dewyatt

[dewyatt]

Being fair to Laura:

Neither of her parental examples were particularly great. Logan is Logan, and Sarah could only do as much as she could get away with behind Sutter's and Rice's backs. Then she died before she had the chance to do better. And kids often learn from their parents, so she's kind of trapped in a circle of sucky parenting.

Laura herself is not remotely emotionally prepared to handle being a parent, especially of someone as obstinate and precocious as Gabby. She's barely an adult herself.

To reiterate, Gabby is a handful.

I kind of wish we'd get a story of Laura asking advice from Debbie, who's probably the only functional parental relationship she's ever had, however briefly (and as much as Debbie struggled with Megan's PTSD issues).

Let’s be real… Xarus is a better caregiver than Laura, Logan, and Daken combined… even if Gabby is sorta dying right now 🤣🥲

[dewyatt]

At least Hopeless and Bendis can now say they're no longer the worst to ever write her

New Avengers 3 is a new low in Laura dialogue

Yeahhhh- Laura’s honestly not been doing hot since Bendis, in my opinion … but at least NYX and Schultz was serviceable.

NA… just looks like a mess. 😕

[dewyatt]

That image is going to be memed so hard.

I think this last panel of Laura's hit quite a bit and honestly gave me the scare of life when I saw it, on the other hand my precious Bf came up with these edits

So I leave a compilation of what he did because it made me laugh a lot 😂🤣

This last one is my favorite LoL

[dewyatt]

I'm up for it.

I know you have a Super Vagina Karen...but I seen enough Superman Death Battles to know that Solar Powered Kryptionians don't have limits.

I would willingly sacrifice my pelvis for the cause

[dewyatt]

This image is absolutely going to become a meme.

I had to see it...

...now so do you.

[dewyatt]

It's like watch a train derail.

I had to see it...

...now so do you.

[dewyatt]

I had to see it...

...now so do you.

[dewyatt]

Between this and NYX #8 we had two fantastic HeliX covers. The only question is whether they go to waste.

[dewyatt]

As far as I'm concerned this story is proof Julian is her true love. No backsies.

Laura Kinney: Wolverine (2024-) #7

cover by Elena Casagrande, interior art by Giada Belviso

[dewyatt]

I disagree a bit about Sarah's name. Laura's main problem with Sarah is that...well...she killed her, and continues to hold onto that guilt (if we're to judge by Dreamer's illusion) even if she couldn't have stopped it. Otherwise it's kind of implicit that Sarah giving her a name was important to helping her find her humanity and identity.

NGL in AU future timeline where Julian and Laura got hitched; I could TOALLY see him taking "Kinney" as his name.

I mean, what does the name "Keller' actually mean to him now? Does it hold any value to him? His Parents pretty much abandoned him - he's essentially an orphan now.

I mean I could see him some scenario where he keeps it out of spite; but in all honestly him dropping Keller for Kinney would make some sense.

UNLESS he REALLY wants to piss off Logan; and they take "Howlett" as their surname (though im sure it would be Kinney-Howlett).

The Logan & Julian antagonism stories could fuel sitcoms for ages XD

Honestly I’m surprised they haven’t pulled the trigger on Hellion and Laura…just for the Logan drama! 🤣🤣

The last name is tricky because no one is really happy with their “parents”.

Laura literally imagined recently Sarah Kinney was horribly murdered in a car accident…Logan…kinda sucks in general as a parent… and Julian’s parents disowned him. 🫤

There is no great route here. 🤣

[dewyatt]

It sounds like Shogo may be returning soon.

Let’s be real… Xarus is a better caregiver than Laura, Logan, and Daken combined… even if Gabby is sorta dying right now 🤣🥲

[dewyatt]

All the FtA books seem to suffer from the same two-sided problem:

Either the writers write as if they have more time than they do, only for the book to get cancelled before their ideas get fully explored (NYX, X-Force). Or the writers are being overly conservative with their story arcs and are plowing through them to make sure they get everything in, but as a consequence not allowing things to fully breathe (LKW, and ironically, NYX suffered a bit of this, too).

