X-Force #24 (Preview)
Writers: Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost
Art: Clayton Crain

From Marvel: “NECROSHA PART FIVE (of SIX): Death comes to X-Force! The final battle begins as X-Force storms Necrosha to find and kill the Black Queen… but there are 16 million of her slaves between them and her. As the team’s least likely member goes on a suicide mission to save Warpath, Selene achieves her heart’s desire… and someone doesn’t walk away from this fight.”

On sale February 24, 2010.

Share your thoughts in the comments below. And if you haven’t picked up the issue, make sure to read the preview, linked next the series title above.

Hey, everyone, jrpbsp here… Just doing the one review from last week, so here’s ‘Uncanny X-Men’. Hope you enjoy it.

Uncanny X-Men #521 (preview)
Writer: Matt Fraction
Pencils: Greg Land
Inks: Jay Leisten

SPOILERS BELOW…

RECAP: The issue opens with Emma and Scott scaling a mountain to check on Magneto. He has put up a mental and physical barrier, however, to make sure his work is undisturbed.

Meanwhile, Wolverine, Betsy and Colossus are fighting the team that sent the Predator Xs. Unfortunately, the group has in depth information from the nanocameras and can predict all of the X-Men’s attacks. But then Fantomex joins the battle to and gives the fight a random element. Underwater, Jeffries meets with one of Atlanteans and offers their help to finish the pillar. The marine dweller swims off to get Namor’s consul.

Back in New York, the team is still not impressed with Fantomex’s arrival until E.V.A. blows up their computer and severs the link of data. Without that information on all the tactics, the villains are vulnerable. The three X-Men take them apart while Fantomex shoots their leader in the side of the head. The X-Men finish off their adversaries but the wounded leader releases an airborne virus targeted at mutants.

Fantomex makes E.V.A. save the X-Men knowing his artificial blood will protect him. The virus is a power dampening super flu that is confirmed to be effective for nearly all the known mutants and was designed by John Sublime. Unfortunately, the fight is over and Fantomex has no choice but to let the villains escape in order to save the X-Men. He calls Scott once they are airborne and relays the whole problem including having active samples of the virus retained by E.V.A.

Scott and Emma are unsure what to do about Magneto. His mind appears to be elsewhere and he is showing severe signs of physical distress. They decide to bring in the X-Club for advice. The X-Club considers the problem and comes to one nearly impossible conclusion. Meanwhile, somewhere deep in space, the enormous bullet containing Kitty Pryde changes direction.

MY TAKE: This is a pretty good issue although it travels some very overused ground. The ending has been spoiled too which always lessens the impact of a story. Still, it was well written and interesting enough to hold my attention. I really do like the idea of Magneto being the one to save Kitty. Although it does stretch the boundaries of his power, at least it is logical and a nice way to have him contribute to the team. It is definitely a better explanation then I was expecting for her return.

The fight scenes are not bad either and having the purpose of the nanocameras be to gather information on their moves and tactics is actually pretty smart. Although I would have thought such an important computer would have been off site to lessen its risk of damage,  it still allows for an interesting foe. It is a technological version of a telepath and it does give them a distinct advantage.

I did have an issue with Fantomex’s involvement.  I do not see a reason for him to have ever gotten involved in this. Of course it is no secret that I am not a fan of  his,  so that could just be my bias. But his presence does take away from my enjoyment. Still, to be fair, he is actually pretty decent here if you ignore the sillier aspects of the character. I would have preferred a little more for the X-Men to do, however. They are little more then window dressing in their scenes in New York.

My biggest complaint is with the unoriginality of using yet another anti-mutant virus. We have seen that story so many times and it always lingers on. While this seems to be a different type, it still made me roll my eyes. Especially, coming from a technology based group like this one. Even making it power suppressing nanobots would have been more original. It just seems like the Legacy Virus all over again and that is one story I do not want to revisit.

