Marvel Comics 2017
Written by Greg Pak
Illustrated by Mahmud Asrar
Coloured by Nolan Woodard
Lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Their goal is a simple one…ERADICATE ALL MUTANTS! And they're starting their hunt with the most dangerous group of mutants on planet Earth — Old Man Logan, Sabretooth, Domino, Lady Deathstrike, Warpath and…the Hulk?! But with an army of genetic cyborgs at their disposal, this may just be the beginning…
Aww crap on a popsicle stick this is everything that is wrong with storytelling at Marvel these days. Greed pure and simple. Instead of this whole thing taking place in Weapon X where it should be there’s now a one shot (?) and crossovers with Totally Awesome Hulk that they want you to buy to continue reading this arc. It’s gimmick and now i’m officially done with Weapon X and damn near close to Marvel in general.
The sad part of all this is that the story started in Weapon X is strong, interesting and brings back William Stryker in a way that not only makes sense but is exciting, fresh and thrilling. But greed had to ruin that and don’t me i’m wrong because instead of leaving it in the Weapon X series they want you to spend extra money on a silly title (Amadeus Cho’s book) and this overpriced one-shot. In all honesty there was absolutely no reason to branch it off into all these other books when leaving it in one would’ve garnered more interest and acclaim by fans, reader and critics alike.
I’m sad too because in all honesty the story is amazingly well told. Greg’s depiction of the fractured life of Reverend William Stryker trying to work with scientists in a gated community is the stuff legends are made of. The characterisation, plot development and story progression is so solidly put together, easy to read and follow and simply enjoy. You see how this is all going to blow up eventually and that’s okay because it’s the getting there that you want to see more. Now that the key players have been introduced it’s time for the roller coaster ride to begin in earnest and that’s what we want to see.
Mahmud’s an amazing artist and to see him use his talents to bring this to life is great. The way page layouts are utilised through angles, perspective and the use of backgrounds are extremely well handled. The tone, mood and feel of the people we see shines and the gauntlet of emotions from tedium, anger, boredom and zealousness are easily read off their faces and body language.
The use of these cyborg units to attack the characters is something I love to see and the ones from this issue well yeah that’s creative and imaginative in ways you have to admire. It’s just a shame that I won’t be following this or the Weapon X book any further. I refuse to be “forced” to buy more than I can afford in a climate where too many good series don’t rely upon greed to be sold. The days where Marvel was an industry leader are long gone and in its place is a company who cares nothing for its readership only the almighty dollar. Had this been done in Weapon X where it all started through it’s past four issues i’d be singing its praises but now it’s damnation through unnecessary greed is all I can see.