Wolverine: Get Mystique
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Ron Garney
Jason Aaron explores the themes of Wolverine and Mystique, and forges a yin and yang rivalry as a result!
Ranking: 5 stars
The concept of Yin and Yang relationships between characters is an literary device as old as time. When a character has a rival that is both similar and opposite to him/her, it allows for a fountain of interesting parallels emerge. The writer can choose whether or not to put more emphasis on the similarities or differences between the two characters, but either way, the reader is often presented with an interesting rivalry that is both believable and compelling when it is executed well. Such uses of dualism have made for famous rivalries throughout literature, ranging from Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, as well as Batman and the Joker. If there were a comic book character famous for having multiple dualistic rivalries, it would be the mutant known as Wolverine. Wolverine’s animalistic impulses have been paralleled with rouges like his life long nemesis Sabertooth, the Japanese crime lord Shingen Yashida, the incredible Hulk, and now the blue-skinned mutant shapeshifter Mystique in the incredible WOLVERINE: GET MYSTIQUE. The book is written by Jason Aaron, a man who started out working in dead-end jobs before winning a contest that Marvel held to see who could write the best Wolverine story. Out of all the stories sent in, his was chosen to be published, and since then he has become one of the biggest contributors to Wolverine’s character. Because of the fanfare around Aaron’s Wolverine run, I decided to collect the Ultimate Collection editions of Wolverine run (similar to what I did for Grant Morrison’s NEW X-MEN run, and JMS’s AMAZING SPIDER-MAN run). I had read this story years earlier in a single graphic novel, but since the story was one of the first in the collection of Wolverine stories, I decided to reread GET MYSTIQUE. After having read it for a second time, not only do I feel that it still holds up well, but is actually much better than when I first read it. Set after the events of MESSIAH COMPLEX, Wolverine journeys through the scorching mountains of the middle east with one objective, to track down and kill Mystique. A former long-time foe of the X-Men, Mystique recently joined the team, but soon betrayed them to Mr. Sinister’s Marauders. Although the X-Men were able to defeat Sinister and retrieve the new mutant baby, Mystique was able to slip away in the confusion, leading to Wolverine’s manhunt for her. As he follows the traitorous shapeshifter, Mystique is able to stay one step ahead of him in this game of cat and mouse by using her shapeshifting abilities to deceive and sacrifice innocents in her place. But Mystique’s recent betrayal may not be the only reason that Wolverine seeks vengeance, as it is revealed that the two have not only known each other since 1921, but also shared a complicated relationship of love, lies, and betrayal. Set in conjunction with the chase in the present day, Wolverine and Mystique are revealed to be more alike than Logan would wish for. Hungry for Mystique’s blood, will Logan be able to prove that they’re not the same, or will he prove that Mystique was right about him all along by achieving the vengeance he desires? What makes GET MYSTIQUE more than the standard chase story is that it not only provides an in-depth analysis of Wolverine and Mystique, but also creates a parallel between the two characters that writers had not yet explored before. The two characters are both mutants who have lived longer life spans due to their healing factors, and through their experiences have learned not to trust anyone. Whenever they have decided to trust others, it often ends with betrayal or death. But despite the obvious parallels between the two characters, Aaron also emphasizes how Wolverine and Mystique are also very different from each other. While Wolverine acknowledges that he is flawed, he tries to retreat from his inner animal by working to make up for his mistakes. He finds sanctuary with the X-Men as he feels that their cause allows him to become something better than himself. Mystique on the other hand, embraces her sinister nature, as she is willing to use her shapeshifting abilities to manipulate, lie to, or murder others in order to survive. So while Wolverine tries to redeem himself for his mistakes, Mystique continues to make the same ones. With this story alone, Aaron creates a powerful rivalry between the two characters that easily molds Mystique into one of Wolverine’s greatest enemies. Alongside the yin and yang symbolism between the two characters, Aaron also focuses on the central themes of Wolverine and Mystique’s characters. For Logan, the focus of his existence is the underlying theme of pain. Ironically, while Logan possesses a healing factor that allows him to survive virtually any injury, Wolverine has experienced more pain than any character in the Marvel universe. As we learn from his narrations in this comic, Wolverine’s healing abilities do not prevent him from feeling the pain from every gunshot, stabbing, burning, or any damage that has been done to his body. He has had to endure more than any human being could take, yet he understands that he must accept that the pain is part of being him, and that he is what he is. It was from this book that I learned more about Wolverine’s character in the comics than I had before. Never before would I’ve imagined that he felt physical pain despite his healing factor, or that he has never gotten used to being gunshot (and he’s been shot at his whole life). This knowledge allowed me to develop more sympathy for Wolverine as he has endured so much pain, and yet forces himself to cope with it and accept that it hurts being him. I also felt that Aaron provided great insight to Mystique’s character as well. Born with blue skin, Raven Darkholme has been an outcast her whole life. Distrusted even among her fellow mutants, Mystique uses her shapeshifting powers to manipulate people and events to her advantage, even at the cost of innocent lives. What makes her an interesting villain is that because she is able to take on the appearance of anyone else, she has no actual life of her own, forcing her to steal it from others. Aaron places heavy emphasis on Mystiques selfish and sinister nature throughout the story. In the past, she is willing to sacrifice her own gang of two-bit criminals and Wolverine for her own personal gang. As she is being pursued throughout the Middle East by Wolverine, she uses her mutant powers in different situations in order to prevent him from getting to her. She impersonates Logan and kills a Muslim woman, causing the villagers to shoot down the actual Wolverine, as well as disguises herself as a nun sheltering orphans so that people in the background would retaliate if Wolverine attempted to attack. Aaron also provides symbolism to her final confrontation with Wolverine, and while it also serves as fan service (those who’ve seen the movies know what I’m talking about; which I have no problem with), it shows Mystique’s resolve to fight after being accused of cowardice. Overall, WOLVERINE: GET MYSTIQUE serves not only as an epilogue to the MESSIAH COMPLEX event, but as an interesting character study that deviates from the average chase story. Jason Aaron not only explore’s the central themes that surround Wolverine and Mystique’s characters, but forges a dualistic rivalry from their similar and different characteristics. Readers who crave action can find a thrilling cat and mouse story, while readers looking for deeper insight on characters can find an interesting rivalry between two characters that have been fan favorites among the X-Men community. Either way, WOLVERINE: GET MYSTIQUE is an experience that should not be overlooked. “Accept your dark side, understanding it will help you to move with the light. Knowing both sides of our souls, helps us all to move forward in life and to understand that, perfection doesn't exist.” ― Martin R. Lemieux
