Wolverine: Evolution (Comics) | Review

Writer Jeph Loeb (Batman: Dark Victory, Batman: Hush) teams with artist Simone Bianchi (Astonishing X-Men: Ghost Box, Thor: For Asgard) for what's marketed as the definitive, ultimate showdown between Wolverine and Sabretooth once and for all.

This 2007 storyline spanning Wolverine issues 50-55 attempts something ambitious: connecting Logan and Victor Creed's endless grudge match to a species-wide conspiracy involving Lupine mutants and an immortal manipulator named Romulus. The execution, however, remains deeply polarizing among longtime Wolverine readers.

Evolution promises answers but delivers more questions, sitting between ambitious mythology-building and convoluted retconning. The Lupine theory suggests certain mutants evolved from canines rather than primates, explaining why so many ferals exist in the Marvel Universe.

Romulus becomes the puppet master behind Wolverine's entire existence, claiming to have orchestrated everything from the Weapon X program to Logan's countless tragedies. These ideas could have elevated Wolverine's mythos but the storytelling never quite commits to making them feel essential rather than excessive.

Logan decides this time will be different. After decades of fighting Sabretooth to standstills, he's done playing games. Armed with Muramasa Blade, a legendary sword capable of neutralizing healing factors, Wolverine hunts down his oldest enemy for their final confrontation.

Their battle tears across multiple locations as Loeb structures the narrative through fragmented memories. Wolverine experiences visions of ancient times, seeing himself and Sabretooth in different eras, always locked in combat. These flashbacks introduce the Lupine concept while establishing Romulus as the shadowy manipulator.

Storm and Black Panther appear midway through the conflict, drawn in by the escalating violence and destruction. T'Challa discovers evidence of Lupine fossils in Wakanda, suggesting this conspiracy extends deep into his nation's ancient history and Vibranium mining operations.

Other mutants with animalistic characteristics join the hunt: Feral, Thornn, Wolfsbane, Wild Child and Sasquatch all get pulled into Romulus's orbit. Loeb uses these characters to reinforce the Lupine theory, pointing out how statistically improbable so many mutants manifesting canine traits would be unless something deeper existed.

The climax aboard the X-Men's Blackbird becomes a bloodbath. Sabretooth seemingly dies when Wolverine uses the Muramasa Blade to sever his arm before decapitating him entirely. The final pages reveal Romulus replacing the real Sabretooth with a mindless clone.

The final pages reveal Romulus replacing the real Sabretooth with a mindless clone, keeping Victor Creed alive for future plans and manipulation. Logan believes he's finally free from this cycle of violence but the puppet master still controls everything from the shadows.

Evolution connects directly to Wolverine: Origins, a concurrent series by Daniel Way exploring themes about manipulation and false memories. Romulus becomes a recurring antagonist throughout Way's run. The storyline sets up Sabretooth Reborn, the 2012 sequel where Loeb and Bianchi return to finish what they started.

The storyline sets up Sabretooth Reborn, the 2012 sequel where Loeb and Bianchi return to finish what they started five years earlier. That second arc reveals Remus, Romulus's twin sister and explores their ancient history with Logan across centuries of manipulation.

The Lupine concept gets quietly abandoned by later writers who prefer simpler explanations. Most fans and creators treat mutant powers as manifesting in diverse ways without needing a separate evolutionary branch. Later works by writer Jason Aaron (Avengers Vs. X-Men, The Unworthy Thor) ignores these revelations entirely.

The Muramasa Blade, however, becomes a staple of Wolverine stories going forward. It reappears in various arcs as the one weapon capable of killing him permanently, adding genuine stakes. The sword represents something Logan both needs and fears in equal measure.

What makes Evolution frustrating is how much potential exists in its core ideas. The notion that someone's been orchestrating Wolverine's tragedies for centuries adds tragic weight. Every loss, every moment of happiness torn away but Loeb never fully commits to the implications, using Romulus as a mystery box without answers.

Simone Bianchi delivers some of the most visually distinctive Wolverine pages in years, though his approach divides readers sharply. His painted style combines digital techniques with traditional illustration, creating images that feel like concept art than typical comic panels.

The character designs emphasize feral qualities without becoming cartoonish. Wolverine and Sabretooth look appropriately savage with sharp angles and predatory stances. Bianchi's use of shadow and light creates depth that makes fight choreography feel three-dimensional and visceral, capturing the brutality characters inflict.

Jeph Loeb's script operates in grand mythological mode, treating this feud as ancient and inevitable. His dialogue aims for operatic tragedy but occasionally tips into purple prose. Characters speak in declarations rather than conversations, making interactions feel stilted.

Storm and Black Panther's involvement feels perfunctory despite their importance to the plot's Wakandan connection. They serve primarily as exposition delivery systems, explaining the Lupine theory without developing their own arcs. Their romance gets referenced but never explored meaningfully throughout the storyline.

Evolution succeeds as a visual showcase and fails as a definitive Wolverine story. Bianchi's artwork makes this worth experiencing for readers who appreciate experimental approaches. Every page demonstrates technical skill and artistic ambition that really stands apart.

This arc matters primarily for its connections to larger narrative threads. Romulus becomes a fixture for several years following Evolution, with various writers attempting to make sense of Loeb's mythology. The Muramasa Blade gains importance as one of the few weapons capable of killing Logan permanently in future storylines.

Evolution works best when appreciated for individual moments. The confrontation between Wolverine and Sabretooth crackles with decades of animosity. The Muramasa Blade's introduction adds a dangerous element. These scenes justify the reading experience.

If you're drawn to Simone Bianchi's painted art style, this collection showcases his talents better than most of his Marvel work to date. If you're a fan of Wolverine's convoluted history and complex mythology, Evolution provides plenty of material to analyze. Just don't expect clean answers or emotional catharsis from this story.

Wolverine: Evolution is collected in trade paperback and hardcover edition, available in physical format through comic-book stores, major bookstores and online retailers. Digital copies are also accessible via Amazon Kindle, ComiXology and Marvel Unlimited.