FACTORING THE X: JEFF JENSEN

[Eric J. Moreels]

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/x-factor.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/x-factort.jpg" align=left alt="X-Factor teaser poster"></a>X-Fan recently caught up with X-Factor writer Jeff Jensen to find out more about the upcoming four-issue limited series, set to debut in April.

X-FAN: First up, Jeff, could you please give a bit of background on yourself?

JENSEN: Sure. I grew up in Seattle, Wa. Went to college in NYC at the School of Visual Arts, where I graduated with a degree in Journalism. First job out of college was with Advertising Age magazine, a noted business trade, where I covered sports and entertainment marketing. I worked for them until '98, when I left for my dream job: staff writer at Entertainment Weekly, writing about movie production, celebrities, business trends. In all that time, I also co-wrote 14 issues of Team Titans with my good friend Phil Jimenez; moved to L.A.; got married (to a beautiful woman named Amy); and had a child (a beautiful boy, Ben, 10 months old).

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/XFACT001001_150.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/XFACT001001_150t.jpg" align=right alt="X-Factor #1 Page 1 preview"></a>X-FAN: How did you come to be writing this new X-Factor series?

JENSEN: Early last summer (2001), I pitched an idea that was a refinement of something I've been brainstorming for awhile. It dovetailed nicely with recent events within the X-Men universe - notably Mr. Morrison's contributions. Marvel, specifically Mark Powers and Joe Quesada, saw potential and promise, and by their good graces, I'm back in comics, writing this mini series.

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/XFACT001004_150.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/XFACT001004_150t.jpg" align=left alt="X-Factor #1 Page 4 preview"></a>X-FAN: Could you give an outline of what the series is about?

JENSEN: Hmmm. 'Outline' is a loaded word. I've been distilling it down to this high-concept phrase: "X-Men meets Mississippi Burning meets X-Files." Which is not to say that's how I pitched it; it's just an easy way to boil down something that's actually much more complicated - and something I can't quite talk about in detail yet. :)

X-FAN: Who are the stars of the mini-series, and why did you choose those particular characters?

JENSEN: There's been a lot of speculation as to the stars of X-Factor. Many people have been interpretting my only statements on the matter - which, to repeat, were that <a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/XFACT001005_150.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/XFACT001005_150t.jpg" align=right alt="X-Factor #1 Page 5 preview"></a>Cyclops, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Beast and Nightcrawler play
'pivotal roles,' and that 'two very disturbed FBI agents' also make an appearance - to mean that the new X-Factor line-up is those aforementioned X-Men. I'm not going to confirm or deny; for now, I'm just going to say that those who've interpretted my comments in that fashion are in for a big - and hopefully happy - surprise.

X-FAN: One of the oft-raised questions surrounding the announcement of the mini is why call this X-Factor when it bears no resemblance to any previous incarnations of that title in the past. However, would it be safe to say that the name has to do more with the "x-factor" gene rather than the past comic book title/team name?

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/XFACT001006_150.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/XFACT001006_150t.jpg" align=left alt="X-Factor #1 Page 6 preview"></a>JENSEN: It would be very safe to say that; it might also not be completely correct, either.

X-FAN: What's it like working with such a revered artist as Arthur Ranson?

JENSEN: Curious. He lives in England. We've never verbally spoken. I just send him plots, and he sends back these incredible pages that make me look much better than I really am. My hunch, actually, is that he's a genius of some sort.

X-FAN: What are you hoping the series will achieve?

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/XFACT001009_150.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/XFACT001009_150t.jpg" align=right alt="X-Factor #1 Page 9 preview"></a>
JENSEN: To make a valuable contribution to the X-Men universe, tell a good story, and not embarrass myself.

X-FAN: Are there any titles/characters you'd like a shot at writing?

JENSEN: The Chameleon, Phantom Stranger, and Nightcrawler.

X-FAN: Do you have any other irons in the fire at Marvel?

