Wolverine: Get Mystique

Wolverine (2003) (Collected Editions) #11

by Jason Aaron, Ron Garney (Artist)

Writer Jason Aaron (Scalped) and artist Ron Garney (Amazing Spider-Man) bring you a searing epilogue to the biggest X-Men event in a decade. In the aftermath of Messiah CompleX, Wolverine has just one thing on his mind: revenge. But who is the focus of his rage, and what dark secret does he share with them? And how far over the edge is Wolverine willing to go to get what he wants?

Collecting: Wolverine 62-65

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, X Men, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes, Comic Book

96 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2008

About the author

Jason Aaron grew up in a small town in Alabama. His cousin, Gustav Hasford, who wrote the semi-autobiographical novel The Short-Timers, on which the feature film Full Metal Jacket was based, was a large influence on Aaron. Aaron decided he wanted to write comics as a child, and though his father was skeptical when Aaron informed him of this aspiration, his mother took Aaron to drug stores, where he would purchase books from spinner racks, some of which he still owns today.

Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.

In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.

Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.

In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.

In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.

After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.

Reviews

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many cliches, continuity messing ret-con and an awful "wtf???" ending, but Garney's artworks saved the day.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the artwork and colouring. The plot was a bit meh. Every issue consists of the Wolverine trying to Get Mystique, mixed with flashbacks to their shared history. I am not telling you, if Logan manages to get her in the last issue, but obviously he keeps failing in the proceeding ones. Pretty superficial, with a philosophical sledgehammer at the end.

I found the story concept surprisingly boring and Logan one-dimensional and unlikeable. But I only just started getting into Wolverine on paper, so I might change my mind after a few more Wolverine comics.

I read this without knowing any other issues of this story arc. It worked for me.

Artwork 4 stars
Plot 2,5 stars

[Alex E · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Mystique betrays the X-Men yet again, Cyclops decides that this time was the last straw. He decides to send X Force after her, but Wolverine takes on the challenge on his own. Wolverine hunts Mystique over days and many miles to finally put an end to her once and for all.

That is basically they entire story within this volume. I mean, yeah we get some backstory on how Wolverine met Mystique and how they had some bad blood even way back then, but for the most part, its just the hunt. But that's not to say its not good. No, Jason Aaron makes this a pretty riveting chase, with Mystique trying her best to elude Logan to no avail. Eventually he catches up to her and she decides to finally have a 1 on 1 to the death. She strips down nude (for some reason) and they both go at it pretty viciously. And the ending is a bit of a surprise if I'm being honest.

The art by Ron Garney elevated the story. He did a great job on the action sequences as well as the slower parts in between the chases and fights. I think he had a solid handle on not only Wolverine and Mystique, but the world around them as well.

This one is light on plot but big on action, I would recommended it for X fans or fans of Wolverine alone.

[Sam Quixote · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is an epilogue to the X-Men series "Messiah CompleX", the book works well as a stand-alone book where Wolverine is hunting down Mystique.

We get the backstory between the two characters, going back to the 1920s when the two meet for the first time and decide to work together, to the present day where Logan is playing cat to Mystique's mouse in the middle east.

Mystique's always been one of the most lethal mutants out there and writer Jason Aaron does a fine job showing just how deadly she can be with her abilities. Logan's character is something Aaron has perfected and is a joy to read, while artist Ron Garney does a fine job drawing the carnage the two wreak on themselves and their surroundings.

Altogether, "Get Mystique" is a good chase thriller story between two fascinating characters that's an excellent, if short, read and a great ending to "Messiah CompleX". Definitely worth a look if you're a Wolverine fan.

[Sud666 · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Get Mystique" is a revenge story. It is a story about the myriad reasons Wolverine wants to kill Mystique.

Taking place at various times throughout Logan's life, it truly starts in the "present" when Cyclops tasks Logan with taking out Mystique. We are then provided with the story of Raven and Logan's relationship both professional and personal. Taking place throughout the years, it shows the multiple times Mystique has betrayed Logan. Not to mention, catching her is not easy as she proves over and over again.

The descriptions of Logan's pain at healing and even having his skeleton is an interesting take and gives an alternative take on his powers. I thought that was rather cool. The story overall is entertaining, but mostly revolves with Mystique making an ass of Logan (who thinks its a good idea to wander around in his costume).

