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X-23 (2018)
X-23, Vol. 2: X-Assassin
A series of gruesome murders. A killer who disappears without a trace. Laura and Gabby are on the hunt. But when Laura comes face-to-face with the mysterious X-Assassin, nothing is as it seems... Laura and Gabby face the creators of the X-Assassin...and find they might not agree on what to do about this barely human killer.
COLLECTING: X-23 7-12
COLLECTING: X-23 7-12
136 pages, Paperback
First published August 13, 2019
35 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Mariko Tamaki
377 books2,233 followersMariko Tamaki is a Toronto writer, playwright, activist and performer. She works and performs with fat activists Pretty Porky and Pissed Off and the theatre troupe TOA, whose recent play, A vs. B, was staged at the 2004 Rhubarb Festival at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Her well-received novel, Cover Me (McGilligan Books) was followed by a short fiction collection, True Lies: The Book of Bad Advice (Women's Press). Mariko's third book, FAKE ID, is due out in spring 2005.
Mariko Tamaki has performed her work across Canada and through the States, recently appearing at the Calgary Folkfest 2004, Vancouver Writer's Festival 2003, Spatial III, and the Perpetual Motion/Girls Bite Back Tour, which circled though Ottawa, Montreal, Brooklyn and Chicago. She has appeared widely on radio and television including First Person Singular on CBC radio and Imprint on TVO. Mariko Tamaki is currently attending York University working a master's degree in women's studies.
[MacMIllan Books]
Mariko Tamaki has performed her work across Canada and through the States, recently appearing at the Calgary Folkfest 2004, Vancouver Writer's Festival 2003, Spatial III, and the Perpetual Motion/Girls Bite Back Tour, which circled though Ottawa, Montreal, Brooklyn and Chicago. She has appeared widely on radio and television including First Person Singular on CBC radio and Imprint on TVO. Mariko Tamaki is currently attending York University working a master's degree in women's studies.
[MacMIllan Books]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
June 4, 2020
Laura and Gabby cross paths with yet another clone of themselves, this one a cyborg. Tamaki keeps the plot simple and moving. Diego Olortegui's art is certainly solid. This series had a lot of promise. It is, however, the only series I was sad to see go in order to make way for Hickman's X-Men. The X-Men comics have not been good in general for years.
February 18, 2025
Laura and Gabby saving the day!
June 2, 2019
Goddammit, once again a great and under-appreciated Marvel series gets the boot entirely too soon. Well it was a good run while it lasted, and I enjoyed Mariko Tamaki’s take on the team of Laura, Gabby and Jonathan even more than Tom Taylor’s. Loved the art in this volume, too — Diego Olortegui deserves more work and recognition, this book looked absolutely lovely and consistent throughout. I’m going to miss this delightful series, hoping that one day Marvel will bring it back with yet another strong creative team.
August 22, 2019
Not as good as volume 1 sadly.
So Gabby and Laura continue their adventure but this time we meet yet ANOTHER clone of Laura. This one does not have a healing factor and could die. She's also partly robotic. So Gabby of course decides to befriend her to try and make her join their gang. This story also goes into the final two part story which involves Gabby trying to find her way in life.
Overall, it's good. It's colorful, the fights are fun, and the Laura/Gabby relationship remains to be the highlight of the series. It moves at a quick pace too which also helps a lot. The problem? It's nothing special. Nothing we haven't read before. Sad to see this go as I LOVE Laura. She is by far my favorite Mutant. But this series didn't really spark the interest that "All New Wolverine" seemed to do. A 3 out of 5.
So Gabby and Laura continue their adventure but this time we meet yet ANOTHER clone of Laura. This one does not have a healing factor and could die. She's also partly robotic. So Gabby of course decides to befriend her to try and make her join their gang. This story also goes into the final two part story which involves Gabby trying to find her way in life.
Overall, it's good. It's colorful, the fights are fun, and the Laura/Gabby relationship remains to be the highlight of the series. It moves at a quick pace too which also helps a lot. The problem? It's nothing special. Nothing we haven't read before. Sad to see this go as I LOVE Laura. She is by far my favorite Mutant. But this series didn't really spark the interest that "All New Wolverine" seemed to do. A 3 out of 5.
July 23, 2019
Lamentablemente otro cierre apresurado para X-23. ¿Por qué sus series siempre acaban pronto y abruptamente? Eso hace que la historia final no sea la mejor.
