FACTOR-X
Earth-821236
Real Name: Factor-X
Identity/Class: Alternate Earth (Earth-821236) terrestrial robot
Occupation: Detective; former spy
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: Champions of Xandar (Centurion/Tanak Valt, Comet/Harris Moore, Protector/Thoran Rul, Powerhouse/Rieg Davan), Nova (Richard Rider), Rider family (Charles Rider, Gloria Rider, Robert 'Bobby' Rider)
Enemies: None
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes robot
Base of Operations: Rider residence, Hempstead, Long Island, New York
First Appearance: What If? I#36 (December, 1982)
Powers/Abilities: Factor-X is a robot who possesses artificial intelligence. He can speak, move and act independently. Factor-X was outfitted with an advanced scanner array, even capable of detecting alien spaceships. Factor-X has a humanoid mechanical body and customarily wears clothing patterned after Sherlock Holmes, including a deerstalker cap, Inverness cape and a pipe. The full extent of his physical abilities and sensory equipment remains unrevealed.
Height: Unrevealed (6'2" by approximation)
Weight: Unrevealed (350 lbs. by approximation)
Eyes: White optical sensors
Hair: None
History:
(What If? I#36 (fb) - BTS) - Young mechanical genius Robert 'Bobby' Rider was convinced his brother Richard was hiding a secret. He decided to build a robot based on Sherlock Holmes to help him search for clues. Unbeknownst to him, the evil genius known as Doctor Sun secretly involved himself in Factor-X's construction, imbuing it with advanced artificial intelligence. Sun intended to use Factor-X to spy on Robert's brother Richard in his identity as Nova without arousing suspicion.
(What If? I#36 (fb) - BTS) - When Doctor Sun seemingly
perished not too long after Factor-X became operational, the robot
regained full control and became free to forge an identity of his own.
He returned to the Riders to explain what had happened to him.
(What If? I#36 (fb) - BTS) - During the year that Richard remained on Xandar as Nova Prime, Factor-X became part of the Rider household and grew so close to Bobby that he regarded him as a brother.
(What If? I#36 - BTS) - Richard Rider secretly returned to
Earth without surrendering the Nova powers to Xandar.
(What If? I#36) - Nova
was ready to attack Factor-X when he came home to find the robot there.
Instead, the Rider family confronted him over his year-long absence and
Factor-X explained his true origin and emancipation following Doctor
Sun's apparent death. Calling himself Richard's brother as well as
Robert's, Factor-X warned the family of approaching danger and directed
their attention to a massive Xandarian primeship descending over the
neighborhood. Factor-X remained with the Riders and their neighbors when
the Comet, Centurion, Powerhouse and Protector arrived to reclaim the
Nova powers. Richard fought the four Xandarians and damaged several
homes before his family persuaded him to recognize his selfish behavior
and voluntarily return the Nova powers.
Comments: Created by Bill Mantlo and Mike Vosburg.
Factor-X's home reality diverged from Earth-616 when
Richard Rider refused to relinquish his Nova powers and remained on
Xandar, so we can assume he had the same experiences as the Earth-616
version. However, without confirmation those events aren't included in
this profile. On Earth-616, Factor-X simply disappeared at the end of Nova
I#23, the series was cancelled two issues later and his fate
remained undetermined until 2009's Nova IV#23, when his lifeless
shell was seen in Richard Rider's quarters.
Presumably, the robot returned at some point to tell the
Rider family what had happened. It's almost a shame this version of the
character only appeared in a single What If? backup strip;
there's something inherently fascinating about a sentient robot
cosplaying as Sherlock Holmes living the domestic life on Long Island.
What does Sherly do all day? Do the neighbors know what he is, can he go
outside? This premise has wacky sitcom written all over it! Unlike his
616-counterpart, this version of Factor-X has two legs, rather than the
single wheel he originally moved around on. It's safe to assume Bobby
made some improvements along the way... You try walking up stairs
on a unicyle.
Profile by Norvo
CLARIFICATIONS:
Factor-X should not be confused with:
Images: (without ads)
What If I#36, p29, pan1 (main)
What If I#36, p29, pan2
What If I#36, p29, pans3&4
Appearances:
What If? I#36 (December, 1982) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Mike Vosburg
(pencils & inks), Mark Gruenwald (editor)
First Posted: 10/17/2026
Last Updated: 10/17/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
Copyright info
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