Dayton Ruhl
Jun 10, 2005, 11:13 pm
Madrox #1
November 2004
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/madrox01t.jpg (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/4images/details.php?image_id=7941)
Story Title: Soul of a Gumshoe
Writer: Peter David (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14244)
Cover Artists: David Lloyd ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34153) & Brian Reber (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Penciler: Pablo Raimondi (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14519)
Inker: Drew Hennessy ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14897)
Colorist: Brian Reber ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15500)
Assistant Editor: Nicole Wiley ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24403)
Editor: Andy Schmidt (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18460)
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12902)
Publisher: Dan Buckley
First Appearance: "James" (Madrox dupe), "Kwai Chang" (Madrox dupe), Lefty, Sheila Desoto (unnamed), “Bait” (Madrox dupe), XXX Investigators (Madrox, Strong Guy, Wolfsbane)
Joins: Wolfsbane (XXX Investigators)
Death: "James" (Madrox dupe)
As an injured Jamie Madrox makes his way to Mutant Town in New York, Rahne Sinclair, also known as Wolfsbane, arrives there herself, scaring a couple of locals before entering XXX Investigators, where she finds what appears to be Jamie near death on the floor. Rushing to his side and clutching him in her arms, Rahne quickly realizes that he's just severely intoxicated, and promptly drops him back on the floor, resulting in the appearance of an exact duplicate of her long-time friend. Reabsorbing the dupe, Jamie explains that he had sent one out the night before, who returned after having a "good time", and, upon rejoining his progenitor, left him with the side effects.
As Madrox impresses Rahne with some investigative techniques, another dupe, bearing an uncanny resemblance to a Shaolin monk, arrives at the office, which prompts Jamie to ask Rahne to wait in the bar downstairs. Once there, she runs into another old X-Factor teammate, Guido Carosella, whom she still fondly calls Strong Guy, and he explains that Jamie's been regularly sending out dupes to learn various things, which he then absorbs upon return. Their conversation is cut short, as a bleeding Madrox enters the bar, which Rahne and Guido quickly figure out is yet another dupe. Calling down the original, Guido and Rahne pressure him to reabsorb the dupe before he dies, so that some part of him will live on, which would hopefully be useful in locating the killer.
Although fearing the pain he feels when reabsorbing a dying dupe, Jamie does so, and sees flashes of the Chicago skyline and the El train, a photograph of woman in a newspaper, and a knife stained with blood. As the three discuss what Jamie saw, and its possible implications, Rahne asks about their next move. Jamie pounds the wall, causing a dupe to emerge, whom Jamie orders to stay behind with Rahne and Guido while he goes in search of the truth. As he opens the door to leave, Jamie asks Rahne what she thinks of the company name, "XXX Investigators", and she replies it sounds like they investigate pornography, with which, Madrox thinks to himself, he can live.
Characters:
"James" (Madrox dupe)
Various unnamed New York residents
Unnamed taxi driver
Wolfsbane/Rahne Sinclair ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10299)
James "Jamie" Madrox ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6163)
Unnamed Madrox dupe
"Kwai Chang" (Madrox dupe)
Various unnamed "The Power Plant" patrons
Lefty ("The Power Plant" bartender)
Strong Guy/Guido Carosella ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid= 9935)
Sheila Desoto (picture in memory - unnamed)
“Bait” (Madrox dupe)
<hr width=100%>
Madrox #2
December 2004
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/madrox02t.jpg (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/4images/details.php?image_id=8013)
Story Title: The Chicago Whey
Writer: Peter David (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14244)
Cover Artists: David Lloyd ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34153) & Brian Reber (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Penciler: Pablo Raimondi (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14519)
Inker: Drew Hennessy ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14897)
Colorist: Brian Reber ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15500)
Assistant Editors: Nicole Wiley ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24403) & Molly Lazer (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33503)
Editor: Andy Schmidt (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18460)
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12902)
Publisher: Dan Buckley
First Appearance: Stringer, Clay, Carol Campbell, Ned Campbell (mentioned), Sheila Desoto (named), Edward Vance (mentioned), XXX Investigations (Madrox, Strong Guy, Wolfsbane)
Death: Clay's unnamed victim
In Chicago, Madrox begins to unravel the mystery of his murdered dupe by calling on reporter friend, Stringer, while his killer, Clay, is ordered to finish the job by finding Jamie and repeating the task. Madrox and Stringer trace Sheila Desoto, the woman Jamie saw in his murdered dupe's memory, to the mansion of her boyfriend, Edward Vance, an industrialist with supposed ties to organized crime.