In the end it was a fast and pretty entertaining read. The New York scenes were the focus and had some great lines despite the virus sub-plot and the focus on Fantomex. Of course the highlight of the issue was Magneto’s quest and Kitty’s very brief return at the end of the issue. She is a personal favorite so I am glad she is returning. I would have preferred her return to occur at a more subdued time rather then being sandwiched in between events.  Still, there is hope that she will have a strong story and a memorable return for her welcome back present.

Thanks for reading my review for Wolverine Files. I will be keeping to this format for the most part but please keep the comments coming and I will see everyone again next time.

In its May Solicitations, Marvel proclaims, “THE HEROIC AGE IS HERE!” So, as usual, here are the core Wolverine appearances for May 2010…

ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN/WOLVERINE #1
Written by JASON AARON
Pencils by ADAM KUBERT
Spider-Man and Wolverine! Everyone’s favorite wise-cracking web-spinner and ferocious furball come together in their first major series ever! The super-star creative team of Jason Aaron (WOLVERINE: WEAPON X, PUNISHERMAX) and Adam Kubert (ULT. FANTASTIC FOUR, X-MEN) send Spidey and Wolvie to the edges of the Marvel Universe as they face such awful beings as The Czar, Big Murder and Doom the Living Planet! But who is the major Marvel villain pulling the strings? And can Spidey & Wolvie refrain from killing one another long enough to find out?

ASTONISHING X-MEN: XENOGENESIS #1 (of 5)
Written by WARREN ELLIS
Art by KAARE ANDREWS
The superstar team of Warren Ellis and Kaare Andrews (SPIDER-MAN: REIGN) take X-Men into the Heroic Age! Something’s happening in the tiny East African city of Mbangwi. Something that requires immediate investigation. A newborn sprouts metal electrodes and explodes, taking out an entire hospital. Is this the first wave of mutant rebirth that the X-Men have been praying for…or something very, very different? Something sinister?

AVENGERS #1
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils by JOHN ROMITA JR.
There came a day! A day unlike any other…where two of Marvel’s top creators teamed up for the very first time to create a bombastic new monthly Marvel comic that not only ushers in the Heroic Age of Marvel Comics but unleashes onto the world the most blockbuster Avengers team ever! Who will answer the call? And will they assemble just in time…because Kang the Conqueror is here from the future. And wait till you find out why…! Bonus back up feature: the oral history of the Avengers, part one. A brand new illustrated look at the Avengers in a way you have never seen before by series writer Brian Michael Bendis.

UNCANNY X-MEN #524
Written by MATT FRACTION
Penciled by TERRY DODSON
“SECOND COMING”, CHAPTER SIX: A beloved X-Man died defending Hope, the returned mutant “messiah.” As they lay their comrade to rest, the remaining X-Men are left to question: Is she worth it? “Second Coming” continues in ‘New Mutants’ #13, ‘X-Men Legacy’ #236 and ‘X-Force’ #27.

WOLVERINE #900
Written by David Finch, C.B. Cebulski, Dean Motter, Marc Bernardin, Todd Dezago & Matt Yocum
Penciled by David Finch, Greg Scott, Pow Rodrix, Jason Craig & Jake Bilbao
X-Man. Avenger. Soldier. And that’s just the HALF of it. In this atomic-sized special, superstar David Finch leads a platoon of comic’s most talented creators in giving the Canadian killer a 21-gun salute. Ninjas, bar-room brawls, Morlocks and pirates (yes, PIRATES!): this issue sees the most marvelous mutant of all put through the paces. And if five-all new tales of Snikt-tastic action wasn’t enough, there’s classic reprints featuring some of Logan’s greatest hits!

DARK WOLVERINE #86
Written by MARJORIE LIU & DANIEL WAY
Pencils by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
“RECKONING” Part 3 of 4: For decades, Daken has waited for the moment that has now finally arrived. In one fell swoop, Daken plans to both destroy his father and achieve his destiny. The streets of Ankara run red with blood as Daken faces off against…Romulus!

