Open Thread: Uncanny X-Men First Class #8

Uncanny X-Men First Class #8 (Preview)
Writer: Jeff Parker
Artist: Fernando Blanco

From Marvel: “BEGORAH! The Classic All-New, All-Different X-Men travel with the Banshee back to the rolling green hills of Ireland! Murder most foul has struck the haunted halls of Cassidy Keep, and only our uncanny heroes can solve it. What makes this mystery so very unusual? The victim…is a Leprechaun! Join the strangest heroes of all in the strangest whodunit of all!”

On sale February 10, 2010.

Share your thoughts on the final issue of the series 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.

 

 

Wolverine News & Previews (02/10): Second Coming Teaser

Comic Book Resources has unveiled a series of teasers for the next X-Titles crossover, ‘Second Coming’, featuring Wolverine in the final image (details)…

Daniel Way and Marjorie Liu talk with Comic Book Resources about Deadpool, X-23, Wolverine Origins and Dark Wolverine. Way reveals one key element has changed from his original ‘Wolverine Origins’ plans and who Romulus isn’t. (details)…

As for probable/possible Wolverine appearances this week (2/10/09), we have previews of…

New Mutants #10 (preview): Wolverine as a chess piece on the cover…
Super Hero Squad #2 (preview): The kiddie version of Wolverine…
Uncanny X-Men: First Class #8 (preview): Final issue, at Cassidy Keep…

DiG Update: Snow-maggedon? Snow-pocalypse?

Just a quick update for everyone that since I live in Maryland, I am currently dealing with 24 inches of snow and counting.

The snow is certainly beautiful today, but that coupled with the loss of electricity (and heat!) means that I am running on computer and iPhone battery power, not to mention scarves, blankets and other rudimentary forms of heat.

So if a comment doesn’t get approved or posts don’t get updated, you will know the cause.

I will let everyone know once power returns… hopefully before the Super Bowl!

DiG…

UPDATE:
Power returned Saturday night, so no frozen bodies in the house, but cable has yet to return.

A friendly neighbor, however, allowed us to watch the Super Bowl on DirectTV, so that disaster was barely averted.

More snow on Tuesday!

Wolverine Weapon X #10 Review: Logan Love

Hey, everyone, jrpbsp here… This week’s review is ‘Wolverine: Weapon X’. Hope you enjoy it.

Wolverine: Weapon X #10 (preview)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: C. P. Smith

SPOILERS BELOW…

RECAP: The issue opens with Logan recounting his first time to Melita. It was with a Mexican migrant worked whose name he did not even know. He then continues to give some more details on his love life before she asks too many personal questions and he gets dressed and leaves.

In Japan, Logan kills some ninja and runs into Yukio. She tries to seduce him but Wolverine turns her down, something he has never done before. A little while later, he confesses this to Storm, while playing chess with her. She asks who his new girlfriend is but he is still denying Melita is his girlfriend later when he is playing pool with Rogue. But she gets him to admit it without ever saying a word.

The Black Widow offers to get the new girl some tech for communication or tracking in case she gets into trouble but Logan declines. Natasha says that at least  Melita needs to learn how to shoot then. Out shopping with Jubilee, Wolverine gets lectured on the difficulty of relationships and the problems with his current life style. She never really lets him get a word in edgewise.

At the New Avengers base, Cage and Jessica are trying to find their baby’s binkie to quiet her screaming. Jessica can not help since she is holding the child but Logan offers to take her. Although he holds her awkwardly, she silences instantly. Jessica seems concerned but Luke has faith and goes back to look for the toy.

Wolverine returns to San Fransisco and finds out that Garner is training at the Sons of the Tiger dojo and has a pretty good sidekick. He takes her to a shrine in Mariko’s honor and explains what happens to all the girls that get involved with him. She says that she did the research and knows all about his past women.  She kicks him in the face again to demonstrate what would happen if one of his enemies came after her but he is not impressed. He tries to talk her out of the relationship but she is determined and eventually he gives in and takes her to his room on Utopia.

In bed they talk about her past and interests before he goes to sleep. Later, Melita is walking the halls when she runs into Emma and asks about the bathroom. Frost starts laughing when she discovers that Garner is sleeping with Wolverine. The next day, Logan takes her back to San Fransisco and kisses her goodbye. Almost immediately she is bumped into by a very old woman who turns out to be Mystique is disguise. It appears the villain and former flame is planning to keep an eye on the new girlfriend.

MY TAKE: First off I want to say that I liked this issue, it is one of my favorites of the run so far. Wolverine is very well done and I am glad to see he is giving some real thought to the dangers inherent in getting involved again. Melita is starting to grow on me as well. She shows a much tougher and more confident side to her personality here which has been mostly missing so far. I like the fact that she actually looked into his past before pursuing him and that she understands the risks and is trying to learn to protect herself.