I don't blame Schultz for doing quick arcs in the current Marvel environment where everything is treated like a placeholder to fill in time between the next event and new slate of #1s. The advantage is at least the arcs that don't work don't drag out (Just remember, if Schultz was doing longer arcs, the Daredevil arc would have been 5-6 issues instead of just two.

That said, I do agree that the Perfect Life arc SHOULD have lasted longer. I wanted to see things play out past the proposal, which would have given the illusion breaking down, and Laura being confronted with Dreamer telling her she made it from her own desired, more impact.

I'm still hopeful this arc ends, or at least sets up, Laura being slapped with accepting she's been shitty to the people she cares about, and can't keep doing it (and that the first person she calls to set it all right is Julian). The problem is we only have one more issue for certain before it shifts into LKS, and there's no hint as to whether we'll get any more LKW afterwards to finish things out (would Marvel really allow LKS to run for three issues, and then not put out two more to round out the third trade?).

Wolverine #9

Or… aka “MAN, Laura REALLY sucks in this issue!”…

*Spoilers!*

The issue starts with Gabby in the sewers, fighting Zombie/Demon/whatever kids and a witch with Xarus- Dracula’s kid. (see “X-Men Blood hunt” for more info!)

Gabby goes headfirst at the witch (she really IS related to Logan LOL) and gets cursed.

Back at the apartment, Laura is basically monologuing about how she should have taken better care of Gabby but also justifying neglect with… “but I left you a note”. 🙄 (“But I left you a note” is the new “but I was there with you when you lost your hands… you were just unconscious…” 🤣)

Xarus comes to check in on Gabby… but since he’s a vampire, he can’t come in until invited… and Laura is straight up being an asshole to him…

Truthfully- this kind of pissed me off… and kudos to Schultz for this! 😆 I like when writers aren’t afraid to make characters controversial or behaving badly! I’m so tired of “Saint Laura” that Liu and Taylor made popular!❤️

Laura TOOK Gabby for granted, assuming she would always just be “there”… much like she objectively takes EVERYONE for granted- Kiden, Hellion, ect…. and is now upset that things have changed and… well, Gabby has kind of moved on.

She basically left Gabby completely ALONE during the Krakoa era and through FtA… and is upset that Gabby got sick of it and found someone who actually does seem to care about Gabby as a person, and does not just see her as an extension of Laura or “Wolverine”. 😒

Laura argues “Wolverine’s work alone”… which Gabby calls out as bullshit and basically- that’s Laura’s whole problem. Laura is lonely… but won’t let anyone in her life.

It’s basically Logan doing the “lone wolf” thing… realizing it sucks… and then returning back to the X-Men ad-naseum. 

Laura is jealous and bemoaning “Gabby needs only me” while Gabby rests in bed… and is essentially upset that Gabby realized the one thing Laura refuses to admit- that we all need community and friends and other relationships in our lives. That one person cannot fulfill all of our needs.

Gabby is getting worse and thinks her healing factor is making it worse. Xarus offers to drink some of her blood and Laura accuses him of basically only caring about Gabby for his own benefit.

Xarus calls her out a bit and Laura makes him feel bad. (poor Xarus! 😔)

Laura then goes to Doctor Strange for mystical help and instead gets Clea.

Xarus isn’t allowed in because of his father. (Man… everyone is shitting on poor today!)

Laura admits that she feels helpless because she can’t slash or fight herself out of this problem- which I really liked!

Clearly tries to fix it despite realizing the ossuary made the spell more powerful, and Gabby hacks up some phlegm…which turns into demons…or zombies… or whatever! 

Laura’s happy again- feeling like they’re back to “old times” and gloating about how she’s better than Xarus (definitely NOT jealous Laura! 🤣)

The witch casts a spell where the magically binds she’s trapped them in become tighter the harder they fight, and we find out she is using Gabby to feed her whatever they are children!

Laura offers herself as sacrifice but the witch is holding a grudge and kidnaps Gabby. 

Review: 

The Art is amazing, as always and the only thing keeping me invested! I particularly LOVED the panel of Gabby in the purple shirt on page 13!

Truthfully- I delayed reading this issue… because I am just kind of bored by this solo book. 😕

While I do like this book exploring Laura’s “flaws” and really WANT to love this book… I feel like none of the arcs are long enough and frankly because of that they have very little emotional payoff.

