I originally had planned for this post to be a double feature, so to speak, with a lengthier second half that directly tied into the first. I think, though, both due to time constraints tonight as I wrote and pacing concerns, it'll be better served as a separate post. This means, I hope, that I'll finish it and get it up quicker than is usual for me. Of course, for me, quicker than usual could mean two weeks from now.
On a side note, my posts that carry the simple "GREEN ARROW" title card at the top denote posts written outside of Oliver's point of view but within the GA narrative. Posts with the arrow emblem indicate those written with Oliver at the helm. Since I've decided to write Oliver in the first-person past tense, that should help prevent confusion or uncertainty when I switch to third-person omniscient past tense POVs in separate posts.
Anywho. Posted. After repeatedly lying about when I'd do so as promised.
THANK YOU! I'm glad I've gotten the opportunity to write the Dark Knight this go around, and I'm more engaged than I've been with writing in a long time, so you can expect more!
Thank you as well! Though I'll defer all praise for Jason Todd to @Bounce, who is smashing it with no input from myself whatsoever (other than greenlighting him to write Robin in the first place).
Shorter than I thought it was going to look. Anyways, i was writing this big ole' post and decided to start cutting it up, something my guy will not be doing.
@Master Bruce So I did end up picking a second character concept. As it is mutant related, I did talk to Ruby and Ezekiel before starting on the sheet to make sure there was no stepping on toes and to collaborate in the future. Anyways I decided to do a team concept: X-Factor.
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L
X - F A C T O R
X - F A C T O R I N V E S T I G A T I O N S ♦ I N T E L L I G E N C E O P E R A T I V E S ♦ G E N O S H A ♦ H O U S E O F X
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:
"We’re the thing the Mutant community needs. We are that X-Factor."
Since the dawn of the modern Age of Mutants began they have been persecuted by the general Human public. Mutants are routinely targets of violence, with many going missing, no authorities bothering to investigate. Eventually there was enough of an outcry about these crimes that the US government formed a special task force. Under the command of Agent Valerie Cooper, X-Factor was a special investigation squad comprised of all Mutant members. X-Factor would serve together for a few years, with the Mutant known as Havok leading the team as they rescued countless Mutants.
But there would be a lot of tension between the American government and the Mutant community, leading to X-Factor being shut down. With more and more anti-mutant rhetoric, former X-Factor member Multiple Man would reform the team as a private investigation agency based in Mutant Town, New York City. This version of the team would be well liked in the Mutant community, filling a niche that neither the X-Men or the Brotherhood did. However personal issues between teammates would lead to Multiple Man shutting down the agency.
There wouldn’t be an X-Factor team for several years, until Serval Industries bought the name. Serval would form a corporate super team using the X-Factor name, but it wouldn’t last long as there was a backlash against them having a Mutant team. For another year there wouldn’t be an X-Factor, that was until the Decimation happened. Suddenly the majority of Mutants lost their powers.
The now endangered Mutant community was targeted even more by radical Humans, as they now had a chance of making them go extinct. The majority of the remaining Mutants fled to the nation of Genosha, including the X-Men and Brotherhood. Havok, the original leader of X-Factor, would be approached by his brother Cyclops about reforming X-Factor. With the help of Warren Worthington and his X-Corp, the nation of Genosha would buy the rights to the name X-Factor from Serval Industries.
This new iteration of X-Factor would be based out of the House of X in Genosha. Made up of both old and new team members, X-Factor would function as an intelligence agency that serves all Mutants.
C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:
Mutants as a marginalized community is one of the classic Marvel ideas, one I don’t think ever will be irrelevant. Mutants as a stand in for every minority is something I want to explore, as Mutants can be a stand in for every social issue. X-Factor itself will be less about getting into public fights with supervillains like the X-Men, but more about investigating mysteries and disappearances involving Mutants. I’m picturing the team as something between private investigators and an intelligence agency for the nationof Genosha.
