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X-Factor Reading Order

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Launched in 1986 by Bob Layton and Jackson Guice as a spin-off from the X-Men franchise, X-Factor was a team formed by the five original X-Men – Angel, Beast, Cyclops, Jean Grey (Marvel Girl), and Iceman – in response to the outlaw status of the then-current X-Men team.

The five original members X-Men disassociate with the current team because Professor X had placed Magneto as its leader. Quickly, they decide to set up a business advertised as mutant-hunters for hire in New York City, pretending to be “normal” (non-superpowered) humans to their clients. Eventually, the X-Factor team decides that the “mutant hunter” angle was bad for everybody and stops. Louise Simonson took over the title (with art by Walt Simonson) and quickly introduced Apocalypse and other major elements of the X-Mythos.

At that time, the series was massively connected to the other X-Titles and events. In 1991, the original members of X-Factor rejoined the main X-Men team. Marvel didn’t kill the title though. Peter David became the main writer (with art by Larry Stroman) and began by reintroducing X-Factor with new members (with Havok, Multiple Man, Polaris, Quicksilver, Strong Guy, Valerie Cooper, and Wolfsbane).

X-Men Reading Order

X-Factor Menu

  1. X-Factor The Original Team (1986-1991)
  2. X-Factor The Governement Team (1991-1998)
  3. X-Factor Volume 2 (2002)
  4. X-Factor Investigations (2005-2013)
  5. All-New X-Factor (2014-2015)
  6. Krakoa X-Factor (2020-2021)
  7. From the Ashes… X-Factor Vol. 5 (2024-)

X-Men Reading Order

X-Factor Comics Reading Order

Being part of the X-Men Universe, you can find how to read X-Force with the other X-series in our complete X-Men Reading Order.

X-Factor The Original Team (1986-1991)

The founding members of the X-Men created the Original X-Factor team. All members (with one exception) were created by  Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and made their first appearance in X-Men #1. They lasted for #70 issues and this version of the team ended with the members rejoining the X-Men.

  • Angel – aka Warren Worthington III. A Founding member of the X-Men who possesses a pair of large feathered wings extending from his back, giving him the ability to fly.
  • Beast – aka Hank McCoy. A brilliant scientist with ape-like superhuman physical strength and agility.
  • Cyclops – aka Scott Summers. Former X-Men team leader who can emit powerful beams of energy from his eyes.
  • Marvel Girl – aka Jean Grey. Long-time love interest with psionic powers.
  • Iceman – aka Bobby Drake. Gifted with cryokinetic powers.
  • Caliban – A mutant who can sense other mutants, he joined the team in issue #17. The character made his first appearance in The Uncanny X-Men #148 (Aug. 1981)

This part of X-Factor Vol. 1 was written by Bob Layton, Louise Simonson and al., with art from Jackson Guice, Walt Simonson, Terry Shoemaker, Marc Silvestri, and more.

Omnibus X-Factor, The Original X-Men

If you only want the X-Factor comics issues, Marvel Comics has started collecting the original run in this format:

  • X-Factor: The Original X-Men Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Avengers (1963) #263; Fantastic Four (1961) #286; X-Factor (1986) #1-26; X-Factor Annual (1986) #1-2; Iron Man Annual (1970) #8; Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #282; Thor (1966) #373-374, 377-378; Power Pack (1984) #27, 35; Mephisto Vs. (1987) #2; Incredible Hulk (1968) #336-337; Classic X-Men (1986) #8, 43; Secret Wars II (1985) #5; material from Marvel Fanfare (1982) #40.

