With the 60th Anniversary of the X-men this September I thought it would be fun to look at some of my favorite stories. Starting off is Wolverine #75, part 5 of the Fatal Attraction storyline - the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the X-men in 1993.
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In the wild whirlwind of "Fatal Attractions," this episode takes a breather, like a calm after a storm, but with a twist that's anything but quiet! While earlier chapters dazzled us with grand entrances (Cable's return, Avalon's debut, Magneto's resurgence), this one zooms in on the aftermath of Magneto' absolutely brutal take down of Wolverine - ripping the adamantium from his bones!
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Hot off X-men #25, drawn by Andy Kubert, the X-Men are on their toes, racing against time as they try to save Wolverine and make it back to Earth in one piece. This chapter is drawn by Adny's brother, Adam, with some of the most incredible artwork I've seen in a comic to date with scenes that are vividly intact in my brain.
Kubert, with aide from the scripts of GI Joe Legend Larry Hama, panels out page after page of movie quality pacing. The X-Men are on their way back to Earth after their clash with Magneto aboard the Avalon space station. Wolverine is on board, and he's just had his adamantium forcibly yanked out by Magneto's powers. With Wolverine in critical condition, Professor X and Jean Grey dive into his thoughts to lend him a mental helping hand. Inside his mind, they get swept into a memory marathon, watching Wolverine's mental avatar duking it out with Sabretooth while hanging like an X-shaped piñata.
As they journey through Logan's memories, they catch front-row seats to his agony when Magneto went all "adieu adamantium." Suddenly, they're in a blast from the past, reliving Wolverine's Weapon X days when his bones got an adamantium makeover. It's like stepping into his private diaries, and Jean's not comfortable with the intrusion. She convinces the Prof to pull the plug on this mental Netflix binge.
Just as they make their exit, the Blackbird, crammed for space travel in a hurry, decides to throw a tantrum due to its atmospheric reentry inexperience. The gang rallies – Bishop, Quicksilver, and Gambit pull off a high-stakes maintenance act to prevent the Blackbird from becoming space debris. But hold your breath, because things get bumpy – Wolverine's strapped to a medical table that's suddenly playing bumper cars, and he wakes up screaming in agony.
Wolverine's not one to back down, but the X-Men's worrywart alarms are blaring as his super healing starts to sputter out due to the massive damage. As the Blackbird races through the skies, Professor X, Jean Grey, and Rogue try to keep Wolverine stable. Meanwhile, Moira MacTaggert at the X-Mansion lends a hand through telecommunication, guiding the team like an air traffic controller.
With the Blackbird shaking harder than a leaf in a storm, Jean has to play superhero air duct tape, using her telekinesis to keep the plane from turning into scrap metal. Back on solid ground, the X-Men watch helplessly, and Professor X does a mind marathon to keep Logan alive, warning Gambit to wake him up if things go south – a mind-merge gone wrong could send them both into the great beyond.
Inside Logan's mind, Xavier witnesses a tweaked version of his fight with Magneto – outcome unchanged. Meanwhile, in the real world, the Blackbird's getting smacked around by a storm, tossing it around like a rubber ducky in a tsunami. Jean's holding the door against hurricane-grade suction, but she gets plucked out, clinging for dear life. Her mental gymnastics keep the rest from following her skydiving example.
In Logan's headspace, a light appears, and he's ready to walk into the bright unknown, thinking it's time to hang up the claws. But hold on! Illyana's spirit barges in like a reality check, shooing him away from the afterlife's VIP lounge.
Back in the real world, the Professor bails on Logan's mind as chaos breaches the Blackbird's hull. Jean's mental hustle keeps the gang from going airborne like confetti. And voila, Logan summons the strength to play hero and pull Jean back inside as they prepare for a less-than-graceful landing.
After some healing downtime, Wolverine learns his healing factor's gotten a diet plan – it's not as buff as before. But being the gritty guy he is, he jumps into a Danger Room session, proving he's still got the mojo. Surprise – bone claws burst forth! With healing power on the fritz, Moira swoops in to stop the show, and the X-Men whisk him to the infirmary.
Later, Logan and Jubilee chat about his new bone claw reveal and his uncertain spot in the X-Men lineup. He reflects on his journey from loner to X-Men pal, but now he's questioning his role, especially with his healing mojo playing hard to get. A final puff on a cigar introduces him to a new buddy – a cough. So he considers quitting smoking.
Logan packs up and pens a heartfelt note for Jubilee, explaining he's taking a timeout to ponder life without adamantium. He leaves his teammates messages and hops on his motorcycle, glimpsing a tearful Jubilee as he rides into the moonlit unknown – a new chapter begins, sans X-Men.
While this chapter is a penultimate part of Wolverine's (and Magneto's honestly) story the real star of this book is Adam Kubert.
Adam Kubert's artistic prowess is a beacon of excellence within the realm of comic book illustration. His work is a symphony of skill, precision, and creativity that brings an unparalleled depth to the stories he touches. With each stroke of his pen, Kubert manages to transport readers into the very heart of the narrative, crafting an immersive experience that lingers long after the comic is put down.
In particular in this issue, Kuberts skill brings to life Larry Hama's script that conveys the sense of urgency and drama of the story. Computers exploding, chunks of meat and bone, the stress on the faces of the characters and the imagery of Logan's mind as he's dying all come together to make a story that is hard to take your eyes off of.
What truly sets Kubert apart is his ability to seamlessly blend intricate detail with dynamic storytelling. His compositions are a masterclass in visual narrative, guiding the eye through the panels with an innate understanding of pacing and tension. Whether it's a high-octane action sequence or a poignant character moment, Kubert's art captures the essence of each scene, evoking emotion and driving the story forward. His characters are more than mere ink on paper; they are living, breathing beings with a palpable presence that resonates deeply.
In my opinion he is the definitive Wolverine artist, and with the gripping story written by Hama and the amazing visuals drawn by Kubert this book is the one that made me an X-men fan.
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