Wolverine: First Class

Bienvenido a la Madhouse!

So in the spirit of better comic reviews, I'm dedicating all of my attention to one comic each week, instead of "my sad life of comics in 1500 words or more." Here is the first post in the new tradition.

This week's comic is Wolverine First Class #18.

Now I hate Wolverine. I hate him. The most overused two-dimensional character Marvel has and here he is this week, in the hands of one of my favorite comic writers, the legendary Peter David. This was entirely an impulse buy, because when I saw "David" and a swarm of Jamie Madrox (my favorite Marvel character, the Multiple Man) on the cover, I had to give it a try.

I was pleased to find this was an issue revolving almost exclusively around Shadowcat and Madrox. Wolverine was used mainly as comic relief, which is how I prefer him to be used, much like Joss Whedon's Wolverine in Astonishing X-Men.

(This issue takes place long before the first appearance of X-Factor. It's bright colors and Madrox's original costume help set the scene in the past)

In summary, Madrox visits the X-Mansion in search of a renegade dupe who has taken asylum there. He explains to Shadowcat and Wolverine how dangerous it is to have a part of yourself doing things that you will eventually have to answer for. Shadowcat however, believes that the dupe is a person too, and as such has a right to live his own life. This leads to issues of morality, mortality, trust, and knowing yourself and what you're capable of.

(Peter David can write Shadowcat's plucky sense of humor and her Jewish heritage really well. It's not over the top, but in good taste. Thanks in part, I assume, to David's own Jewish heritage)

I really enjoyed this issue for its whimsical yet philosophical analyses of Jamie Madrox's unique ability. He doesn't even know exactly how it works. Are his dupes 100% perfect copies? Are they merely aspects of his personality? Are they truly each individual people? Madrox in this issue compares them to locks of hair or fingernails, each one being an extension on himself. This is a funny rationalization for why he has the right to reabsorb them, but also highlights his youth and suggests he may feel guilty for ending dupes' lives.

As an added bonus, if you're a fan of Peter David's current near-50 issue run of X-Factor, lots of parts of this issue will carry a little more meaning and be just a little funnier since you know how things turn out for Madrox in the future. Or the present. Damn continuity.

Nobody writes Madrox better than Peter David, but failing to mention how well suited this artwork is to the themes and tone of this book would be a crime. Bright colors, clear lines and expressive faces make the story pop. Aesthetically, this is a fine book.

While I can't recommend Wolverine First Class on the whole, I can suggest looking at issue #18.

That's all for this week. Have a good weekend!
-Steve