The cameos are mostly done very well, too. There was a good mix of the women in Logan’s life including some of his closest friends and allies. Since most of them were not ex-girlfriends, however, it would have been nice to see a few of his close male friends like Kurt. Most guys talk about woman troubles with their guy friends after all. I would have liked to see Domino in the mix too although I can understand the conflict of interest there.

Jubilee’s scene was kind of wasted to me personally. She is arguably the person he is closest too in the world and we have not seen them interact in years. Instead of a touching scene, we get her lecturing him like she is his parent. I would have liked to have seen more of them together, as well as a greater understanding and caring between them. She should be the one he can most easily turn to with these sorts of problems. Although, I can understand her being a bit upset, she can be jealous where Logan is concerned.

My biggest complaint with the whole issue is not with the story or the characters though, it is just with the relationship in general. I can certainly understand the desire to give Wolverine a new girl but this is still very familiar ground. Since this is an original character, she is almost certainly going to be ignored in other series and eventually killed off when this series ends or Aaron leaves. Just like the last two, Cassie Lathrop and Amir the Atlantean, one dead and the other in Limbo. In fact this issue does the same thing, ignoring Domino and completely glossing over Itsu who was still his wife.

Still, in the end we get a entertaining and well-done issue that actually has the guts to explore Wolverine’s love life. I especially liked the beginning when Logan was doing the pillow talk with Melita. In truth, I would have been happy to see this story stretched out a bit over a couple of issues with more time spent with the guest stars. But as it is, we get a well written-story that does a very nice job of getting inside Wolverine’s head and exploring who he is. Those tales are too few these days so I was glad to see it here. Next issue will be back to the slicing and hacking but I hope we can keep some focus on Logan’s personality and emotional conflicts as well.

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.

The Rest of the Rest: Ultimate Wolverine Noir X

Ultimate Comics X #1 (Preview)
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Art Adams

From Marvel: “Who – or what – is Ultimate X? The answers and even more secrets arrive in the all new ULTIMATE X ongoing bi-monthly series from the superstar dream team of JEPH LOEB and ART ADAMS. Wolverine is dead. Captain America is a fugitive. The Fantastic Four disbanded. Lives have been destroyed and nothing can ever be the same – is there any hope left? It all begins with a search for a brand new character whose identity will leave jaws on the floor and change the Ultimate Universe forever.”

On sale February 3, 2010.

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X-Men Noir: Mark of Cain #3 (Preview)
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Dennis Calero

From Marvel: “‘Herr Wagner, here, started out in the circus before becoming the top second-story man in Europe. And don’t let Comrade Rasputin’s size fool you. It’s his artistic talent the Bolsheviks want to ship him to Siberia for – an expert forger of artworks and official documents. And Ororo’s skills at thievery are so renowned, even at her delicate age, that she is literally worshiped by the footpads of Cairo, if you can believe it. These are my all-new, all-different X Men,’ Professor Xavier said.”

Also on sale February 3, 2010.

Share your thoughts of these non-continuity Wolverine associate tales in the comments below.

 

 

Open Thread: Wolverine Savage #1

Wolverine: Savage #1 (Preview)
Writer: Ryan Dunlavey
Artist: Richard Elson

From Marvel: “Monsters on the high seas means TWO-FISTED CHOPPING ACTION! Wolverine takes the action to new levels as he slices and dices his way through a bevy of foes you’ll never expect!”

On sale February 3, 2010.

Share your thoughts of this off-beat Wolverine tale in the comments below.

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Open Thread: Wolverine Weapon X #10

Wolverine Weapon X #10 (Preview)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: C.P Smith

From Marvel: “The perfect jumping on point! Wolverine has never had luck with women. They usually die or try to kill him. So what happens when a new woman enters his life? You think you know how this one goes, but this one issue will stop even Wolverine dead in his tracks! This is the place to start reading if you’re not already — with stunning art by C.P. Smith, Jason Aaron is better than ever at what he does.”

On sale February 3, 2010.

The full review by jrpbsp will be up shortly, but in the meantime, share your thoughts on the core Wolverine series in the comments below.

 

 

Open Thread: Siege #2

Siege #2 (Preview)
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Oliver Coipel

From Marvel: “The blockbuster Marvel event of the year goes full-blown carnage and madness as the biggest and most brutal battle in Marvel’s history brings together heroes from all sides. Lines have been drawn, and an unlikely hero will save one Avenger, but they can’t save them all. The Siege has begun and it claims its first victim as AN AVENGER WILL DIE!!”

On sale February 3, 2010.

Share your thoughts of this major event starring Dark Wolverine in the comments below.

