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FACTOR-X

Real Name: Factor-X

Identity/Class: Terrestrial robot

Occupation: Detective
    former spy

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Doctor Sun, Nova (Richard Rider), Quasar (Wendell Vaughn), Rider family (Charles Rider, Gloria Rider, Robert 'Bobby' Rider)

Enemies: None

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: R-213 (codename used by Dr. Sun), Sherly, Sherl (nicknames used by Robert Rider)

Base of Operations: Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S., Adirondack Mountains, New York;
    formerly the Rider residence, Hempstead, Long Island, New York

First Appearance: Nova I#18 (March, 1978)

Powers/Abilities: Factor-X possesses artificial intelligence and a computer programmed for investigation, logical reasoning and deduction. His mini-computer and sensor array were advanced enough that he could isolate and track a person's scent by analyzing a hair sample. His sensors enabled him to examine and sample the contents of a room in approximately five minutes. Factor-X could speak, understand instructions and make independent decisions. His metal body was sufficiently strong to knock out humans with a single blow. Factor-X moved upon a single motorized wheel. Doctor Sun secretly augmented Factor-X's intelligence to unknown levels and could influence his behavior through programming unknown to Factor-X. Factor-X could pass for a human at a distance by wearing clothing and a specially prepared latex mask. His Sherlock Holmes gear included a deerstalker cap, Inverness coat, a magnifying glass and a pipe capable of emitting smoke.

Height: Unrevealed (6'4" by approximation)
Weight: Unrevealed (350 lbs. by approximation)
Eyes: White optical sensors
Hair: None

History:

(Nova I#18) - Suspicious that his brother Richard was hiding something, teenage inventor Robert 'Bobby' Rider spent months constructing a robot he called Factor-X. Robert kept the unfinished mechanoid concealed beneath a cloth while he made its final adjustments, intending to use it to uncover Richard's secret.

(Nova I#23 (fb) - BTS) - The evil genius known as Doctor Sun covertly interfered with Robert's work. Sun intended to use Factor-X to spy on Nova and learn about the hero's starship that he discovered in orbit around Earth. To achieve this, Sun secretly expanded the robot's mini-computer with advanced artificial intelligence. Naming his latest robotic servant R-213, he had him go to work. Bobby Rider seemingly didn't realize his robot was now far more capable than it was ever designed to be.

(Nova I#20) - When his brother once again ran off without any explanation, Bobby felt the time was right to put Factor-X to work. He activated his creation, all decked out in traditional Sherlock Holmes garb, even nicknaming him "Sherly". The robot immediately sprang into action, acting like the famous detective and even consistently referring to his creator as 'Watson', Holmes' famed assistant. Bobby made a mental note to have this adjusted, but he nevertheless brought him to his brother's room. He supplied Factor-X with a hair from Richard's brush, enabling the robot's mini-computer to lock onto Richard's scent.

(Nova I#20 - BTS) - Factor-X and Bobby tracked Richard down to the headquarters of the Inner Circle, a criminal cabal that Rider was in the middle of routing as his superheroic alter ego Nova.

(Nova I#20) - Just as Factor-X and Bobby entered, they saw Nova standing over the unconscious body of Charles Rider, who had been forced to join the criminal organization against his will. Misreading the situation, the overly emotional Bobby accused Nova of murder. He even vowed to make sure the young hero would die for this. Factor-X, smoking his pipe, did nothing but observe the confrontation.

(Nova I#21) - Factor-X remained beside Bobby and Charles while Nova explained that their father was still alive. He ordered them to call the nearest hospital to tell them to expect an incoming emergency while he went to deal with the head of the Inner Circle, the mind-controlling Corruptor.

(Nova I#21 - BTS) - Bobby and Factor-X called the hospital and then returned to Charles' side, anxiously waiting for Nova to return.

(Nova I#21) - When Nova came back and got ready to fly his dad to the emergency room, Bobby tagged along. He told Factor-X to go back home and wait for them there. He complied (see comments).

(Nova I#21) - Some time later, Factor-X was visiting Charles Rider in the hospital along with the rest of the family. He was present when Richard Rider revealed to his loved ones that he was Nova. Much to his surprise, his parents and brother were immediately accepting. Even his usually stern mother proudly declared it was remarkable to have a boy genius, a superhero and a robotic Sherlock Holmes in the same family. Factor-X answered that assessment affirmatively.

(Nova I#22 (fb) - BTS) - Time passed, Charles Rider returned home from the hospital and Factor-X became part of the Rider household, even joining them at the dinner table.

