DEATH IS NOT THE END. DEATH IS THE OMEGA.
As mentioned last week here, this storyline is a 10-part story that is divided between two comic runs. This week, X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE #1 is the first installment of the reciprocal series. It might be a bit tricky to wrap your head around but, to put it plainly, last week was about Wolverine’s past whereas this week is potentially about his present. Each week will provide a new piece to the puzzle of Wolverine’s mind and the fate of mutantkind. This week writer, Benjamin Percy, takes the helm for this ambitious task.
**THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE #1**
We open with Moira MacTaggert and she looks worried. Her only chance to escape “Xavier’s dream” is to run through some sort of teleportation gate that Cypher has provided here. Moira is safe in Scotland after being pursued by Mystique. After stealing a car from a sheep farmer, Moira drives back to her childhood home. There, she coughs up blood and we are led to believe she may have lost her powers. She is also sporting a mysterious gold and black glove/prosthetic arm. As far as I’m aware, it may have to do with the aforementioned Cypher.
Much like my previous review of X Lives of Wolverine, the story is interrupted by what seems to be a transcript from Destiny to an unknown. It is all about fate (and death) reaching Moira. The connection here between Mystique and Destiny is beginning to link: “So be swift, my love. And be Death.” Afterward, we’re in Krakoa (this setting was used in the previous issue too), and Black Tom is drinking. He’s concerned about some odd movements, and then he’s under attack, and very confused. More to come, I suppose. To be honest, I had to do a quick Google to refresh myself on this character.
Now, we’re with Moira in a hospital; she has Stage Four cancer. She wants Krakoan petals to slow it down and near passes out. A nurse comes in and the doctor is called elsewhere. Once Dr. Foster leaves, the nurse reveals herself to be Mystique. Moira and Mystique fight. The action here is quite intense, quick, and well-drawn. There’s a really nice cross-panel shot of Mystique being flung across the room. And then BOOM Valkyrie is in the room with a spectacular entrance.
Back to Black Tom, and, before you know it, an unknown assailant attacks him and we’re shot back to Moira’s position in New York from the POV of traffic cameras. She’s on the run, changes her appearance in a public bathroom and we’ve changed settings again. “Moira’s No-Place”. She mentioned this while on the run in New Jersey.
That nobody could find her there, so what is it? We only get a fleeting glimpse but somebody comes in. And he sniffs a piece of clothing (maybe a hat). My brain immediately goes to Logan. The C.I.A. is after Moira too. There’s a nice page that showcases Moira’s fighting skills along with the artist’s techniques. And she’s on the run again.
The final pages take us back to a familiar setting. It’s Krakoa again but in the Cradle, the makeshift Cerebro from X Lives of Wolverine #1. Jean senses something is amiss, impossible even. And although Logan is on the table and at another time, he is outside, running. And sporting the same golden-armed technology that Moira was using to jump Cypher’s gates.
Again, the stop-start nature of this series could be considered overwhelming. We’re thrust around to different settings and different storylines so fast that it can be a bit confusing, especially for newer readers. Normally, I can handle it, but perhaps it’s the nature of the story; there are a lot of characters and settings, and there’s yet to be any answers. That isn’t to say I dislike the comic because I really like it but when you do a recap as above, it’s hard to keep track of where you are and what’s happening. I wasn’t as interested in Moira’s story as I was with Logan’s from last week so maybe that has something to do with it.
The art by Federico Vicentini is superb. My particular favorite shot was Valkyrie entering the hospital via a window and standing on top of a door to suppress Mystique. The golden edges of her chains, wings, and metal were leaping from the page. Much like she was, I suppose. In the opening pages, Moira jumps through a portal and the distinct blue edges of that portal create opposing sides on the page, and it was quite effective.
Overall, it’s definitely one for readers who are already initiated into the world of comics and the Marvel/X-men universe. It’s an adventurous story and structure so I will definitely give the writers commendations for that. I am invested and very interested to see how it all ties together in the end.
X Lives of Wolverine and X Deaths of Wolverine is available now at your local comic book shop and digital platforms.
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