Categories: Comics

SABRETOOTH #4 claws its way closer to the end

This week, we’re looking at the penultimate issue of Sabretooth, and a wild ride awaits. MILD SPOILERS AHEAD!

For some less spoiler-y reviews, jump down below the break for a Rapid Rundown of Captain America: Symbol of Truth #2, Iron Man & Hellcat Annual #1, and The Variants #1.

Sabretooth #4

Writer: Victor LaValle
Penciller: Leonard Kirk
Inker: Craig Yeung
Color Artist: Rain Beredo
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Design: Tom Muller w/Jay Bowen
Cover Artists: Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer & Frank D’Armata

At this point, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say Sabretooth might be one of the most important books of the entire Krakoan experiment.

Victor LaValle’s mastery over the voices in this series, particularly those of Sabretooth and Third Eye, is nothing short of incredible. With Victor Creed, he understands the shrewd and calculating tactician that lies beneath the violent exterior. There’s a cruelty that comes through in his voice that I’m not sure we’ve seen in quite some time. Third Eye, on the other hand, is one of the most insightful new characters to come from this grand new (three year-old) era.

There’s a crucial data page toward the end of the issue from Third Eye’s POV that lays out both his perspective and the ethos of this entire mini: “So what did we [the six mutants in The Pit] do? I’m going to tell you what law we really broke: We didn’t know our place.”

As is the case in a 59 year-old franchise, certain characters will rise to the forefront in an overwhelming majority of stories, while others will fall to the wayside, appearing here and there when deemed useful by the writers. However, while, to an extent, this is a commentary on the nature of minor characters attempting to assert their place in a world of big names™, it feels much more relevant to draw a connection between the way society treats those who it sees as “expendable” and those it does not. Those in power will do whatever they can to maintain that power, regardless of both the ethics surrounding the decisions they need to make and the feelings of those they hold control over.

There’s an underlying hypocrisy that comes with that, leaving those who might act with the best intentions for the nation (i.e., the detainees in the Pit) in the crosshairs of those in control. A great example of this is the fate of Oya and Nekra. The two of them were placed in the Pit after preventing a group of human mercenaries from attempting to attack, but were subsequently imprisoned since they “weren’t given a spiffy team title,” as Third Eye puts it. Murder is wrong, but, since they’re not officially X-Men, the Quiet Council makes an example of them, while still letting X-Force operate outside of these same rules. It’s a glaring indictment of the ruling elite, both on Krakoa and in general, and it’s a fascinating exploration of the ethics of politics — found in the pages of a Sabretooth comic.

The page also highlights LaValle’s clever use of historical events to tie in the disturbing history of the carceral state with the disappointing job the Quiet Council has done to this point. It’s absolutely a feature of the Krakoan story engine that the Council is a flawed organization, which lets stories like Sabretooth get told. But if/where the Council moves on from the use of such a monstrous system remains to be seen (hopefully we’ll find out more in one of the next two minis in the triptych LaValle is writing).

All of my rambling is to say: Sabretooth is good comics.

Leonard Kirk’s work with Rain Beredo and Cory Petit throughout the series has been consistently awesome. The figures have this smooth quality to them, while also feeling wonderfully detailed at the same time. There are all these subtle hints about Creed’s psyche and his past hidden in the book and the way this art team is able to sneak them in there has been so cool to watch over the past four issues. The addition of Craig Yeung with this issue only complements this team, making this just as strong and cohesive as the first three issues.

I can’t stress enough how great the dynamics have been between everyone in the Pit. For characters as neglected as Nekra and Oya, it’s great to see them given voices that feel just as important as anyone else in this series. Their pairing and bonding over their shared experiences (horrible as they are) makes for a really solid dynamic, and I hope to see more of this friendship moving forward.

The timeline of these issues has been incredibly interesting to see, and LaValle and Kirk do a great job adding segments that explain where during the Krakoan story this takes place. Based on how the story is about to end, I’m wondering if our ol’ pal Creed is gonna be able to make an appearance at the next Hellfire Gala…

Verdict: BUY

Rapid Rundown!

Captain America Symbol of Truth #2
- With all that has been going on these past few days and the 4th of July just around the corner, it seemed appropriate to check in with our newest shield slinger. In these divisive times, writer Tochi Onyebuchi and artist R.B. Silva are crafting a timely tale of mystery, action, and intrigue. In the previous issue, Cap and his winged partner the Falcon came across a freight train of migrants while investigating a smuggling operation for supplies of the Super-Soldier Serum. Working the mystery, the two split up, Cap heads to Latveria to find Deadpool and see what information he has, while the Falcon keeps an eye on the migrants, one of whom is his cousin. This is the Captain America we need to uncover this conspiracy led by the White Wolf. —GC3
Iron Man & Hellcat Annual #1
- Marvel is once again going anthropomorphic with its variant covers, with a fab furry variant by Vampirella artist Christina Zullo. However, the Iron Man & Hellcat Annual by Christopher Cantwell, Ruairi Coleman, Triona Farrell, and Joe Caramagna is more than a remarkable variant featuring a catified version Hell-Iron, it also features Hulk in a stripper bow tie collar and cuffs set. After Tony Stark’s marraige proposal in Iron Man #20, Patsy Walker travels to San Fransisco with her ol’ pal Hedy Wolfe to get her mother’s Victorian manor in order. Instead of staying at an expensive hotel, Patsy and Hedy have a spooky sleepover to bury the frenemey hatchet and be each other’s friends. But when things go wrong (thanks to Hellcat’s ex-husband)…POOF, she is transported to another location. Maybe it’s because Hellcat is one of my favorite characters, but this is one of the best annuals I have read in a long time: for example, the jewel tones in the manor’s background compliment Patsy’s mustard yellow dress and black cat masqarade mask. —ROK

The Variants #1
- My initial reaction to the news of The Variants, starring Jessica Jones, was, “Haven’t we played the multiple variants of hero thing hard enough lately?” But once I started reading the inaugural issue of this five-issue limited series, I was won over before too long (or at least won over enough to ensure I’ll be returning for the second issue). A big part of that is the script by Gail Simone: while Jones may have been created by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos, it’s been clear for a long time that Simone’s writing skills would be ideally suited for the character (plus, if ever there’s a writer who you don’t have to worry about sliding in a fridging). This issue features art by Phil Noto (who wisely depicts Jones as an individual character rather than one played by a particular actor, a good decision no matter how good said casting might be) and lettering by Cory Petit. Plus, it seems likely that we aren’t going to get out of this miniseries without being reminded that Danielle Cage is hopefully going to grow up to be Captain America. We should be so lucky! —AJK

Next week, Ghost Rider #4 and Strange Academy #18!

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