(Nova I#23 (fb)) - Doctor Sun actively assumed control of Factor-X, forcing the robot to gas Richard Rider when he was sleeping so he could study him in depth.

(Nova I#23 (fb) - BTS) - Acting under Doctor Sun's hidden programming, Factor-X began constructing a latex mask that made him look like Richard Rider.

(Nova I#22) - Factor-X was with the Riders when they asked Richard to demonstrate his Nova powers. They decided to do this at the family's remote summer home up on Montauk Point and drove up there, leaving Factor-X behind at the house (see comments).

(Nova I#23) - When Doctor Sun captured Nova, he wanted even more information and ordered Factor-X to do one final sweep. The robot complied, ignoring his creator Bobby who noticed the mechanoid was acting out of character. However, Factor-X struck him unconscious when the boy tried to stop him from leaving. Wearing a bathrobe and the latex mask prepared weeks earlier, Factor-X impersonated Richard and chased off Ginger Jaye and Bernie Dillon when they unexpectedly came by. Once they departed, Factor-X removed the disguise and conducted a thorough search of Richard's bedroom. It took him five minutes to take samples of everything before he left the house.

(Nova I#23 - BTS) - Factor-X reported his findings to Doctor Sun, who subsequently revealed that he had been using the robot to gather information about Nova and his orbiting starship.

(Nova IV#23 (fb) - BTS) - By unrevealed means, Factor-X came back into Robert Rider's possession (see comments).

(Nova IV#23) - Years later, Factor-X was seen in Richard Rider's quarters at the Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. campus. Richard pointed the apparently inactive robot out to Quasar and began explaining that Robert had built it, but Quasar had no patience for this walk down memory lane.

Comments: Created by Marv Wolfman and Carmine Infantino.

Man, don't you just love Nova and its late-1970s take on 'advanced technology'? From Crimebuster's multipurpose cartridge gun to Sherly, who can be best described as a cousin of C-3PO with a Sherlock Holmes fetish and a wheel for legs. The Star Wars influence on Sherly's design is undeniable; the movie came out in May of 1977 and was actually still in theaters by the time Factor-X was introduced in March of 1978.

Bobby Rider orders Factor-X to return home midway through #21. With everyone else at the hospital, that would have been the ideal moment to do some uninterrupted snooping.

Of course, it's borderline unbelievable that Doctor Sun would have ever had to rely on a teenager's tinkertoy in the first place. What use is being a disembodied brain with massive psionic powers and Dracula's mind control if you don't use them? Sun clearly knew Richard Rider was Nova well before the hero outed himself to his family. There's no reason R-213 would have to wait around for weeks before finally conducting that thorough search of the guy's room.

So, what happened to Sherl after he wheeled himself off to report to Dr. Sun in Nova I#23? Interestingly enough, What If? I#36 answered that question. On Earth-821236, Factor-X regained his free will soon after Dr. Sun was out of the picture. He returned to the Rider home where he spent the next year or so happily living among his newfound family. It's possible something similar happened on Earth-616, though in this reality Richard Rider was still around so there was no need for Factor-X to become Bobby's surrogate brother. Still, he was apparently fond enough of his childhood creation that he brought him along as a memento when he moved to the Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. campus.

Profile by Norvo

CLARIFICATIONS:
Factor-X should not be confused with:

Images: (without ads)
Nova I#23, p7, pan2 (main)
Nova I#20, p4, pans1&2 (in action)
Nova I#23, p7, pan3 (knocks out Bobby)
Nova I#23, p8, pan4 (with latex mask)
Nova IV#23, p5, pan3 (at P.E.G.A.S.U.S.)

Appearances:
Nova I#18 (March, 1978) - Marv Wolfman (writer/editor), Carmine Infantino (pencils), the Tribe (inks)
Nova I#20 (July, 1978) - Marv Wolfman (writer/editor), Carmine Infantino (pencils), Dave Hunt (inks)
Nova I#21 (September, 1978) - Marv Wolfman (writer/editor), John Buscema (pencils), Bob McLeod & Joe Rubinstein (inks)
Nova I#22 (November, 1978) - Marv Wolfman (writer/editor), Carmine Infantino (pencils), Steve Leialoha (inks)
Nova I#23 (January, 1979) - Marv Wolfman (writer/editor), Carmine Infantino & Gene Colan (pencils), Many Hands & Tom Palmer (inks)
Nova IV#23 (May, 2009) - Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (writers), Andrea Di Vito (pencils & inks), Bill Rosemann (editor)

First Posted: 10/17/20266
Last Updated: 10/17/2026

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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