WEAPON X #3
Writer: Greg Pak
Penciller: Greg Land
Colorist: Vincent D’Armata
Letterer: VC’s Joe Carmanga
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 5/10/2017
Plot: Weapon X goes on the hunt for Domino.
Story: Moving right along with Marvel’s new RessuXion event, and we already have Weapon X #3. This issue reiterates the old’ mutant’s methods of fighting against, what should be superior beings, using their only advantage of pure experience. I like the idea of our protagonists (in this case Logan and Sabretooth), out-thinking their opponents. It’s a breath of fresh air from the idea of them just being raging, regenerating, claw slashing beasts.
We also finally get our introduction to lady luck herself. Domino makes her debut. In case anyone is unclear about her powerset, she tends to alter probability in her favor. That, and her knack for being an exceptionally skilled assassin is what has this new Weapon X interested in her. Again, I like how we get an explanation of her mutant abilities via dialogue. It makes good commentary to all the action. I do have to say, it’s completely unfair for her to have to fight cyborgs with guns all over their bodies as well claws as long as Deathstrike’s though!
I’m enjoying the slow introductions of all the team members and the fun conversations between Wolverine and Sabretooth, but I’m ready for the story to pick up. I want to see exactly what Weapon X has planned with these new cyborgs. It’s one thing to have a cool hunt going on with great characters and great characterization, but I’d like to get more insight into the background of the plot. I’d like to see some more foreshadowing.
At the end of the issue we learn that Weapon X is going to shift focus and try to go after The Hulk (who isn’t an original Weapon X project), and while this is fun there’s a few things that throw me just a little about this. The first is what I mentioned earlier. We know the hunt is happening but I feel we need more plot development. Two, the Hulk isn’t a Weapon X member. I suppose this is fine, but unexpected. I suppose issue 3 seems a bit soon for that. Lastly, and this is the worst part, the end of the issue reads “to be continued in Totally Awesome Hulk #19” which means that even with Hulk’s cameo, we are not going to get the full story unless we pick that issue up. It’s forcing us to buy it. This is a tactic Marvel has used in the past to push sells but it’s god-awful annoying. It would be nice to just get a team-up/feature/cameo and let that be that.
Still, aside from the obvious editorial push to force interested readers to be a random issue of Cho-Hulk (who is an amazing character by the way), this is still an exciting direction for the story to be moving in. While I stand by the fact that it infringes on the “X” title a little by already bringing the Hulk in, it could be a good move. It may also raise awareness of Hulk outside of his book and get readers interested, which I’m all for (minus forcing them to buy it to keep up with this story).
Art: I like Greg Land’s work in this book, I really do. Everything is beautiful. The scenery, the characters, the action shots, everything. If I had a discrepancy it would be that some of the faces look similar. There is a shot with Logan standing next to Sabretooth, and they have very, very similar facial structures, but let’s face it, they do have a likeness to one another, so I can’t complain in full earnest about that either. Dominoe’s introduction is beautiful and her color work, like all the color work in all the rest of the book, is flawless.
On the cover, Domino’s large shot is nice, though, with the faces of the other members lined up right next each other, you can more easily see the similarity in the faces. Also, the idea of the ripped page on the right left side on this particular cover doesn’t quite do it for me. I might’ve liked It more just seeing domino, or a different kind of action shot going on in the background as opposed to the rip and the forward-facing faces. It’s not really a big deal, but there’s also nothing special about that particular technique, at least on this cover. Just an opinion.
Verdict: This was another good issue. The first two were stronger I think because the hunt was such a good gripping point, but now that we are past that I think I want to diver deeper into the plot. I can give it a slight pass because this is introducing the final member of the main book, but formulaically I’m ready for something different. The problem is, even with the surprise of the Hulk, I think it’s going to be more of the same in issue #4. We’ll see. Regardless, this is still a very good read.
Star Rating: 4 out of 5.