Me gustó mucho el primer volumen pero creo que aquí la escritora se fue . Para colmo el enemigo el Dr. Chandler quién está produciendo (por enésima vez) otro clon de Laura. Creo que ese tema ya está demasiado explotado en sus series. Esa trama y varios episodios juveniles de hermana - hermana entre Laura y Gabby lo hace a mi gusto muy simple.
Me gustó mucho el primer volumen pero creo que aquí la escritora se fue . Para colmo el enemigo el Dr. Chandler quién está produciendo (por enésima vez) otro clon de Laura. Creo que ese tema ya está demasiado explotado en sus series. Esa trama y varios episodios juveniles de hermana - hermana entre Laura y Gabby lo hace a mi gusto muy simple.
September 5, 2019
Marvel continuity-wise the first X-book to be cancelled to make room for Hickman's X-univers.
.
This second volume is not as good as the first as it continues with the ongoing and now boring(?) theme of X and HB seeking out firms using theirs or other mutants' genes for bio warfare, crime or profit - Tamaki does build more on the characters and relationship between X and Honey Badger.
.
6 out of 12
.
This second volume is not as good as the first as it continues with the ongoing and now boring(?) theme of X and HB seeking out firms using theirs or other mutants' genes for bio warfare, crime or profit - Tamaki does build more on the characters and relationship between X and Honey Badger.
.
6 out of 12
December 29, 2019
'...Because let's be honest, kicking butt is kind of our yoga.'
You know what, despite what I said about clone storylines in my review of volume 1 being commonplace for Laura and Gabby, I enjoyed this for some reason. Also, I know what Laura said but I definitely got attached to TUOKS 😭😭 I mean,
The first arc is about the X-Assassin and the second one is how Laura and Gabby are bound to have differences especially since Laura is set in her goal and doesn't realize that Gabby might not want exactly what Laura does. I see both of their sides but I feel like this was not a thing to tackle in two issues half of which are spent rescuing X-turkeys, which while funny isn't the ideal situation to force them to talk to each other
IDK, I'm pretty conflicted because this volume overall doesn't seem to have a personal touch. As Laura's inner monologue details how complex it is being a clone, her actions in relation to the subject are black and white and that just threw me off like what you doing, Tamaki
Anyway, there are heartwarming moments here and there's even a Sandra Oh reference re: Killing Eve so I liked it and might even rate it 4 stars on a reread. Right now, I'm just disappointed that this is the note they decided to end the series on. Sigh
I have to mention the art of this volume, though. It's understated with a kind of a faded but sharp color palette and I LOVED IT! I'm surprised Diego Olortegui doesn't have much work out there as this seems to be the first comic volume that he's fully contributed to and that's a shame. Get on Olortegui's work, universe!
Favorite quotes: 'Hey! No littering!'
'Why don't you shut up and mind your business?'
'Because some of us are strong enough and full of enough rage to do terrible things to men who talk to us that way.'
You know what, despite what I said about clone storylines in my review of volume 1 being commonplace for Laura and Gabby, I enjoyed this for some reason. Also, I know what Laura said but I definitely got attached to TUOKS 😭😭 I mean,
The first arc is about the X-Assassin and the second one is how Laura and Gabby are bound to have differences especially since Laura is set in her goal and doesn't realize that Gabby might not want exactly what Laura does. I see both of their sides but I feel like this was not a thing to tackle in two issues half of which are spent rescuing X-turkeys, which while funny isn't the ideal situation to force them to talk to each other
IDK, I'm pretty conflicted because this volume overall doesn't seem to have a personal touch. As Laura's inner monologue details how complex it is being a clone, her actions in relation to the subject are black and white and that just threw me off like what you doing, Tamaki
Anyway, there are heartwarming moments here and there's even a Sandra Oh reference re: Killing Eve so I liked it and might even rate it 4 stars on a reread. Right now, I'm just disappointed that this is the note they decided to end the series on. Sigh
I have to mention the art of this volume, though. It's understated with a kind of a faded but sharp color palette and I LOVED IT! I'm surprised Diego Olortegui doesn't have much work out there as this seems to be the first comic volume that he's fully contributed to and that's a shame. Get on Olortegui's work, universe!
Favorite quotes: 'Hey! No littering!'
