It’s all come down to this: the final battle between Wolverine and Sabretooth. The “Sabretooth War” concludes in the way it began – a violent, bloody battle – but WHO will be left standing? Wolverine #50 wraps up the brutal confrontation between Wolverine and Sabretooth delivering a hallow finale.

Written by Benjamin Percy and Victor LaValle, Wolverine #50 gives readers a final battle between the two foes wrapping up “Sabretooth War” as well as this latest volume of the series. The story up to this point has been brutal at times with a massive body count that has included some surprises. As expected, Logan and Victor battle it out until one is left standing. And, it’s a brutal one with body parts being sliced off and blood spurting. But, in the end, it all feels rather hallow.

There’s a lack of real emotion to Wolverine #50 as the main story wraps. Creed’s horrible actions are recounted emphasizing his lack of empathy or reflection on any of it. But, Logan shows that same sort of brutality with what feels like no reaction from him or anyone around him. Usually when a person is chopped into bits there’d be some sort of shock, but everyone comes off as rather numb which feels like it diminishes the contrast that’s painted in the text. There’s a disconnect with what we’re told makes Logan different from Creed. We’re told it and not shown it at all.

The art at times is solid and at others its a panned out mix of things that’s just ok. Geoff Shaw, Cory Smith, and Oren Junior all handle the visuals with Alex Sinclair on color and lettering by Cory Petit. There’s some solid action but like the story itself, the visuals don’t feel like they drive home the brutality of it all. Even with Creed laying at Logan’s feet, it feels more comedic than sad or shocking.

The comic features two additional stories. One features writing by Larry Hama with art by Daniel Picciotto, color by Yen Nitro, and lettering by Cory Petit. The other features a story by Benjamin Percy, art by Javi Fernandez, color by Matt Hollingsworth, and lettering by Petit. Both have their moments and would feel right at home in an anthology celebrating 50 years of Wolverine but here there’s a feel like they’re just tacked on and not as much a celebration.

Wolverine #50 wraps things up and celebrates 50 years more with a whimper than a bang. The comic isn’t bad but it also doesn’t quite excite either. It’s perfectly fine wrapping up the story arc and the series. What it doesn’t do is excite for what comes next beyond a few pages shown and doesn’t feel like much of a celebration of an iconic character.

Story: Benjamin Percy, Victor LaValle, Larry Hama
Art: Geoff Shaw, Cory Smith, Oren Junior, Yen Nitro, Javi Fernandez
Color: Alex Sinclair, Matt Hollingsworth Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle