The Uncanny X-Men #162
Published and © by Marvel, October 1982
Title: “Beyond the Farthest Star”
Synopsis: Infected by the Brood and on the run on an alien world, Wolverine races to save – or avenge – the X-Men.
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Dave Cockrum
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Review: This reviewer recently expressed concern that a slew of fill-in issues and long-simmering subplots was starting to stall forward momentum for Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum’s second stint on X-Men. Not to have worried: This issue slams on the accelerator. Similar to X-Men #133 (see review), this issue focuses on a Wolverine solo effort to save his captive teammates. Claremont’s uses first-person narration to pull readers into Wolverine’s head, while Cockrum get to cut loose with his signature, sci-fi world-building. The results are one of the best issues of their second run. (And that cover is a classic!)
Grade: A
Second opinion: “The Brood material … feels lethargic and overextended.” – Jason Powell, “The Best There Is at What He Does: Examining Chris Claremont’s X-Men,” 2016 … “Cockrum and Wiacek hit top form with this issue’s solo Wolverine adventure.” – John Jackson Miller, The Comics Buyer’s Guide to the X-Men (Comics Buyer’s Guide Presents), 2003 … “The (Brood) plot seemed never ending and unintelligible unless read in one go.” – Robert Fleming, Fantasy Advertiser #92, August-September 1985
Cool factor: A then-rare Wolverine solo outing! (Wait, what? There was a time when Wolverine solo stories were rare?)
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 75¢ Canadian variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “I’m Wolverine. I’m a long way from home. And I think I’m dyin’.” – Wolverine, alone
Editor’s note: This review was written Oct. 11, 2023.
