X-23: Target X #6

X-23: Target X #6
By now, it's no secret that I've enjoyed this miniseries. A lot.

The first thing that strikes me about this issue, however, is the fact that its recap page completely discounts the revelations Wolverine had in the aftermath of "M Day". The recap page actually says that Wolverine has no memory of his life at Weapon X!!! Now either that's an indication of exactly how long ago this series was written (which would explain how every issue managed to be published on time), or the writers and editorial staff on this book aren't aware of the current developments in Wolverine's life. And that's okay. After all, the only book so far to have made any use of Wolverine regaining his memories is Wolverine: Origins. And that book moves so very slowly that if you weren't aware of the fact before reading it, doing so won't enlighten you as to that point whatsoever. It hasn't exactly provided us with many insights into Wolverine's past of which we weren't already aware. The rest of Wolverine's titles haven't made very much reference to him remembering his past, so why should others be expected to remember? Still, sloppy.

The rest of the issue raises additional questions as to where it fits in continuity-wise. Especially since the issue ends with Cap sending X to the mansion to meet up with Logan again, yet we all know that she didn't make it there for quite some time. First she found time to become a prostitute. And then, when she first met up with the X-Men in Uncanny, Logan acted as if they hadn't ever met before. [Edit: Okay, so I'm wrong on that last point. But it was so goshdarned long ago, that who can really remember it clearly?]

The fight sequence which is supposed to be the focal point of this book seems out of place as well. The rest of the series has not focused on long drawn-out fight scenes, instead showing how quickly Laura is able to disable any opponent. Of course, I understand that the point here is to show just how similar she is to Wolverine, in every way, but the pacing suffers for it. Not only that, but Wolverine seems to have a disappearing third claw throughout the fight, and Laura is posed, with her toe claws extended, in such a way that she shouldn't be able to walk, let alone run. Also, after the battle, it's apparent that Laura has been (slightly) injured, but none of the panels show anything resembling that. So apparently she did it to herself?
Probably the major issue I have with this scene comes down to the art. The art in this mini has bean beautiful throughout, with attention being taken to not sexualize Laura, regardless of how she dressed. Her poses seemed natural, and her proportions seemed human. But there haven't really been any extended action sequences in this book. And apparently, the art breaks down when Choi and Oback attempt to render them. Still quite beautiful, but the details are offputting, to say the least.

I'm not quite clear on the point of this book's ending, either. Cap acts like there's no grey area as far as the law is concerned, whereas we've seen him act otherwise many times in other books. Cap apparently removes her from Matt Murdock's presence without Matt making any more than a verbal protest. Then, Cap drives Laura to DC for 12 hours (instead of getting a SHIELD 'copter to retrieve them), and only after arriving at SHIELD does he reconsider and takes her to a bus station instead. Well, at that point, why didn't he just drive her back to New York? Or put her on a plane? And then what's the point of the scene with the little boy on the bus at the end?

I'd like to give this issue a higher rating, but EH is as much as I can do. It's been a wonderful series. But with this last issue being what it is, I'd have preferred it to end after the last one.