A nice and fun read. Nothing great but it entertained.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty cool. Short and simple but a fun ride. Wolverine is after Mystique to put her down after she snuck off after Messiah Complex. We get some flashbacks of when they first met and the current time showing us the chase. Mystique does some cool stuff with her powers putting just enough space between them so Logan can’t get to her. Pretty solid cat and mouse tale.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Good story, lots of great backstory to fill in the Wolvie/Mystie mythology. The inevitable "your favourite character is about to die!" foolishness is getting tired, but I guess the storytellers have to escalate to that level sooner or later in the comics.

Good art - not mind-blowing, but Garney executes the story very well, clear sense of action and character.

I'm giving it four stars because Aaron does a damn fine job of channelling Wolverine's moral badass, but the story seems like stuff I could've read from anyone.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get Mystique (62-65). Aaron's writing is, as usual, sharp. There's terrific backstory set in 1921 and the goal of differentiating Logan and Mystique is both worthwhile and well done. However, the comic is ultimately plagued by two problems. First, it's too decompressed, as we watch a 4-issue chase: Mystique flees and Wolverine follows. It gets old. Second, Aaron can't actually offer any resolution to the plot arc. [3+/5].

[Malum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it is supposed to be an epilogue of sorts to Messiah ComlpleX, you don't need to read that story to get enjoyment out of this.

[Pinkerton · Rating 3 out of 5]

English (but not so good) / Italiano
Despite the premise the story disappointed me, too fast and superficial for two characters like these. Nice shot instead with "The Man in the Pit".

Italiano
Nonostante le premesse la storia mi ha deluso, troppo frenetica e superficiale per due personaggi come questi. Bel colpo invece con “L’uomo nel pozzo”.

[Arturo · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's not much story, even with added on flashbacks. Yet again we see 2 characters having interaction in the past and having this whole history, it also seemed a little predictable. In the present Wolverine is so close to getting Mystique, but she continues to elude him. And that's about it.
But yet it's no boring story. In the end you feel the same bloodlust wolverine feels, and the past sequences, even if predictable cement that fact Wolverine will not quit till he gets her and this is the end for Mystique. Which is no easy task, since she's one of the most lethal mutants and has a great strategic Mind, and shows it. The ending was not what I expected. But it was disappointing yet.. Still great.
When Ron Garney did some X-men work after many great artists, some years back, it just looked too plain. Now the art fantastic. A lot looks like Kubert (any of em) inspired.

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

After slogging through the whole series so far, and a bad run of Loeb, hohum Guggenheim, this Jason Aaron work...works!

There's humour without stupid jokes, a writer who,respects the characters, gives an added depth of history and has a plot that makes sense, as well as an ending that shows he thinks his readers aren't total morons. I liked it, and it's supposedly the ending of Messiah Complex...haven't read that for a while...

Solid stuff, art is OK, but not my fave, then again, it could be Humbert Ramos again...lol.

Solid and a relief after all the crap in this title.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Demasiado gore para mi gusto, ahora que he de admitir que mejora la historia a medida que avanzamos en una trama que se centra en la persecución de Mística por parte de Lobezno, que busca venganza en nombre del resto de X-Men, tras ser traicionados por Raven Darkholme.

Dicha premisa parece sencilla, pero es más compleja de lo que aparenta al estar ambientada en distintos períodos y lugares, a los que Aaron nos conducirá a través de distintos saltos en el tiempo, y en el que dos seres casi invencibles, Mística y Lobezno, se enfrentarán a pesar de las décadas que pasen, hasta que solo/a uno/a quede en pie.

Lo mejor es que tiene una secuela que la supera con creces, "El Viejo Logan" de Mark Millar, y que pienso releer dado que hace años que la leí y recuerdo que también se ambienta en el desierto, a lo western postapocalíptico, además de aparecer Hulks, moteros a lo Mad Max, y algún giro muy dramático. En cambio este cómic no pasa de entretenido ni es ninguna obra maestra a diferencia del ya citado "El Viejo Logan". Valoración final: 2'75 de 5⭐.

[El_Commutador · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite haven't been up to date in mutant lore for a long time, I've liked this little Wolverine story by Aaron, with good, sometimes superb, art by Garney - Mystique never looked so sexy and dangerous...

