"Wolverine Vs. Blade #1" Comic Review

Written by James Ferguson

Published by Marvel Comics

article-cover

Written by Marc Guggenheim
Illustrated by Dave Wilkins
Lettered by Travis Lanham
2019, 40 pages, $5.99
Comic released on July 10th, 2019

Review:

Wolverine and Blade end up on the more gruesome side of most battles. They rarely pull punches and often leave a fight covered in blood, usually someone else's. When a group of vampires known as The Creed starts some trouble, they're pulled to a mysterious temple in Belize where they'll come to blows. What is their connection to the Creed and its strange ruler, the Varkis? Who will walk out of this temple alive?

Artist Dave Wilkins has a unique, cinematic style that lends itself to action scenes and blockbuster visuals. The early pages showing Wolverine and Blade hacking their way through a group of vampires is a sight to behold. These are some of the most creative kills you'll see all year. Wilkins breaks up a gorgeous double-page spread with smaller panels scattered around, each focused on a fatal blow. Wolverine's claws slice through vampire flesh like a hot knife through butter.

Click images to enlarge

The vampires look suitably monstrous with large teeth that can't be contained by their mouths. Their skin is sickly and bulging with unnatural veins. They're like a modern day Nosferatu. We get the best of both worlds here as we see them die in a bloody mess before exploding in flames, leaving little more than ash behind. Wilkins is in his element with this.

Letterer Travis Lanham adds to this carnage with some great sound effect placement. This ranges from the slices of Wolverine's claws to the sound of vampires burning up. Each one adds to the intensity of the scene.

Click images to enlarge

The story is a little complicated and contrived at times, but that's somewhat of an afterthought when what we're really looking for is these two characters obliterating a bunch of vampires. Writer Marc Guggenheim goes through a few hoops to get Wolverine and Blade in the same spot, ultimately leading to an ending that's more than a little cheesy. This doesn't take away from the supernatural action though. I think you know what you're getting into with a book like this.

Wolverine vs. Blade is a fun one-shot showing an odd team-up in an even odder situation. Since these two lurk in the more dangerous areas of the Marvel Universe, it makes for an interesting combination. With Blade moonlighting on the Avengers right now, I hope we get more from the character and the other supernatural elements he comes up against.

Grades:

Story: threestars Cover
Buy from Amazon US
Cover
Buy from Amazon US
Cover
Buy from Amazon UK
Cover
Art: fourstars
Overall: 3.5 Star Rating

This page includes affiliate links where Horror DNA may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

James Ferguson
Lord of the Funny Books
James has a 2nd grade reading level and, as a result, only reads books with pictures. Horror is his 5th favorite genre right after romantic comedy and just before silent films. No one knows why he's here, but he won't leave.
Other articles by this writer

OBEY - CONSUME

Join Us!

Hit the buttons below to follow us, you won't regret it...