All those issues (and beyond) have been reprinted in other X-Men Omnibuses:

  • X-Men: Mutant Massacre Prelude Omnibus
    Uncanny X-Men #194-209, X-Men Annual #9-10, New Mutants Special Edition #1, New Mutants Annual #2, Nightcrawler (1985) #1-4, Longshot (1985) #1-6, Avengers #263, Fantastic Four #286, X-Factor (1986) #1-8, X-Factor Annual #1, Iron Man Annual #8, Amazing Spider-Man #282; material from Marvel Fanfare #33; Classic X-Men #8, 43
  • X-Men: Mutant Massacre Omnibus (1986-1987)
    Collects Uncanny X-Men #210–219, Annual #11; New Mutants #46; X-Factor #9-17, Annual #2; Thor #373–374, 377-378; Power Pack #27; Daredevil #238; Fantastic Four vs. the X-Men #1-4; X-Men vs. the Avengers #1-4
  • X-Men: Fall of the Mutants Omnibus (1987-1988)
    Collects Uncanny X-Men #220–227; New Mutants #55–61; X-Factor #18–26; Captain America #339; Daredevil #252; Fantastic Four #312; Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #340; Power Pack #35.
  • X-Men: Inferno Prologue Omnibus (1988)
    Collects X-Factor (1986) #27-32, X-Factor Annual (1986) #3, Uncanny X-Men (1981) #228-238, New Mutants (1983) #62-70, New Mutants Annual (1984) #4, X-Men Annual (1970) #12; material from Marvel Age Annual (1985) #4, Marvel Fanfare (1982) #40
  • X-Factor Annual (1986) #3, New Mutants Annual (1984) #4, X-Men Annual (1970) #12 are part of The Evolutionary War
  • X-Men: Inferno Omnibus (1988-1989)
    Uncanny X-Men #239–243; New Mutants #71–73; X-Factor #33–40, material from Annual #4; X-Terminators #1–4; Power Pack (1984) #40, 42–44; Avengers (1963) #298–300; Fantastic Four (1961) #322–324; Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #311–313; Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #146–148; Web of Spider-Man (1985) #47–48; Daredevil (1964) #262–263, 265; Excalibur (1988) #6–7; Mutant Misadventures of Cloak and Dagger (1988) #4
  • X-Factor #41–50 have not been collected in an X-Men Omnibus yet, but have been reprinted in the Epic Collection (see below)!
  • X-Factor #49-50 are collected in Acts of Vengeance Crossovers Omnibus
  • X-Factor #51-54, #56-59 have only been reprinted in Essential X-Factor vol. 4 at this date.
  • X-Men: X-Tinction Agenda Omnibus
    Uncanny X-Men (1981) #270-272, New Mutants (1983) #95-97, X-Factor (1986) #60-62, X-Men Annual (1970) #14-15, X-Men: Spotlight on Starjammers (1990) #1-2; material from Fantastic Four Annual (1963) #23; New Mutants Annual (1984) #6-7; X-Factor Annual (1986) #5-6; New Warriors Annual (1991) #1; Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #10-17, 24-32, 41, 43, 48-49; Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #2, 6-8; Marvel Holiday Special (1991) #1; Marvel Tales (1964) #262
  • X-Men By Chris Claremont & Jim Lee Omnibus Vol. 2 1991-1992
    Collects X-Factor #63-70; Uncanny X-Men #273-280; X-Men #1-9, material from #10-11; Ghost Rider #26-27.

X-Factor Epic Collection Part. 1

Previously, the first 60 issues have been collected in the “Essential” collection, a black-and-white reprint collection.

X-Factor The Governement Team (1991-1998)

Following the Muir Island Saga, the original member of the X-Factor team rejoined the X-Men. Starting with issue #71, The X-Factor is reformed as a government-sponsored team, reuniting:

  • Valerie Cooper – X-Factor’s government liaison who has a past as an ally and enemy of the X-Men. First appearance:Uncanny X-Men #176 (September, 1983)
  • Havok – aka Alex Summers. Former X-Man and Scott Summers’ brother who has the ability to metabolize the same cosmic energy. First appearance: X-Men #54 (January, 1969)
  • Multiple Man – aka Jamie Madrox. He can create physical duplicates of himself. First appearance: Giant-Size Fantastic Four #4 (November, 1974)
  • Polaris – aka Lorna Dane. Former X-Man who can control magnetism with a romantic history with Havok. First appearance: X-Men #49 (August, 1968)
  • Quicksilver – aka Pietro Maximoff. Brother of Wanda, a former member of Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, and an Avenger. First appearance: X-Men #4 (January, 1964)
  • Strong Guy – aka Guido Carosella. Can temporarily absorb kinetic energy and transform it into physical strength. First appearance: New Mutants #29 (March, 1985)
  • Wolfsbane – aka Rahne Sinclair. Former New Mutant who can transform herself into a wolf. First appearance: Marvel Graphic Novel #4 (September, 1982)

