X-Factor was formed during the days of the Crimson Claw's Great Supervillain Contest. The members had worked with each other in the past in smaller groups, but became united for mutual protection during this crisis. It was Sabre's suggestion that they should form a hero team shortly after the members had pulled off a daring raid in which several captured heroes were freed. The name 'X-Factor' was coined by Spectrum, since the group primarily consisted of unknown heroes. Shockwave, Blizzard, the Empress, and Morning Star rounded out the founding members.
X-Factor has yet to have a 'true' base. In the beginning, they used the offices of Heroes for Hire as a place to gather and discuss things. However, this has changed due to the conditions set forth by PRIMUS in the case of Icicle. The team has been given a former VIPER's Nest to use as a lair. It also doubles as secured quarters for Icicle for as long as she remains on probation.
March 17-20th - Spectrum meets Shockwave and Blizzard. Works with them as Heroes for Hire temporarily while guarding the Tanghal Tower. During the job he is reunited with Icicle who provides him with a clue to a VIPER Plot. (Covered in Spectrum #13-15)
March 21-22nd - Acting on information learned from Icicle, Spectrum teams up with Morning Star to counter a VIPER plan to blackmail the City of Dallas for 1 Billion dollars. (Revealed in Spectrum #16-18)
April 18-19th, 1986 - X-Factor is formed. (Shown in Spectrum #22)
April 19-20th, 1986 - X-Factor is one of several hero teams that assault the Crimson Claw's lair. In reality the Claw is a demonic servant to a being called Azog who was imprisoned in another dimension at some unspecified time in the past. The Claw bonds the Emerald Eye of Azog to Borealis, creating a gateway to earth through which innumerable Shadow Demons flood through. The heroes managed to thwart the plan by transporting the gate back to the Azog's dimension. (As seen in Avengers #15-20, Muskateer #15, Troubleshooters #10-12, and X-Factor #1-4)
April 20-26th, 1986 - Hexmaster's plot against Spectrum is discovered and his missing memories are recovered. (As shown in Spectrum #24-26 & X-Factor #6)
April 28th, 1986 - Mockingbird joins the team at the request of American Eagle. The team is given SIMON as a gift from the Superior Seven. (Seen in X-Factor #9)
May 3-4th, 1986 - X-Factor raids the VIPER's Nest that eventually becomes their first base. In the process, Icicle is talked into turning herself in and becomes the teams ward while on probation. (Told in X-Factor #11-14)
May 5th, 1986 - The Empress quits the team after learning about their involvement with Icicle. (Shown in X-Factor #17)
May 7th, 1986 - Icicle partcipates in her first mission as part of X-Factor as a portion of the team takes on the Destruction Crew. (From Spectrum #32)
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BLIZZARDFounding MemberA mutant possessing the power to generate ice, Blizzard was one of the founding members of X-Factor. In addition, he runs Heroes for Hire, an agency that offers superhuman services at a price. Blizzard joined the team on a lark because he thought it would be fun. He is romantically involved with the Empress. |
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EMPRESSFounding MemberGiven powers by the Crown of the Elements, the Empress can command the four ancient elements to do her bidding. In addition to being on X-Factor, the Empress is also an employee of Heroes for Hire with her former boyfriend, Blizzard. Personally, the Empress' primary concern is about making herself look good in the eyes of others and being noticed by attractive hero hunks. The incident with Icicle caused the Empress to quit the team. |
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MORNING STARFounding MemberMorning Star has been an active heroine for over seven years and is the only seasoned member of the team. X-Factor is her third team, having been a member of the Crusaders and the Guardians in the past. While preferring to not be the team leader, the others frequently seek out her advice. |
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SABREFounding MemberSabre is the son of Blade and Bryn. His father is one of the Blood, migrating to Earth from his homeworld of Ean which exists in another dimension. The Blood all possess superpowers and Sabre is no exception. His mother is an Earth woman whose bloodline has a strain of Norse Deity blood in it. Sabre is superhumanly strong and skilled with many weapons. |
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SHOCKWAVEFounding MemberBeing a very bright young woman, Shockwave worked for a high-tech company until she discovered in horror that her designs were being used in weapons. After a device of her creation was responsible for innocent deaths and having exhausted all legal means, she created her Shockwave armor to try to make up for what she created by being a superhero. Shockwave is a former employee of Heroes for Hire and now she works for LawTech. Shockwave is the team's resident scientist. |
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SPECTRUMFounding Member - Team LeaderSpectrum is the leader of X-Factor. The colorful mutant has a checkered past as it was generally believed that he was a criminal. The truth behind those circumstances has been revealed and now everyone considers Spectrum to be a hero. |
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MOCKINGBIRD1st RecruitAt the request of American Eagle, Mockingbird was added to the team's ranks. Mockingbird is the great-grand daughter of the original American Eagle and wished to continue her family tradition. Using a flying harness and sonic carapace, the Mockingbird can produce a variety of sound-based effects. After Shockwave, she's the next most skilled scientist on the team. |
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ICICLE2nd RecruitAs part of her plea bargain arrangement with PRIMUS, Icicle is performing community service as a member of X-Factor. As such, she only accompanies the team on organized missions. |