Wolverine and the X-Men #8 Comic Review

Marvel Comics
Wolverine and the X-Men #8 Comic Review
By Dan Horn
April 4, 2012 - 16:58

Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Jason Aaron
Penciller(s): Chris Bachalo
Inker(s): Tim Townsend
Colourist(s): Chris Bachalo
Letterer(s): Rob Steen
Cover Artist(s): Chris Bachalo and Tim Townsend
$3.99 US

Wolverine and the X-Men has consistently been one of the best monthly comic books in years. The second arc wrapped up with issue 7 and this month readers are treated to what is perhaps the first stand-alone issue of the series.

Issue 8 takes care of some of the loose ends from previous installments, namely the mangling Logan's legs. To heal Wolverine, Beast must find a matter transmutation device similar to the one that exacted the damage on the mutant headmaster's indestructible adamantium bones. Angel, who was left a puritanical amnesiac by "The Dark Angel Saga," has another idea, but both paths lead to outer space. Unfortunately for Hank, the maniacal tyke Kade Kilgore has employed Sabretooth to repay the X-Men for the humiliation of defeat which Kade suffered earlier in the series, and Sabretooth has his eye on Beast.

Jason Aaron may have been watching too much Event Horizon recently, inspiring a pretty unbelievable moment in this chapter of the series, but much like Aaron's handling of the previous seven issues, this latest book takes a wonderfully incisive look at several students of the Jean Grey School and a certain furry, blue X-Man. Aaron's character studies are incredibly thoughtful and his wit is sharp, if not a bit over-implemented. Some raucous action and personal moments make for a very enjoyable read, though one that is slightly less engaging than its predecessors.

Chris Bachalo is back at the artistic reigns this month, and, though his work has become a matter of polarization within the X-fanbase, I'm warming up to his hyper-stylized, weirdly distorted illustrations. My only complaint would be that his coloring sometimes annoyingly obscures actions or details.

If you haven't been reading this book, now's the time to jump on board. You don't need to be a Marvel Zombie to enjoy a comic book this "uncanny."

Rating: 7.5/10