'Why don't you shut up and mind your business?'
'Because some of us are strong enough and full of enough rage to do terrible things to men who talk to us that way.'
August 3, 2019
God damn it, my computer glitched out while I was halfway through my review here, so I've lost most of my thoughts.
Right, quick version - the first four issues are X-Assassin, which isn't bad but feels a little like it's covering ground that we already covered back at the beginning of Taylor's run with the Four Sisters, so it's a bit unnecessary.
Dear Gabby, the following two issues, is much better, showing the differences between Laura and Gabby as well as the closeness between the two of them, and how it's possible to have different viewpoints and still work together.
Diego Olortegui's artwork is pretty nice, I especially like how he manages to make Laura, Gabby, and the X-Assassin all look similar but different enough even though they're clones.
The Tamaki run of X-23 has been solid, but unfortunately doesn't reach the heights of All-New Wolverine before it. That's not to say it won't scratch your X-23 itches for a while though.
Right, quick version - the first four issues are X-Assassin, which isn't bad but feels a little like it's covering ground that we already covered back at the beginning of Taylor's run with the Four Sisters, so it's a bit unnecessary.
Dear Gabby, the following two issues, is much better, showing the differences between Laura and Gabby as well as the closeness between the two of them, and how it's possible to have different viewpoints and still work together.
Diego Olortegui's artwork is pretty nice, I especially like how he manages to make Laura, Gabby, and the X-Assassin all look similar but different enough even though they're clones.
The Tamaki run of X-23 has been solid, but unfortunately doesn't reach the heights of All-New Wolverine before it. That's not to say it won't scratch your X-23 itches for a while though.
September 9, 2021
This is a nice book with two pleasantly self-contained stories featuring Laura and Gabby encountering evil manipulators of mutant DNA. In the first one they meet a cyborg clone of themselves and find she's but one of a whole army. The second, shorter one is a near train-wreck (literally) of a story, with a good look at their deepening relationship. The art is pretty good (except for the faces being too round...what's with that?), and the writing is very good; very direct, with every panel enhancing the flow of the story. My rating has an extra star in recognition of the flameproof flying turkeys. Excelsior!
August 25, 2019
Dammit, Marvel, I can't believe you cancelled X-23 yet AGAIN. Y'know, I read comics for long-form storytelling, which lasts not months, but years, even decades. You're violating our compact about the serial comic form when you cancel comics on a yearly basis, and when you constantly give new authors the OK to soft-boot their titles.
Anywho ...
Tamaki really seems to have figured out her characters in this second volume, especially Gabby, who is awesome in her Gabby-ness, not just in her liveliness, vivaciousness, and innocence, but also in her search for new sisters.
And Tamaki has a pretty good plot in that regard, with Gabby and Laura meeting a new clone, but one who's very different from them, and figuring out where to go from there.
In other words, Tamaki was fully stepping into the shoes of her predecessor, so of course there was another cancellation.
Anywho ...
Tamaki really seems to have figured out her characters in this second volume, especially Gabby, who is awesome in her Gabby-ness, not just in her liveliness, vivaciousness, and innocence, but also in her search for new sisters.
And Tamaki has a pretty good plot in that regard, with Gabby and Laura meeting a new clone, but one who's very different from them, and figuring out where to go from there.
In other words, Tamaki was fully stepping into the shoes of her predecessor, so of course there was another cancellation.
October 26, 2019
Mariko Tamaki's take on the X-23 series is very much the Laura and Gabby show, with the overarching plot focused on the pair's relationship and their reckoning with being clones. Of course, that means it's very "clone, clone, clone" all the time, but the Constant Clone Crises (CCC) are thoughtfully portrayed, particularly in relation to Gabby's desire for family.
In X-Assassin, the pair come across a weakened, cyborg clone of themselves. Gabby falls in love, Laura doesn't trust it. The pair track down the source, a battle ensues, etc. It's a really simple story. The art is fantastic, though, and again, the relationship between the main characters is the star of the show here. With Tamaki at the helm, the X-23 series is offering some excellent "inner lives of superheroes" takes and I am here for it.
In X-Assassin, the pair come across a weakened, cyborg clone of themselves. Gabby falls in love, Laura doesn't trust it. The pair track down the source, a battle ensues, etc. It's a really simple story. The art is fantastic, though, and again, the relationship between the main characters is the star of the show here. With Tamaki at the helm, the X-23 series is offering some excellent "inner lives of superheroes" takes and I am here for it.
