The Exiles need to save Orphan-Maker before Orchis can crack his armor! Find out if Sabretooth can lead his team in Sabretooth and the Exiles #2 by Marvel Comics!

SABRETOOTH AND THE EXILES #2 (OF 5)

Writer: Victor LaValle
Artist: Leonard Kirk
Colorist: Rain Beredo
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Editor: Mark Basso
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 21st, 2022 

Previously in Sabretooth and the Exiles: Sabretooth broke Krakoa’s law and was sentenced to the Pit of Krakoa. After his escape, he abandoned the other people in the Pit and was promptly captured by Orchis. The other Exiles chased after him and arrived at the Orchis’ prison, where Sabretooth freed himself, and Orphan-Maker was taken. Sabretooth now teams up with the other Exiles to save Orphan-Maker before he destroys the world.

Sabretooth and the Exiles #2 begins with Nekra Sinclair beating up Sabretooth to establish who is leading this team. Sabretooth realizes he is not healing, and his sense of smell and hearing is gone. Elsewhere, Dr. Barrington and The Creation tries to break into Orphan-Maker’s armor but cannot do any damage. Orphan-Maker talks to Dr. Barrington and reveals that only he can take off his armor. Dr. Barrington then tries to convince him to rebel against what Nanny taught him.

Meanwhile, the Exiles break into the Orchis base and find a ton of mutant prisoners. As they plan their next step, The Creation reveals that Orphan-Maker nearly killed Dr. Barrington when he started to take off his helmet. To prevent an end-of-the-world event, Third Eye teleported everyone to the astral plane to try and change reality.

I am intrigued by this new mutant, Third Eye. He was introduced this year, and I don’t know the scope of his abilities yet. But his power displayed in Sabretooth and the Exiles #2 has drastic implications. In fact, many of these characters have crazy powersets that make Sabretooth seem unremarkable. It is hard to root for Sabretooth. I’m not a fan of the villain as a hero trope, but he really has no place bossing everyone around. This concept is exemplified because his powers seem to be gone. My interest lies in the power dynamics of these characters and what they can do together as a team.

The art style seemed run of the mill for current Marvel titles. The backgrounds tend to be pretty straightforward, but I like the character designs in this issue, specifically of Nekra and The Creation. They are dynamic on the page, and I can’t wait to see them in action. On top of that, the colors of the Third Eye teleporting them to the Astral Plane captivated the eye. Great work by the creative team.

Sabretooth and the Exiles #2 appeals to me on a meta-level. I want to know how this comic fits into the larger X-Men world. At the end of this comic, I expect Sabretooth to still be evil. Still, there may be some interesting character development within the other characters. With that in mind, Sabretooth and the Exiles #2 is a 3.5 out of 5 stars.