The most famous part of this period was written by Peter David. He left the title after issue #89 and was succeeded by Scott Lobdell, J. M. DeMatteis, Todd Dezago, John Francis Moore, Howard Mackie, and al. On the art front, Larry Stroman penciled in most issues during the Peter David era. Jae Lee, Joe Quesada,  Jan Duursema, Jeff Matsuda and others also worked on the title.

X-Factor (Vol.1) lasted #149 issues, though the last part of this volume has not been collected yet. The most complete collection to this date is the Epic Collection.

Omnibus X-Factor, The Governement Team

X-Factor in other X-Men Omnibus:

X-Factor Epic Collection Part. 2

Peter David’s first run on X-Factor has also been collected in X-Factor: Visionaries Peter David (Four Volumes).

X-Factor Volume 2 (2002)

A few years after the end of the first volume, X-Factor came back as a 4-issues limited series about the government’s new Mutant Civil Rights Task Force–represented by Agent Gray and Agent Kearse– as they investigate anti-mutant hate crimes. Written by Jeff Jensen with artwork by Arthur Ranson, this volume has been previously collected in an out-of-stock trade today. The best way to read this story right now is on digital.

X-Factor Investigations  (2005-2013)

Once again, Peter David reinvented X-Factor with big success. This time, the comic title focused on a detective agency run by Jamie Madrox (aka Multiple Man) with his best friend and special enforcer, Guido Carosella (Strong Guy), and former teammate Rahne Sinclair (Wolfsbane). The X-Factor Investigations was introduced in the limited series Madrox. Once the title ended, positive reaction from readers led to a relaunch under the X-Factor banner as Volume 3. In the aftermath of House of M, the group tries to find answers about the mutant Decimation. In their task, they are joined by:

  • M – aka Monet St. Croix. The daughter of a wealthy ambassador’s daughter with a set of superhuman powers. First appearance: Generation X #1 (Sept. 1994)
  • Rictor – aka Julio Richter. A Mexican mutant capable of creating enormous seismic waves. First appearance: X-Factor #17 (March, 1987)
  • Siryn – aka Theresa Cassidy. Banshee’s daughter who has inherited his sonic-based powers. First appearance: Spider-Woman #37 (December, 1980)
  • Layla Miller – A young mutant affected by M-Day who works as a file clerk for the team. First appearance: House of M #4 (July, 2005)

After Messiah Complex, the roster of the team is changed with the departure of Wolfsbane and Layla and the addition of Longshot, Darwin, and Shatterstar. Also, Havok and Polaris joins the team in X-Factor #230.

X-Factor (Vol. 3) lasted 50 issues before Marvel Comics chose to use the legacy number and re-numbered it to #200. The comic title continues for 62 issues more. In total, The X-Factor Investigation ran for 114 issues.

X-Factor Investigation in Omnibus

X-Factor Collection in Trade Paperbacks

The First issues of X-Factor Investigations have also been collected in X-Factor by Peter David: The Complete Collection (2 Volumes).

All-New X-Factor (2014-2015)

As part of All-New Marvel Now!, a new iteration of X-Factor is introduced written once again by Peter David. The comic is a follow-up to the events from X-Factor #260 and sees a return to the corporate-sponsored version of the team that was the initial concept when the first version of X-Factor debuted in 1986. This corporate team features:

  • Polaris – aka Lorna Dane.
  • Quicksilver – aka Pietro Maximoff.
  • Gambit – aka Remy LeBeau, master of kinetic energy from New Orleans. First appearance: The Uncanny X-Men #266 (August 1990)
  • Danger – The physical manifestation of the software program used to power the Danger Room. First appearance: Astonishing X-Men vol. 3 #8 (February, 2005)
  • Warlock – A techno-organic being who can take any shape. First appearance: New Mutants #18 (August 1984)
  • Cypher – aka Douglas Ramsey. He can translate any language he comes into contact with. First appearance: New Mutants #13 (November, 1983)