Meanwhile, XXX Investigations gets its first client, a woman who believes that her quadriplegic husband is cheating on her using astral projection. Once at Vance's upscale estate, Madrox sees Sheila exiting the pool, where she calls out to him as "James," and proceeds to give him a passionate kiss. Back in New York, Clay takes a shot at the dupe left behind at XXX, which gives Jamie a psychic backlash, causing him to fall unconsciously into the nearby pool.
Characters:
Stringer
Three unnamed thugs
James "Jamie" Madrox ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6163)
Various unnamed Madrox dupes
Clay
Unnamed victim
Various unnamed Empire State Building tourists
Wolfsbane/Rahne Sinclair ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10299)
“Bait” (Madrox dupe)
Strong Guy/Guido Carosella ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid= 9935)
Carol Campbell
Various unnamed Chicago residents
Unnamed female Chicago Tribune employee
Sheila Desoto
Unnamed taxi driver
Two unnamed Vance estate security guards
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Madrox #3
January 2005
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/marvel/madrox03t.jpg (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/4images/details.php?image_id=8488)
Story Title: Dead Dirty Pool
Writer: Peter David (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14244)
Cover Artists: David Lloyd ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34153) & Brian Reber (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Penciler: Pablo Raimondi (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14519)
Inker: Drew Hennessy ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14897)
Colorist: Brian Reber ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15500)
Assistant Editors: Nicole Wiley ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24403) & Molly Lazer (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33503)
Editor: Andy Schmidt (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18460)
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12902)
Publisher: Dan Buckley
First Appearance: "Self-loathing" (Madrox dupe, unnamed), Edward Vance, "Distilled downside" (Madrox dupe), Ned Campbell (shown)
Death: Unnamed Vance estate security guard
New Costume: Wolfsbane
As Rahne checks in on the attacked dupe, who insists that she continue with her mission, Madrox sinks to the bottom of the pool, where the impact forms a dupe. Jamie fights off the dupe, who seemingly tries to drown him, only to be held under by someone else when he reaches the surface. Luckily, the medical training one of his traveling dupes picked up came in handy, as Jamie was able to break his assailant's little and ring fingers. Edward Vance himself fishes Jamie out of the pool, with Sheila vehemently denying any sort of goings-on between them. Later, two guards tie up Jamie and lock him in a supply closet, making fun of his power to duplicate.
Meanwhile, back in Mutant Town, Strong Guy attacks Clay, who is still unaware of the Madrox dupe's situation. Clay fights back, his bullets merely bouncing off of Guido, and unfortunately ricocheting into a nearby apartment. The resident isn't at all happy about that, and blasts Guido clear across the street, when Bishop shows up, stating that they have a bit of a situation.
Back in Chicago, Jamie wakes up in the closet, and makes himself aware of his surroundings, not the least of which is that he's handcuffed. He makes quick work of the cuffs, and focuses his power under the door, forming a dupe in the hall outside, who's conveniently depressed beyond assistance. The guards hear the two Jamie's talking, and investigate, seeing only the dupe in the hallway. Threatened with bodily harm, the dupe let's Madrox out of the closet, who quickly rolls out, kicking one guard square in the gut, his deck of playing cards scattered in the air. The other guard reaches for his gun, and Jamie instinctively throws a card, slashing the man's neck, killing him. Reabsorbing his dupe, Madrox explains to him that that's the only time nothing matters, when you're dead.
Back in New York, Rahne sits on a roof across from the Campbells' apartment, when all of a sudden a figure of golden energy rises from the sleeping man, taking flight across the New York skyline, with Rahne giving chase.
Meanwhile, Madrox wanders down a hall of the Vance estate, a conversation clearly audible from the next room. Jamie listens in, a phone call in Russian having replaced the argument between Vance and Sheila. As one the dupes he'd sent out had spent a year and a half in Moscow, Jamie can understand what's being said full well, Vance complaining about “the mutant problem.” Unfortunately, Clay shows up, pressing a gun to Jamie's temple, and leading him into the room. Jamie lies when Vance asks if he understood the conversation, but a man in the next room rats out Madrox: his own dupe, whose hand is bandaged.
