X-Men #140
Published and © by Marvel, December 1980
Title: “Rage!”
Synopsis: Wolverine and Nightcrawler team with members of Alpha Flight to confront the wilderness terror of the Wendigo.
Writers (plot): Chris Claremont and John Byrne
Writer (script): Claremont
Penciler/co-plotter: Byrne
Inker: Terry Austin
Review: Much like the previous outing (see review of X-Men #139), this issue feels like a breather between historic X-Men epics. But the subplots here seem a bit inconsequential and the A story is more of a stock comic-book battle sequence. Of course, given the expert-level craftsmanship of the creative team, it’s still considerably above average and offers a good deal to enjoy. Given the later overexposure of the character, it’s hard to recall when it felt magical to get glimpses of Wolverine’s past. And Alpha Flight still bristles with potential here, having not yet graduated to perennial B-list status.
Grade: A-
Second opinion: “Feels like yet more filler from both artist and writer.” – Jason Powell, “The Best There Is at What He Does: Examining Chris Claremont’s X-Men,” 2016
Cool factor: That cover is striking …
Not-so-cool factor: … but isn’t Wolverine way too big?
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 15p British variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “Wolverine’s the name. Mayhem’s the game!” – Wolverine, sounding like an Allstate pitchman
Editor’s note: This review was written Nov. 30, 2022.
