Wolverine V. Blade #1 // Review
Comic book specials are a crapshoot at best. They are either going to be fun or ridiculous. These books are usually a chance for publishers to make money off of a popular character or to showcase new or upcoming talent and, most times, they are outside of the continuity.
Wolverine Vs. Blade, Marvel does it slightly differently, and it works. Marc Guggenheim writes the special, teamed with Dave Wilkins on pencils and inks. Guggenheim is an industry vet, while Wilkins has spent most of his career in the video game industry creating promo art and few DC titles. In Wolverine Vs. Blade, they make a great team.
At the start, Wolverine and Blade come across a prophecy wherein a mutant vampire will emerge as a messiah to unite all of the Vampire clans across the globe. The two have teamed up before, which Guggenheim points out several times throughout this story. Thus no lengthy introductions are needed. There is the usual meet up and fight trope in all comic book hero team-ups but soon that conflict is resolved and the heroes engage the villains. In this case, everyone's favorite mutant and vampire hunter fight against a vampire group called The Creed.
This special is a sheer slugfest. Two superheroes who have no qualms killing their enemies and are allowed to let loose on everyone's go-to undead baddies: vampires. The story is simple and very easy to jump in, with e a few plot twists to keep the plot somewhat unpredictable. Guggenheim keeps everything in its continuity, the story takes place before Wolverine met his end since he is still wearing his Uncanny X-Force uniform. Guggenheim delivers the dialogue, so there isn't too much macho posturing. There's enough humor and bravado to keep the story going but not over the top.
Wilkins does a fantastic job. Many new artists, while getting used to the fast-paced, deadline work of comic book artistry, usually turn in lower quality work. Wilkins provides quality work from page one until page forty-eight with incredibly detailed splashes. During the intense battle scenes, he does a great job showing every blood drop and facial expressions of the combatants. His work shows he deserves to be on a major Marvel title.
If you're looking for something fun featuring everyone's favorite mutant, no one can go wrong with Wolverine Vs. Blade. While rooted in Marvel continuity, this special is not needed to keep up with any main storyline. An enjoyable, easy read that any new comic book fan can pick up and enjoy.