Characters:
Wolfsbane/Rahne Sinclair ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10299)
Unnamed Madrox dupe
James "Jamie" Madrox ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6163)
"Self-loathing" (Madrox dupe - unnamed)
Unnamed medical professor (memory)
Edward “Eddie” Vance
Sheila Desoto
Max (Vance estate security guard)
Unnamed Vance estate security guard
Strong Guy/Guido Carosella ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid= 9935)
Clay
Three unnamed Mutant Town residents
Bishop (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=336)
Unnamed Mutant Town police officer
"Distilled downside" (Madrox dupe)
Ned Campbell
Carol Campbell
Three unnamed Moscow residents
<hr width=100%>
Madrox #4
February 2005
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/madrox04t.jpg (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/4images/details.php?image_id=8116)
Story Title: The Bigger Heat
Writer: Peter David (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14244)
Cover Artists: David Lloyd ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34153) & Brian Reber (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Penciler: Pablo Raimondi (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14519)
Inker: Drew Hennessy ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14897)
Colorist: Brian Reber ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15500)
Assistant Editors: Nicole Wiley ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24403) & Molly Lazer (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33503)
Editor: Andy Schmidt (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18460)
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12902)
Publisher: Dan Buckley
First Appearance: "Self-preservation" (Madrox dupe), "Self-loathing" (Madrox dupe, named)
Death: Ned Campbell
Wedding "James" (Madrox dupe) & Sheila Desoto (mentioned)
Madrox travels through a burning building, and is shortly trapped beneath a collapsed beam, as the dupe formed form the impact runs away, apparently Jamie's sense of self-preservation.
A few hours before, Madrox and his dupe discuss the latter's existence, explaining that he was formed when Jamie hit the bottom of the pool, and that he was the one who tried to hold Jamie under. The dupe quickly reveals Jamie's involvement with Sheila, which prompts Vance to question her, with Sheila revealing that the two are married. Madrox is surprised by the revelation, and Vance more-or-less orders his dupe to shoot Jamie, which the self-loathing dupe is more than willing to do. Drawing on the training of his Shaolin dupe, the teachings of the Tao, Madrox utilizes his power in a new way, forcefully absorbing his traitorous dupe from across the room. Jamie grabs Sheila, and the two burst through a nearby window, safely rolling down a trail of dupes that cover the hillside. Jamie absorbs the dupes all at once, another new experience, and then leads Sheila away from the estate.
Back in Mutant Town, Wolfsbane is still tracking Ned Campbell's astral form, the smoky figure finally entering a building. Rahne makes her way down the drainpipe, and peers in the window of the selected apartment, only to see the ghost-like apparition hovering over an apparently naked man, the infamous Kim. Ned spots Rahne, and proceeds to show that, although he's in an energy form, he still packs a punch, knocking Rahne off the building.
Meanwhile, Madrox speeds along the highway with Sheila, detailing her “James'” last moments as a stabbing victim, with Sheila explaining that Vance's “mutant problem” is a supposedly psychic mutant's attempt to take over by clearing out all of the Chicago crime bosses. Jamie drops Sheila off at his motel, while calling Stringer to meet someplace private.
Elsewhere, Wolfsbane dodges Ned's blows, finally slashing at his neck, seemingly killing his astral form, while, back at the Campbells' apartment, his physical body dies, as well.
Back in Chicago, Madrox confronts Stringer with his suspicions about his position as the mystery mutant. Suddenly, a fire breaks out, separating the two, while setting the building as a whole ablaze. Going one way, Stringer is fatally stabbed by a clawed creature, only to have it revealed to be Sheila, who buttons her shirt, and orders Clay to finish the job, to kill Madrox.
