For better or worse I felt this X-Men event may have been mistitled. While readers have witnessed a slice of Logan’s existence, other character’s lives and deaths have hung in the balance as well. There is Moira, who is now Krakoa’s first fugitive (sorry Creed), and Xavier, targeted across time by Omega Red. Wolverine’s presence has seemed like a means to both ends. That all changes this issue. And although I still feel this event may be mistitled there is no longer any denying how much this matter has to do with Logan.
X Deaths of Wolverine # 3
“Do or Die”
Writer: Benjamin Percy
Artist: Federico Vicentini
Color Artist: Dijjo Lima
Letterer & Design: VC’s Cory Petit
Design: Tom Muller
If this event was a drive-in feature this issue would set up the intermission. Instead of a collection of concessions Percy brings in another group of refreshments. January 2020’s X-Men # 5 delighted fans with the acknowledgement there were two Wolverines on the X-Men roster. This gives Charles someone to send after the techno-organic Logan. Trusted with a dangerous mission and as little information as possible by Xavier, the final criteria for being Wolverine, Laura brings both Scout and Daken along.
X-Men # 5, 2020 X Deaths of Wolverine, 2022
The Omega Logan who showed up on Krakoa in issue # 1 of Deaths has remained a mystery. While showing little hesitancy to attack Black Tom, the rest of his assaults felt familiar, subdued despite his lethal appearance. You witness this again during his efforts to penetrate the security at the Epiphany campus. I noticed that it seemed this individual was pulling his punches, following some unspoken rule. It isn’t until the Wolverines show up that we learn the tragic truth behind Omega Wolverine’s arrival. The Battle of the Wolverines culminates in a dramatic dialogue which only reinforces Logan’s lifelong struggle.
The Lies and Deals of Moira Magtaggert
Meanwhile, it’s Moira’s efforts to outrun her Destiny that prove to be the final affront. Finding assistance in Epiphany’s Arnab Chakladar, Moira is banking on his technology to buy her one more round. Very few characters have surprised me more in the Krakoa age than Moira, and not in a good way. First she was a human who would sacrifice everything to find a cure for mutants. And now she’s a former mutant helping humans create the ultimate cure for the mutant problem. Creed may be intent to bring Hell to Krakoa, but Moira is doing a very good Lucifer on her own.
In Charkladar, Moira has found an ally who is willing to assist her. Still during their conversation there are moments you sense his hesitancy, as if he and Moira aren’t completely in agreement. Does he truly view mutants as a threat, or is he yet another means to Moira’s ends. A billionaire doing because they can and don’t want to get beat to the punch.
We Should Talk About Logan
Since the world is on the kick let me break this down Encanto style. Logan doesn’t fire lasers from his eyes, can’t control the weather, he doesn’t even have wings to fly away like Warren (viewed as the most useless power in the early days). Wolverine pops some claws, which require proximity and he can heal, an ability currently overshadowed by the Resurrection Protocols. He has practically become Mirabel. And much like her, he has that same selfless spirit.
While the writing and artwork has been fabulous throughout this series something has felt off. The title progressed but lacked a bit of focus. They say that in death all things become clear. Even if Logan doesn’t remember everything he has lived through, the pages of X Deaths of Wolverine # 3 help readers understand what all the dying (and more importantly the living) is for.
Very few give all, Logan has made himself a sacrifice time and time again.
Score: 9.2