WOLVERINE ORIGINS #48
Written by DANIEL WAY
Penciled by WILL CONRAD
“RECKONING,” CONCLUSION: Revenge. It is what has motivated Wolverine for over a century. But now, with that revenge within reach… is it really what he wants? More importantly, is it really what he needs? A new era begins as Wolverine finally considers his future instead of his blood-stained past.

WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #13
Written by JASON AARON
Pencils by RON GARNEY
The time-bending saga of the all-new Deathlok continues as Wolverine and Captain America fight for their lives against an army of cyborg assassins. Outnumbered and outgunned, our heroes turn to desperate measures but learn the hard way that when you tamper with the time stream, you better be ready to expect the unexpected.

For the complete list of Marvel’s May Solicitations, visit Newsarama (details)…

As for other Wolverine News…
—ComicBookResources reports on ‘Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine’ by Jason Aaron and Adam Kubert (details)….
—Newsarama talks to Kaare Andrews about the new ‘Astonishing X-Men’ (details)….
–And ComicBookResources dishes on Brian Michael Bendis and the Avengers (details)….

As for probable/possible Wolverine appearances this week (2/24/09), we have previews of…
—Dark Wolverine #83 (preview): Siege continues (with a twist)…
—Ms. Marvel #50 (preview): Wolverine makes the cover at the very least…
—X-Force #24 (preview): ‘X-Necrosha’, part five of six…

Incredible Hercules #141 (Preview)
Writer: Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente
Artist: Rodney Buchemi

From Marvel: “ASSAULT ON NEW OLYMPUS, Finale! IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS! The past two years of storylines in Incredible Hercules have been building to one climactic moment, and here it arrives at last! The final showdown between Hercules and Typhon! Amadeus Cho becomes a true hero at last! And just why was Athena so happy at the end of “Sacred Invasion,” anyway? All secrets are revealed in what is undoubtedly the most shocking ending of the year! Don’t tell the Internet why we had to call this issue, EVERYBODY DIES!”

Wolverine appears, but only barely, as Hercules fights for his life…

On sale February 17, 2010.

Marvels: Eye of the Camera #6 (Preview)
Writer: Kurt Busiek & Roger Sterm
Artist: Jay Anacleto

From Marvel: “The grand finale! As the X-Men face a splashy televised death in Dallas, Phil Sheldon and his family have a quiet and unexpected late-night reunion. Will it be their last time together as a family? What will it mean for Phil’s legacy, and his book? This issue brings the second great story of Phil Sheldon and the Marvel Universe to an unforgettable conclusion.”

This recap of ‘Fall of the Mutants’ is a surprisingly emotional and bittersweet final issue of the series…

Also on sale February 17, 2010.

Feel free to share your thoughts of these Wolverine-associated tales in the comments below and don’t forget to add any Wolverine appearances from the week that I may have missed (that means you, Comusiv)…

Doomwar #1 (Preview)
Writer: Jonathan Maberry
Penciler: Scot Eaton
Inker: Andy Lanning & Robert Campanella

From Marvel: “Wakanda has been conquered, its Vibranium reserves plundered. Storm faces execution in the next 48 hours. And Dr. Doom stands triumphant. It will take the combined forces of the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and the two Black Panthers to stand against him. A war has begun that will pit the world’s most relentless super-villain against a collection of the world’s most powerful super heroes — one that will span the globe, offering twists and turns and surprise players (hello, Deadpool!) that neither side will see coming.”

On sale February 17, 2010.

Share your thoughts on this new Dr. Doom miniseries in the comments below. And if you haven’t picked up the issue, make sure to read the preview, linked next the series title above.

Uncanny X-Men #521 (Preview)
Writer: Matt Fraction
Penciler: Greg Land
Inker: Jay Leisten

From Marvel: “What on Earth is Magneto doing on top of Mt. Tamalpais, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco? He’s not telling and the X-Men Psychics can’t get it out of his brain. But he’s been up there for days plotting something that will rock the X-Verse to its core. All this while Wolverine, Psylocke, Colossus and Fantomex take on the foes that have been plaguing the X-Men since the start of ‘Nation X’. NATION X’, Part 7 (of 8).”