Characters:
James "Jamie" Madrox ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6163)
"Self-preservation" (Madrox dupe)
"Self-loathing" (Madrox dupe)
Sheila Desoto
Clay
Edward Vance
Various unnamed Madrox dupes
Wolfsbane/Rahne Sinclair ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10299)
Strong Guy/Guido Carosella ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid= 9935)
Bishop (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=336)
Unnamed Mutant Town police officer
Ned Campbell
Kim
Carol Campbell
Stringer
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Madrox #5
March 2005
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/marvel/madrox05t.jpg (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/4images/details.php?image_id=8489)
Story Title: Once Burned, Twice Shy
Writer: Peter David (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14244)
Cover Artists: David Lloyd ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34153) & Brian Reber (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Penciler: Pablo Raimondi (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14519)
Inker: Drew Hennessy ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14897)
Colorist: Brian Reber ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15500)
Assistant Editors: Nicole Wiley ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24403) & Molly Lazer (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33503)
Editor: Andy Schmidt (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18460)
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12902)
Publisher: Dan Buckley
First Appearance: Clay dupe, X-Factor Investigations (Madrox, Wolfsbane, Strong Guy)
Death: Ned Campbell (confirmed), Stringer, Clay, Sheila Desoto
Mrs. Campbell calls XXX, confirming that her husband passed away in his sleep, with Rahne crying and feeling guilty about the whole mess.
Meanwhile, in Chicago, Madrox lies beneath a fallen beam, with Clay standing over him with a gun. Jamie convinces Clay to reveal the story before killing him, and, in true film noir style, Clay agrees, explaining to a shocked Jamie Sheila's involvement as the mystery mutant. Finishing his story, Clay cocks the gun, only to be struck from behind by the dupe that had run away when Jamie was buried. The dupe frees Jamie, only to be shot in the shoulder and violently remerge with Madrox, knocking him to ground. Standing just a few feet away from Jamie are two Clay's, each seemingly identical to the other, aside from the gun that one points at Jamie. Clay asks if Jamie thinks he's the only one, and then tells him that he doesn't know anything, least of all what he is. Stomping his foot, Madrox forms a small cavalcade of dupes in the hopes of defending from his attackers. Instead, the added weight causes the floor to collapse beneath them, which still allows them to escape. Coming upon Stringer, whose wound is slowly killing him, Jamie asks if Sheila is responsible. Stringer explains that Sheila isn't a human or a mutant, but something more, something else, before his eyes roll back in his head, as he finally dies.
The next morning, at The Power Plant in Mutant Town, Carol Campbell pines for her dead husband, with the XXX team trying their best to comfort her, and keeping the truth from her about Ned's extra-marital activities. They toast to Ned, with Kim, who is sitting only a few tables away, asking about him. Carol confirms the story, and, when Kim reveals his name, she bursts into flames, shrieking in pain. The dupe rushes to the fire extinguisher, explaining that Carol's power to set herself ablaze apparently doesn't come with the standard fireproof status.
Back at the Vance estate, Sheila tries to reconcile with Edward, with Madrox interrupting with a succinct retread of her betrayals. He explains how the dupe Sheila had met and married was sent to experience La Vida Loca, the good life, and that when he found out about her dirty dealings, he fled, only to have Sheila send Clay after him. Madrox says that he'll kill Sheila, but first Edward, and seemingly shoots Vance in the forehead, a trail of red fluid trailing behind as he falls to the floor. Sheila couldn't care less, and begins to transform into a semi-insectoid creature, with spikes and claws protruding from her skin. She grabs Jamie, thrusting through a nearby glass door, and dangling him over the pool. She asks her “husband dear” if he has any last words, to which Jamie responds, “Just two... paint gun.” Sheila doesn't understand. Suddenly, Clay falls, having been shot in the back by Edward, who explains that Jamie had shot him with a paint gun, but that his is real. In a barrage of gunfire, Sheila's monstrous façade is demolished, as she falls dead into the pool. Vance lets Jamie go, apparently grateful for his assistance.
Returning home, Jamie quickly exchanges pleasantries with Guido and Rahne, who doesn't want to discuss her case any more than Jamie does his. As Jamie admits that he could perhaps use some improvement as a private detective, Guido reminds him that the name of the agency also had some room for improvement. Walking to the front door, Jamie asks what he means, and opening it, sees the new name, “X-Factor Investigations” painted on the window. Jamie thinks to himself, “Works for me.”