December 31, 2019
3.75/5
I enjoyed the deep dive into Laura and Gabby's relationship but I feel like the main action plot was repetitive considering the stories that Laura gets in general nowadays. I really like the art in this run!
I enjoyed the deep dive into Laura and Gabby's relationship but I feel like the main action plot was repetitive considering the stories that Laura gets in general nowadays. I really like the art in this run!
May 17, 2024
Valutazione personale: 4.5/5
Un volume davvero bello che a mio avviso supera anche il primo. La storia qui proposta permette di approfondire ulteriormente i personaggi di Laura e di Gabby a livello psicologico ed emotivo, e questo viene fatto in maniera secondo me più incisiva rispetto al primo volume. Mi è poi piaciuta tanto l'idea di mettere le due sorelle su due fronti ideologici opposti, così da mostrare meglio le loro sfaccettature. Inoltre continuo a pensare che Gabby sia un tesorino e il suo rapporto con T.U.O.K.S. l'ha resa ancor più tenera ai miei occhi. Non male neanche i disegni, ma forse preferivo lo stile di Cabal.
Un volume davvero bello che a mio avviso supera anche il primo. La storia qui proposta permette di approfondire ulteriormente i personaggi di Laura e di Gabby a livello psicologico ed emotivo, e questo viene fatto in maniera secondo me più incisiva rispetto al primo volume. Mi è poi piaciuta tanto l'idea di mettere le due sorelle su due fronti ideologici opposti, così da mostrare meglio le loro sfaccettature. Inoltre continuo a pensare che Gabby sia un tesorino e il suo rapporto con T.U.O.K.S. l'ha resa ancor più tenera ai miei occhi. Non male neanche i disegni, ma forse preferivo lo stile di Cabal.
June 9, 2019
I was an enthusiast of Tamaki's first issues on X-23. The first arc had a cool X-Men flavour and fun dialogs. The relationship between Laura and Gabby seemed a little stuck, but it was quite amusing. All that stopped being true in the final six issues: the plot becomes repetitive and lacks any thrill or interest. The two final issues are simply stupid. It's a shame, but I don't regret Marvel's decission to end this series because, frankly, it was clearly going nowhere. As I said, a shame: Laura and Gabby deserve greater stories and new conflicts because, frankly, the whole 'clone family' thing has been making me really sleepy for a while. In any case, Vol. 1 was great and I loved reading it.
December 6, 2019
Honey Badger is real cute and fun and Tamaki succeeded to nail the characters after Taylor but this (again) final arc is simply bland at best when not simply ridiculous (fireproof flying turkeys, really?).
Of course the title's cancellation rushed up the end, open and unsatisfying but Tamaki probably hadn't much choice.
Art is ok, leaning toward manga a bit but in no way memorable. Just like the plot.
Of course the title's cancellation rushed up the end, open and unsatisfying but Tamaki probably hadn't much choice.
Art is ok, leaning toward manga a bit but in no way memorable. Just like the plot.
July 29, 2022
I liked this more than Vol. 1. It’s more clone drama with these sisters, as they end up butting heads on right and wrong while nefarious scientists continue to try and use them for profit. Laura is the scarred stoic she tends to be, and Gabby is all heart. Not a huge fan of the name change, but she’s just the best. The art is excellent, with crisp line detail, cute when it needs to be, and visceral everywhere else. I’ll always have time for X-23 stories, and if that sounds like you, you’ll probably enjoy it too.
August 14, 2021
Much like the first volume, this wasn't bad, but not as good as the previous series. We find Laura and Gabby meeting a cybernetic clone that Gabby takes pity on. Then they face some...Weapon X Turkeys?
I didn't enjoy the art in this volume quite as much as previous volume either.
I still liked it, but it wasn't a stand out.
I didn't enjoy the art in this volume quite as much as previous volume either.
I still liked it, but it wasn't a stand out.
July 2, 2019
(read as single issues)
Hate 2 compare but this never gelled for me the way Tom Taylor's All-New Wolverine series did. The whole clone-robot-assassin plot here felt like re-treading the same stuff for Laura without...much new to come out of if it? Still, love these characters and I'm glad Jonathan the literal wolverine got to stay and hang out.
