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Murderworld: Wolverine #1
- Writer:
- Jim Zub, Ray Fawkes
- Artist:
- Carlos Nieto, Victor Nava
- Letterer:
- VC's Cory Petit
- Cover Artist:
- Paco Medina, Jesus Aburtov
- Publisher:
- Marvel
- Price:
- $3.99
- Release Date:
- 2023-01-25
- Colorist:
- Matt Milla
Murderworld -- the nefarious game of murder organized by the assassin Arcade -- has taken countless lives, tormenting the Avengers and the X-Men alike. But now, Arcade has decided to allow ordinary civilians to partake in his nefarious experiment and compete for a glorious cash prize worth killing and dying for.
Written by Jim Zub and Ray Fawkes, with pencils by Carlos Nieto, inks by Victor Nava, colors by Matt Milla, and letters by VC's Cory Petit, Murderworld: Wolverine #1, the third installment of a five-part series, has the remaining survivors face a new threat. Wolverine lurks in the deadly maze doing what he does best -- tearing opponents to shreds. However, one contestant proves far tougher than expected and makes a game-changing move of his own.
The Battle Royale trope has been overdone at this point. This works against the Murderworld series. While Murderworld has been around in prior decades, its re-introduction into the modern Marvel lexicon does little to stand out amongst the deluge of deadly game stories.
Zub and Fawkes are both skilled writers. The well-presented interior monologue of the protagonist, courtesy of Cory Petit's intelligent caption placement, highlights their strengths. There is violence galore in Murderworld: Wolverine #1, and it's done well. Many of the deaths and mutilations are extra disturbing given the fact that it appears to be Wolverine doing the mutilating. Unfortunately, after two issues depicting Murderworld, all the gut-wrenching twists and brutal deaths have begun to feel commonplace.
The best parts of Murderworld: Wolverine #1 are the surviving characters. As with the previous issues, anyone can die, except with the readers savvy to these plot shifts, the sudden deaths or mutilations of characters don't have the same impact. However, they are still meaningful, especially as the issue follows three of the characters established last issue -- Eden, Alex, and Vincent -- whose toughness balances with kindness in a much-needed counterweight to the series' bleak tone. The new character, Marina Komarova, a former acquaintance of Black Widow, is a welcome presence. These three characters stand as a good contrast against the sadistic showboating of Arcade, leading to a very satisfying conclusion that could turn the tide of the series for the better.
Carlos Nieto and Victor Nava go all out with the depictions of gore and violence. Perhaps more impressively, they go all out in depicting the callousness and artificiality of the world the contestants are placed in. The climax of this issue, set in the twisted carnival setting of Murderworld, is especially dazzling. Faces and environments are pushed to their extremes, with flying debris, beads of sweat, and faces contorted in agony, rage, shock, and determination. Matt Milla's colors sell the heightened angst and horror of Murderworld: Wolverine #1. The opening pages, set in a bleak wintry mountainous wilderness, are rendered in cool, oppressive shades to evoke a prison. The garish reds, greens, and yellows of Murderworld lend a sense of danger and artifice, appearing almost toxic to the eyes.
Despite its flaws, Murderworld: Wolverine #1 is a solid issue that makes the most of a stale premise and its underuse of a heavily-advertised character by getting readers invested in its surprisingly sympathetic, human, and admirable protagonist. Wells, Fawkes, Nieto, Nava, and Milla go to great lengths to make this over-the-top issue an entertaining read that will leave fans wanting more.