Wolverine (2020) #20-25

 

Wolverine (2020) #20-25

Issue #20: Deadpool’s Disruption
The story kicks off with Wolverine on a mission to investigate a black market trafficking in Krakoan technology. However, his operation is derailed when Deadpool arrives uninvited, claiming to have vital intel on the smugglers. Despite Wolverine's reluctance, Deadpool tags along, bringing chaos and comedic mayhem. The investigation leads to Madripoor, where the duo uncovers a shadowy organization selling Krakoan technology to the highest bidder. Their discovery sets the stage for a larger confrontation, as Wolverine struggles to rein in Deadpool’s unpredictable antics.

Issue #21: The Auction Block
Wolverine and Deadpool infiltrate a high-stakes auction in Madripoor, where various criminal factions bid on stolen Krakoan technology. As the auction escalates, the two heroes clash over their differing approaches: Wolverine prefers stealth and precision, while Deadpool’s reckless humor and explosive tactics draw unwanted attention. The auction culminates in a violent showdown when a mysterious new villain, The Merchant, reveals their plans to use the stolen technology for a global black market empire. The issue ends with Wolverine and Deadpool barely escaping, but not without drawing the ire of Madripoor’s criminal elite.

Issue #22: An Unlikely Partnership
With tensions running high, Wolverine reluctantly agrees to continue working with Deadpool after realizing the Merc with a Mouth’s unconventional methods have uncovered leads he would have missed. The pair follows a trail that takes them to a hidden Madripoor lab, where they confront The Merchant’s hired muscle—enhanced mercenaries equipped with weaponized Krakoan tech. During the battle, Wolverine begins to suspect there’s more to The Merchant’s operation than just profit, hinting at a deeper conspiracy targeting Krakoa itself.

Issue #23: The Merchant’s Gambit
The Merchant escalates their campaign by launching a public attack on a Krakoan outpost, framing Wolverine and Deadpool for the destruction. This forces the two to go underground, dodging both Krakoan and Madripoor authorities while trying to clear their names. As Wolverine digs deeper into The Merchant’s operation, he discovers a disturbing connection to an anti-mutant extremist group funding the black market. Deadpool, despite his comedic persona, reveals unexpected depth by using his mercenary contacts to gather intel, proving himself a surprisingly valuable ally.

Issue #24: The Cost of Loyalty
Wolverine and Deadpool track The Merchant to a fortified facility where the stolen technology is being mass-produced. The infiltration mission tests their uneasy partnership, as Wolverine’s no-nonsense approach clashes with Deadpool’s chaotic but effective methods. The battle against The Merchant’s forces pushes Wolverine to his limits, and he begins to question whether Krakoa’s open borders and shared technology policies have made them too vulnerable to exploitation. The issue ends with a climactic encounter between Wolverine and The Merchant, where the villain reveals a personal vendetta against Krakoa tied to its political rise.

Issue #25: A Bloody Resolution
The arc concludes with an explosive showdown at The Merchant’s facility. Wolverine and Deadpool, finally working in sync, dismantle the operation and recover the stolen technology. However, The Merchant escapes, vowing revenge and leaving behind cryptic hints about larger threats to Krakoa. The aftermath sees Wolverine reflecting on his uneasy alliance with Deadpool and the moral compromises required to protect Krakoa. Deadpool, in a rare moment of sincerity, acknowledges his respect for Wolverine, hinting that their partnership might not be as temporary as Wolverine would like.

Thematic Exploration
This arc blends high-octane action with humor and moral complexity, exploring the consequences of Krakoa’s policies in a world where mutant technology is both a blessing and a target. Wolverine’s gruff seriousness contrasts sharply with Deadpool’s irreverence, creating a dynamic partnership that highlights their differences while proving their effectiveness together. Themes of trust, loyalty, and the price of progress are woven throughout, making this a story that is as introspective as it is entertaining. Wolverine (2020) continues to showcase the character’s depth and adaptability in a rapidly changing world.