It all comes down to this as Wolverine faces Sabretooth in the finale of “Sabretooth War.” Wolverine #50 promises an epic battle involving Sabretooth, his son, Wolverine, the Exiles, and X-Force. Keep your hands inside the vehicle at all times, as it’ll get quite violent in this one.
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!
Sorry for the spoilers, but it happens so early it’s practically not even important to the issue. 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.
To say this ten-part story probably could have been six issues would be an understatement. With all the build-up, this issue shows the nine parts that came before were more about getting all these characters in one place before it rushes to the end. The story turns into a fight comic and lacks the poignant captioning and sometimes poetic look at Wolverine and Sabretooth’s relationship.
Both 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.
This issue also has backup stories, starting with “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 #50 offers some of the most violent art you’ll ever see in a Wolverine ending that certainly puts a pin in the relationship between Sabretooth and Wolverine. I can’t say this finale was as meaningful as other chapters, but the visuals don’t disappoint. Plus, Larry Hama offers up a great Jubilee and Wolverine tale not to be missed.




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