The X Lives of Wolverine series has refused to let up on the action. In one of the most intense Marvel arcs ever, Mikhail Rasputin sent Omega Red on a journey through time and space to eradicate Professor X and his ancestors from existence. With the help of both Xavier and Jean Grey — the people he arguably trusts the most — Wolverine surrendered his body in the present time to chase Omega Red and protect his father figure’s life. In order to succeed, Wolverine found himself inhabiting his old bodies, re-living old memories but engaging in new battles with stakes higher than he ever imagined.
In X Lives of Wolverine #5, readers see that jumping from body to body and time to time has its risks. Omega Red took over Wolverine’s mind and his bodies, endangering Xavier’s life, the timeline, and Logan’s own sanity. Xavier and Jean, in the present day, do what they can to reach out to the real Logan’s mind in time. Logan not only regains control of himself in the present as Wolverine, but he also discovered a new power that will turn the tide against Omega Red once and for all.
The audience has been given glimpses of Logan’s softer side before, mostly in the midst of the goriest of moments. Throughout X Lives of Wolverine, he’s been motivated by his need to protect his loved ones, particularly his father figure Charles Xavier and his ancestors. His warm feelings towards Jean Grey are equally strong and work in tandem with Professor X’s efforts to aid Wolverine in his travel through time and space. Though Wolverine has no problems putting his own past self in danger, he’s determined to ensure the survival of the Xavier line and bring down Omega Red. Of course, the loss of Logan’s mind wasn’t the only consequence of the time travel, nor was it Rasputin’s only plan. The ending stinger of X Lives of Wolverine #5, with Wolverine’s infected self from another dark timeline attacking Krakoa, is a dramatic note to end on. It also leaves plenty for the true finale of this series, X Deaths of Wolverine, to explore as both Wolverine and the X-Men deal with the consequences.
There are a number of standout moments in X Lives of Wolverine #5, such as the cold open with Jean Grey and Professor X succeeding in helping Logan regain control of his body after Omega Red seized his mind. The best and bloodiest scene is the climactic and carnage-filled final battle between Wolverine and Omega Red. It’s as nasty, gory, and glorious as can be expected, with both icons slashing each other to pieces in a sequence that feels almost cinematic. Calmer moments of dialogue feel compelling and real, especially the interactions between Omega Red and Mikhail Rasputin or Wolverine and Jean Grey. While Benjamin Percy’s writing can be unfocused, overall he does a good job of balancing the rough and bloody with the quiet and contemplative to explore Logan’s character.
X Lives of Wolverine #5 is visually stunning, displaying an artistic nuance. It sticks to the previous muted color palette of issues past, with even the pops of red blood more subdued than expected. As with previous issues, the artistic team of Joshua Cassara and colorist Frank Martin do not let up with the gore or the soft, elegant yet graphic visuals. The cinematic flair of this series has only gotten more pronounced with every new issue. The final fight scene between Wolverine and Omega Red reads almost like fine choreography with its smooth and fluid panel movements. The flashes of Logan’s past have a softer, more painterly quality that contrasts with the high tension and gore.
Although X Lives of Wolverine #5 is the conclusion of the Lives series, the arc is interconnected with X Deaths of Wolverine. That series’ next issue will serve as the potential conclusion to this thrilling story. With X Lives of Wolverine #5 ending with Logan’s dark alternate future self wreaking havoc on Krakoa, it seems the story will end as bloody as it began.
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