X-Men: Legacy #208
‘From Genesis to Revelations’
Writer: Mike Carey
Reality Art: Scot Eaton & John Dell
Mindscape Art: John Romita Jr. & Klaus Janson

Xavier’s near death (again) and journey through old memories (again) while in a coma (again) is the focus of this issue.

But Wolverine does cameo during Professor Xavier’s mindscape dream and a brief retelling of ‘Messiah CompleX.’

No dialogue, just an appearance for Wolverine completists like myself.

From Marvel (Preview): “The X-Men’s past becomes the present as Xavier fights the greatest battle of his life. With his mind hanging in the balance, one false move can cause irreversible damage. Help arrives from an unlikely source, but in the world post-Messiah Complex, sometimes your enemies are the only people you can trust.” On sale February 27, 2008.

Marvel Zombies 2 #5
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Sean Phillips

What a wonderful concept. Marvel superheroes turned zombie.

Stupid, gory fun. What could be better?

But in this sequel, we find ourselves dealing with questionable zombie morality, inexplicable cessation of zombie hunger reminiscent of spontaneous generation and an unsatisfying finale.

The first series was a blast. This series is, unfortunately, nothing but a dud.

From Marvel (Preview): “This is it, the brain-eating, limb-wrenching climax to the sinister sequel of the runaway hit series! The fate of what’s left of the human race hangs in the balance as the Civil War between the Marvel Zombies comes to its shattering—and sickening—conclusion!” On sale February 27, 2008.

Marvel Adventures the Avengers #21
“From Russia… with Hate!”
Writer: Marc Sumerak
Pencils: Ig Guara; Inks: Jay Leisten

I know I’m not the primary target for this series. And frankly, this was a much better issue all around with Wolverine getting some decent stage time.

But I still think that it is time for Marvel to establish a finite set of worlds for their stories to take place in such as…

-Marvel 616: The main universe.
-Ultimate: The Ultimate universe.
-Zombies: The Marvel Zombies universe.
-Marvel Adventures: Young readers Marvel universe.
-Future: The various future timelines that will never come to be.
-What If: One-shot Marvel universes of alternate timelines.

From Marvel (Preview): “The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming! Get ready to cry “Wolverine!” at the top of your lungs, ’cause Avengers Tower is about to go all “Red Dawn” when the Crimson Dynamo invades! But who is the super-spy on the armored villain’s trail…and can she be trusted?” On sale Feb 20, 2008.

Ultimate X-Men #91
‘Apocalypse, Part 2’
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Salvador Larroca

One of the better issues of ‘Ultimate X-Men’ in a while.

Wolverine shines in a leadership role (finally!) as Apocalypse takes center stage.

But, once again, the action gets a little rushed giving the feel that a seven-part story is being condensed into four issues.

From Marvel (Preview): “All hail Apocalypse! Last issue saw Sinister squirm from the grave—and now the evolutionary emperor known as Apocalypse has arrived! Superstar artist Salvador Larroca continues his run here – as the threat to the X-Men kicks into overdrive!” On sale February 19, 2008.

Ultimates 3 #3
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Joe Madureira

Really terrific cover of Wolverine getting eaten by a T. Rex.

Unfortunately, the pages within are pure melodrama.

Hawkeye pumps at least seven shots in Wolverine at point-blank range, but Captain America doesn’t think to reprimand Hawkeye until he curses at the Wasp. “Hey, watch that language, mister.” Maybe it’s just me, but shooting a fellow hero SEVEN TIMES AT POINT-BLANK RANGE seems a bit worse than cursing at a woman. Even to someone from the 1940s.

That said, if you like macho posturing, this issue is for you.

From Marvel (preview): “‘Sex, Lies, and DVD’ continues with ‘Siblings’ — the true(?) origin of Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch! What horrible secret have these two shared and how is it now exposed? Does it hold a clue to solving the murder at the Ultimates’ mansion?” On sale February 19, 2008.

Wolverine: Origins #22
“The Deep End, Part Two”
Writer: Daniel Way
Artist: Steve Dillon

Last issue was great. This issue is more of the same.

Unfortunately, a Preacher-esque lesbian scene (that got your attention, didn’t it!) in the middle upsets the rhythm just enough to derail the issue as a whole.

But on the bright side, the final page sets up what should be an interesting next issue.

From Marvel (Preview): “Deadpool has something to prove—and if he can take down Wolverine, he’ll do just that. Easier said than done, though, bub. Also, is it possible that there’s something in Deadpool’s past—something pertaining to Weapon X—that Wolverine was never meant to know? All we can say is, with the Merc With a Mouth on the case, nothing is what it seems!” On sale Feb 20, 2008.