The ultimate Wolverine has been a cruel vehicle so far. I have seen Logan fight to overcome his winter soldier programming and then work with the opposition to fight the tyrannical rule of the Eurasian Union. You reach the point where you think, “This guy can’t take a break.” Ultimate Wolverine #9 actually takes a bit of breath from the heavy story, giving readers an independent issue of attacking the master mold factory where the opposition is creating mutant hunting sentinels.
This is still a Wolverine book. This means that Chris Condon and Alessandro Cappuccio insert through a scary moment. One of those moments is that Wolverine comes face to face with the Sentinel, which is enhanced with the mutant’s body parts. This not only reveals the harsh fate of another fan-favorite X-Men character, but also shows that the atrocities produced by the Eurasian Union are not long-term. It also makes the Sentinel even more frightening. When they were giant mutant hunting robots, that’s one thing, but mutant hunting robots made of parts of mutants? A completely different stadium.
Conversely, the opposition parties have their own sentinel, which turns out to be literally having a heart of its own. It also forms a bond with Wolverine. I really love this, both in the conding moment and theme. Both Logan and Sentinel were designed to kill machines, but they overcame “programming” and did something good. Sentinels are capable even in elementary speeches. In other words, there are fewer Terminators and more Iron Titans.
Amazing
Another thing I like? Sentinel design. Brian Valenza gives the Sentinel a standard purple and blue colour scheme, but Cappuccio also shows the elements that make them unique. For the sentinel who joined the opposition, it was marked “X” on the chest and announced a new loyalty. For Sentinels fighting Wolverine, the mutant parts they use for their power are shown to be stuck in the stomach, leading to intense body horror. In true Wolverine fashion, Cappuccio can also paint Logan’s sculptures through the Sentinel, shreddling metal and blood.
The biggest moment in the ultimate Wolverine #9 that stood out to me is to get a glimpse of the scientist who ultimately experimented with him in his Winter Soldier era. He became totally violent and toressed the Sentinel to reach her. It’s a great way for the creative team to introduce the new side of Wolverine’s Berserker’s rage, especially Letterer’s Kori Petit. Petit gives Logan a completely unforgettable, jagged blood red howl, indicating that even if he leaves the Winter Soldier behind, his dark nature isn’t that easy and could prove to be the opposite problem.
Ultimate Wolverine #9 offers a standalone story that puts an even more terrifying spin on the X-Men Mythos staple, showing that there are still some demons left in Logan. Whatever the next problem brings to the table, we should continue to explore these elements.
“Ultimate Wolverine” #9 is a solid standalone story
The Ultimate Wolverine #9
Ultimate Wolverine #9 offers a standalone story that puts an even more terrifying spin on the X-Men Mythos staple, showing that there are still some demons left in Logan.
A solid standalone story.
Condon and Cappuccio make the Sentinel even more frightening.
The key scene shows that Wolverine still has some demons left to conquer.
It ends just as good as it is getting better.
