Review: ‘X Deaths Of Wolverine’ #2 Goes Full Terminator

There are two plots in play in X Deaths of Wolverine #2. As of right now, they seem to be on a collision course. But the best part about this series so far is that it seems determined to surprise us.

Moira X’s very bad day continues in this issue, with the Omega Wolverine on her trail. But is there more to the story? That’s what Benjamin Percy, Federico Vincentini, Dijjo Lima, Cory Petit, and Tom Muller want us to know.

Moira is being hunted. Mystique is not far behind her and she seems to have only minutes to stay ahead of her. A new player has entered the picture. The Omega Wolverine is on the hunt, and nothing can stop him from his goal.

Percy has set up two very interesting paths with the Omega Wolverine. The possibilities of each are enough to hook me, while also remaining an entertaining as hell chase story. On one path, Percy could be playing the story straight- the Omega Wolverine is here to kill Moira. It’s entertaining, straightforward and a fairly exciting story just on its own merits.

However, he also sets up that things could possibly not be as they appear. While this is our first Krakoa- era story involving the Phalanx, their confirmed involvement opens up lots of possibilities that hint at something larger than just a manhunt (as does a lot of information in Petit and Muller’s data pages). That means that, as readers, we’ll keep guessing until the story lays it out for us. This is really to X Deaths’ benefit and makes it a much more engaging story than just a Terminator redux with the X-Men.

Vincentini and Lima give everything a massive amount of energy. Yes, the Omega Wolverine is a hulking force to be reckoned with, but they show us that as Logan tears through a frat boy fishing trip in broad daylight. It’s paced just right and Lima’s colors make it feel scarier thanks to the bright light.

Though I’m not entirely sure how this is supposed to set up all the big changes of the X-Men line moving forward, this is telling a hell of a Wolverine story. Logan himself is barely a player so far, but by putting the most popular X-Man up against the Krakoan nation’s founder, I cements it as important. It’s a distinction that the Wolverine title has lacked for a while, and I hope Percy can use this momentum going into Wolverine and X-Force after this event concludes.

X Deaths of Wolverine #2 is available now from Marvel Comics.