The mediocre multiverse misadventure continues in Weapon X-Men #2, written by Christos Gage, drawn by Yildiray Cinar, colored by Nolan Woodard and lettered by Clayton Cowles.
No doubt, youâre surprised to see us back here, talking and thinking about this particular series. Especially after the way last monthâs article tore through the first issue like Wolverine tears through nameless ninjas or henchmen.
Well, just like those nameless thugs, there is always more to tear through.
Think of it like this, I put myself through reading a book so that you conceivably donât have to. Or maybe youâre so enamored by the mess that you just have to witness it yourself. (No worries, there is no judgment here.)
No surprise, this series is still terrible.
Weapon X-Men as a concept is sound. Gather up a bunch of Wolverines from across the multiverse, let them go all Snikt Snikt on everything, and rack up the dollar signs for the characterâs anniversary. Marvel Comics does these kinds of low-level cash grab celebrations all the time. [Ed Note: Like the time they did it in Exiles #85-86, though I guess 2006 wasnât an anniversary of anything.]
The bar for them is pretty well established and low enough to see, and easily be above.
Somehow though this series found a way to grab the bar and drag it to subterranean depths. So low, the Mole Man might run into it at any moment.
Another issue filled with the Wolverines bemoaning their lots in life, this motley crew of mostly not the best at what they do anymore. Running around trying to find the hidden Onslaught. Because this supposed multiversal threat is so lame they have to hide, possess people, and then run away after the continued âfat jokeâ Wolverine hacks off one limb.
Gage fails to create any real reason to fear this villain or explain why they are such a multiversal threat. Even a world being destroyed last issue was âwhatever,â because the Wolverines pretty much were a massive cause of that happening. A preoccupation with anything Jean threw a wrench in their quest to find their foe. Not great since tracking is one of the things Wolverines pride themselves on.
The Phoenix team-maker gets involved since this is her world, and fails just as hard as all the Wolverines. Essentially in this world, the X-Men hit their peak in the mid Claremont era, got married, had kids, and all lived pretty much happily ever after- at least, till Onslaught and the bumbling Wolverine brigade showed up.
Iâll give Gage a bit of credit. There are some moves to try and cause the reader to sympathize and understand these characters, but it feels too little and too late. They are still mostly caricature shells to fit the plot, and poking at tragic backstories doesnât help. It especially continues to prove that Phoenix clearly was in over her head in gathering Wolverines for this mission.
Maybe all the ones who would be better at the job said no, like a rational person. She said Onslaught, and they laughed and laughed and laughed.
Yildiray Cinar and Nolan Woodard are trying their best.
Visually the series has that âtrying to mirror classic styles but is clearly not thereâ type of vibe. Which is fine, this is supposed to be a celebratory affair of the past after all. Script wise there isnât a ton for Cinar to really do though. Just a lot of flashbacks, easter eggs, cutaways, and standing around scenes again. With a small bit of action thrown in almost obligatorily near the end.
For a book celebrating Wolverine, this might be the tamest most talkative book that has ever been centered on the clawed one.
Right now, the main Wolverine book is over there ripping everything and everyone apart like a mid-2000s era Marvel MAX book. This one might as well be the daytime talk show with one controversial hate-worthy host equivalent.
Not saying I want the pages soaked in blood, but having five Wolverines running around should be way more exciting.
Paneling choices are very standard, not a lot of excitement there. Some of it feels rushed, but not like a lot of recent X-related comics. Colors are pretty average, some neutral tones and some more vibrant ones.
Come the end of the day, this is a slight step above the previous issue, but thatâs not saying much. Rather than a memorable celebration of a characterâs decades of longevity, this lackluster phoned-in affair will be forgotten by summer.
Scott Redmond
Scott Redmond is a freelance writer and educator fueled by coffee, sarcasm, his love for comic books and more "geeky" things than you can shake a lightsaber at. Probably seen around social media and remembered as "Oh yeah, that guy." An avid gamer, reader, photographer, amateur cook and solid human being.
