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Wolverine: Weapon X (Marvel Comics)

Wolverine: Weapon X (Marvel Comics)

List Price: $14.95
Your Price: $14.95
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Before there was Wolverine...there was Weapon X
Review: "Weapon X" was originally presented as a 13-part story, including a prologue, that was published in 8-page installments in "Marvel Comics Presents" issues #72-84 in 1991-92. This was a Marvel title that presented four 8-page stories in each issue (except for the grand finale), some of which were multiple-part sagas and others that were one-shot deals. So while Barry Windsor-Smith was telling the story of "Weapon X" ("Before Wolverine" the first cover tells us), there is a multi-part story featuring Shanna of the Jungle and various stories involving everyone from Daredevil and Dr. Doom to Red Wolf and Captain America.

The chief attraction of "Weapon X" was that Barry Windsor-Smith was doing the artwork. In fact, Windsor-Smith was doing everything except some of the lettering, which Jim Novak handled. This meant that for the entire run of the story line BWS was doing the cover art in place of the usual rotation amongst the four stories for the cover art. The idea of the story was simply to finally go back and explain how it was that Logan, the mutant whose power was a regenerative ability, ended up with the skeleton laced with adamantum. Originally the idea was that Wolverine was simply born that way, but eventually there was this whole mysterious background that a secret military organization did this to him (keep in mind, we are talking a CANADIAN secret military organization, despite the revisions in the "X2" movie). The mad scientist behind the plot is Dr. Cornelius, who basically sees the opportunity to build the perfect offensive weapon.

The key thing to remember in reading "Weapon X" is that this is not a Wolverine story. For the first part of the narrative Logan is unconscious in the tank, hooked up to all sorts of fun toys while he endures the painful treatment, and then he is a primal killing machine, whose mind has not yet come back from where ever it went to hide during the process. The idea is to let the character cut loose in full berserker mode before disappearing into the wilderness to eventual emerge as the Wolverine who ends up with the X-Men. In the novel "Frankenstein" the creator's sin was not that he brought the creature to life, but rather than Dr. Frankenstein abandoned his creation. Well, in "Weapon X" the sin is the brutal act of creation. Windsor-Smith basically begins with the procedure underway, and Logan's culpability in his own transformation is not a part of the equation.

The result is neither a great story nor great art, even for devotes of Windsor-Smith's illustrative style, but "Weapon X" does fill in a major hole in the Wolverine backstory. Artistically it is reminiscent of Windsor-Smith's style when he was drawing comic books that would often have several pages reaching double figures in the number of frames. It is hard to tell how problematic the eight-page "chapter" format is to the telling of the story, but you get the feeling the story would have been stronger if it was a bit shorter.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Before there was Wolverine...there was Weapon X
Review: "Weapon X" was originally presented as a 13-part story, including a prologue, that was published in 8-page installments in "Marvel Comics Presents" issues #72-84 in 1991-92. This was a Marvel title that presented four 8-page stories in each issue (except for the grand finale), some of which were multiple-part sagas and others that were one-shot deals. So while Barry Windsor-Smith was telling the story of "Weapon X" ("Before Wolverine" the first cover tells us), there is a multi-part story featuring Shanna of the Jungle and various stories involving everyone from Daredevil and Dr. Doom to Red Wolf and Captain America.

The chief attraction of "Weapon X" was that Barry Windsor-Smith was doing the artwork. In fact, Windsor-Smith was doing everything except some of the lettering, which Jim Novak handled. This meant that for the entire run of the story line BWS was doing the cover art in place of the usual rotation amongst the four stories for the cover art. The idea of the story was simply to finally go back and explain how it was that Logan, the mutant whose power was a regenerative ability, ended up with the skeleton laced with adamantum. Originally the idea was that Wolverine was simply born that way, but eventually there was this whole mysterious background that a secret military organization did this to him (keep in mind, we are talking a CANADIAN secret military organization, despite the revisions in the "X2" movie). The mad scientist behind the plot is Dr. Cornelius, who basically sees the opportunity to build the perfect offensive weapon.

The key thing to remember in reading "Weapon X" is that this is not a Wolverine story. For the first part of the narrative Logan is unconscious in the tank, hooked up to all sorts of fun toys while he endures the painful treatment, and then he is a primal killing machine, whose mind has not yet come back from where ever it went to hide during the process. The idea is to let the character cut loose in full berserker mode before disappearing into the wilderness to eventual emerge as the Wolverine who ends up with the X-Men. In the novel "Frankenstein" the creator's sin was not that he brought the creature to life, but rather than Dr. Frankenstein abandoned his creation. Well, in "Weapon X" the sin is the brutal act of creation. Windsor-Smith basically begins with the procedure underway, and Logan's culpability in his own transformation is not a part of the equation.