Characters:
Wolfsbane/Rahne Sinclair ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10299)
Strong Guy/Guido Carosella ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid= 9935)
“Bait” (Madrox dupe)
Clay
James "Jamie" Madrox ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6163)
"Self-preservation" (Madrox dupe)
Clay dupe
Various unnamed Madrox dupes
Stringer
Carol Campbell
Various unnamed "The Power Plant" patrons
Kim
Lefty
Sheila Desoto
Edward Vance
November 2004
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/madrox01t.jpg (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/4images/details.php?image_id=7941)
Story Title: Soul of a Gumshoe
Writer: Peter David (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14244)
Cover Artists: David Lloyd ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34153) & Brian Reber (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Penciler: Pablo Raimondi (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14519)
Inker: Drew Hennessy ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14897)
Colorist: Brian Reber ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15500)
Assistant Editor: Nicole Wiley ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24403)
Editor: Andy Schmidt (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18460)
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12902)
Publisher: Dan Buckley
First Appearance: "James" (Madrox dupe), "Kwai Chang" (Madrox dupe), Lefty, Sheila Desoto (unnamed), “Bait” (Madrox dupe), XXX Investigators (Madrox, Strong Guy, Wolfsbane)
Joins: Wolfsbane (XXX Investigators)
Death: "James" (Madrox dupe)
As an injured Jamie Madrox makes his way to Mutant Town in New York, Rahne Sinclair, also known as Wolfsbane, arrives there herself, scaring a couple of locals before entering XXX Investigators, where she finds what appears to be Jamie near death on the floor. Rushing to his side and clutching him in her arms, Rahne quickly realizes that he's just severely intoxicated, and promptly drops him back on the floor, resulting in the appearance of an exact duplicate of her long-time friend. Reabsorbing the dupe, Jamie explains that he had sent one out the night before, who returned after having a "good time", and, upon rejoining his progenitor, left him with the side effects.
As Madrox impresses Rahne with some investigative techniques, another dupe, bearing an uncanny resemblance to a Shaolin monk, arrives at the office, which prompts Jamie to ask Rahne to wait in the bar downstairs. Once there, she runs into another old X-Factor teammate, Guido Carosella, whom she still fondly calls Strong Guy, and he explains that Jamie's been regularly sending out dupes to learn various things, which he then absorbs upon return. Their conversation is cut short, as a bleeding Madrox enters the bar, which Rahne and Guido quickly figure out is yet another dupe. Calling down the original, Guido and Rahne pressure him to reabsorb the dupe before he dies, so that some part of him will live on, which would hopefully be useful in locating the killer.
Although fearing the pain he feels when reabsorbing a dying dupe, Jamie does so, and sees flashes of the Chicago skyline and the El train, a photograph of woman in a newspaper, and a knife stained with blood. As the three discuss what Jamie saw, and its possible implications, Rahne asks about their next move. Jamie pounds the wall, causing a dupe to emerge, whom Jamie orders to stay behind with Rahne and Guido while he goes in search of the truth. As he opens the door to leave, Jamie asks Rahne what she thinks of the company name, "XXX Investigators", and she replies it sounds like they investigate pornography, with which, Madrox thinks to himself, he can live.
Characters:
"James" (Madrox dupe)
Various unnamed New York residents
Unnamed taxi driver
Wolfsbane/Rahne Sinclair ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10299)
James "Jamie" Madrox ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6163)
Unnamed Madrox dupe
"Kwai Chang" (Madrox dupe)
Various unnamed "The Power Plant" patrons
Lefty ("The Power Plant" bartender)
Strong Guy/Guido Carosella ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid= 9935)
Sheila Desoto (picture in memory - unnamed)
“Bait” (Madrox dupe)
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Madrox #2
December 2004
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/madrox02t.jpg (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/4images/details.php?image_id=8013)
Story Title: The Chicago Whey
Writer: Peter David (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14244)
Cover Artists: David Lloyd ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34153) & Brian Reber (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Penciler: Pablo Raimondi (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14519)
Inker: Drew Hennessy ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14897)
Colorist: Brian Reber ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15500)
Assistant Editors: Nicole Wiley ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24403) & Molly Lazer (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33503)
Editor: Andy Schmidt (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18460)
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12902)
Publisher: Dan Buckley
First Appearance: Stringer, Clay, Carol Campbell, Ned Campbell (mentioned), Sheila Desoto (named), Edward Vance (mentioned), XXX Investigations (Madrox, Strong Guy, Wolfsbane)
Death: Clay's unnamed victim
In Chicago, Madrox begins to unravel the mystery of his murdered dupe by calling on reporter friend, Stringer, while his killer, Clay, is ordered to finish the job by finding Jamie and repeating the task. Madrox and Stringer trace Sheila Desoto, the woman Jamie saw in his murdered dupe's memory, to the mansion of her boyfriend, Edward Vance, an industrialist with supposed ties to organized crime.