Hate 2 compare but this never gelled for me the way Tom Taylor's All-New Wolverine series did. The whole clone-robot-assassin plot here felt like re-treading the same stuff for Laura without...much new to come out of if it? Still, love these characters and I'm glad Jonathan the literal wolverine got to stay and hang out.
February 22, 2021
I am eternally grateful that no one spoiled for me that Gabby is growing up. And I won't spoil it for anyone reading this, either.
Just know that if you read the X-23 titles for the relationship between Laura and Gabby, then this volume will absolutely not let you down.
Just know that if you read the X-23 titles for the relationship between Laura and Gabby, then this volume will absolutely not let you down.
August 5, 2019
This was great!!
January 8, 2020
It's hard to eat flame resistant, flying X-Turkeys. X-23 keeps losing sisters.
January 8, 2020
more like a 2.5 for a majority of this.
September 22, 2019
They grow up so fast, don't they?
Leave it to a cyborg assassin to show some of the X-Family's most brutal warriors how important it is to nurture personal growth. X-ASSASSIN is a solid, compact volume of superhero action. So many trade paperbacks have divergent or split narratives it's frustrating, but Laura and Gabby's adventures stay true to the book's mission statement of giving readers a raw taste of the underside of mutant-hero work.
Hunting, debunking and arresting scientists and theorists in genetics and immunology isn't exciting work — by nature ¬¬— but the game is afoot when an inhuman assassin with an electromagnetic weapon bulldozes Laura and then leaps out of a 12-story window. Good times.
Further, Gabby, ever one for action but never not a child with her heart on her sleeve, pushes back when Laura establishes a binary ethos of dealing with genetic clones. Laura wants to scrub the clones from the face of the Earth, Gabby wants to be their friend. Something's gotta give.
X-ASSASSIN spends a lot of time orchestrating the value these young women must adjudicate when investing their hearts as well as their fists into solving the problem of saving the world from genetic facsimiles. Does a clone deserve a chance to speak its mind Can a clone speak its mind? Gabby is too lonely to think otherwise. Laura is too angry to consider such an option.
Altogether, this volume is fun. It does feature a whole lot of talking (Gabby), on account of a secondary character being mute, but the writing is crisp and continuous. Laura's interior dialogue comes and goes but mostly serves its purpose. And the growing conflict between Laura and Gabby's philosophical approaches to their work is handled with care (if resolved somewhat glibly with a train full of turkeys. . .).
Olortegui on art duties is solid. Page composition is really good, making it embarrassingly easy and natural to track characters as they move from page to page. One wonders why so many cape comics struggle with this. In any case, Olortegui's knack for good composition and production design (e.g., Beast's lab, a villain's holographic specs, a giant mechanical arm . . . on a train), take X-ASSASSIN up a notch.
Leave it to a cyborg assassin to show some of the X-Family's most brutal warriors how important it is to nurture personal growth. X-ASSASSIN is a solid, compact volume of superhero action. So many trade paperbacks have divergent or split narratives it's frustrating, but Laura and Gabby's adventures stay true to the book's mission statement of giving readers a raw taste of the underside of mutant-hero work.
Hunting, debunking and arresting scientists and theorists in genetics and immunology isn't exciting work — by nature ¬¬— but the game is afoot when an inhuman assassin with an electromagnetic weapon bulldozes Laura and then leaps out of a 12-story window. Good times.
Further, Gabby, ever one for action but never not a child with her heart on her sleeve, pushes back when Laura establishes a binary ethos of dealing with genetic clones. Laura wants to scrub the clones from the face of the Earth, Gabby wants to be their friend. Something's gotta give.
X-ASSASSIN spends a lot of time orchestrating the value these young women must adjudicate when investing their hearts as well as their fists into solving the problem of saving the world from genetic facsimiles. Does a clone deserve a chance to speak its mind Can a clone speak its mind? Gabby is too lonely to think otherwise. Laura is too angry to consider such an option.
Altogether, this volume is fun. It does feature a whole lot of talking (Gabby), on account of a secondary character being mute, but the writing is crisp and continuous. Laura's interior dialogue comes and goes but mostly serves its purpose. And the growing conflict between Laura and Gabby's philosophical approaches to their work is handled with care (if resolved somewhat glibly with a train full of turkeys. . .).