Given that the Mutant Decimation has recently happened, there is an actual chance of Mutants going extinct. The members of X-Factor will have to constantly deal with the fact that they are an endangered species, and if it’s even worth saving the Mutant species. Depression will be a central theme throughout the team, each member dealing with it in a different way. The personal goal for the team is less investigating mysteries and more so finding hope for themselves and the whole Mutant community.
As for an initial storyline, I was planning to have X-Factor investigate the Mutant organ black market, which has exploded since the Decimation. This will lead to them coming into conflict with the U-Men. Also there will be Humans attempting to become Mutants through organ transplants.
C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:
Brother of Cyclops, the former leader of the X-Men. Alex has been a member of X-Factor, the X-Men, and the Brotherhood. A very powerful Mutant, Havok first met the X-Men when they rescued Alex from the Living Monolith, a Mutant who was absorbing Alex’s energy. Alex would quickly learn that he was the long lost brother of Scott Summers. Taken in by the X-Men, Alex would learn to control his powers before becoming a full member of the X-Men.
Being the leader of the original X-Factor, Alex would briefly join the Brotherhood after X-Factor disbanded. Alex would then realize that his powers were malfunctioning, once again unable to control them. Alex would move to Genosha to seek help with controlling his powers again. While there he would be talked into reforming X-Factor.
A clone of founding X-Men member Jean Grey, Madelyne had no clue that she was a clone. Created by Mr. Sinister, Madelyne was placed in Alaska where she met Scott Summers during a period where he thought Jean Grey was dead. The pair would fall in love, getting married quickly. Seemingly not a Mutant, Madelyne moved into the Xavier Mansion, where she would become pregnant. She would then give birth to Nathan Summers, only for the child to be kidnapped and taken to the future.
This caused Madelyne to fall into madness. This was not helped when she found out she was a clone. This awakened her Mutant powers, causing her to become the Goblin Queen, an enemy of the X-Men. It was only in recent times that she regained her mind and moved to Genosha. There she decided to join X-Factor, blackmailing Havok into letting her onto the team with threatening to reveal that they had an affair while she was married to his brother.
Born with his mutation present at birth, forming a twin instantly, Jamie’s parents knew that he would have a hard life. At the recommendation of Charles Xavier, his family moved to a remote farm in Kansas. But while Jamie was a teenager, his parents would die in a tornado. Xavier stepped in once again, sending him to live with Dr. Moira MacTaggert. It was there he was dubbed Multiple Man and would then join X-Factor.
Jamie would serve with the team for its entire existence, and would lead the second iteration of it. However after a tragedy involving team member Theresa Cassidy, Jamie would close down X-Factor Investigations. Jamie would wander the world aimlessly, eventually ending up in Genosha. Havok would then convince him to rejoin X-Factor.
An orphan raised in the Catholic Church, Rahne would discover at a young age that she could transform into a werewolf. Finding herself shunned by the church, Rahne fled to America where she would be found by Charles Xavier and offered a place at his school. Rahne would be a part of the team known as the New Mutants, and then after graduating would join X-Factor.
Rahne would also be a part of X-Factor Investigations, but would ultimately leave that team as well. Rahne would return to her homeland of Scotland, only for the Decimation to happen. Rahne would then travel to Genosha to meet up with the remaining powered New Mutants, where she would run into Havok who recruited her into the new X-Factor.
Born into Clan Akkaba, the descendants of the Mutant known as Apocalypse, Blink knew from birth that she was a Mutant. With magenta skin, Clarice was hidden away from the rest of the world, raised by her great-great grandfather Frederick Slate, the current head of Clan Akkaba. Wanting to see the world, Clarice escaped with her portal powers.
Clarice would end up living among the Mutant underground, once again hiding away from the public. That was until she was attacked by the Purifiers, an anti-mutant group. She and several other Mutants would be rescued by Sabretooth, who directed them to Genosha. Once there, Clarice wished to serve with the X-Men, only to be turned down. But she was given a chance by Havok who allowed her to join X-Factor.
