Weapon X #27
Robert Struble
Recap
Weapon X-Force finds Stryker’s prison in Hell, but on Earth, Mentallo is preparing to sacrifice the men in his thrall to bring Stryker back to life. While Sabretooth takes on Stryker’s avatar in Hell, the rest of the team is teleported back to Earth by Azazel.
However, Mentallo is empowered by demonic energy and Weapon X-Force is no match for him. To save them, Sabretooth gives up his vendetta against Stryker and Azazel teleports him to Earth. Sabretooth fights to free his “friends” but Mentallo is too strong. Instead of Mentallo’s followers or Weapon X-Force, Sabretooth is tossed into the pit as the final sacrifice.
But Stryker is in for a surprise. He is not freed as expected, instead he is decapitated by Sabretooth as they meet in the air. Sabretooth’s sacrifice is instead for his son as Graydon floats towards the light, back to Earth. Humbled before the demon who held Graydon’s soul, Sabretooth appears to be reduced to an animal. The Demon instead casts Sabretooth back to Earth, but freed of the pesky Inversion.
Review
This is it…the final issue of Weapon X.
It’s certainly had its ups and downs. Good moments and bad moments. Great moments and downright terrible moments.
This issue kind of falls slightly on the positive side of the line.
The biggest problem is perhaps the art. I always have an issue when there are so many artists on a book as it tends to shake up the mood, bring me back to reality and remind me that I’m reading a comic book, not immersed in a world far removed from my own. That can sometimes be a problem with two artists, but this issue has FOUR.
And they’re not all the same quality that I’ve come to enjoy from Pizzari and Roberson.
Still, some of the art IS very nice, especially the close up views and facial expressions. Sabretooth’s death was great to see. Not because I hate him, but rather because it felt drawn in slow motion, as he falls towards the blades and then we cut away, not seeing the most graphic violence but knowing exactly what happened. And M’s following reaction was wonderful, just the wide eyes staring in horror.
The storytelling felt a bit jarring as well, with constantly shifting back and forth between Hell and Earth. It doesn’t help that Azazel and the demon below look remarkably similar. It takes more than just a glance to recognize who is talking in each scene.
Still, I enjoyed this ending to Sabretooth’s arc. I’m eager to find out what Pak and Van Lente have in store for him now that the Inversion has ended (I think he was the last one). Creed is back as well and while he wasn’t one of my favorite villains, if done well he can definitely be a worthy adversary.
All in all, I’m left with mixed feelings about this issue, but it’s mostly positive thanks to Pak and Van Lente giving us this story of sacrifice as a path to redemption and yet, ironically, it is a path away from redemption as Sabretooth is no longer a “good guy”. Time will tell if he reverts fully or struggles some more.
Final Thoughts
Despite any problems, it’s an enjoyable issue nonetheless with Sabretooth’s tale finally wrapping up. Leaves me hopeful for the future and wanting more of this creative team. The series has had its ups and downs, but this issue and arc have redeemed it. Sabretooth fans definitely don’t want to miss this!
Weapon X #27: Redemption
- Writing - 8/108/10
- Storyline - 7/107/10
- Art - 7/107/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10