Sabretooth has freed himself from the Pit but has been kidnapped by Orchis! Find out if he can escape in Sabretooth and the Exiles #1 by Marvel Comics!

SABRETOOTH AND THE EXILES #1 (OF 5)

Writer: Victor LaValle
Artist: Leonard Kirk
Colorist: Rain Beredo
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Editor: Mark Basso
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: November 9th, 2022

Previously in Sabretooth: Sabretooth escaped the Pit of Krakoa after breaking the Krakoa law, “murder no man.” He left behind all the other people in the pit as he fled. The other exiles were set free to stop Sabretooth before he kills again. Unfortunately, Sabretooth has fallen into the hands of Orchis!

FOR THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE

Sabretooth and the Exiles #1 starts with Dr. Barrington working for Orchis and experimenting on mutants. Her logic is that mutants are not real people and can be used to progress science. She has caught Sabretooth, whose regeneration powers prove to help her experiments. Meanwhile, the other exiles track Sabretooth to an island. As they explore the island, they realize this is a dumping ground for dead mutants. Dr. Barrington then sends one of her experimental super-solider-type people to attack them and kidnap Orphan Maker. When Third Eye makes a psychic attack, Dr. Barrington decides to use a self-destruct protocol. Luckily, Sabretooth escapes his confines, finds a ship, and saves the other exiles.

ACTION-PACKED

I admit that I was skeptical about the cast of characters in Sabretooth and the Exiles #1. I was concerned that this would just be a murder-hobo fest without any nuance. It usually isn’t my cup of tea when we take the perspective of a villain as our protagonist. However, as each character is introduced, there is nuance to the character’s relationship to the plot and each other. It is also interesting to see such blatant racism toward mutants once again. Dr. Barrington’s words concerning mutants are gross, and the book draws a direct comparison to medical ethics and the persecution of black people. But I don’t know how well this theme will play out with characters like Sabretooth on this team.

The art is a pretty standard affair for Marvel, with a lot of gore added to make Sabretooth scarier. Perhaps the best visual was Madison Jeffries, a mutant I’m not familiar with, turned into a giant mechanical robot. Good work by the creative team on the writing, art, and coloring.

BOTTOM LINE: NOT A BAD START

I am glad that my skepticism for Sabretooth and the Exiles #1 was unfounded. This comic has a lot of potential to be a great series, and I am curious to see some character development for these Exiles. Sabretooth and the Exiles #1 is a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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