Olortegui on art duties is solid. Page composition is really good, making it embarrassingly easy and natural to track characters as they move from page to page. One wonders why so many cape comics struggle with this. In any case, Olortegui's knack for good composition and production design (e.g., Beast's lab, a villain's holographic specs, a giant mechanical arm . . . on a train), take X-ASSASSIN up a notch.
June 30, 2024
Dushy Gabby Badger is even more annoying this time around. How am I supposed to feel any suspense when she dives into battle with no care in the world? Every character has super healing and is invincible, so that just makes all fight scenes predictable. And what about those names? 'X-assassin' is the best they could come up with. They don't make comics like in the old days.
Laura and dushy Gabby Badger are still doing their thing, looking into scientists who are doing genetic researching that can help create clone soldiers. Don't these girls have the universe to save like real X-Men? Three scientists turn up dead, so the girls want to find out whodunit. While trying to protect a fourth target they encounter what might be the new generation of clone soldiers, this time enhanced with cybernetics. The duo capture the assassin, but soon find they need to keep her safe from a team sent to neutralize her.
Laura and dushy Gabby Badger are still doing their thing, looking into scientists who are doing genetic researching that can help create clone soldiers. Don't these girls have the universe to save like real X-Men? Three scientists turn up dead, so the girls want to find out whodunit. While trying to protect a fourth target they encounter what might be the new generation of clone soldiers, this time enhanced with cybernetics. The duo capture the assassin, but soon find they need to keep her safe from a team sent to neutralize her.
September 21, 2019
Our two favorite bladed clone sisters return here for not only a myriad of violence and craziness, but also for some very emotional strife. Couldn't imagine this book not having the both of them though.
In "X-Assassin", Laura and Gabby are targeted by a new cyborg clone of them dubbed TUOKS. Given all of the combat prowess, but none of the healing capabilities, she causes the sisters to spilt on what to do with her. Gabby always sees the good in things and being the gentle soul she is, takes it upon herself to try to form a sisterly bond with TUOKS. Laura, on the other hand, knows that this is another elaborate plot launched by Robert Chandler (who created them both, and we've seen in the previous Volume) and his new company Med-X Tronics. During the fight, TUOKS turns against her creator, but unfortunately, she and all the other cyborg clones are destroyed in a self-destruct incident. Gabby, upset about what happened, takes the new codename Scout (TUOKS backwards in a way) and leaves.
In "Dear Gabby", Laura goes off in search of her sister, which only causes more fights over what makes "a sister" when more clones should be found. Gabby is angry because Laura doesn't value her opinion on the subject, and she goes off to take on her own mission. Read this tale, because I'm only going to say this: X-Turkeys with healing factor. LOL
Another good Volume, but I'm anxious to know what will happen to these characters after the House/Powers of X event. Till then... recommend. X-23 will bring a smile to your face.
In "X-Assassin", Laura and Gabby are targeted by a new cyborg clone of them dubbed TUOKS. Given all of the combat prowess, but none of the healing capabilities, she causes the sisters to spilt on what to do with her. Gabby always sees the good in things and being the gentle soul she is, takes it upon herself to try to form a sisterly bond with TUOKS. Laura, on the other hand, knows that this is another elaborate plot launched by Robert Chandler (who created them both, and we've seen in the previous Volume) and his new company Med-X Tronics. During the fight, TUOKS turns against her creator, but unfortunately, she and all the other cyborg clones are destroyed in a self-destruct incident. Gabby, upset about what happened, takes the new codename Scout (TUOKS backwards in a way) and leaves.
In "Dear Gabby", Laura goes off in search of her sister, which only causes more fights over what makes "a sister" when more clones should be found. Gabby is angry because Laura doesn't value her opinion on the subject, and she goes off to take on her own mission. Read this tale, because I'm only going to say this: X-Turkeys with healing factor. LOL
Another good Volume, but I'm anxious to know what will happen to these characters after the House/Powers of X event. Till then... recommend. X-23 will bring a smile to your face.
November 14, 2019
Read as single issues. I am sad to see this series end as Wolverine (the best Wolverine, Laura Kinney) is one of my favorite X-Men. This second story arc is a letdown after the first one, with Laura and Gabby tracing the origins of an assassin who appears to be made from a clone like themselves. I am further sad to see this series end because the last couple of pages gave me real hope for further adventures and storylines featuring these two characters. Mariko Tamaki really captured the love the two sisters have for each other, and the empathy that Gabby feels for those who are trapped in bad situations, like she herself once was. The story made me laugh more than once, and a little misty-eyed as well. A good read, just not up to the heights that other X-Men storylines have reached.
