Say what you will about the Krakoa era of the “X-Men” comics, it certainly has been eventful. The latest exciting/hyped up mini-series to hit the stands is the “X Lives of Wolverine” and “X Deaths of Wolverine” comics, which will (hopefully) create a full, engaging Wolverine-focused storyline when read together, like how “House of X” and “Powers of X” built on one another.
Does the first issue succeed in kicking off the storyline? Let’s take a look, with a bit of spoilers to discuss plot points.
Written by Benjamin Percy
Illustrated by Joshua Cassara
Colored by Frank Martin
Lettered by VC’s Cory PetitTHE BIGGEST WOLVERINE STORY OF ALL TIME BEGINS HERE! WEEK 1 – Logan. James Howlett. Weapon X. The mutant best known as WOLVERINE has lived many lives under many identities and in many places, but never before has the fate of the future been so entwined with the past! Fan-favorite eras of Wolverine’s saga are explored anew, along with never-before-seen episodes as Logan must travel to various points in time to prevent the death of a key figure in mutant history. But these LIVES are only one side of the story… Be here for the start of the time-shredding saga across all of Wolverine’s history and future yet to come
So, what can I say about “X Lives of Wolverine?” I suppose I can start with “What exactly is going on here?” as the story doesn’t exactly begin “in media res,” but it does clearly start after the “call to action.”
As such, we’re not exactly given an explanation as to what Wolverine is up to, or why. Instead, we have to gather the information as we go based on what’s happening and what dialogue does get dropped.
So here’s what we know: Wolverine is clearly on a secret mission from Xavier and Jean, which involves his mind getting sent through time so that he can possess past versions of himself and protect important mutants in their youth (or at least Xavier, so far). Who’s he protecting them from? Well, it looks like Omega Red is somehow possessing people in the past (which also gives them organic arm-whips) and is on a killing spree of his own.
Now, the X-Men are no strangers to time travel. Even Kate Pryde has had her mind sent back into the past to control her younger self, so the concept is a familiar one to readers. One can think of this as “Days of Logan Past,” and it makes enough sense.
What makes less sense is what exactly Omega Red is up to and how. (The “why” isn’t fully revealed yet either, but considering what’s been happening to him in titles like “X-Force,” we can wager a few guesses. The comic also mentions X-Force messing with Omega Red’s resurrection, complete with Beast being an amoral jerk.) Presumably this will all be explained in due time, whether in this comic’s pages or in “X Deaths of Wolverine.”
(There’s also a “Life of Wolverine” infinity comic available now, and while it may add more context to the points in life that Logan jumps through, it isn’t likely to be required reading for this comic.)
So while that’s the general story, how’s its delivery? Well, the story jumps between three events: Logan preparing for the mission, him fighting to protect a newborn Charles Xavier, and whatever Omega Red is up to. Occasionally we get narration from Logan that helps bring us into his head, although that’s only during the scenes with him on Krakoa.
The majority of the issue takes place in the past, where Logan fights Omega Red as he hops between bodies. Suffice to say, those scenes are mostly taken up with action, primarily with Wolverine slashing and smashing his way through obstacles as he tries to keep Omega Red away, although Charles’ family gets in on the action as well. And since this happens as the future Professor Xavier is being born, a good amount of the blood and screaming comes from that as well.
(And to the comic’s credit, it even remembers to include Cassandra Nova’s stillbirth, and properly illustrates the trauma it would cause.)
Continued belowSo we’re not exactly getting much of a story yet, but we are getting plenty of action and a bit of buildup. I’m sure more will be revealed in time, as this issue focuses primarily on bringing us in to the action and getting readers hooked before it goes into the exposition.
Well, if the story is mostly setup and action, it would need good art to make it properly engaging. And thankfully, that’s one area where the comic is far from lacking. Joshua Cassara’s artwork is brimming with strong, detailed designs, as well as some excellent scene compositions. Logan guarding the way against a muscular groundskeeper possessed by Omega Red, rising onto the balcony with bony tendrils emerging from his hands? Fantastic.
The entire issue has generally excellent artwork overall, with little details like the veins on Wolverine’s neck or the way the Russian soldiers spill their coffee in surprise adding to each scene. This translates well into the action sequences, where we get no shortage of nicely-paced violence and plenty of well-placed blood splatters, not to mention an effective use of shadows and light.
“X Lives of Wolverine” also makes plentiful use of reflections, particularly wherever Omega Red is involved. Whenever we see the reflection of someone Red is possessing, we see him in the reflected image; that’s put to great use not only to cue the readers in to what’s going on, but to give us fuller views of the scene, like a reflection of Charles’ father’s shocked expression as he sees Omega Red behind him.
The color work by Frank Martin is also impressive. He wisely shifts the color tones between the past and present scenes, adding a yellow, almost sepia-tone like look to the parts set in the past. Meanwhile, the scenes set in Krakoa use more earthy tones, as well as plenty of lush greens and blues, creating a more tranquil atmosphere as Logan meets with the Professor and Jean. Omega Red’s scenes have their own color schemes, using shades of whites and reds effectively, as befitting of his own theme.
So, all in all, how is the first issue of “X Lives of Wolverine?” It’s nothing groundbreaking yet, but it effectively catches the reader’s attention and gets us interested in what’s going on, while providing plenty of Wolverine-level violence. So if that’s what you’re here for, it’ll do nicely. Now we get to watch and see what’s next for the “X Lives” and “X Deaths” to follow.
Final Verdict: 6.7 – Light on exposition, but high on action. This comic hits you with the action quickly, with all that you’d expect from a comic with Wolverine and Omega Red, while starting a trip into Wolverine’s history.