[Craig · Rating 1 out of 5]

I must have read a different collection than the one most of the people below are describing. What I read is not a standalone story in the sense that the components from Messiah Complex weigh too much on the forward momentum of the story, as well as relying too heavily on "previously unseen exploits" as relayed in this collection.

The pacing of the collection is thrown off by these surface-skimming reflections to the 1920s sequences with Wolvering & Mystique in Mexico and Kansas, as well as bizarrely unnecessary flashbacks to Cyclops ordering Wolverine to find and kill Mystique. There is nothing wrong with linearity, nor should linearity be tossed aside for a "cool," sequenceless story. When people tell a non-linear story, it is usually with purpose. This is not one of those instances.

I am also baffled by the rationale for leaving Mystique alive at the end. Wolvering guts a human on no less than 2 occassions here to find Mystique and yet, when he finds her, he doesn't cut her head off or something/ anything to ensure that she is absolutely, unequivocably dead? I'm not a bloodbath kind of reader, but geez. I'm reading two different Wolverines here and I only understand the murder-squad-X-Force-leading one. The end is totally ruined by this lack of consistency.

I love Aaron's WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN. This is decidedly not WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN, as GET MYSTIQUE lacks that book's charm and originality.

[Leila Anani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mystique has betrayed the X-Men and Wolverine tracks her down for retribution. This is intercut with their chequered history in 1921 Mexico and Kansas.

It's a really dull story. Mystique is evil and whilst sexy and wily there's no depth to her. Wolverine is relentless and broody - I like his inner struggle not to be an animal, or jaded and evil like his adversary. However I much prefer him when he's being witty and cocky. Here not so much.

This would be a 2* from me if not for Ron Garney's artwork which is really high quality - I like Mystique's cowgirl look at the beginning and her both guns blazing at the end is also really badass - Wolverine is rugged and pretty hot as well - totally rocking the yellow spandex.

Over all though disappointing - We have two of the X-Men's most interesting characters at loggerheads and this is surprisingly lacklustre I'm sad to say. Still it's nice to look at.

[Jeff Lanter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I really enjoyed Jason Aaron's work on Weapon X, I decided to go back and hunt down his one piece of earlier Wolverine work. While thin (and less expensive), Get Mystique is a fun action story that explores the two characters' relationship. After seeing X-Men: First Class, Mystique is character I really like and am much more interested in than in the earlier movies. While I wouldn't say she has tons of depth in this story, she is a great foil for Wolverine and I thought it was really fitting how they meet. The multiple plots and timelines make great use of these characters' long lives too. While this isn't required reading for fans of Wolverine, it is fun reading and I'm glad I picked this trade up.

[Ashe Catlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good, there isn't really much to it. It's just about Wolverine hunting down Mystique, hence the title. A lot of people seem to struggle to write ol Wolvie, they just don't know what to do with him. I think that's because they are under the impression he is over power, Jason Aaron humanises him somewhat but he does also do some pretty stupid stuff with him. I mean you can shoot Wolverine to bits and he'll get back up but for some reason he won't fight innocent people. I get the whole hero's journey but the dudes got claws attached to his hands, he stabs people when fighting. He's not goodie two shoes, It was nice to see a bit of thier history together before the X-Men.

Yeah as I said there isn't really but to this, just a fun ride.

[Ilaria Vigorito · Rating 3 out of 5]

Se non fosse stato per "L'Uomo nel pozzo" questo volume si sarebbe meritato a malapena due stellette, nonostante vi figurino due personaggi che amo da impazzire: Logan e Mystica.

Se dalla breve shot che chiude il volume capisco bene perché Jason Aaron si è guadagnato la sua fama, la lunga storia di "Trova Mystica!" è un condensato di violenza gratuita, scene veloci, passaggi confusi dal passato al presente che non aggiungono niente ai personaggi e rendono questa storia particolarmente vacua, soprattutto per un finale che dovrebbe essere moraleggiante ma non dice nulla, non è nemmeno un finale e non si giustifica nella prospettiva di ciò che Mystica e Logan hanno dimostrato di volere fortemente per tutto il tempo della storia.