Meanwhile, XXX Investigations gets its first client, a woman who believes that her quadriplegic husband is cheating on her using astral projection. Once at Vance's upscale estate, Madrox sees Sheila exiting the pool, where she calls out to him as "James," and proceeds to give him a passionate kiss. Back in New York, Clay takes a shot at the dupe left behind at XXX, which gives Jamie a psychic backlash, causing him to fall unconsciously into the nearby pool.
Characters:
Stringer
Three unnamed thugs
James "Jamie" Madrox ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6163)
Various unnamed Madrox dupes
Clay
Unnamed victim
Various unnamed Empire State Building tourists
Wolfsbane/Rahne Sinclair ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10299)
“Bait” (Madrox dupe)
Strong Guy/Guido Carosella ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid= 9935)
Carol Campbell
Various unnamed Chicago residents
Unnamed female Chicago Tribune employee
Sheila Desoto
Unnamed taxi driver
Two unnamed Vance estate security guards
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Madrox #3
January 2005
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/marvel/madrox03t.jpg (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/4images/details.php?image_id=8488)
Story Title: Dead Dirty Pool
Writer: Peter David (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14244)
Cover Artists: David Lloyd ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34153) & Brian Reber (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Penciler: Pablo Raimondi (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14519)
Inker: Drew Hennessy ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14897)
Colorist: Brian Reber ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15500)
Assistant Editors: Nicole Wiley ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24403) & Molly Lazer (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33503)
Editor: Andy Schmidt (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18460)
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12902)
Publisher: Dan Buckley
First Appearance: "Self-loathing" (Madrox dupe, unnamed), Edward Vance, "Distilled downside" (Madrox dupe), Ned Campbell (shown)
Death: Unnamed Vance estate security guard
New Costume: Wolfsbane
As Rahne checks in on the attacked dupe, who insists that she continue with her mission, Madrox sinks to the bottom of the pool, where the impact forms a dupe. Jamie fights off the dupe, who seemingly tries to drown him, only to be held under by someone else when he reaches the surface. Luckily, the medical training one of his traveling dupes picked up came in handy, as Jamie was able to break his assailant's little and ring fingers. Edward Vance himself fishes Jamie out of the pool, with Sheila vehemently denying any sort of goings-on between them. Later, two guards tie up Jamie and lock him in a supply closet, making fun of his power to duplicate.
Meanwhile, back in Mutant Town, Strong Guy attacks Clay, who is still unaware of the Madrox dupe's situation. Clay fights back, his bullets merely bouncing off of Guido, and unfortunately ricocheting into a nearby apartment. The resident isn't at all happy about that, and blasts Guido clear across the street, when Bishop shows up, stating that they have a bit of a situation.
Back in Chicago, Jamie wakes up in the closet, and makes himself aware of his surroundings, not the least of which is that he's handcuffed. He makes quick work of the cuffs, and focuses his power under the door, forming a dupe in the hall outside, who's conveniently depressed beyond assistance. The guards hear the two Jamie's talking, and investigate, seeing only the dupe in the hallway. Threatened with bodily harm, the dupe let's Madrox out of the closet, who quickly rolls out, kicking one guard square in the gut, his deck of playing cards scattered in the air. The other guard reaches for his gun, and Jamie instinctively throws a card, slashing the man's neck, killing him. Reabsorbing his dupe, Madrox explains to him that that's the only time nothing matters, when you're dead.
Back in New York, Rahne sits on a roof across from the Campbells' apartment, when all of a sudden a figure of golden energy rises from the sleeping man, taking flight across the New York skyline, with Rahne giving chase.
Meanwhile, Madrox wanders down a hall of the Vance estate, a conversation clearly audible from the next room. Jamie listens in, a phone call in Russian having replaced the argument between Vance and Sheila. As one the dupes he'd sent out had spent a year and a half in Moscow, Jamie can understand what's being said full well, Vance complaining about “the mutant problem.” Unfortunately, Clay shows up, pressing a gun to Jamie's temple, and leading him into the room. Jamie lies when Vance asks if he understood the conversation, but a man in the next room rats out Madrox: his own dupe, whose hand is bandaged.
