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This edition of The Uncanny X-Piles will be a quick one with only three X-books to review, all of which were pretty decent.

Daken: Dark Wolverine #5
Writer: Daniel Way & Marjorie Liu
Artist: Giuseppe Camuncoli

After reading this issue I think most followers of Daken would agree that the character is the most interesting now than he has ever been. Daniel Way and Marjorie Liu have finally given Daken some direction, and the introduction of Tyger Tiger in this issue was a great move. It bears mentioning though that her character has certainly evolved since the information contained in the Marvel bio linked above. She’s like Daken in many ways: crafty, sexy, and deadly with a shoot first-ask questions later mentality. She even blows Daken away here using a gun, without a second thought, and without any remorse after the fact. Of course his healing factor saves him from any permanent damage, but Tyger twists the proverbial knife in a wound that Daken’s healing factor can’t touch: conversation about his father, Wolverine. The best part? She takes pleasure in making him sweat, and so did I. Its been rare that Daken has encountered someone who can get under his skin, besides maybe Wolverine and Romulus, but Tyger has managed to find a seam and exploit it. Even so, Daken is nobody’s fool and ends up leveling the playing field, and the two agree to work together to take down the corrupt bankers of Madripoor. A great scene in this issue was when Daken met up with Tyger the day after their initial encounter. Tyger specifically requested Daken not to show up in costume, but Daken, in true character, showed up with it on anyway, inspiring some great dialogue. If you didn’t like the first Dark Wolverine series, or were turned off by this one’s opening story line, come back for this issue; Daken: Dark Wolverine is proving it has substance. -AL

Deadpool/Cable #26
Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Artist: Leandro Fernandez

Cable may have died months ago, but apparently Deadpool didn’t get the memo. This issue is Wade’s send off to his old buddy, who died in the conclusion of X-Men Second Coming, and it’s as wacky as you’d expect a memorial spearheaded by the Merc With A Mouth should be. He wants to throw the right kind of tribute party for his deceased comrade in arms, so Deadpool goes to great lengths in organizing what he deems to be a heartfet sendoff. As Wade gathers the necessary elements for the memorial party, we’re treated to flashback after flashback of Deadpool and Cable missions throughout the years…all told from Deadpool’s P.O.V. of course, which is never entirely accurate. While the “party” is being created with the best of intentions, Deadpool has made one crucial error in judgment, which I won’t give away here. Just know this: Lady Gaga shows up in concert. I know, it scared me too. -AL

Wolverine: The Best There Is #3
Writer: Charlie Huston
Artist: Juan Jose Ryp

This book is slowly growing on me with each issue, and while it definitely isn’t for everyone, Huston and Ryp are telling a gore-geously entertaining Wolverine story that may be catching more flak than it deserves. Sure, the first issue had its flaws and was really weird, but after #3, it feels like things are picking up and heading in the right direction. The idea that a bunch of random villains have been assembled to take down Logan is nothing new, however, what is new here is that all of these baddies have one thing in common with Wolverine: a healing factor. What does that mean exactly? Well, for one, Wolverine can go to town on all these rogues (which he does) and they can keep coming back for more (which they do). It was awesome seeing Wolvie hack through these fools, but when he finally goes down, the situation he wakes up to is more nasty than anything that has happened to him yet in this series (which is saying something), even without a single drop of blood being shed. Main villain, Windsor, has tied his physically handicapped, and fatally ill, child to a chair opposite a bound Wolverine. The face of Windsor’s son is mere inches from Wolvie’s fists, and gives Logan an unkind proposition: make his claws go “SNIKT” and give the child a swift death by adamantium to the face, or allow the child to survive, only to eventually be slowly and painfully killed by his disease. Windsor ups the ante and places an explosive collar around his kid’s neck, for insurance incase Logan tries anything drastic. Yeah, this series is twisted. Like I said before, it’s not for everyone, but I don’t think Wolverine: The Best There Is deserves the ripping its been getting across the internet. Sure, it’s weird and probably shouldn’t last beyond this story arc, but it is entertaining and Ryp’s art is pretty good. If you read a book like Crossed or delight in gratuitous gore, give this issue a shot. Otherwise, avoiding this book may be the best thing there is for you to do with it. -AL

Most X-Cellent Pick of the Week:
Andy: Daken: Dark Wolverine #5. Daniel Way and Marjorie Liu have done a nice job of getting this title on track; I hope they have the chance to finish the story they want to tell.

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Andy Liegl
andy@comicattack.net