JENSEN: Three short stories: two about Captain America, one about Beast. Plus some other stuff too early to talk about.

X-Factor #1 is due to arrive in stores on April 10.

[Ryan Scott]

JENSEN: There's been a lot of speculation as to the stars of X-Factor. Many people have been interpretting my only statements on the matter - which, to repeat, were that Cyclops, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Beast and Nightcrawler play See...now I'm thinking more and more that my initial feelings about the supposed "line-up" are correct. I'm thinking X-FACTOR is REALLY about the 2 agents with the various X-Men playing guest spots to the actual plot.

Oh, and nice preview pages, Eric! Thanks! I was really wondering what the look would be like for this mini. I can't wait!

[atxbomber]

I'm interested in this mini, a little more than I was before

The art is pretty clean too

[u gO bOi]

Man the art for this is awesome. There is something about it that just grabs me. I can not wait to see it in color. I hope that adding color does not take away that gritty look the preview seems to have. While the lines are very detailed and clean, hthe artist does it so that it has a dark and gritty feel to it, more so giving it life like quality, don't ya think. Does anyone know other work by the artist? I would not mind checking it out. I really hope that this mini will be something cool and not just something blown to the side after it's done. There is a strong concept there, specially with all thats going on in New X-men and what not.

[Jackraow21]

Sounds good. I'll definitely be giving it a chance. The art looks great.

[JPX2019]

Although this new Mini X-Factor series sounds interesting, I still would have liked to find out what happened Scott's brother. We're left with Havock floating in darkness. It's never told if he's dying or some how transported to another world. I'm not saying that this new series won't be good, but I still would have liked all the loose ends tied up and finally find out Havock's Fate.

[Brian Wilkinson]

as long is it isn't New X-Men a bit dressed up under a different title, I'm curious... but I think it more marketable to bring out a previous incarnation of the book with many of its missing characters.

[ultimateweaponx]

The teaser image looks amazing.

Can't wait.

I'm kinda getting tired of Wolverine beinging in all the X-titles, well most of them anyways. I'd like to see some other mutants get their 15 minutes of fame.

[angrytortoise]

Arthur Ranson is a great artist whose credits include (off the top of my head) Anderson PSI and Button Man for 2000AD (both of which, i think, are available in TPB albums), Batman: TAO in legends of the dark knight, Batman/Phantom Stranger, and some excellent work on the Doctor Who comic back in the early nineties. Hope that helps whoever was asking about it... Nice to see him getting some higher profile work in the States. :D

[Silverwolf]

Looks good enough to... read. What else?
This is looking increasingly potent. While I'm still dubious of the selection of X-Men set to appear here. (warning: Wolverine overload! System unstable!)
Aw hell, what would an X-book be without Logan? Bring the whole damn team. With art and premise like this, I think I can accept anything.
I think.

[Ezrin]

The art looks buff and the concept behind the story sounds very interesting...fingers crossed!!!

[Brian Wilkinson]

They've been on the site for a little while though, but as the announcement for the series was made almost two months ago now, I'm not surprised that they were 'lost' in the shuffle. Don't forget, this site is updated with new content daily and if you blink, you might miss something cool!

[Plankfish]

The art sure does look cool and i'm looking forward to what the final product looks like. I know it's gonna annoy the hell out of me if I get hooked and I have to wait six weeks for the next one. I'd still like to know what's happened to Havok. He's one of my favourite x-characters and i'd like to see him around again, but knowing my luck he'll probably turn up in the ever expanding cast list of x-treme and never get the exposure he deserves.

[Brian Wilkinson]

It's a good idea, xpawn... and I'm sure Eric, Mark, and Tom will make sure that you know about a new book or series when it comes out. If it really gets your interest up, though, make sure you try and pick it up through X-World and refer X-Fan when you do!

[Brian Wilkinson]

well, maybe on extra special items, such as trades or hardcovers, it might make it more attractive to do a bit of shopping from there!

Thanks for considering it, though, and for being such a great part of X-Fan!