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by Dave Scrimgeour and Kevin McCluskey    Writer- Barry Windsor-Smith Artist- Barry Windsor-Smith Letterers- Jim Novak & Barry Windsor-Smith Editor- Terry Kavanagh SynopsisThe Weapon program continues apace without a hitch. That is, until subject X breaks loose. Dave The cover to part 3 is great; Wolfie looks completely emotionless, and the Human Torch is under the Marvel logo this month. I like the use of different characters in the caption box each issue. Kev Yeh man. That cover is class, dare I say "iconic." Good ol' Johnny Storm, eh? I like the use of the different characters for the corner box as well, it's a great wee touch. Logan does look somewhat detached, doesn't he? Which is not surprising considering what is being done to him within these pages. Dave I was thinking that it suits the intention of this story; to program him like a government drone, just to follow orders, with no emotion. Although, clearly that will not be the outcome here. Kev No. As we see by the end of this particular chapter, things are not exactly going to plan. Or are they? I suppose it depends whose plan we're talking about. Dave I think we're talking about The Professor's plan here. The narrative of this issue is from his perspective, and it showcases his self-doubts. This is very much a cyberpunk-looking story. Plus, Wolvie is sporting the rock star mullet, and his claw cut through into the logo. Kev Ah! I hadn't even noticed that. I love it. That's an excellent detail. The hair is fantastic too. There's lots of good hair work going on throughout this story. Dave As I have said before; you can see the manga influence in the artwork. Especially the first couple of panels on the first page. Kev Definitely. With all the cables and wires, screens and monitors, it definitely has a bit of cyberpunk vibe. Windsor-Smith’s artwork really is nothing short of stunning. I like that they say that Logan's not in his “cot.” As if he was a baby. Dave I suppose this is a kind-of strange, back-in-the-womb look. Kev There is definitely an in utero feel to this, isn't there? It's claustrophobic and oppressive, but also strangely warm and oddly comforting. I suppose it's the colour palette that gives it that feeling. Dave Yeah, the mixture of colours in this is amazing. It's a real visual feast, coupled with very wordy panels. Kev That's a good point, man, there is a lot of dialogue in this chapter. Dave The dialogue is flowing back and forth at a quick rate. It makes for another heavy read. There's no storytelling-just-through-visual-images here. Kev No, you're right. It's definitely not just the art that's doing the lifting here. Dave The cherry red in the tank is a great colour choice, and it's not too overpowering. Logan is looking like the original hipster in the tank on the second panel on page 5.  James Howlett, a "self-facilitating media node." Kev Yeh, those reds and pinks are fantastic. He'll need to get those eyebrows threaded if he wants to be a proper hipster though. They're not exactly "on fleek." Then again, who am I to talk? Who is this mysterious voice on the other end of the communication with The Professor? Dave The dialogue captions are all over the place, so I'm not too sure who it is. Kev The layout of them is certainly interesting, yeh. Rather than going from left to right, and from top to bottom, they often go from top to bottom, left to right, then bottom to top. Essentially surrounding the image in the panel. As I said previously, I think this is really successful at conveying Logan's discombobulation and disorientation though, and I dare say we'll find out who this enigmatic individual on the other end of the phone is as we progress through the story. Dave I reckon the mysterious voice is another figure higher up the chain, and it just shows how everything with the Weapon program is covert and highly monitored. Kev It looks like it, eh? That kind of hierarchy reminds me of the situation with Matron and N.U.R.S.E. from 'Dragon's Claws.' I love how this story is slowly unfolding. I also like how we keep flashing back to Logan in the tank. It really ramps up the tension and the anxiety of the claustrophobia, as well as the sensation of feeling like you’re drowning in that viscus pink fluid. Dave It really does go for the claustrophobic feel, both in the tank and even in the lab as well. Kev That's true actually. The entire lab is a wee bit pokey. Dave I like how The Professor is sweating it now, with the realisation that Logan is a mutant. That previously unknown factor has really thrown a spanner in the works. Kev Totally. He's really getting nervous now. "He could be just about immortal." Dave And as Wolfie’s spikes break out, it marks a turning point in this story.  Patience Boothe. That US TV actor from the 1950s. Kev Definitely. "Business is about to pick up," as Jim Ross would say, now that the old claws are out. Dave That'll teach them. If they had only asked if he had any allergies or suffered from any allergic reactions to being submerged in pink and red goo. Kev Ha, ha! Logan should've declared his allergy to adamantium to them as well. Dave The panic is certainly starting to set in with the Weapon program crew. Kev Well, not for the "status" report guy, 'cause he's already brown bread. I love how they throw him to the wolf. Literally. Get in the bath with him, just make sure you close and lock the door behind you, "Just to be safe. Good lad." 'Cause we sure as shit don’t want to deal with him ourselves. Dave The storytelling so far is very methodical, it keeps it short and doesn't allow any pointless sub-plots to get in the way. Kev Yeh, I can’t praise the pacing of this enough. The way the story is unfolding is making it a page-turning joy to read. It's really making me want to binge it though. I'm having trouble restraining myself and being disciplined enough to only read it chapter by chapter, so my reactions to it are fresh for these discussions. This serialised format works so well for this story. Dave The last page is a nice way to finish this chapter off, with the unsuspecting lab workers not knowing what they are about to come across. The bottom panel on the second last page is an "Oh shit!" moment to say the least. The animal has finally freed itself.  Logan sporting a fantastic blue rinse there. Fashion forward indeed. Kev Definitely, man. The proverbial shit has definitely hit the fan now.  Starring Paul Newman as Cornelius. Dave I like the second last panel also, the fear in Cornelius' face says it all, the magnitude of what has occurred, the dangers of trying to play God, and the realisation that this is no ordinary person they are playing with. Kev Totally. Nice use of dropping the reflective aspect of the glasses, so that we can properly see the emotion in Cornelius' eyes for a change. Dave Yeah, I kind-of like how it's not easy to follow who’s who. It kind of makes the workers just like another number. Kev Yeh, they're all just faceless parts of the (Weapon X) program, aren't they? Certainly still at this point. So, was it part of The Professor's plan to deliberately set Logan free, just to see what his reaction and his actions would be? I suppose you can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs. Dave Yep, I guess he was only sweating it as his devious plan was not working at that moment in time, but now it looks like it's going the way he wants it. I love the last page; the half page panel of Wolvie, then the last three of The Professor. “Magnificent,” as he puts it. Kev Yeh, perhaps it was merely an unforeseen wrinkle in his plan, that actually worked out to his advantage in the end. Dave He has that calculating posture in the last panels. He is now planning the next stage. Logan looks really fierce in that panel too.  If he were chocolate, The Professor would eat himself. Kev Definitely. The Professor's absolutely loving the way this is playing out. Yeh, "He looks like a mad animal." Logan truly is nothing more than a lab rat to these people, and he has been treated as such. The rib cage sticking out of that kid's chest after Logan has gutted him is a particularly brutal image. Dave I also like how, in the last panel, The Professor is sitting in a dark room, with only computer lights to offer any lighting. It adds to the sinister edge of this story. Kev Yeh, the Weapon X staff are sinister, alright. And Logan’s hair is particularly wild now. It really helps sell his animalistic, uncontrollable nature. Dave Yeah, indeed he does, as now the story takes a new turn of events. Kev Definitely. This feels like the end of act one here. I get the impression that things are about to get a lot more kinetic, and violent. Dave I reckon so. (D) & (K) Next: More torture porn. 
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