Characters:
Wolfsbane/Rahne Sinclair ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10299)
Unnamed Madrox dupe
James "Jamie" Madrox ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6163)
"Self-loathing" (Madrox dupe - unnamed)
Unnamed medical professor (memory)
Edward “Eddie” Vance
Sheila Desoto
Max (Vance estate security guard)
Unnamed Vance estate security guard
Strong Guy/Guido Carosella ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid= 9935)
Clay
Three unnamed Mutant Town residents
Bishop (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=336)
Unnamed Mutant Town police officer
"Distilled downside" (Madrox dupe)
Ned Campbell
Carol Campbell
Three unnamed Moscow residents
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Madrox #4
February 2005
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/madrox04t.jpg (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/4images/details.php?image_id=8116)
Story Title: The Bigger Heat
Writer: Peter David (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14244)
Cover Artists: David Lloyd ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34153) & Brian Reber (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Penciler: Pablo Raimondi (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14519)
Inker: Drew Hennessy ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14897)
Colorist: Brian Reber ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15500)
Assistant Editors: Nicole Wiley ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24403) & Molly Lazer (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33503)
Editor: Andy Schmidt (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18460)
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12902)
Publisher: Dan Buckley
First Appearance: "Self-preservation" (Madrox dupe), "Self-loathing" (Madrox dupe, named)
Death: Ned Campbell
Wedding "James" (Madrox dupe) & Sheila Desoto (mentioned)
Madrox travels through a burning building, and is shortly trapped beneath a collapsed beam, as the dupe formed form the impact runs away, apparently Jamie's sense of self-preservation.
A few hours before, Madrox and his dupe discuss the latter's existence, explaining that he was formed when Jamie hit the bottom of the pool, and that he was the one who tried to hold Jamie under. The dupe quickly reveals Jamie's involvement with Sheila, which prompts Vance to question her, with Sheila revealing that the two are married. Madrox is surprised by the revelation, and Vance more-or-less orders his dupe to shoot Jamie, which the self-loathing dupe is more than willing to do. Drawing on the training of his Shaolin dupe, the teachings of the Tao, Madrox utilizes his power in a new way, forcefully absorbing his traitorous dupe from across the room. Jamie grabs Sheila, and the two burst through a nearby window, safely rolling down a trail of dupes that cover the hillside. Jamie absorbs the dupes all at once, another new experience, and then leads Sheila away from the estate.
Back in Mutant Town, Wolfsbane is still tracking Ned Campbell's astral form, the smoky figure finally entering a building. Rahne makes her way down the drainpipe, and peers in the window of the selected apartment, only to see the ghost-like apparition hovering over an apparently naked man, the infamous Kim. Ned spots Rahne, and proceeds to show that, although he's in an energy form, he still packs a punch, knocking Rahne off the building.
Meanwhile, Madrox speeds along the highway with Sheila, detailing her “James'” last moments as a stabbing victim, with Sheila explaining that Vance's “mutant problem” is a supposedly psychic mutant's attempt to take over by clearing out all of the Chicago crime bosses. Jamie drops Sheila off at his motel, while calling Stringer to meet someplace private.
Elsewhere, Wolfsbane dodges Ned's blows, finally slashing at his neck, seemingly killing his astral form, while, back at the Campbells' apartment, his physical body dies, as well.
Back in Chicago, Madrox confronts Stringer with his suspicions about his position as the mystery mutant. Suddenly, a fire breaks out, separating the two, while setting the building as a whole ablaze. Going one way, Stringer is fatally stabbed by a clawed creature, only to have it revealed to be Sheila, who buttons her shirt, and orders Clay to finish the job, to kill Madrox.
