Comics Legend Roy Thomas returns in X-Men Legends #1 continuing the story he established with Wolverine’s first full appearance in Incredible Hulk #181 (1974) with artist Herb Trimpe and the new team he built in Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975) pencilled by Dave Cockrum! The Nick Bradshaw cover has Wolverine and the rest of the team (including Mesmero) bursting out of comic book panels!
It feels like we are back in the classic, fun era of X-Men comics. “Interim for Mutants Part 1” also features the art of Dave Wachter. It opens with Wolverine in his original yellow costume waking up. He was knocked out at the end of his battle with the Hulk. Wolverine chases after the Hulk who is just walking away. He pops his claws (no Snikt!), angry at the Hulk calling him “Little man” and slashes the Hulk. Of course, the Hulk’s skin is tough and Wolverine keeps striking him until his claws are caught!
Wolverine screams as Hulk starts to tear the adamantium claws apart, but that would be an unstoppable force. He slashes Hulk again, this time drawing blood. Hulk slaps Wolverine who snaps a tree in half! Their battle is interrupted by a V-22 Osprey with the Canadian Army that sent Wolverine and are now recalling him when his six hours to defeat the Hulk are over. He enters the Osprey and a metal net is dropped on the Hulk.
This is easily ripped apart and several soldiers move into position, but Hulk knocks them away. Captain Helm tells Wolverine that they are only to delay him for the gas bomb. It detonates and Hulk collapses. This feels like the Hulk stories of that time period. Captain Helm is confident in his Corps Commandos while Hulk revives and begins to bash the capsule. Of course, Hulk breaks free and leaps away. Captain Helm orders Wolverine to go after him, but Logan is no hurry. Still, Wolverine vows for a re-match with Hulk. Their next battle was in Marvel’s Voices #1 (2020)!
Wolverine has had three days to recover and meets with Colonel Bernardo to ask about the next mission. Bernardo has a mission before he is replaced and Wolverine is angry at the army and Department H. It is an organization that was introduced in X-Men #109 (1977) by Chris Claremont and John Byrne. James Hudson who met Wolverine earlier headed up the department to monitor superheroes and eventually becomes the leader of Alpha Flight. Bernardo has detected nine “extra-normals” that were captured by the Secret Empire at Long Island, New York!
The Secret Empire was a villanous group created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Tales to Astonish #81 (1966). Wolverine wonders how he will be transported to the location when a wall is broken by Jack Winters later called the Living Diamond. Roy Thomas co-created him with Werner Roth in X-Men #39 (1967). He is a fellow agent with Wolverine. Bernardo explains that Winters is a mutant with diamond-like skin and he was attacked with sound waves in X-Men #42 (1968) by Cyclops and Professor X, but he managed to teleport away. It is a troubled partnership, but even if they manage to get to the base, they have to face the nine “extra-normals”! X-Men Legends #1 is a peek into the pre-new X-Men and a Wolverine story by his co-creator!
Four Adamantium Claws out of Five!
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