All New-X-Factor in Omnibus

All New-X-Factor in Trade Paperbacks

Interlude: Jamie Madrox during Marvel Fresh Start (2018) – Jamie Madox can stop dying! While not an X-Factor series, you can reconnect with the character and discover what happened to him after the events of Death Of X and Inhumans vs X-Men, thanks to writer Matthew Rosenberg and artist Andy MacDonald (I

Krakoa X-Factor (2020-2021)

As part of Dawn of X era, the X-Factor team made its comeback. While Jamie Madrox also made his return, the Multiple Man was not part of the new investigative X-Factor team (he was on made X-Corp if you want to know).

Now, the X-Men has conquered death! By the grace of the Five, the resurrection protocols of the island nation of Krakoa can bring any of the X-Men’s fallen comrades back to life. The new X-Factor book written by Leah Williams focused on the group that investigates cases of missing mutants and presumed deaths for Krakoa in order to uphold the rules of reincarnation! The team includes:

  • Northstar – aka Jean-Paul Beaubier. Team leader and former Alpha Flight member with superhuman speed and the ability to fly. First appearance: X-Men #120 (January 1979)
  • Polaris – aka Lorna Dane.
  • Prestige – aka Rachel Summers. The daughter of Scott Summers and Jean Grey from a dystopian future with various psionic powers. First appearance: X-Men #141 (October 1980)
  • Daken – aka Akihiro. Wolverine’s son with powers similar to those of his father. First full appearance: Wolverine: Origins #10 (January 2007)
  • Eye-Boy  – aka Trevor Hawkins. A young mutant with multiple eyes all over his body. First appearance: Wolverine & the X-Men #19 (October 2012)
  • Prodigy  – aka David Alleyne. A mutant with the ability to mimic the knowledge possessed by others. First appearance: New Mutants (Vol. 2) #4 (September 2003)
  • Aurora – aka Jeanne-Marie Beaubier. The twin sister of Northstar with the same power as her brother. First appearance: X-Men #120 (January 1979)

  • X-Factor by Leah Williams – Volume 1
    Collects X-Factor (vol. 4) #1–3, 5.
  • X of Swords
    Collects X-Men #12, X of Swords: Creation #1, X-Factor #4, Wolverine #6, X-Force #13, Marauders #13, Hellions #5, New Mutants #13, Cable #5, Excalibur #13, X-Men #13, X of Swords: Stasis #1, X-Men #14, Marauders #14, Marauders #15, Excalibur #14, Wolverine #7, X-Force #14, Hellions #6, Cable #6, Excalibur #15, X-Men #15, X of Swords: Destruction #1.
  • X-Factor by Leah Williams – Volume 2
    Collects X-Factor (vol. 4) #6–10.
  • X-Men: The Trial of Magneto new
     Collects X-Men: The Trial of Magneto (2021) #1-5.

From the Ashes… X-Factor Vol. 5 (2024-)

From the Ashes of Krakoa come a new beginning for the X-Men franchise, and a new direction for the X-Factor team. Written by Mark Russell and Bob Quinn, this X-Force team acts as “Part special agents for missions that require an arsenal of superpowers and part celebrity propaganda machine.”, walking in the footsteps of X-Statix for the last part. Led by Angel and Havok, the team consist of:

  • Pyro – aka St. John Allerdyce. Australian Novelist, a former member of the Brotherhood of Mutants and Freedom Force who possesses the power to control fire. First appearance: X-Men #141 (October 1980)
  • Frenzy – aka Joanna Cargill. Former member of the Alliance of Evil and the Acolytes, but also the X-Men, she has superhuman strength and durability. First appearance: X-Factor #4 (February 1986)
  • Cecilia Reyes – A medical doctor with the power to generate a psioplasmic bio-field. First appearance: X-Men (Vol. 2) #65 (April 1997)
  • Granny Smite – An 87-year-old woman who discovered she can’t die. First appearance: X-Factor (Vol. 5) #1 (August 2024)

X-Men Reading Order

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