Uncanny X-Men #496
“Divided We Stand, Part Two”
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Mike Choi
With ‘Astonishing X-Men’ running late, this issue inadvertently reveals a HUGE spoiler from the finale, so be warned.
That said, this is a nice homage to ‘Uncanny X-Men’ #180 with Colossus, Wolverine and Nightcrawler traveling to Russia. As Wolverine notes, “What’re you lookin’ for, Elf? Juggernaut?”
Brubaker does an especially masterful job taking Wolverine right to the brink of insensitivity during a melancholy sequence before allowing him a remarkably insightful and thought-provoking rejoinder. And the fight to end the issue is a sheer joy, showing these characters doing what they do best.
From Marvel (preview): “Cyclops and Emma Frost adventure to the strangest land of all – San Francisco. The city has transformed into a bizarre version of itself circa 1968, complete with VW Bugs, flower power and hippies as far as the eye can see. Will they be able to lure Angel back to reality? Or will they succumb to their groovy desires and embrace the love generation forever? Also, Colossus (with Wolverine and Nightcrawler in tow)” On sale March 5, 2008.
X-Force (Vol. 2) #2
‘Angels and Demons, Part 2’
Writer: Christopher Yost and Craig Kyle
Artist: Clayton Clay
I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment.
Decades, in fact.
The moment when Wolverine finally heads up a black ops X-Men unit.
So when this glorious moment finally does happen, I find I must endure the overly sanctimonious Cyclops willfully and repeatedly withholding critical mission information. Critical information that causes the mission to blow up.
And here is my favorite part. The former boy scout known as Cyclops then blames Wolverine for the mission failure.
The Wolverine I know, the Wolverine I love, would have gutted Cyclops on the spot. And while Cyke bled to death, Wolverine would have stood over his body and growled, “Bub, we do this my way or you go and find yourself a new leader.”
Oh, and the costumes still suck.
From Marvel (preview): “With one of their own already fallen, X-Force is out for blood. More blood. And they’ll stop at nothing to bring an end to the Purifiers’ plan to resurrect one of the X-Men’s greatest foes… It’s all-out war, with no quarter asked—and none given.” On sale Mar 05, 2008.
Logan #1
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Eduardo Risso
I must admit that I am impressed. And long-time readers know I don’t impress easily.
This story has that dynamic feel reminiscent of Frank Miller and the original Wolverine limited series.
Inspired artwork by Eduardo Risso and a rollicking narrative by Brian K. Vaughan.
And just when you think the story is drifting into something pedantic, the final page kicks you in the teeth.
I can’t wait for the next issue.
From Marvel (preview): “Finally armed with long-lost memories from his past, Wolverine returns to one of his first battlefields to settle an old score in an all-new adventure with a shocking revelation about the man known as Logan.” On sale March 5, 2008.
Previously: Logan #1, 2 preview from ComicBookResources.com
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.
New Exiles #2
“Flight of the Avenging Son”
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Tom Grummett; Inker: Scott Hanna
It is safe to say that without Chris Claremont, Wolverine never would have reached the heights of popularity that he did.
Unfortunately in recent years, Claremont has become a parody of himself. His stories are too verbose, too melodramatic and too full of mutants.
And Claremont’s handling of ‘Exiles,’ a formerly fun and irreverent series, is no different. The exposition has increased, the comedy has disappeared and mutants have taken over like never before.
So it should come as no surprise that Wolverine makes an appearance, albeit one that doesn’t really seem to suit any purpose.
Buyer beware.
From Marvel: “The Exiles have barely arrived in a new dimension before they’re struck by disaster! Sabretooth, Psylocke and Mystiq find themselves in the middle of a long-running conflict between the two most powerful figures on the African Continent, the Black Panther and Ororo. As for Rogue, her fate ends up in the hands of a young man who calls himself Gambit — but if you think that tells you what to expect from this character and this story, try again! He needs Rogue to help him save his parents — Oh, and did we mention he breathes water?” On sale Feb 13, 2008.