"L'uomo nel pozzo" invece, è una shot sorprendentemente bella e introspettiva, nella sua brevità, che svela quel lato di Logan, troppo spesso dimenticato, conoscitore dei lati più oscuri e sporchi dell'animo umano anche in virtù della sua lunga vita, di tutte le persone che ha incontrato e di tutte le sofferenze che ha patito. Queste sono le storie che voglio leggere e, francamente, mi avrebbe fatto più piacere leggere di duelli all'ultimo sangue fra Logan e Mystica se ci fosse stata una caratterizzazione vera e se tutto non fosse stato ridotto a un'inutile iper-sessualizzazione di quest'ultima e del suo scontro con l'artigliato, in una vaga metafora dello scontro fisico come incontro sessuale "rude" che non aggiunge niente a una narrazione che di spunti ne ha già troppi e non riesce a realizzarne compiutamente neanche uno.

[Krzysztof Grabowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zastanawiałem się co mnie jeszcze czeka w tej serii, która swoim poziomem zachowuje się jak wahadło. Raz jest świetnie, raz koszmarnie. Cicho liczyłem na to, że Aaron wykarze się tu najlepiej jak potrafi. I koniec końców jest nieźle, ale...

Omawiane opowiadanie jest w zasadzie epilogiem wydarzenie nazwanego "Kompleksem Mesjasza", choć nie zaznajomiony czytelnik może przeczytać to śmiało. Tytuł broni się sam. Mistique zdradziła kolejny raz X-men. Cyclops prosi Logana o sprowadzenie winnej żywej albo martwej. Zaczyna się polowanie, które jest o tyle utrudnione, iż przeciwniczka przecież potrafi przybrać praktycznie każdy wygląd człowieka. Miałem niedosyt na tym polu, bowiem nie ma z tym należytej zabawy. Jest za to krew, pot i łzy.

Bo pogoń za wrogiem zagoni Logana m. in. aż do Afganistanu. Jest tutaj kilka chwil wartych uwagi, choćby chwila niebieskoskórej z pewnym wojskowym. Jednak największym dobrem było ukazanie przez Aarona pierwszego spotkania dwójki już w 1921 roku, konkretniej przed plutonem egzekucyjnym... Potem mamy jeszcze napad na bank i bawienie się w filozofa.

Za plus mogę wziąć jeszcze kreskę i kolory. Postacie (zwłaszcza Mistique) wyglądają świetnie. I zalety się właśnie kończą. Zmiennokształtna robi Logana jak chce (do pewnego momentu) i czułem, że raczej całość nie skończy się tak do końca jak zakłada tytuł. Trwa ciągła pogoń, a akcja leci na łeb na szyję nieco bez składu i ładu. Czyta się to dobrze, ale el Dorado to tu nie odkryto. Liczyłem na jakiś rozwój postaci, ale całość była jednowymiarowa, jak przystało na typową historię o zemście. W sam raz na trójeczkę.

[Camilo Guerra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mystique traiciona a los X-Men !!!, pero mo es la primera vez que pasa ( y no sera la ultima) pero en plena era de odio y de pocos mutantes, su charada casi acaba con el futuro de la raza mutante por loque Ciclope le pide a Wolverine que vaya por la mutante, que la encuentre pero no que la traiaga, sino que se ENCARGUE de ella, a lo que el mutante favorito con garras dice que si, ¿que puede salir mal?.

LO BUENO: Historia rápida, concisa, que te da acción trepidante y unos diálogos potentes, Jason Aaron mueve sus dos protagonistas con maestría, los diálogos de Mistica son buenos, lo que piensa Logan es genial ( cuando te habla de lo mucho que le duele regenerarse, del sufrimiento que es una bala en el cráneo) y el arte de Ron Garney nunca lo vi mejor, desde Wolverine muy golpeado, con una Raven sexy y que da miedo, dinámico, a medias entre el mejor Adam Kubert y Lee Weeks, con unos colores que te dejan un resultado artístico muy potente.

LO MALO: Tanta cacería, tanto sufrimiento, ¿para que?, esperaba unas paginas finales mas épicas, pero terminamos con un dialogo muy de novela y se esperaba algo mas fuerte y sanguinario y si, sabíamos que Logan no mataria a Raven así hubiera dicho en todo el tomo que si lo haría, pero acá me decepcione un poco.

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Historia desvinculada del arco argumental de Messiah CompleX que embarca a Lobezno en una nueva misión de caza y venganza. El objetivo es la esquiva mutante metamórfica Mística, una de las más insidiosas enemigas de los X-Men que parecía que por fin había tendido puentes y dejar de ser una villana más... Pero nada más lejos de la realidad. El caso es que en estas páginas descubriremos que esta misión se vuelve personal para Logan al descubrir una historia en común entre ambos personajes que se remonta a los primeros pasos de Estados Unidos como nación.