The result is neither a great story nor great art, even for devotes of Windsor-Smith's illustrative style, but "Weapon X" does fill in a major hole in the Wolverine backstory. Artistically it is reminiscent of Windsor-Smith's style when he was drawing comic books that would often have several pages reaching double figures in the number of frames. It is hard to tell how problematic the eight-page "chapter" format is to the telling of the story, but you get the feeling the story would have been stronger if it was a bit shorter.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An awesome Wolverine graphic novel that is a must for fans!!
Review: As I've said before in my other Wolverine graphic novel reviews, I am a true, hardcore fan of Wolverine. So is my sister, and when she bought this graphic novel and I read it, I was utterly blown away! This tells the origin of Wolverine and how he was turned into Weapon-X, the ultimate killing machine for the Canadian government. There is plenty of action in this graphic novel when Wolverine breaks out and takes out his feral and berserker rage on his experimentators. There's only one thing that puzzled me in this story, and that was the ending. Nevertheless, this was a great read with awesome action, suspense, and great comic art as well. It is essential to any Wolverine fan to read this!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A horrifying adult read
Review: First of all, I want to disagree with the reviewer who stated this was not the Wolverine story. He is mixing this book up with a new series of the same title, which by the way, is also excellent. Second, this is a slow-paced story. However, the slow pace intensifies the utter horror of what was done to this character, and the inhuman indifference of the scientists who are experimenting on and torturing a living, feeling,being. This is a book which needs a second and third reading; after each pass, I found additional elements that I hadn't noticed the first time through. This isn't for kids or fans of slam-bam action by one dimensional heroes in colorful spandex. However, if you want a dark, intense read, this book is for you.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: This is the book based on the brand new Weapon X series!
Review: First off, I will be honest I have never read this trade, but being a devoted Wolverine fan and reader of his comic, and fan of Sabretooth I will definitely be picking this up soon. Also, Frank has done a great job during his run on the Wolverine comic he has proved that he is among the best who have worked on the title. The Weapon X storyline from the past was excellent and interesting as well. Now, on to why I decided to write this... I am merely pointing out that any reader who has been reading these reviews needs to STOP! All but one besides this one are completely incorrect on their statements about this book. They are confused and writing about the wrong book. To clear this up they have been writing about Barry Winstor-smith's WEAPON X book that told the story of how Logan came to be Wolverine. This book is a team book about the Weapon X program, Sabretooth and other baddies in the book. Hope this clears the confusion up. Thanks! PS: I gave this book an average rating since I haven't actually read the book, but am familiar with the topic it introduces to its readers. Also because Frank proved himself on Wolverine and apparently is doing a good job on this series as well. :)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST
Review: hey dont listen to those guys who said this story doesnt deliver I have been reading comics for about fifteen years now and The Weapon-X story was one of the most creative and best written story's I have ever read, It leaves you in awe when you finish reading it. And one reviewer said it doesent tell you about his orgin, whatever dude. It tells you how and why he got his andamentium claws, NUFF SAID!! Barry Winsdor Smith is one of the pioneer's of modern comic book art and I still see a lot of his influence, and a whole lot of rip offs from the Weapon-X story line to this day. Well all of them pale in comparison to the original this is a truly classic work of art and anyone who likes Wolverine or the X-men or comics in general should have this collection. I have about 400 comics more or less(but ive owned way more)and most of them are good but I cant keep them all in my room so I have separated about 40 comics in a little box in my room from the 400 I keep in my basement and Weapon-X is in my room.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: awesome from start to finish
Review: i enjoyed reading on how john howlett aka logan aka wolverine
yes john is logans real name... got his adamantium i
miss reading the book.. one day i'll get the book again
it's full of action pack adventure to see through
the eyes of one man and see his world

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: violent violent violent
Review: Okay, so everyone who wrote a review of this book was actually speaking of the old wolverine book. this one's a bit different. first if you are a Wolverine fan this is not for you. If you are into some of the older underdog xmen characters like Marrow, Sauron, and Sabertooth than you may like this.
Basically it's about the Weapon X program re starting with new draftees. I won't let out any major plot points but just know that if you have kids, don't let them read this. It is not you average X book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Horrific
Review: Perhaps none of the other X-Men is as interesting as Wolverine. Though each of the X-members may have alluring backgrounds, Wolverine has the most human one. In this TPB, Barry Windsor Smith takes us on a roller coaster into the mind of the most misunderstood X-Man. Part of whose general appeal is the mystery that enshrouds him.

A comic is is dubbed successful if it makes an impact not just in the comic circle, but to the general public. Weapon X does just that. The reader is transported to the time and place in which Wolverine's skeleton is being laced with the most indesctrible metal, adamantium. The horror that goes to make this happen is beyond comprehension. Wolverine is chose because of his incredible healing factor and the fact that he will very much survive this excruciating assault and punishment. The heartless feel of the scientists responsible for this horror of manipulation culminates when after the procedure they start distributing drinks and actually cheer for their success. That scene alone is the most disturbing of all in the TPB. So disturbing, in fact, that it was chosen to depict some of Wolverine's origin in the X-Men smash-movie.

Any story capable of producing such an influx of emotion and loathing is worth a try. This is the story that shapes the making of a man that forever is haunted by memories of abuse and manipulation. I cannot think of anyone but Barry Windsor Smith to best tell this horrific tale.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: a must have
Review: The Weapon X story is a classic. It is one of the greatest Marvel stories told. And it is all collected here in one inexpensive volume. If you like the X-Men, if you like Wolverine, or if you just like comic books, you should have this.


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