Time to see what Wolverine is up to now, as Fallen Angels issue #1 hit today as I write this in November...
Time to see what Wolverine is up to now, as Fallen Angels issue #1 hit today as I write this in November...
January 4, 2026
Clones clones clones clones beast clones clones clones cyborg clones clones clones clones evil doctor from previous storyline clones clones clones clones clones clones clones clones clones turkeys clones.
Another disappointment after the excellent All-New Wolverine run, this book focuses on clones X-23 and Gabby having different reactions to an army of their cyber clones, and how it affects their relationship.
I've loved the X-23/Gabby dynamic but everything from Tamaki's run felt off. I just didn't believe in her version of either character.
The art in this volume was a step-up from the perfectly fine art in the previous volume. Diego Oleortegui has a great sense of space, and his page layouts are always great, sometimes excellent. I'm going to keep an eye out for his work.
While this isn't terrible, I still don't think I can recommend it for fans of Laura and Gabby's adventures. If you're a fan of dynamic page layouts, though, this is worth checking out.
Another disappointment after the excellent All-New Wolverine run, this book focuses on clones X-23 and Gabby having different reactions to an army of their cyber clones, and how it affects their relationship.
I've loved the X-23/Gabby dynamic but everything from Tamaki's run felt off. I just didn't believe in her version of either character.
The art in this volume was a step-up from the perfectly fine art in the previous volume. Diego Oleortegui has a great sense of space, and his page layouts are always great, sometimes excellent. I'm going to keep an eye out for his work.
While this isn't terrible, I still don't think I can recommend it for fans of Laura and Gabby's adventures. If you're a fan of dynamic page layouts, though, this is worth checking out.
March 15, 2022
I’m disappointed that Tamaki’s run ended so soon! She clearly had a strong handle on Laura and Gabby, two clone-sisters with shared trauma. Tamaki explores both of these themes, honoring previous storylines while also giving Gabby, now with a new codename, some much needed development. Gabby was often just the comic relief (a great one, but still), and this time, she is impacted differently, and in ways Laura can’t fully understand. This was one of X-23’s stronger stories.
I wasn’t a big fan of the art team’s work. Olortegui's pencils are fine, but something about his facial expressions were off to me. The inker’s hatching also bothered me, and Laura’s outfit feels like it’s out of the 90’s - not something sensible, tactical Laura would wear.
It seems like I’m caught up on X-23 for now. I’d love a Gabby / Molly Hayes team up book someday.
I wasn’t a big fan of the art team’s work. Olortegui's pencils are fine, but something about his facial expressions were off to me. The inker’s hatching also bothered me, and Laura’s outfit feels like it’s out of the 90’s - not something sensible, tactical Laura would wear.
It seems like I’m caught up on X-23 for now. I’d love a Gabby / Molly Hayes team up book someday.
June 6, 2019
I read this second volume as single issues. It was more personal, more about the X-family, and I really liked those moments.
The whole X-Assassin arc was brilliant and sad. I love the relationship between Laura and Gabby but I appreciate how they approach their clone origins in different ways.
The last issue was strangely light but I don't mind. It put their lives in perspective, I feel, and has given them a purpose and a drive to move on.
The art is gorgeous again. The covers are to die for. I loved being immersed in this world with these characters. Going to go find some more X-23 to read now.
The whole X-Assassin arc was brilliant and sad. I love the relationship between Laura and Gabby but I appreciate how they approach their clone origins in different ways.
The last issue was strangely light but I don't mind. It put their lives in perspective, I feel, and has given them a purpose and a drive to move on.
The art is gorgeous again. The covers are to die for. I loved being immersed in this world with these characters. Going to go find some more X-23 to read now.
October 5, 2020
This was decent, but also a bit more of the same, with Laura and Gabby going after the same type of scientist guys (the exact same scientist guy as before in one of the stories) working for the same kind of evil medical tech company with a bunch of the same kind of private military force protecting their X-23 clone research and weapons. The second story was better than the first, with Laura and Gabby fighting about how to best deal with future clones.
I’ll miss these characters having their own book.
I’ll miss these characters having their own book.
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