The end of Benjamin Percy’s era on Wolverine comes to a close for trade-waiting readers this week with Wolverine by Benjamin Percy Vol. 9. Collecting Wolverine #46-50, Wolverine’s battle with Sabretooth is wrapped up while one of the final fights on Krakoa takes place. It’s a story taking place over ten chapters and brings a finality to the longest-running fight in Marvel Comics.
Wolverine #46 is a delightful chapter in the story, revealing what is real and what isn’t side by side. The issue opens with Sabretooth on the left side speaking in a mean way, while on the right, he’s talking like they’re on a real mission together. On the left is the real world, and on the right is a different location entirely thanks to Kid Omega’s powers augmenting reality. It’s a cool way to show the “good times” these two had, while in the present, Sabretooth is as evil as ever, hatching his plan.
Kid Omega continues to be super fun in this story arc as well. He’s a disembodied head, but he’s still got a lot of spunk and attitude. He adds good commentary on the relationship between Wolverine and Sabretooth. This allows him to comment on these two being like brothers at one point but no longer.
There’s also a fun adventure vibe to this part of the story, not unlike Indiana Jones. Sabretooth and Wolverine must go through extreme tests and pass through boobytraps as they go deeper into Krakoa.
Between this opening and the closing issue, there’s a lot of tense “who will win” and “who will die” stuff, but it eventually boils down to Wolverine vs. Sabretooth. Wolverine #50 is an extra-sized issue opening on Krakoa where Wolverine, suited up in an adamantium suit, faces Sabretooth’s son Bad Seed in the bay. It’s a showdown right out of a Western until Sabretooth appears with his fist shoved through Bad Seed. Sorry to see ya go, champ!
Given all the setup for Sabretooth’s son, it’s almost comical how fast he loses. As the story goes, Wolverine and Sabretooth duke it out with twists and turns occurring every few pages. That includes a return to the prison known as the Pit and a final showdown.
The saving grace is the art, which is spectacular from layouts to the level of gore. Geoff Shaw and Cory Smith do some amazing stuff with the visuals. Shaw draws an epic Sabretooth who has to be 10 feet tall. When his arm goes through Bad Seed, you feel it. Smith, on the other hand, delivers an incredible final fight sequence highlighted by a 20-panel page of ruthless slashing by Wolverine. A double-page splash of Wolverine slashing with his samurai blade is simply incredible, with tons of detail on his face and body. It’s awesome visuals, to say the least.
Neat idea to show what is real and what Wolverine sees.
Credit: Marvel
Closing out this “Sabertooth War,” it’s evident this ten-part story probably could have been six issues would be an understatement. With all the build-up, it’s clear a lot of the events of this story were meant to get Logan and Sabretooth alone so they could fight. The story turns into a straightforward fight comic and lacks the poignant captioning and sometimes poetic look at Wolverine and Sabretooth’s relationship.
Outside of the main story, this collection ends with some backup tales. The first is “Mutants on the Edge of Town” by Larry Hama and Daniel Picciotto. Fans of the Jubilee and Logan relationship will love this story. It has the two in a small town discovering a broken sentinel hidden away by a local who has no idea what it is. Fight scenes similar to the animated show ensue. Hama does a great job with dialogue, which is no surprise, and Picciotto, with color artist Yen Nitro, does excellent work.
Next up is “Endless” by Benjamin Percy and Fernandez, which is basically a montage of Wolverine’s life. It’s a fitting end to Percy’s run, with iconic moments captured and a final scene ending in a bar that’ll certainly turn into a brawl.
Wolverine by Benjamin Percy Vol. 9: Sabretooth War Part 2 offers some of the most violent art you’ll ever see in a Wolverine comic that feels somewhat final for the relationship of Sabretooth and Wolverine. There are ups and downs, but mostly it’s a fun fight comic to pass the time.
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