The son of a scientist who was studying Mutants, Calvin was ensured from before he was born to be a Mutant. At a young age, Calvin was made an orphan when his parents were arrested for illegal experiments. Growing up in the system was hard for Calvin, even harder when he discovered that he was a Mutant. Running away from his foster home, Calvin would become a thief. It was while he was staying in New York City that he first ran into the X-Men.
Becoming one of their early foes, Calvin would also end up joining the Brotherhood. Eventually he got tired of a life of crime and accepted Charles Xavier’s invitation to stay at his school. Calvin would become a member of the X-Men, that was until the Decimation. Now living in Genosha, Calvin now serves the Mutant community as part of X-Factor.
Born the granddaughter of a Hiroshima survivor, Mariko was destined to be a Mutant. Mariko learned at a young age that she had pyrokinetic powers. This was hidden by her family who was involved with the Yakuza. Still a businessman discovered her secret, recruiting Mariko to a celebrity superhero team called Big Hero 6. During her time with team, Mariko would help out the X-Men on several occasions.
But Mariko would be kicked out of Big Hero 6 by the dual controversies of her being a lesbian and general backlash against Mutants. Mariko would then be a part of the short lived X-Factor team that worked for Serval Industries. After that fell apart, Mariko moved to Genosha, where she wished to fade into obscurity. But she was approached about joining the new X-Factor, to which she agreed.
Born into a rich family, Warren was sent away at a young age to the Xavier Institute. It was there that he became at peace with being a Mutant, and would become a founding member of the X-Men. Warren would serve with the team for most of its existence, as the high flying Angel. During this period Warren’s father passed away, leaving him Worthington Industries. Taking over the company, Warren would transform it into X-Corp, a pro-mutant corporation.
About a year ago, Warren disappeared while on a mission. He was in fact captured by Apocalypse who transformed him into his Horseman of Death. Unwillingly, Warren attacked the Xavier Institute, destroying it and injuring his friends. He was eventually defeated, Charles Xavier helping to disassemble Apocalypse’s mind control. Now living in Genosha and having regular sessions with Xavier, Warren is trying to redeem himself by working with X-Factor.
S A M P L E P O S T:
Alex Summers sat on the bench overlooking the Genosha International Airport, a cigarette in hand. As he watched the planes come and go, Alex felt trapped, bound to the ground of Genosha. The small island nation seemed to be the last safe place to be a Mutant in this world. Things had been bad for the Mutant species before, but now there was so few left.
Alex took a puff of the cigarette, coughing a little bit. Truth be told he hadn’t smoked since he was a teenager, but recent stress had revived this long past vice. Alex felt helpless hiding here in Genosha, not being able to do anything. While he wanted to be out there helping the X-Men, with his current power issues it would be a liability for the team.
But he had been offered an alternative: bring back X-Factor. While Alex did have fond memories of his time leading the team, there was also a lot of baggage associated with it. Alex’s brother Scott had described it as an intelligence agency, going around helping Mutants in need, and not fighting Juggernaut in Times Square. Basically he had been saying that Alex didn’t need to use his powers with this job.
Alex found the notion wonky, helping Mutants without being able to use the thing that makes you a Mutant. Right now being a Mutant was a big deal, as the Decimation had left most of them depowered, with almost all the remaining ones now living in Genosha. So who exactly would this X-Factor team even help?
“Mind if I sit down?” asked a familiar voice.
“Sure, Jamie,” replied Alex before turning to the newcomer, “Is this the real you or a dupe?”
“I am the main Madrox. I tend to keep the dupes on more of a leash these days,” stated Jamie.
“Yeah, where are they?” questioned Alex.
“Studying at the University of Genosha,” answered Jamie, “Since I gain any knowledge they have when I absorb them, I have about a half dozen enrolled in subjects of interest to me. Mind if I bum a cig?”
Alex handed him a cigarette, “I didn’t know you smoked.”
“One of my dupes developed a habit after the whole thing with Theresa. So he passed it onto me,” said Jamie between puffs.
They sat in silence for a while, only interrupted by Alex’s phone ringing, to which he answered, “Hey Warren. What’s up?”