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X-Force #23 Review: Death Bringers

Hey, everyone, jrpbsp here… Here’s the second review from last week, ‘X-Force’. Hope you enjoy.

X-Force #23 (preview)
Writer: Craig Kyle & Christoper Yost
Art: Clayton Crain

SPOILERS BELOW…

RECAP: The issue opens with Rahne flatlining due to her pregnancy.  Dr. Nemesis tries but cannot help her. Hrimhari arrives with Hela to try and save her but the goddess agrees to only save either Rahne or the child but not both.

Upstairs, the X-Men are facing the new invaders. Although many of the X-Men are in denial over their friends helping Selene, Diamond Lil charges forward and is immediately killed by Dazzler’s sister. X-Force moves to attack with Logan taking the lead but Frost distracts him and Lois and Wither take him down. Proudstar and Archangel jump in and get intercepted by Bard and Senyaka. Then Blink teleports Warren’s wings off.

On Necrosha, Selene gets more mutants delivered by Caliban. John Proudstar says that the X-Men will stop her but Selene is confident as it is almost time for her ceremony.

Back on Utopia, Hrimhari makes his choice. He chooses to save Elixir. When Josh wakes, the Wolf Prince barely has time to explain and get Foley a message before Hela takes him away. Elixir then jumps into action to heal Rahne while Vanisher asks for help.

The X-Men continue to fight Selene’s forces but are not doing very well. Cessily gets blinked into pieces and Onyxx is destroyed by Wither while Dazzler fights her sister and Wolverine stabs Senyaka to little effect. Proudstar has no luck fighting Bard but is told the attacks will stop if they are given the blade. He takes off for his room with the bad guys in pursuit.

Meanwhile, Rahne wakes up and Josh explains that he is transferring some of the strength from the baby to her so she can survive her pregnancy. He also has to tell her that Hrimhari has gone with Hela and that he would try and get back to her.

In Proudstar’s room, he finds the knife and is immediately attacked by Selene’s forces who are teleported in by Blink. She then takes them all off to Necrosha. The rest of the X-Men are mourning their losses. Scott orders the Cuckoos to find Wither and they locate the group on Necrosha. He tells Wolverine to go to Necrosha and stop her, while Frost adds in that all of her forces must be killed in order for this to end. Including their former friends and allies.

They are explaining the situation to Rahne while the Vanisher keeps trying to get Foley to heal him. Logan and the rest show up and tell Elixir to leave it in because he was taking them all to Necrosha.

MY TAKE: This issue starts to really ramp up the story and move the action along to the next phase. I am definitely glad that the Utopia piece of the plot ended and the action moves to Necrosha. The X-Men have looked pretty foolish so far and I am more than happy to see them taking the initiative and working to end this threat. Hopefully, they will get some redemption for their poor showing and revenge for the deaths and suffering that have occurred so far.

The plot was fine although it was somewhat spoiled by the fact that we were already showed Proudstar’s capture in another book. Rahne’s pregnancy was well handled although it still does not really fit in with the rest of the story. I am all for the X-Force finally being all back together again but I doubt they are going to let Rahne run off and fight considering her condition. It seems like a story that could have been handled post-event.

The only person that got any real character development here was Emma and hers did not make much sense. In diamond form she should not have felt any emotion so her semi-breakdown did not really work. Her pragmatism at the end did make sense considering how vicious their foes have been but should have been her position from the start.

To that end, I want to bring up the deaths in this comic. I understand wanting to make the story have more of an impact, but they killed off such minor characters that I do not see the point. I did not even remember Lil, and Onyxx was extremely underdeveloped and unused so his death will hardly even be noticed. I am glad that they did not kill off anyone I liked but I do not see the benefit to the deaths of such low-tier characters.

Still in the end, this was an entertaining and pretty well-done issue. It did a good job of advancing the story while keeping the threat level high for the final stage. It even makes sense that X-Force is being sent to Necrosha alone which is something I was wondering about. Hopefully the last couple of the parts to the event keep up the quality and give us a conclusion that is both entertaining and satisfying.

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.

Wolverine News & Previews (02/03): Wolverine and Sunspot

Marvel Digital Comics has released a new Wolverine comic, ‘Wolverine and Sunspot – Carni-Brawl’ #1 (details)…

As for probable/possible Wolverine appearances this week (2/03/09), we have previews of…

Siege #2 (preview): The Marvel event continues with Dark Wolverine…
Ultimate Comics X #1 (preview): Wolverine’s claws?…
Wolverine: Savage #1 (preview): Wolverine makes sushi. Really…
Wolverine Weapon X #10 (preview): Wolverine’s women troubles, Jason Aaron style…
X-Men Noir: Mark of Cain #3 (preview): More drunken Wolverine noir…