Wolverine Wednesday #59

Murderworld: Wolverine #1

Writers: Jim Zub & Ray Fawkes | Artist: Carlos Nieto | Inker: Victor Nava | Colourist: Matt Milla | Letters: Cory Petit

I hardly ever regret buying a comic, but this was one of those times. I think what made it feel worse was the fact I missed the original release date, and then had my LCS backorder me a copy. How Marvel can market this firstly as an #1 and secondly as a Wolverine comic is beyond me. It represents everything that is wrong with mainstream comics right now. The Wolverine solo series has been pretty much faultless since its return, so obviously with this Murderworld series, it’s a classic case of using popular characters to push another series. And I fell for it hook, line and sinker. The cover drew me in straight away with its variations of Wolverine through the years. Yes, I am an easy mark! But that is where the highlights of this issue start and finish. A good Murderworld story done right is a good thing, throw in some Wolverine variants and you have the potential for a good comic. This is none of those things, to be honest, I didn’t even get halfway through reading it! So why isn’t this a Wolverine comic? A very simple answer. He isn’t even in it. Now I don’t usually do complete spoilers in my reviews but I feel the need to here so people don’t make the same mistake I did. Why is this not a #1? Because there was a Murderworld: Avengers #1 and a Murderworld: Spider-Man #1 and there is a continuing story arc across all three issues. If it had been solicited as a mini there is no way I would have considered the Wolverine issue on its own. I may have picked up the whole thing if it sounded good or waited for the trade. It is a shame as there are elements to the story that are intriguing but being three issues in and missing the first two as a reader you aren’t invested in the characters. None of the main protagonists are anyone we know and love so it makes it a tough read. The whole thing feels like it is trying to cash in on the Squid Game phenomenon over a year too late. Yes, the story comes complete with a contestant death toll. I don’t want to say any more about this comic as I don’t want to offend, it clearly just isn’t for me. As I said a good Murderworld story can be fun and there will be Arcade fans out there lapping this up. So go ahead and enjoy it.

Wolverine #31

Writer: Benjamin Percy | Artist: Juan Jose Ryp | Colourist: Frank D’Armata | Letters: Cory Petit

I don’t want to be too negative after the previous review, but in my honest opinion, this arc is dragging now. Not that is a bad issue or even a bad arc overall. It just feels with every issue added it diminishes the overall quality and enjoyment. On the other hand, it worked in its favour that this wasn’t the final issue and we have more space to end things after spending two previous issues in The Pit. So really it is a case of giving with one hand and taking away with the other. Without giving any spoilers it feels like a lot has happened off-panel between this and the previous issue and that did take me out of the moment a bit as I thought about how much time has elapsed between all the issues in the arc. As I am reviewing this though as a single issue I have to say it starts strong. I really love the opening interaction between Wolverine and Sage as he suits up again in the tan and brown after his time in The Pit. Before the main plot of Wolverine hunting Beast can get underway we get an interlude with Black Tom and Bannister’s daughter which is fun and also gives a moment for Dr. Reyes to shine. Once the hunt is underway it is very well-paced once again by Percy. On paper, it seems like a simple step-by-step process. It’s follow up on a lead, to the next clue, to the next clue, to revelation and finally the climax. Putting the meat on the bones and making this a flowing, compelling story is where Percy excels. The climax does however come with one major drawback. It is a drawback that is part of the wider baggage of the X-verse status quo created by Hickman. I am of course referring to the ‘resurrection protocols.’ It is something I mentioned in the early days reviewing this series, as well as X-Force and the Wolverine X Lives/Deaths mini-series. I have just been counting down the days until it affects a story I am reading… for the worse! When the big moment happens at the end the shock value is gone because of the ‘resurrection protocols.’ Even so in my opinion it didn’t need the two pages afterwards, left as it was it would have had a nice moment of symmetry to an incident earlier in the arc. By this point in the Krakoan era you would feel most readers know all about the ‘protocols’ so that is another reason why the final two pages aren’t needed. Perhaps those two pages could have been used to flesh out the story elsewhere in the issue. In terms of the art, all ‘The Pit’ stuff is done with Ryp, who doesn’t get many opportunities to flex his muscles and do the style of art he is truly good at. It feels unfair to mention it every issue but I do feel Kubert would have done the espionage stuff much better. One thing I haven’t picked up on before over the course of this arc is Ryp’s portrayal of Beast. He is very imposing, I would liken him to Argent in Grendel. If you were reading an X-Men comic for the very first time with Ryp’s Beast you would be forgiven for thinking he was a villain. Beast is essentially the villain in this arc he is still at the end of the day an X-Man so to completely draw him in such a way makes for an interesting choice, as it goes against how he was seen in X-Force and earlier issues of Wolverine. It is a creative choice that enhances the story. If in a few years time when Wolverine and Beast are fighting side by side again and he’s furry and friendly again, readers aren’t going to question it. There are a few gems sprinkled in this issue but it needs wrapping up now. Hopefully it gets done next time out and we can move onto something else. I am missing the excitement of a new arc unfolding.

Wheres Wolverine

As a new feature I wanted to run down all Wolverine appearances, Wolverine-related appearances, guest appearances, and cover appearances in the upcoming month. Basically, I like compiling lists!

• Avengers #66 (cover app by Javier Garron)
• Hulk #13 (variant cover app) by Steve McNiven homaging Incredible Hulk #340 by Todd McFarlane
• Sabertooth & The Exiles #5
• Wolverine #31 (variants covers by Stefano Caselli, Pete Wood and Alex Ross)
• X-23 Deadly Regenesis – New series by Erica Schultz and Edgar Salazar
• X-23 #1 Facsimile Edition
• X-Force #38
• X-Men Unforgiven #1 (cover app by Kyle Hotz)