Happy Death Day: Reviewing ‘Wolverine’ #41

Some people celebrate their birthdays surrounded by loved ones and enjoyment. Some, like Wolverine, spend it full of terrible dread. To each their own really.

Blow out the bloody candles and prepare as the “Sabretooth War” kicks off in the gruesome and painful Wolverine #41. It comes courtesy of the expanded crew of Benjamin Percy, Victor LaValle, Geoff Shaw, Cory Smith, Oren Junior, Alex Sinclair, and Cory Petit.

Look, to be fair, Wolverine has reasons to fear his day of birth. Historically, that’s the day where his old ‘buddy’ turned foe Sabretooth comes to do something horrific in ‘celebration.’ Good thing that Sabretooth can’t do such a thing, being trapped in the Krakoan prison cell known as the Pit.

Wait, what’s that? He got out and went on a spree of adventures in some minis, both of which I reviewed? Oh, darn, that’s not good for Logan or anyone he cares about.

The addition of LaValle to the writing side is a good bridge from his work on the Sabretooth books, while also bringing a new focus to the somewhat wandering series. Percy’s Logan voice through this entire run has been spot-on and LaValle’s upgraded fleshed out voice for Creed is always welcome. Unfortunately, at least in this issue, it feels almost like they are writing two different series about to collide in a crossover. Some spaces actually flow together well even with the different writers; others are very clearly stitched together.

Originally LaValle was slated to do three Sabretooth starring miniseries, but the final one was axed so it could be folded into Wolverine. Whether that was the right call or not will depend on how this ten-part story looks overall by the end.

Wolverine books are bloody affairs. Especially when it’s Logan versus Sabretooth (or Sabreteeth in this situation).

I’m not against the blood and slashing buffet of violence. Where I’m torn though is the brutality that is wiping out young characters, alongside the growing body count across the whole line. It’s different sure, but I’m getting massive ‘clear the board’ Decimation like vibes right now. Especially since resurrection as we currently know it for the X-Men is pretty much off the table, and highly unlikely will survive into the new era.

Each of the death’s is effective and emotionally devastating, speaking to the depraved nature of Sabretooth (and his clan) who is just enamored with revenge. Quentin Quire has died a billion times in this era, but this time is hauntingly different. We know right now there is no (easy) coming back, as death is more of a deterrent once more. Just the same as when Akihiro, who just had a actual family moment with his father at last, is ripped apart to end the issue.

Smith and Shaw bring these various moments to very vivid life. Their artistic styles share a lot of common visual DNA while still having a unique existence.

Shaw’s comes with a lot of those really sharp edge rough beats, fitting for those first eleven pages fully focused on the Sabretooth gang. A lot of heavier shadows permeate things, giving an almost haunting vibe to everything. Notably as the gang moves through the deserted and depressing remains of Krakoa. Heavier inks in places muddle some of the visuals but on purpose, in a way that adds to that darker atmosphere.

Those violent bits mentioned, Quire’s death and some Sabretooth training, are visceral and powerful. Brutal and gory, but pulled back just enough that it’s not like a splatter fest horror movie style. Quire’s blank horrified look as his corpse is defiled sure will stick in the mind and soul for a bit.

On the other side, Smith’s work has a more detailed but still a bit rough and heavy tone. Large portions of that section happen in the middle of a big snowfall/storm at the new X-Force base, bringing that haunting feeling right back. There is a bit more of a whimsical lighter element at play, contrasting with the weighty inks of Junior.

I applaud the paneling choices of Fang/Akihiro versus Sabretooth, slashing shapes and frantic chaotic energy. This is a no holds barred fight and it’s brutal, as we then witness the final page with Akihiro ripped apart (alongside a nameless mutant extra) to spell out Happy Birthday with body parts. It’s grim, gritty, but that slight tinge of lightness almost adds a dark humor mirthful feeling to the whole affair. Fitting with how Creed wants to punish Logan.

Across the whole thing, Sinclair brings a more muted color palette to play. It’s extremely helpful in the more brutal pages, as the blood is not that bright sickening crimson one might expect. This helps meet that point mentioned earlier of toeing the line without falling into Marvel MAX or slasher film territory.

Many of the color aspects and artistic choices overall reflect more of the visual sensibilities witnessed within the Sabretooth minis. A realism that meets the harsher and fantasy aspects of this universe. That’s not to say there were not similar elements already at work with Logan’s book, but this type of appeal is very distinctly born of Sabretooth’s adventures. Creed brought his focus, style, and crew down upon his most hated rival.

A variety of voices are found here, with the competing styles of Creed and Logan (as well as their writers) the loudest. Petit wrangles all the emotions and bombastic alpha maleness that is leaking all over the page and delivers it with impact. Letting the character’s emotions and personalities ring true in our proverbial ears as we move through the issue. Each bit of lettering has great impact, a particular razor sharpness to anything the Sabretooth crew has to say.

On a funny note: I was perfectly ready to make a point in this review joking about how Logan is fully back to the 2000s power of being everywhere at once. Apparently sensing that, the team made sure that this books recap page includes a note. It places the book after the still weeks away X-Force #50 but before the already released Fall Of The House Of X #1.

Well played, well played indeed.

Wolverine #41 is now available from Marvel Comics.