“Alex, hey. Do you ever check your messages?” asked the former X-Man over the phone, “I’ve DMed you on X-Verse like ten times.”
“Oh yeah, X-Verse. I forgot that I had an account there,” Alex mused, “Yeah I’ve been kind of avoiding social media. A mental health day, or maybe a week, kind of thing.”
“Well you should check it soon, a few people from the old team are trying to reach out to you,” explained Warren.
“Right, right. So what is it you wanted to talk to me about?” asked Alex.
“X-Factor. We’ve already cleared out part of the House of X and are now considering a uniform for the team, and I was wonderin-” stated Warren before being cut off.
“Wait, I haven’t even agreed to being a part of the team,” interjected Alex.
“Alex, you’re just telling me now?” asked an incredulous Warren, “I just finished buying back the X-Factor name and trademark from Serval Industries. And Harrison Snow didn’t let it go cheap.”
“Honestly you should just do it,” added Jamie, “Joining a new superhero team is a surefire to get out of a funk.”
“Is that Madrox?” asked Warren, “Tell him I need him at the House of X real soon.”
Alex conveyed the message to Jamie who promptly got off the bench. But as he did so, he split into two. The new copy took a seat next to Alex.
“Just in case you still need to talk,” stated Jamie Prime as he walked away.
Alex then continued to speak to Warren, “Look, just give me at least a night to think it over.”
“Fine, but Cyclops and I are expecting you at the House of X tomorrow,” stated Warren, “Anyways we’ll talk tomorrow.”
Alex put his phone away, turning to the Madrox dupe, finding that he had taken the cigarette from the original. The two spent another minute in silence, before the dupe crushed the cigarette beneath his boot.
“So,” said the Madrox dupe as he stood up, “I’m bored. How about a drink?”
Alex threw away his cigarette as he said, “I could use a drink.”
The pair then got up and began to walk away from the airport. Clearly the dupe knew where he was going, as he easily led them down around several blocks, eventually ending up in front of a bar called Meta-Morphosis. Lit up with green lighting, the outside of the bar was covered in the letter x drawn in several different styles.
“You ever been here before?” asked the Madrox dupe. After Alex shook his head no, he continued, “This is one of the newer spots. There’s actually a really good nightlife scene here in Hammer Bay.”
Alex took him at his word, the two Mutants entering the bar. Inside there were speakers blaring Eurodance music. While it was not exactly to Alex’s taste, he figured that a few beers would dull it out. So he asked the orange skinned bartender for a beer. The Madrox dupe then asked for some kind of a cocktail called a Fastball Special.
As the two took a seat in the corner of the bar, Alex couldn’t help but notice some of the attractive women in the building. But as he was looking, he found someone familiar, someone he wanted to avoid. But she spotted Alex and headed over.
“Alexander, small world,” said the redhead.
“Madelyne, I had heard that you were now in Genosha,” replied a grimacing Alex, “Anyways good to see you. Now I’m going back to my drink.”
“But we have stuff to discuss,” stated Madelyne.
“Like what,” questioned Alex as he finished his glass of beer.
“Like letting me onto the X-Factor team,” answered Madelyne.
Alex then wondered why everyone was bugging him about this new X-Factor team. He still hadn’t even agreed to join it.
How many more mutant organizations are there? Can we share with the whole class?
I honestly can't tell how serious this is. lol
On the (off?) chance it's serious: yeah, we're sharing with the whole class. Ezekiel and I answered every question Martian had, and despite some of our future plans (Havok) or misgivings (Pryor) made sure he had the roster he wanted. We even went out of our way to include him on story we plotted, going so far as to include him on our Discord DMs. (Poor Martian, btw, Zeke and I are silly.)
We're happy to do this for any wanting to jump into the mutant fray.
There's at least still Excalibur out there or the X-Force or DC's X-Men the Doom Patrol.
The light-hearted kind of serious yanno. Well, I actually am interested in some mutant stuff, but I wanna see how well my writing holds up with whomever is reading. If I get banned before my first arc finishes we'll save a lot of time.
