(Re-)Read for background during [b:The X Lives & Deaths of Wolverine|59220662|The X Lives & Deaths of Wolverine|Benjamin Percy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1633429930l/59220662._SX50_.jpg|93360765] & Live of Wolverine event of 2020. ( )

Okay, first of all, it was not my intention to check out any books for myself, let alone three comic books. I was actually looking for comic books for Jefferson, but everything was either too babyish or too adult. Then there was Kitty Pryde & Wolverine, and as Kitty is currently my favorite X-Man, I had to get it.

I didn't realize when I chose it that this was a "retro" issue. But even had there not been a big deal made in the introduction that this was a reprint of a series over twenty years old, it would have been immediately obvious on the very first page, even to a superhero comics n00b like me. Both the art style and the storyline felt so very 80s. (As they were.) Kitty Pryde runs home to her family after having her heart broken by Peter Rasputin, only to find her father enmeshed in some sort of scandal with Japanese bankers/Yazuka/renegade sumo wrestlers. (Seriously, if they missed a Japanese trope or stereotype in this story, I would be shocked.) Kitty tries to come to the rescue, but is kidnapped. Wolverine tries to come to her rescue, but Kitty has been brainwashed (by a magical samurai, of course) and attempts to kill him. Mayhem ensues.

It's a good story despite? because of? the old-fashioned feel. The characters of course don't mesh perfectly with the Whedon-led Astonishing reboot, but they mostly feel true to their cores, except for maybe some teen drama hand-wringing from Kitty in the beginning. Also, it's nice to see Wolverine in love with someone in a way that deviates from the loyal dog following Jean Gray around.

Fun, especially for those who enjoy the Japanese-flavoured violence. Not essential. ( )