Weapon X is essentially an origin story: Canadian government scientists are turning Logan into Wolverine, a mindless killing machine, or at least trying to. He already had his super-healing ability and his taste for violence when they picked him up. In the lab, they've added the adamantium to his bones and the retractable claws. Now the question is whether or not they can control him. It's a Frankenstein story at its heart, though with a far less articulate monster.
Logan/Wolverine, you see, doesn't actually talk much through this transformation ordeal. Mostly, we see him lying inert, wires attached, his creator/controllers talking about him. There are occasional, extremely violent outbursts but for the most part, his role is a passive one.
So far.
As the readers, we know that after all of this, Wolverine won't be easily controlled by anyone. It's just a matter of seeing how the early history plays out.
I'm not sure how I feel to this point. Wolverine is still my favorite Marvel character, though I doubt this story would have been one to hook me. It's not over yet. I will reserve ultimate judgment.
My Recent Reads
Marvel Comics Presents #73
Originally released February 5, 1991
Story: "Weapon X: Chapter One"
Writer and Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith
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Marvel Comics Presents #74
February 19, 1991
"Weapon X: Chapter Two"
Windsor-Smith
via Marvel Database |
Marvel Comics Presents #75
March 5, 1991
"Weapon X: Chapter Three"
Windsor-Smith
via Amazon |
Marvel Comics Presents #76
March 19, 1991
"Weapon X: Chapter Four"
Windsor-Smith
via Marvel Database |
Marvel Comics Presents #77
April 2, 1991
"Weapon X: Chapter Five"
Windsor-Smith
via Marvel Database |
Marvel Comics Presents #78
April 16, 1991
"Weapon X: Chapter Six"
Windsor-Smith
via Marvel Database |
I thought this story was great, mostly because it explained the whole wandering through Canada thing when he is first introduced. The only other real bit of origin story we have for him prior to this is in relation to Alpha Flight. And I loved Windsor-Smith's art for this. He was super popular for a while but, overall, he was very much under-appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThe artwork is definitely powerful.
DeleteInterestingly, the character framework we know for Wolverine now was invented for the G.I. Joe Snake Eyes, the loner whose background was a complete mystery.
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting.
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