Marvel Celebrates Wolverine’s 50th Anniversary with “Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk”
Marvel is set to commemorate Wolverine’s fiftieth anniversary by unveiling a pivotal chapter in the life of his nemesis, Sabretooth. This new series, described by its creator Frank Tieri as “Gangs of New York, but with Sabretooth,” transports readers back to the early 1900s, marking another episode in the villain’s bloody legacy.
Insights from AIPT’s X-Men Monday
During a recent installment of AIPT’s X-Men Monday interview series, Frank Tieri revealed the first details about his upcoming series, “Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk.” Scheduled for release at the year’s end, the story picks up after the dramatic conclusion of the “Sabretooth War,” which wrapped up Wolverine’s Krakoan Era storyline. With Sabretooth having met his demise at the end of the War, this series takes a retrospective journey into the past.
This new installment also acts as a sequel to Tieri’s previous work, “Ruins of Ravencroft: Sabretooth,” a crucial read for those invested in the Wolverine-Sabretooth rivalry.
“Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk” – A Marvelous Journey Back in Time
Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk – Written By Frank Tieri; Available In December From Marvel Comics
In a conversation with AIPT, Frank Tieri shared the inspiration behind “Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk” and its historical backdrop. This series emerges as a continuation of his earlier work, driven by the recent demise of Sabretooth in the Marvel Universe’s present timeline. Tieri explained:
“It’s Wolverine’s 50th anniversary, so of course, I had to be involved, right? [Laughs] The idea came from editor Mark Paniccia, who has always appreciated my portrayal of Sabretooth and wanted to collaborate on something extraordinary. The challenge was that Sabretooth was set to die, which meant crafting a story set in the past, where that little ‘death’ detail wouldn’t be an issue.”
By unveiling more about “The Dead Don’t Talk,” Tieri has significantly amplified anticipation among fans for this series.
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Tieri highlighted that while the prior series showcased Sabretooth working for Mr. Sinister, the sequel places him in the heart of the Five Points NYC criminal underworld. Tieri’s reference to Martin Scorsese’s “Gangs of New York” isn’t just a nod to the era but serves as the foundation for the series’ storyline, aiming to craft a Marvel version of this classic tale.
Blending History with Comic Book Action
The Gangs of Marvel’s New York
Much like Marvel’s “Gang War” crossover event, Tieri’s “Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk” will present an early 1900s version of rival criminal factions vying for dominance in New York City. While paying homage to Scorsese and real history, Tieri promises not to miss any opportunity for comic book spectacle. He offered a glimpse into his upcoming book’s world:
“Exploring a setting like this lets you see what a Marvel version of Gangs of New York looks like. You have a mix of typical gangs and some not-so-typical ones. There’s a gang using steampunk tech, another inspired by the American Revolution’s Captain America, and even a ‘Frankengang’ stitched together by an ancestor of one of the good doctors. Dropping Sabretooth into this mix is like tossing a ton of TNT into a forest fire – the explosion impacts not just the criminal underworld but all of 1900s NYC.”
Amidst this chaos, Sabretooth is set to ascend to power in New York’s underworld.
The series will unravel the mystery of how and why Sabretooth rose to prominence, paralleled by Wolverine’s present-day discovery of his enemy’s historical impact on New York City crime. Tieri shared with AIPT:
“We begin with Wolverine, learning about past events alongside him. We start with him at Satan’s Circus, the oldest bar in the Big Apple, sipping a drink after Sabes’ funeral. He notices old photos of Five Points gang members on the wall, and Sabretooth is among them! How can this be? Logan, and we, start uncovering the violent, secret history of his greatest foe, known as ‘Mad Dog’ Murphy, setting us off on this thrilling journey.”
The excitement of the series lies in unveiling “Mad Dog” Murphy’s exploits as Wolverine does, potentially reshaping our view of their enduring rivalry.
The Next Chapter in the Sabretooth and Wolverine Saga
Essential Prequel Reading: “Ruins of Ravencroft: Sabretooth”
Frank Tieri is no stranger to crafting Sabretooth’s narrative. He advised eager fans to delve into “Ruins of Ravencroft: Sabretooth” while awaiting “The Dead Don’t Talk.” The upcoming series directly spins from events in this prequel. Marvel’s teaser images for the new book hint at revisiting the previous story’s events, offering more than just plot insights, but a deeper understanding of how Tieri portrays Wolverine and Sabretooth.
Fans can rest assured that Wolverine’s fiftieth anniversary year will conclude with an exhilarating and, naturally, bloody chapter in the history of his greatest adversary, Sabretooth.
In conclusion, Tieri’s adept handling of their dynamic, voices, and the complex narrative promises to meet the high standards set by Benjamin Percy’s “Sabretooth War.” While readers anticipate more details, they can confidently expect a thrilling conclusion to Wolverine’s milestone anniversary with Sabretooth.
Source: AIPT’s X-Men Monday
Wolverine
The human mutant Wolverine (a.k.a. Logan) was born James Howlett, blessed with a superhuman healing factor, senses, and physiology. Subjecting himself to experimentation to augment his skeleton and claws with adamantium, Logan is as deadly as he is reckless, impulsive, and short-tempered. Making him the X-Men's wildest and deadliest member, and one of Marvel Comics' biggest stars. He's played in Fox and Marvel's movie franchises by Hugh Jackman.