**WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD FOR X LIVES OF WOLVERINE #3**
Really quick disclaimer here because our recap for X Lives of Wolverine #2, X Lives of Wolverine #3, and the story so far will be a bit long. Wolverine has been sent back in time using Cerebro and helped by Jean Grey to save Charles Xavier (and his ancestors) in differing timelines to ensure the Professor’s survival. Why? We aren’t sure yet. Omega Red is on a similar pathway to stop Wolverine’s success.
Again, we start with a poignant remark from Wolverine: “Everything is temporary. Except for #$%&@# me.” Love it. He’s such a mood. To be honest, you could put some of these statements on motivational posters and nobody would blink an eye. Benjamin Percy has done such a great job at getting into Logan’s psyche and I’m consistently impressed. And, he’s “really @#$&%& tired” hahaha so good.
As we turn the page, we open with another incredibly drawn splash page of some more of Logan’s background separated by a wild electrical X. I’m so interested in the Wild West story flashing largely in the middle but, unfortunately, we don’t get any of it this issue (fingers crossed for next week’s). Logan continues talking about the cycle of violence that never ends.
Flashback to 1900 Northern Canada where Benedict Xavier is threatened by Omega possessed sailors on his boat. He is doing a pretty good job at slaying them but the energy continues to flow between bodies. And then—I actually gasped at this page—a humongous white, Moby Dick whale emerges from the ice to reveal an Omega sign above his head (much like a Majin M if you are familiar with the Dragonball Z saga).
Then, we are transported to Post-War Japan (we last left Logan and Itsu moments before an attack). Omega speaks through Itsu and states he is going to kill Logan before he can get to saving Xavier, a good tactic! Would Wolverine kill Itsu and, therefore, Daken (his unborn son)? Logan calls for help from Jean despite wanting privacy. We then find out that the other assistant in Cerebro is in fact Prof Xavier himself!
Can he save Daken if Itsu is killed? But we are then surprised by amazing full-page artwork and who comes across the cage, none other than Romulus! The cameos in this are rifer than Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness at this stage. It is a brutally beautiful piece of art. The violence, the pain, the gleeful anger, and the shock are all so easily projected from the page into this astounding moment. There’s a brief moment where we see Mikhail stabbing Omega Red with the Cerebro sword after a small discussion about faults and blame between the Krakoans and Russians. What will come of it?
We’re then sent to Columbia where Logan has branched out from his group to save innocent villagers. Sabretooth is after him. Wolverine lets off a nice little bullet to land a nest full of wasps into Sabretooth’s face and hopefully escape harm. In the 1900s again where Wolverine saves Benedict Xavier from the Omega Whale in flashy and bloody style. Honestly, this would be horrendously scary if in real life. What an image—bony tentacles coming out of a giant white whale.
Thrown back to Japan, Wolverine and Romulus share some discourse about their history and that this whole thing isn’t about Wolverine, it’s about something bigger. Itsu is ok but Jean pulls Logan out for something more important…They’re in Cambodia. Wolverine is conversing with Jean Grey. Xavier is here. But where is Omega Red? They’ve tracked him to the right place. What’s going on? He’s getting better. Smarter. The Cerebro Sword knowledge has helped the villains improve but how…? turn the page … It’s an Omega Red-possessed Wolverine!
Wow. What an issue! Again, we’re thrust around settings and timelines without a neck brace. Now that I’ve read a few issues with this style, it’s definitely easier to follow but tricky to write about. I’ve gotten used to the world jumping but slowly we are piecing it all together. With only two issues left in the X Lives sequence and three left in X Deaths, we’re going to need some clarification soon. Will these all tie up and cross over at some stage? Apart from the obvious player, Wolverine, nothing seems to be similar in the X dual series but there’s over a month until we find the answers.
There were some beautifully written and drawn moments in this issue. None more than the opening and closing pages. We get an insight into Wolverine’s mind but then POW we open up on some astonishing artwork by Joshua Cassara. I am continually impressed by the creators in these comics, especially the X Lives issues. For those well versed in comic and Wolverine lore, this series will be a must-read. And potentially for the future of all mutantkind.
Want to discuss things further? Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. And for more film, gaming, anime, and TV news, trailers, and updates make sure to keep it locked right here at The Nerdy Basement. While you’re here, please consider supporting us on Patreon! It’s an easy way of supporting us so we can keep providing you with your Nerdy News!