Wolverine #10: You Can Go Your Own Way If You Don’t Want To Drink The Koolaid

Wolverine #10 brings the reunion between Logan and his old Team X partner Maverick to a conclusion…kind of. Once again while there is a fair bit of claws and bullets which is always a good time (especially with a master artist like Adam Kubert conducting the orchestra) what stands out for me once again is how well Benjamin Percy uses this series to examine the impact of the Krakoan status quo on the world be it the criminal underworld of Madripoor, governments, government agencies like the C.I.A and last but not least Krakoa’s impact on individuals including mutants like Maverick.

While the opening part of the issue sees Maverick and Logan partner to get out of the pickle that is Legacy house and don’t get me wrong it’s a fun time, it’s once the two former member teammates have gotten away from the violence that is a hallmark of their lives that Percy begins to examine the two men’s very different approaches to where their lives have taken them. Logan has embraced Krakoa and its unique mutant lifestyle whereas Maverick (who is depowered) has no interest in embracing the mutant lifestyle ( I mean he refers to Krakoa as the cult Koolaid at one point which made me laugh as no doubt Percy has picked that term up being thrown around by x-readers on social media)  and wants to go his own way, be his own man beholden to no country or ideology other than his own.

It sets the two apart completely and works as both a meta-commentary on Xmen fandom itself as well as showing that in the current status quo not all mutants find the idea of Krakoa appealing and its interesting to watch Percy push-pull between these two opposing ideologies using the two characters who have a history together. Wolverine doesn’t rise to any of Mavericks’ more disparaging comments about Krakoa but extends a permanent open hand to Maverick who in return reciprocates that open hand. The end decision made ultimately lends itself to setting up a future storyline involving the X-Desk and one agent Ramirez who has her own plans and agenda’s involving mutant-kind.

One more thing worth mentioning is when Wolverine goes on the mission ( a last hurrah as it were with Maverick and his mercs) to destroy a warehouse full of superhero and mutant contraband..there’s a moment of reflection from Logan that actually for me symbolizes his commitment to the family of Krakoa and that’s when he decides to let the team x related contraband burn. It makes the statement that he is committed to his new path as part of Krakoa and that the past must be left behind.

Again Adam Kubert can do no wrong with clever use of negative white space and multi-panel grids early on to reflect Maverick’s mental state and him coming out of the mindwipe to four superb double splash pages. Frank Martin has been excellent on colors this series and this issue is no exception but one double-page stands out for me as Logan and Maverick run through the streets of Madripoor along the waterline at night, Martin’s beautiful coloring brings the page to absolute life.

Lettering from Petit is its usual sterling standard and Adam Kubert’s cover is a worthy candidate for the pantheon of great action pose covers Wolverine series has given us over the years.