On sale February 17, 2010.

Share your thoughts on the core X-Men title in the comments below. And if you haven’t picked up the issue, make sure to read the preview, linked next the series title above.

Psylocke #4 (Preview)
Writer: Chris Yost
Penciler: Harvey Tolibao
Inker: Sandu Florea

From Marvel: “This is it. Psylocke has cut her way through ninjas, bodyguards and super-powered assassins on her mission to exact revenge upon Matsu’o Tsurayaba. With her target in sight, there’s only one more opponent standing between her and what she wants. And it may just be the fight of her life. Don’t miss the epic conclusion of “KILL MATSU’O”, where Psylocke takes up her sword against the one man who might just give her a run for her money: WOLVERINE.”

On sale February 17, 2010.
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Share your thoughts on the final issue of this miniseries in the comments below. And if you haven’t picked up the issue, make sure to read the preview, linked next the series title above.

Hey, everyone, jrpbsp here… Playing catch up, so here is last week’s review of ‘Uncanny X-Men: First Class’. Hope you enjoy it.

Uncanny X-Men: First Class #8 (preview)
Writer: Scott Gray
Art: Fernando Blanco

SPOILERS BELOW…

RECAP: The issue opens with a murder in Cassidy Keep. The librarian, Master Finnan, is dead and so the caretaker calls for the Lord of the Manner, Sean Cassidy. He arrives with Logan, Kurt and Piotr determined to unravel the mystery. Sean does not believe it is a suicide despite a note left by Finnan and he promises Finnan’s daughter, Molly, to find the truth. Inspecting the area discovers chamomile in the tea, a deadly poison to the leprechauns.

Before they can search more, Conall the head of the museum, comes in and gives more bad news. The family museum was attacked and the ring of Sean’s ancestor, Liam, was stolen. Liam was the one that built the keep and was a great champion and with his leprechaun friend, Malachy Quinn, they defeated a great Sidhe evil. Besides the ring, Liam and Malachy’s tapestry was damaged far above where a leprechaun could reach.

Sean next visits Owen McGuinness, the apothecary, and keeper of the only supply of chamomile in the castle.  Owen introduces his grandson Declan who shows them the chamomile supply. Sean cuts himself on a lantern before discovering the supply is gone. He then talks to the kitchen staff who relates the events of the night in question, saying Finnan was acting strangely and there was a giggling noise from the room.

Sean takes another look at the note and declares it to be Finnan’s handwriting. What is more he knows who killed the old leprechaun and sets up a meeting of the house. After going through the suspects, Sean fingers Declan as his name was spelled in the note. The young leprechaun admits it and says it is because he has always been ridiculed because he is half Sidhe. He has wings which is how he damaged the tapestry. He needed Sean’s blood and with it he uses the Cassidy ring to control all the fae in the castle and even summon the Sidhe to battle.

The X-Men are limited in the fight since none of their attackers are in their right minds, but eventually Sean is able to use his power to shatter the ring and free everyone. Once the threat is ended, the whole castle turns out for the funeral of Finnan and Banshee once again says goodbye to his family’s keep.

MY TAKE: This is a fun little issue, with a nice mystery and good character moments. It actually felt like a First Class issue and I was glad to see it. There is nothing really new or earth shaking here, but the story is well told and it does pull you into the plot. Banshee has proven to be the strongest character for this series and so ending with him is a good idea. Using the leprechauns is a nice way to keep things a bit lighter and more child friendly without having to alienate the adult readers.

Although Sean gets the most screen time, and is certainly the best used character, the rest of the team make good supporting players. Logan feels more natural here and both Kurt and Piotr get a few good moments. I specifically liked Kurt’s interaction with Declan about how it feels to be an outsider.

