Event Timeslots (1)
SUN – Lecture Hall
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In celebration of its 40th anniversary this year, Austin Gorton examines the story behind the creation of X-Factor, how it led to the resurrection of Jean Grey, the fracturing of Chris Claremont's X-Men, and created the modern concept of the "X-books".
When X-Factor debuted 40 years ago, it became the second series spun off from Uncanny X-Men, reuniting the original 1960s X-Men for new adventures outside the flagship title. It was also the first X-book launched without the involvement of Chris Claremont, the franchise's singular creative voice for the previous 11 years. Join pop culture writer and X-Men X-pert Austin Gorton as he explores the behind-the-scenes story of X-Factor's creation, and how those two decisions—the reunion of the original X-Men and doing so without Claremont—led to the return of Jean Grey, the undoing of the seminal "Dark Phoenix Saga," the pivotal roles of Kurt Busiek and John Byrne in making it happen, and Claremont nearly walking away from the X-Men altogether. Along the way, you'll discover how this controversial third X-book established the publishing model that still defines the X-line today. Whether you're a fan of the original X-Factor, the government-sponsored era, or X-Factor Investigations, you'll leave with a new appreciation for how one controversial series reshaped the X-Men forever.
