IF HE DIES, HE DIES, CONCLUSION: Warpath continues his efforts to stop Weapon X from making a huge mistake, but Sabretooth is determined to turn his new team into the ultimate bunch of mercenaries.
WEAPON X #21
Authors: Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente
Artists: Ricardo Lopez Ortiz
Colors: Frank D’Armata
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
What You Need to Know:
Sabretooth, Lady Deathstrike, and Domino have recruited Omega Red to join Weapon X, forcing Warpath to quit. Sabretooth leads them against SICKLE, to allow Red some revenge, to obtain favor with General Zaslow, and also to obtain a list of all mutants in Russia for his mysterious benefactor, the Foreigner. Once on board SICKLE’s version of the helicarrier, Weapon X takes on the Winter Guard, Russia’s state-sponsored super team, as Warpath tries to intervene, hoping to prevent Weapon X from creating an international incident.
What You’ll Find Out:
Weapon X and Winter Guard face off while Warpath takes on Sabretooth. In the confusion, the director of SICKLE, Vassily, escapes, taking off below deck. Red follows him, as does Red’s new pet tiger. However, the pursuit is interrupted as Warpath and Sabretooth continue their fight, tearing through the decks.
Unfortunately, Warpath is forced to help Domino and Deathstrike as the two are overpowered by the Winter Guard. Vassily escapes once again, but comes face to face with Zaslow. She easily uses her powers to slaughter the former head of SICKLE, taking over command and ordering the Winter Guard to stand down.
Warpath flies off as the jet flown by Old Man Logan is clearly out of control. He finds Logan almost dead, his injuries finally taking their toll. Logan, however, is still happy that Sabretooth is finally leading a team of X-Men.
Meanwhile, Sabretooth makes peace with the Winter Guard and Zaslow. As they take off, he reveals that their mission was successful which means money for them (much to Domino’s delight). Sabretooth decides to reveal his benefactor. He shows them his phone with a video link to the Foreigner. And as they watch, the Foreigner’s features shift to reveal…Mystique!
What Just Happened?
So at least we find out how the final member of the gang shows up… of course, I’m curious if this is before or after she’s nice enough to show up for her daughter’s wedding.
The dialogue is actually fun and witty. Especially for Domino. I really enjoyed her part. The Mystique reveal isn’t exactly shocking. And Omega Red just does not come across as threatening in this.
But none of the positives matter much because, like last issue, I cannot get past this art. In fact, it may be worse. It’s a shame too because some of the scenes could have been thoroughly enjoyable (as silly as it may seem, I like the relationship between Omega Red, Sabretooth, and their pet baby tiger). Domino’s lines are great. You genuinely feel bad for Logan as he appears to be pretty much losing it.
And yet that’s all lost in the art. Yes, writing is important, but as a visual medium, the art is equally important and it fails on every level. At least Cinar seems to be coming back next issue.
Rating: 3/10.
Final Thoughts: What may have been a fun book is once again mired by artwork that, good or not, does not belong in this type of book.
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