A Pair of Reviews: Herc #6.1 and X-Factor #224.1

Here're a couple of mini reviews, contrasting the different levels of success of two of Marvel's Point One issues: Herc 6.1 and X-Factor 224.1. Yes, they're a little old by now (the subsequent issue(s) are already out), but they're probably still at your shop. Now you can find which one is a great jumping on point for a great book and which one is a big disappointment (i.e., you'd do better reading the issue following the Point One if you're still interested in the book).

Herc #6.1

• Written by Fred Van Lente & Greg Pak
• Pencils by Mike Grell
• Cover by Carlo Pagulayan

This issue did nothing at all for me. The art was bleh, the story was meh, and overall it was completely forgettable. But it's not really a bad issue.

The art, while not to my liking, is not bad. I don't think it's quite the right fit for the book, but it's not quite wrong, either. The layouts are nice, with a good sprinkling of panels overlaying half- or full-page splashes. However, there are some definite inconsistencies, especially noticeable in faces, and it can feel a little stiff at times.

As for the story, it can be completely skipped if you've been keeping up with Hercules over the past year or so. Or if you've been reading this comic from the first issue. Or, probably (I haven't seen it yet) if you've read the recap page from the next issue. Or, hey, I'll make it even easier for you: In the Chaos War, Hercules got über-god powers, defeated the Chaos King, restored the Greek pantheon, Alpha Flight, and maybe a couple others, and lost all of his god-like powers. So, he's now a mortal who's collected a bunch of useful weapons from Greek mythology, and he's now fighting for the people of Brooklyn as their champion. (And that was the long-winded version.)

So it's one of those “overview of the current status quo” stories. The thing is, it's useless for people following the book already (meaning you'd do well to remember to take it out of your pull list for this one issue) but the references to the first six issues aren't quite explained well enough for new readers to get much from. And the whole story contradicts (minor) events from the last issue. But my biggest complaint is that not only does nothing happen, but it doesn't give readers much of an idea of the tone or thrust of the series.

Perhaps I take back my original assessment. It is a bad issue. Not technically, as the art is serviceable and the writing, while uninspired, is fine. But it fails to do what it sets out to do: give new readers a good jumping-on point. Yes, it gives you an idea of what's been going on, but it doesn't tell you much of anything about what the book is like. And that's what a jumping-on point should do. From what I've read, this is hardly the first Point One issue to fail in this respect (some? many? haven't even been written by the book's normal writer), but that's no excuse.

X-Factor #224.1

• Written by Peter David
• Pencils by Valentine De Landro
• Cover by David Yardin

In stark contrast to Herc #6.1, the Point One issue of X-Factor is exactly what the books in this initiative should be. It introduces the (many) characters for new readers, but it's still representative of a regular issue. It still addresses recent plot points for the regular readers while being accessible. And it's a fun story for everyone.

Jamie Multiple Man Madrox and Layla I know stuff Miller check out the old farm where Jamie grew up, and end up chatting with the current owners, a single mother and her child. This serves as a frame for most of the book so we can see the rest of the team in action and find out who they are. It works well, even for seasoned readers, as there are some explanations/reminders about some of the characters. (I've been reading since #200, and I found out some stuff I didn't know about at least one character.) They let you see where some of the character arcs may be headed.

The issue finishes up with the team talking amongst themselves and here we get some more of the insights on the characters. Nothing major, but hints to the future. It ends nice and cryptically, and I hope (and, really, with the way Peter David's been writing this book, I assume) that this will be picked up on in later issues. The art on this book is always hit-and-miss, but this issue is pretty solid.

All in all, I found this to be the perfect Point One book. As the solicit says, it's very new-reader friendly, but it still mostly feels like a one-and-done regular issue from the series. Much unlike Herc #6.1 which felt like a backup added to an anniversary issue to let new readers have an idea of what's going on. X-Factor #224.1 is very much recommended for new and old readers alike.