Is It Good? Wolverine and the X-Men #38 Review

A couple weeks ago I received the disappointing news that Wolverine and the X-Men will be ending in the next couple of issues. This saddened me deeply. However, Marvel was kind enough to send us an exclusive preview of this issue almost a week ago. Now that I have the chance to read past the first four pages, is it good?

Wolverine and the X-Men #38 (Marvel Comics)

Lots going on this issue. Broo is introducing two new students to the school and all of its inhabitants, Wolverine is feeling the effects of Battle of the Atom, and S.H.I.E.L.D comes to confront the teachers of the Jean Grey school. The plot of this issue was superb, and brilliantly executed. Threads that started at the very beginning of the issue tied in with other threads at the very end; two stories were being told at the same time yet the comic is overall one smooth narrative.

Jason Aaron definitely loves pumping fans full of nostalgia and good memories of issues gone by. Once again, Wolverine and the X-Men is chock full of great character moments and fun dialogue. From Quentin Quire’s snarky sarcasm to Kid Gladiator’s unadulterated anger these kids are a great group of personalities made wonderful under Jason Aaron’s pen.

What’s with your hair Logan? It’s even crazier than usual.

It’s hard to have a dialogue heavy comic book be completely engaging, but this creative team has managed to make this issue intriguing and gripping. While only the standard 21 pages this comic reads like it was double its size with pages bursting with conversation and very few splashes or spreads.

That being said, everything reads flawlessly, my favorite part of the issue being Maria Hill’s venomous truths about the X-Men. She pretty much sums up everything we love and cherish about the X-Men in the most antagonistic and hateful way.

The new artist on the book, Pere Larraz, is fantastic. The way he draws the Jean Grey school is epic in scale and colorful and gives the book great setting. Faces, anatomy, everything is nailed perfectly with great inks and colors to boot.

9.5

• Unique and interesting art
• Fantastic story and organization
• Dialogue is hilarious and fills you with nostalgia

• Wolverine’s hair is…something

This is a great start to a promising new arc. Wolverine is definitely the key player in his own book but the kids aren’t neglected either. This is the kind of storytelling that engrossed so many readers when this series first started — I hope this level of quality is maintainable throughout the rest of the arc, and hopefully the rest of the series.

Is it Good?

Most definitely, a clever plot brings life back to a series that suffered greatly in Battle of the Atom. I’m sad to see it go, but hey, it’s been a hell of a ride!