Wolverine has been the poster child for decompressed titles lately, and we're now up to the penultimate chapter of "Return of the Native" - clocking in at a mighty total of seven parts.  And let's be honest, it's not exactly bursting in complicated plot.

The usual disclaimer applies for books like this - it'll doubtless read much better in the trade paperback, where the pacing gets the chance to breathe, and the atmospherics aren't disrupted by those bloody adverts every second page.  When the next issue comes out, I'll sit down and re-read the whole thing in one go, and chances are I'll suddenly discover that I like it after all.

Actually, the pace is picking up this issue, as we build to a climax.  Wolverine rescues the Native from her captors, while Sabretooth is likewise unimpressed with the employers who betrayed him.  With all of them out of the way, we're set up for Wolverine v Sabretooth next issue.

It's a nice enough action issue, with Rucka and Robertson providing some well-written showdowns between Wolverine, Sabretooth and their Weapon X opponents.  I really wish they hadn't chosen to name the doctor Vapor, of all things, because it seems to have nothing to do with the plot, and just led to me spending two issues wondering whether it was meant to be the woman from the U-Foes.  And if so, what the heck she was doing here.

(It isn't her.  I think.)

Anyway, if you're not reading the storyline already, not much point starting now.  Wait for the reviews of next issue and see if it reads any better in one go.

Rating: B-

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