Characters:
James "Jamie" Madrox ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6163)
"Self-preservation" (Madrox dupe)
"Self-loathing" (Madrox dupe)
Sheila Desoto
Clay
Edward Vance
Various unnamed Madrox dupes
Wolfsbane/Rahne Sinclair ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10299)
Strong Guy/Guido Carosella ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid= 9935)
Bishop (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=336)
Unnamed Mutant Town police officer
Ned Campbell
Kim
Carol Campbell
Stringer
<hr width=100%>
Madrox #5
March 2005
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/marvel/madrox05t.jpg (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/4images/details.php?image_id=8489)
Story Title: Once Burned, Twice Shy
Writer: Peter David (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14244)
Cover Artists: David Lloyd ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34153) & Brian Reber (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Penciler: Pablo Raimondi (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14519)
Inker: Drew Hennessy ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14897)
Colorist: Brian Reber ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17838)
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15500)
Assistant Editors: Nicole Wiley ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24403) & Molly Lazer (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33503)
Editor: Andy Schmidt (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18460)
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12902)
Publisher: Dan Buckley
First Appearance: Clay dupe, X-Factor Investigations (Madrox, Wolfsbane, Strong Guy)
Death: Ned Campbell (confirmed), Stringer, Clay, Sheila Desoto
Mrs. Campbell calls XXX, confirming that her husband passed away in his sleep, with Rahne crying and feeling guilty about the whole mess.
Meanwhile, in Chicago, Madrox lies beneath a fallen beam, with Clay standing over him with a gun. Jamie convinces Clay to reveal the story before killing him, and, in true film noir style, Clay agrees, explaining to a shocked Jamie Sheila's involvement as the mystery mutant. Finishing his story, Clay cocks the gun, only to be struck from behind by the dupe that had run away when Jamie was buried. The dupe frees Jamie, only to be shot in the shoulder and violently remerge with Madrox, knocking him to ground. Standing just a few feet away from Jamie are two Clay's, each seemingly identical to the other, aside from the gun that one points at Jamie. Clay asks if Jamie thinks he's the only one, and then tells him that he doesn't know anything, least of all what he is. Stomping his foot, Madrox forms a small cavalcade of dupes in the hopes of defending from his attackers. Instead, the added weight causes the floor to collapse beneath them, which still allows them to escape. Coming upon Stringer, whose wound is slowly killing him, Jamie asks if Sheila is responsible. Stringer explains that Sheila isn't a human or a mutant, but something more, something else, before his eyes roll back in his head, as he finally dies.
The next morning, at The Power Plant in Mutant Town, Carol Campbell pines for her dead husband, with the XXX team trying their best to comfort her, and keeping the truth from her about Ned's extra-marital activities. They toast to Ned, with Kim, who is sitting only a few tables away, asking about him. Carol confirms the story, and, when Kim reveals his name, she bursts into flames, shrieking in pain. The dupe rushes to the fire extinguisher, explaining that Carol's power to set herself ablaze apparently doesn't come with the standard fireproof status.
Back at the Vance estate, Sheila tries to reconcile with Edward, with Madrox interrupting with a succinct retread of her betrayals. He explains how the dupe Sheila had met and married was sent to experience La Vida Loca, the good life, and that when he found out about her dirty dealings, he fled, only to have Sheila send Clay after him. Madrox says that he'll kill Sheila, but first Edward, and seemingly shoots Vance in the forehead, a trail of red fluid trailing behind as he falls to the floor. Sheila couldn't care less, and begins to transform into a semi-insectoid creature, with spikes and claws protruding from her skin. She grabs Jamie, thrusting through a nearby glass door, and dangling him over the pool. She asks her “husband dear” if he has any last words, to which Jamie responds, “Just two... paint gun.” Sheila doesn't understand. Suddenly, Clay falls, having been shot in the back by Edward, who explains that Jamie had shot him with a paint gun, but that his is real. In a barrage of gunfire, Sheila's monstrous façade is demolished, as she falls dead into the pool. Vance lets Jamie go, apparently grateful for his assistance.
Returning home, Jamie quickly exchanges pleasantries with Guido and Rahne, who doesn't want to discuss her case any more than Jamie does his. As Jamie admits that he could perhaps use some improvement as a private detective, Guido reminds him that the name of the agency also had some room for improvement. Walking to the front door, Jamie asks what he means, and opening it, sees the new name, “X-Factor Investigations” painted on the window. Jamie thinks to himself, “Works for me.”
Characters:
Wolfsbane/Rahne Sinclair ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10299)
Strong Guy/Guido Carosella ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid= 9935)
“Bait” (Madrox dupe)
Clay
James "Jamie" Madrox ( http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6163)
"Self-preservation" (Madrox dupe)
Clay dupe
Various unnamed Madrox dupes
Stringer
Carol Campbell
Various unnamed "The Power Plant" patrons
Kim
Lefty
Sheila Desoto
Edward Vance