Review by Karl Verhoven
After a lacklustre opening volume Wolverines took a distinct upturn with Claw, Blade and Fang, in which some cast members were jettisoned, while the arrival of the alien Fang provided both the means of testing others and looking back at Wolverine himself. Another new character, Fantomelle, ripe with possibilities, also leapfrogged the main cast in the interest stakes.
A remaining drawback was a different artist drawing every chapter, ranging from mediocre to acceptable, but rarely above. The pattern of returning the weakest of the previous artists recurs, but Juan Doe apart, the pages look better than previously with more imaginative artwork from Ario Anindito and especially Salvador Larroca providing the sample spread. James Masters is also notable on an interlude chapter having almost nothing to do with any of the prevailing plot threads other than answering who Fantomelle was hired by.
Over the previous volume, writers of alternate chapters Ray Fawkes and Charles Soule introduced agendas for most of the cast, some more obvious than others, with Mystique’s villainy for villainy’s sake wearing a little thin. More interesting, though was the development of Sojourn, trapped with the spirit of a malevolent dead ninja in his head, and that’s one of a couple of plots drawn to a conclusion here. It’s now apparent that this is something of a series trademark on the part of Fawkes and Soule. Nothing is dragged on too long, as along comes the next plot. Mystique’s motives are an exception, but presumably that’s on the agenda to be dealt with in Destiny. “If you’re all second-guessing everything we’ll never win” is rather feeble justification for kicking that revelation down the road again.
Plenty of guest stars turn up, which may be frustrating for those wanting the focus on the main cast, but everyone else ought to enjoy seeing the likes of Blade, Deadpool and She-Hulk, and they add to the fun. This is another step up for Wolverines, and you can find all four volumes combined in the Death of Wolverine Omnibus.