The murder plot was very well done and felt like an actual murder mystery, just trimmed down to fit the book. There were clues and suspects and even several false leads and potential villains. While the eventual killer’s motivation was not the most logical or fitting, it was solid enough not to hurt the story.

The biggest flaw, for me, was the forced combat at the end of the issue. I do understand that a certain amount of action is expected in a comic book, especially those aimed at younger viewers, but it did not really fit. It did give the rest of the X-Men something more meaningful to do, but it would have been better to make defeating the villain a smaller and more personal affair. Bringing in hoards of creatures just confused the story and made the ending longer then it needed to be. A quicker conclusion would have given more time for the murder plot to play out.

In the end this was a good stand alone story that combined an interesting story with some strong characterizations. It is too bad that this is the end of the series because it has had a lot of promise for the past few issues, after a somewhat shaky start. Hopefully, the sales will increase for these issues and we can see another series in the future. Now that the creative team has found their stride, I expect it would be very entertaining.

Thanks for reading my review for Wolverine Files. I will be keeping to this format for the most part but please keep the comments coming and I will see everyone again next time.

ICv2 has released the sales of the Top 300 Comics for January 2010 (details). Of special interest is the strength of ‘Dark Wolverine’ at no. 21 and the weakness of the other Wolverine titles: ‘Wolverine Origins’ at no. 52, ‘Wolverine Weapon X’ at no. 60 and ‘Wolverine: Wendigo’ at no. 111. ‘Uncanny X-Men’ fares much better at no. 10, ‘X-Force’ at no. 22, though ‘X-Men Forever’ lags behind at no. 107 and 113…

As for probable/possible Wolverine appearances this week (2/17/09), we have previews of…

–Dark Avengers #14 (preview): Siege continues…
–Hulk #20 (preview): Red Hulk vs. the X-Men…
–Marvels: Eye of the Camera #6 (preview): Flashing back to ‘Fall of the Mutants’…
–Psylocke #4 (preview): Conclusion of ‘Kill Matsu’o”…
–Uncanny X-Men #521 (preview): Wolverine cuts loose…

New Mutants #10 (Preview)
Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Paul Davidson

From Marvel: “Why do the New Mutants exist? Why are they a team? Cyclops runs the X-Men as one giant army, not separate squads. So, why do the New Mutants exist as a squad? The answer isn’t what you expect.”

On sale February 10, 2010.

Since I haven’t been able to find a copy due to the snow, I believe Wolverine only appears as a chess piece on the cover, but if someone has read the issue, please confirm…

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Spider-Man and the Secret Wars #3 (no preview)
Writer: Paul Tobin
Penciler: Patrick Scherberger
Inker: Terry Pallot

From Marvel: “Galactus. Arguably the most powerful being in all creation. The sole survivor of the universe that came before our own. The deadliest threat to not only those the Beyonder has stranded on Battleworld, but even to the planet itself. Galactus. A being so powerful that his mere presence warps all reality, twists what is real and what is false. Galactus. The being that Spider-Man needs to stop, aided by an Enchantress who may be real, or may be false, and a certain black costume that’s all a part of the game of…Galactus.”

Also on sale February 10, 2010.

Wolverine appears in a single panel of this ‘Secret Wars’ redux…

Super Hero Squad #2 (Preview)
Writer: Tony DeZago
Artist: Marcelo Dichiara

From Marvel: “The most popular series that’s called SUPER HERO SQUAD rolls on! Marvel at how kooky characters carouse carousels while canning courageous cartwheeling cubs! (that makes no sense). Join CAPTAIN AMERICA, IRON MAN, THE MIGHTY THOR, and the whole Squaddy gang for more Squaddy adventures!”

Also also on sale February 10, 2010.

Valentine’s issue of this Marvel kids series…

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So feel free to share your thoughts of these Wolverine-associated tales in the comments below and don’t forget to add any Wolverine appearances from the week that I may have missed (that means you, Comusiv)…