“My so called life” was one of the better arcs… but should have been longer. The Haymaker appearance in #8 felt like pointless filler. This book often suffers from guest star bloat and no real “Big Bad” to help center it. Every story feels more or less the back to the start of the issue by the end.

Much like Tamaki’s “X-23”… it’s copying what made “All New Wolverine” popular, without fully grasping what made it successful in the first place.

As much as I disliked “ANW”- the guest star bloat at least felt organic because the story arcs were longer. The stories themselves delved into Laura’s Mythos, like the trigger scent or Laura’s dead mom and gave us time to “see” how it affected Laura, instead of just telling us

The problem with this story, also… is the same problem with Taylor and Tamaki too- no one is ever really WILLING to fully call Laura out on her shit.

Xarus telling Laura “You’re not the only one with problems” should have been bigger moment. Gabby SHOULD be a little hurt.

The difference with the Hivemind was they WERE willing to call Laura out and not pull punches… which is why NYX #8 was such a great issue!

Hellion fully said his peace… and Laura was forced to realize the part she played in all of this.

It seems like that’s the way Schultz is heading… but it seems like every time she gets there…she chickens out and Laura just wonders back to her apartment, feeling sorry for herself.

Maybe issue #10 will blow me away, because I really WANT to like this solo title… but I think this will be another in a long list of solo’s that’s afraid to fully admit Laura often treats people terribly and can be kind of a selfish person.

Halfway reading this solo… I found myself thinking that I actually wish Schultz would write a Gabby and Xarus title, since I actually found them more interesting.

I wish writers would do more with Gabby character, since I actually think she could be compelling… but sadly Gabby always seems to have “Tim Drake” disease.

While I would definitely say this issue is much like #6-#7; a million times a BETTER story than what 1-5 was… but also one that I wish Schultz would organically let grow and give more time with.

Much like Hellion- Laura hasn’t really been on panel much with Gabby in years, build that relationship back up and allow Gabby to be a bit annoyed and angry with Laura!

Theories:

If we do GET a Hellion issue- I have a weird feeling he’s dating someone...probably Sofia. The whole theme seems to be everyone is moving on with their lives except Laura.

I REALLY want a “Gabby blowup” or Gabby leaving with Xarus in the end… but I don’t think it’ll happen. Fans would be upset and idk if Schultz is brave enough to admit that Laura is a shitty friend. 🫤

Honestly I spent the WHOLE issue wanting to scream at Gabby that she needs to stand up for herself and tell Laura where she can stick it! 🤣

[dewyatt]

To be written by Tom Taylor.

Usually the character Laura gets matched against from the Bat Family is Cassandra because of their similar backstories. But she honestly has a LOT in common with Dick, too, each being their respective father figures’ “heir apparent.”

[dewyatt]

Obviously hoping for Julian.

But if not, Megan and Debbie would be a pleasant surprise. It was such a HUGE plot point allowing Laura to reunite with them, and now we haven't seen them since before Krakoa, as if Laura's completely forgotten about them and yet AGAIN making it look like she's an incredibly bad friend.

While LKW #9 was a bit too paint by numbers, it did give us Laura booping Jonathan's snoot. Which is adorable and precious. S Tier stuff.

[dewyatt]

Gabby, whispered, when Laura and Julian’s backs are turned: Good boy!

While LKW #9 was a bit too paint by numbers, it did give us Laura booping Jonathan's snoot. Which is adorable and precious. S Tier stuff.

[dewyatt]

Theory time:

While Laura is in Paris, Julian turns up at the apartment looking for her, and Jonathan basically kidnaps him by preventing him from leaving. Laura returns home only to find an embarrassed and worse-for-wear Julian hemmed into a corner by Jonathan.

While LKW #9 was a bit too paint by numbers, it did give us Laura booping Jonathan's snoot. Which is adorable and precious. S Tier stuff.

[dewyatt]

It was a very quick read.

While LKW #9 was a bit too paint by numbers, it did give us Laura booping Jonathan's snoot. Which is adorable and precious. S Tier stuff.