Aunque Get Mystique no sea una lectura tan renqueante y gratuita como la historia de Lobezno en Civil War persiguiendo a Nitro, y Jason Aaron se esmera en profundizar más en la psique del bestial héroe y en echar por tierra la aparente invulnerabilidad del personaje, no logra llegar a mucho más con la apuesta. La cual, al menos, deja un cierto buen regustillo de neo-western al afincar las escenas ya sea en escenarios conocidos de estas historias o, por lo menos, en entornos desérticos y crepúsculares.

[Judah Radd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll be honest... I was leaning towards 3 stars until the ending, which was rather compelling. I can’t remember which Clint Eastwood spaghetti western this reminds me of... but it’s definitely inspired by one of em.

The first 3 issues are mindless action. Wolvie is hunting Mystique to punish her for betraying the X-Men in Messiah CompleX. While this is happening, we get some flashbacks to Mystique and Wolvie back in the 1920s or something. It all comes together rather well, but there’s a decent chunk of filler in the beginning.

The art is very good. It tells the story, while also allowing beautiful, aesthetic moments. The gore and violence is brutal (just the way I like my gory violence.)

All in all, I recommend this. It’s a fast enough read to where you don’t lose much giving it a try. Still, this 4 issue story could have been told just find in 2 issues. Whatever. It’s still good.

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was quite good. We follow Logan as he is on the hunt for Mystique on X-men Leader Cyclops command but there is something more to it. Wolverine has known Mystique for a long time and in the flashback we come to know their story, how they fall in love, did heists until Logan kinda screwed it up and in the present we follow them from Baghdad to Afghanistan and like this book is R rated, the stuff they do in this book, they won't ever again plus it shows how Mystique is so good at shape shifting and is an omega level threat and she can deceive and manipulate any one and how bloody wolverine is and then that confrontation and the ultimately the show down is amazing and the ending even better. The art is really good, bloody when it needs to be, and lethal all the time!!

[Terry Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So it seems like I landed on this title at the very end of Aaron's run. That said, it was nothing short of phenomenal. He does what you always hope that an accomplished writer will do with a serialized title: be daring. He doesn't simply amble along, throwing a lackluster enemy-of-the-month story at the reader, replete with dull fist fights and zero stake witless macho posturing. This story takes a stand, and leaves you feeling differently about both the protagonosh and antonist by its end. Kudos also to the artist, whose gritty pencils compliment Aaron's gritted teeth storytelling.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing the great x-read of 2018...

Cliché, but somehow still pretty enjoyable tale between Wolverine and Mystique. My main issue is that this seems like a completely different Mystique than the character that recently starred in her own limited series. A couple of odd retcons, too.

Deep down, it was a pretty fun read though and had some really good art, so I am willing to be a bit more forgiving with it.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was actually good. But not great.

I think this is my second-ever Wolverine solo comics. The first one was "Enemy of the State" which I obviously read for Elektra. And this one I read for Mystique. Her role here is great, even if a bit one-dimensional.

In other words, this is okay, but I have Jason Aaron has more to offer, because I've just bought his Wolverine goes to Hell omnibus and I'd hate to re-sell it.

[Will Plunkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the Wolverine story that reminds me why he was always my favorite X-Man, despite other characters who joined the group. A crisp, solid 4-issue story with flashbacks that make sense and build to multiple conclusions (maybe? ... knowing comics, is anyone ever really concluded?), with excellent visuals minus gratuitous splash pages all other the place. Even better: before the glut of variant covers, so no gallery at the end.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd been interested in this story before, but while re-reading Fraction's X-Men to bind it, I came to realize it was actually a relatively important story, showing up in small ways there. So I read it, and it was totally cool. Great Wolverine dialogue, wonderful old-timey flashbacks. Yep, good stuff.

[Marcos_e.e · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nota 6,5.
Não ironicamente foi melhor do que eu esperava. Massa veio total, muitas lutas e frases de efeito. Divertido, ainda que seja um retcon gigantesco. Rápido pra caramba de ler e real é uma distração pipoca bem-vinda.