Sabretooth #1
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Victor LaValle
Artist: Leonard Kirk
Colors: Rain Beredo
Letters: Cory Petit
Cover: Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer, & Frank Martin
Ever since Sabretooth was dropped in The Pit way back during House of X/Powers of X fans have been waiting for the return of Victor Creed. Well that day is finally here and in true Sabretooth fashion it comes drenched in the blood of his enemies. However, Victor LaValle gives us more than absolute savagery in this first issue but the descent into the madness that is Creed’s psyche and might even reveal some dark corners of Krakoa itself.
I didn’t know what to expect with this series but when it was announced LaValle would be writing I knew Sabretooth was in good hands. The issue opens perfectly as we get caught up to the minutes right before the decision is cast and Sabretooth is exiled. LaValle captures Creed’s voice perfectly in those moments as he looks around the room at those who would dare pass judgement on him. Several of them even former allies with a body count just as high and as much blood on their hands. When we next see Creed he’s apparently made good his promise and LaVelle shows off the apex predator that Sabretooth is in the next few pages before he throws us for a loop and the story takes an unexpected turn. It’s here where you realize that we’ll be treated to something more than Sabretooth ripping though his foes but possibly a deep dive into the mind and motives of the psychopathic serial killer that Victor Creed is. While also possibly exposing the hypocrisy of the Quiet Council and giving an introspective look at their “prison”. There’s a part of the story that is absolutely scary and it’s Creed reflecting on what he could have become. It’s the pacing of the narration that reinforces the realization that Creed becoming something more than an apex predator is absolutely horrifying.
In a surprise to no one, Kirk and Beredo’s artwork is stellar throughout the issue. The level of violence was unexpected here as they have Sabretooth literally ripping faces off. I might have even smiled when one mutant in particular was on the receiving end of a face swipe. The level of detailed brutality is balance with the quiet moments where they build the tension and suspense during the exchange between Doug and Creed. The way they worked Warlock into the sequence was perfection and a nice touch to help break things up but not interfere with the moment.
By the time we get to the cliffhanger it’s evident that LaVelle has some big plans for Sabretooth and unfortunately it looks like he’s going to make some characters suffer for him to get there. This is going to be quiet the ride and I can’t wait to see how Sabretooth will come out at the end of this series. 4/5
X-Men #7
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Gerry Dugan
Artist: Pepe Larraz
Colors: Marte Garcia
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Cover: Pepe Larraz & Marte Garcia
Exit Cyclops and enter Captain Krakoa? Why switch one corny character for yet anoth…ohhhh! My personal feelings regarding the bland Summers brother aside, Gerry Dugan has been writing one fantastic series so far and this issue has so many great moments that you’ll read it more than once to enjoy it all. Now the X-Men seem to be suffering from staffing issues as the team is going up against Dr. Stasis and his hybrids minus Rogue, Polaris, and Jean. Three powerhouses in their own right whose help could have turned the tide of battle. However, this particular fight leaves us with a very dead Cyclops after he does what heroes do best and that’s putting it on the line to save an innocent life.
The story takes place pre and post Cyclops’ resurrection where Duggan lays out a fantastic range of action sequences that let Larraz and Garcia shine with some amazing artwork. Just when you think you haven’t seen a great use of Cyclops’ optic blasts we get that double page spread of him taking out a huge number of the hybrids. Even I had to admit that was impressive and only heightened more because of the dazzling visuals. Synch also steps up during the fight and though it’s not as visually impressive as Cyclops’ display the ramifications are HUGE for what this might mean. Though I’m not sure if him passing out afterwards was meant to be a call back to the character he “synched” with but if you watched the animated X-Men cartoon from the 90s then that panel will be an all-to familiar. Larraz and Garcia nail so much of the big cinematic action here that you might miss out on the smaller moments like Wolverine mourning the loss of her leader. It’s a quiet and emotional panel that carries just as much weight as the rest.
This is another great issue in the umpteenth volume of the X-Men series. This creative team is making this their own and delivering a strong narrative along with some of the most exciting visual storytelling in comics today. So you’ll definitely want to stick around to find out what Dr. Stasis said to Cyclops right before he died and who erased the truth about mutant resurrection from Ben Urich’s mind? You totally think it’s Emma too, don’t you? 4.5/5
Infinite Speech
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