about the Norse mythology sector of the Marvel Universe than the X-Factor agency, and it seemed to progress to an ending just to end a failing subplot.

It's not terrible but it's an entirely skippable portion of an otherwise fantastic run of comics.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another superb entry into the X-Factor series. Peter David goes from strength to strength on this book, and this is the culmination of a long standing plotline that still leaves everything open to be returned to later on. The art has its ups and downs, mainly because it's not very consistent, but overall there are no complaints.

[Matt Sabonis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun volume. The developments with Rahne and, more surprisingly, Pip and Guido are great, and the art is great: Davidson's art recalls early Mignola, while Luppachino continues to shine. Good stuff.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rahne is about to give birth. Every wolf god around wants her child. X Factor have to protect her until the birth. Lots of fights, and some sweet moments for Rahne. The return of Feral as a ghost was welcome even if she was overused. A good read.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of this is a big, long-running fight, but the characterization & humor manages to save the book.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Individual issues on marvel unlimited

[Juan Carrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of wolfsbane giving birth and everything that comes from that. Good story

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cape may

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly hate Rahne as a character. She's boring, she's always moody (in the X-Force she is slightly more badass as a covert assassin, but even then she is always super lame about her dad, religion, and basically being a downer). So the fact that I five-starred this album that featured her prominently is saying a lot. Shatterstar and Ricter are still just about my favorite people, and there are some great on-liners from Shatterstar and Madrox (separately).

I love this series.