Antebellum Marvel: Wolverine #43
Previously in New Avengers #21
I’m traveling the road to Civil War with Marvel so I can be caught up by the time this storyline hits the big screen. Please do not comment with spoilers if you’re familiar with this particular story arc, but you are welcome to provide non-spoiler answers to any questions I may ask in the review. If you are interested in following along, here’s the reading order I’ll be following.
Who’s In It:
Wolverine, Tony Stark (Iron Man), Nitro
What Happens:
With the SRA passed and superheroes hunting other superheroes (plus Peter Parker coming out as Spider-Man), it seems everyone’s forgotten about Nitro, the man who caused the explosion in Stamford. Everyone except Wolverine.
He leaves a trail of injured people as he tracks the truck Nitro hitched a ride on out of town. When he finally finds the driver in Stockton, California, he uses his charm claws to get Nitro’s location: Big Sur.
Before he can get there, Wolverine is approached by Iron Man who wants him to join him and the other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents (the Superhuman Restraint Unit) in apprehending Nitro the right way. Wolverine reluctantly agrees, although he thinks prison is too good for Nitro and what he’s done.
Meanwhile, a couple in Daytona Beach, Florida pick up a surfer with a serious violent streak. His name is Janus, he’s not human, and he attacks the truck driver Wolverine has already questioned.
The plan to grab Nitro goes tits up, just as Wolverine knew it would. The tactical team is loud, announcing their presence almost immediately, and Nitro explodes. Everyone, including Wolverine, is charbroiled.
Nitro makes a call to a shadowy figure in a sports car headed to the White House. He requests a new safehouse and brags about now killing another superhero. Whoever he’s speaking to wants to sever ties with Nitro since he’s causing way too much high-profile trouble. Before Nitro can get in his getaway car, Wolverine appears.
Guess he forgot about the healing ability and whole immortal thing.
Thoughts:
- I’m assuming this Janus business is a part of the Wolverine storyline separate from Civil War.
- Who the hell was Nitro speaking to? Definitely not the president, riding around in a car like that, but clearly someone connected to the White House.
- This was a great issue and a brilliant way to bring Nitro (who I’d kinda forgotten about) back into the story. Of course Wolverine would be the give-no-fucks, bring him in at any costs person to go after him.
- The panels depicting Nitro’s explosions continue to be gorgeous and terrifying at the same time.
- I suspect Wolverine won’t kill him, but here’s to hoping he roughs him up a lot before he turns Nitro in.
