Judging by the cover of Wolverine #48, the “Sabretooth War” is literally tearing Wolverine apart. He’s lost his healing factor, friends, and family, and a war of Sabreteeth looms over the remaining mutants. The situation is dire, especially with a new threat from another dimension. As we approach the last two chapters of the ten-issue event, writers Benjamin Percy and Victor LaValle aim to raise the stakes and prepare for the climax.
Wolverine #48 is all about Sabretooth and Logan licking their wounds before their final showdown. In one corner, Logan is coming to grips with what he must do and what he’s fighting for. On the other, Sabretooth is reflecting on a life of pain and misery. Through well-drawn montages, we see two sides of a coin. It’s a good way to slow things down a bit before these two fight to the death one last time.
Meanwhile, Graydon Creed, aka Bad Seed, shows how powerful he is as he faces off against what Laura Kinney sets on him. Sabretooth’s son, he’s powered up with futuristic tech and, based on a killer sequence, very capable of taking out numerous mutants, let alone sentinels. He commands other Sabretooth characters, who have taken a big bag seat to Bad Seed, which is unfortunate since they had their own plans.
These characters heal in different ways.
Credit: Marvel
However, your suspension of disbelief needs to curb expectations big time regarding this issue. I think it’s the Wolverine armor, which has already been revealed in solicitations since it would weigh so darn much. We know Wolverine is strong, but not strong enough to wear adamantium armor, right? Outside of this, there’s a convenient location hidden away just for this exact situation, and it’s a little silly how easy it is for Bad Seed to take out the sentinels. It works to frame the stakes but is unearned.
Art by Cory Smith is as detailed as ever, with solid montaging and a good sense of scale. Details in Bad Seed’s armor give him a slightly futuristic yet almost barbarian look. Inks by Oren Junior gives everything a darker tone, reminding us this truly is a war with life and death on the line.
A big showdown between Wolverine and Sabretooth builds as stakes are raised in part 8. While it’s cool to see time spent on Bad Seed, it undoubtedly raises the stakes. This issue neglects a few elements while requiring you to suspend disbelief too much.
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