Comic Book Review - X Deaths Of Wolverine #1

Rob Reviews X Deaths Of Wolverine #1...

Over the last couple of weeks, Marvel has slowly started to shake up Krakoa with events that will change the Mutant paradise forever. So far this shakeup has been seen through Inferno and last weeks travelling, X Lives of Wolverine. Now we're back with Wolverine as X Deaths Of Wolverine aims to bring both sides of the story together. But is too much Wolverine a bad thing? 

The interesting thing about this issue is that its namesake features in all of the two pages. X Deaths Of Wolverine is more of a Moria McTaggart comic than it is anything else. After her deceit, Moria is on the run. Due to losing her left arm, Moria has lost her ability to resurrect and her days on Earth are certainly numbered. As Moria faces her final days, something long dormant starts to wake up on Krakoa...

After the action-packed X Lives Of Wolverine focused on Wolverine and Omega Red, it's great to now step back to digest whatever it is that's happening. Having this issue revolves around Moria McTaggart not only shows this change of pace, but it's also great to see the often background character now in the spotlight. Benjamin Percy gives us plenty of insight into Moria's thoughts and motivations as she contemplates her actions. We, unfortunately, don't get all the answers, but Percy gives enough for us to rally behind Moria. 

The other side of this coin is Mystique. The events of Inferno left the shape-shifter in a pretty bad way. As such she's out for revenge and wastes no time in tracking Moria down in New York. There's a pretty short and intense throw down as Mystique confront McTaggart to then be sidelined by Valkyrie. It's a bit of an odd move when you consider the past events, but I'm trusting that this is something that's going to play out later in the arc.

So where does Wolverine fit in? Well back on Krakoa, we spend time with Black Tom as he realises something is wrong. Sadly he doesn't get too much "screen time" as the new evil makes itself known. It's here where Federico Vincentini gives us a hint...and it's a rather big one at that! 

As we're already aware, Wolverine is currently in the middle of some time travel shenanigans. Whilst his body lays inside the Cradle, Jean discovers that the "big evil" happens to be a familiar face - or is it wearing a familiar face - and its claws? Either way, this "thing" looks and talks like our Wolverine! The exact details as to who or even what this Wolverine is are still in the air, however, it's certainly going to be the thing that drives the series forward.

Vincentini's art makes X Deaths Of Wolverine such a fun read. There's a lot of energy here that helps portray the intensity of Moria and Mystique's missions. Every character is also expertly captured with Vincentini applying plenty of their personalities onto his canvas. There's a whole lot of synergy between both Percy and Vincentini as both writer and artist complement each other. 

Colourwork also works to set this comic aside from your typical Mutant outing. Dijjo Lima and Frank Martin bring a lot of variation that helps distinguish each location from the next. Even Krakoa gets a makeover as the often brightly coloured location, takes on a cooler tone. 

All in all X Deaths Of Wolverine #1 is a very good, high-tempo opening. There are a lot of twists and turns as the cast go from the events of Inferno straight back into another crisis. Benjamin Percy throws plenty of breadcrumbs to keep readers hooked, as Vincentini, Lima, and Martin expertly bring his narrative to life. If anything I didn't want this issue to end...especially with that cliffhanger! 

Rating 8.5/10 

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev