C2E2 Report: Wolverine – 3 Months to Die

 

Though I didn’t plan it this way, my final panel of C2E2 was Marvel’s Wolverine: 3 Months to Die. And while I regret not being able to see a couple of the later panels, I can’t say that it was a bad note to go out on. Full of interesting questions and big announcements, it was definitely one of the most exciting panels of the weekend. And so with that in mind, I’ve decided to skip ahead and write about it early.

Before beginning, Mike Marts warned us that, “in true Marvel fashion you should stay till the end of the credits. And on that ominous note he introduced our panelists, Charles Soule, writer of nearly everything including The Death of Wolverine and Thunderbolts; Jason Latour, writer of Wolverine and the X-Men; Russell Dauterman, the artist on the upcoming Cyclops ongoing; Jordan White, the fantastically mustachioed editor of Deadpool and Thunderbolts; Mahmud Asrar, the artist on Wolverine and the X-Men; and Greg Pak, who might have seemed a strange addition to those who had not yet heard the rumors.

The panel started with Dauterman, who was unequivocal in his glee and honor at being invited to work on Cyclops alongside Greg Rucka. Dauterman attributed much of his love of the X-Men, Marvel, and comics to X-Men: The Animated Series. With an impish gleam in his eye, Jordan White immediately leaned forward and invited us to take part in a ukulele sing-along of the show’s classic theme song, despite its lacking any discernible words. Unfortunately the internet has thus far failed in its basic purpose by not providing a video of the event, though a quick search can probably turn up video of other instances. Regardless, take my word that it was extremely well received.

Marts then turned to Wolverine and the X-Men. He asked Mahmud Asrar who his favorite character to draw was. Asrar had trouble with the question, saying that they’re all growing on him, but settled upon Storm. Latour mentioned that the series has been juggling quite a bit but that we’re getting to the point in the opening arc where things start to fall.

Then Marts pulled up the covers for Wolverine 8-12, the titular “3 Months to Die” storyline, one at a time. I imagine the reaction was just about exactly what Marvel was hoping for but, of course, it’s hard to deny the striking power of the images.

While the first of “3 Months to Die”’s five issues drops in June the title is entirely literal, as Charles Soule’s The Death of Wolverine will be released weekly in September. Soule described the miniseries as hitting fast and hard and explained that it would consider how Logan explores his own mortality after over a century of life and relative safety. He also revealed that each issue will look at a different time in Logan’s life and, by extension, another Wolverine.

Wolverine: Old Man Logan Giant-Size #1 – Review

By Mark Millar (Writer), Steve McNiven (Pencils), Dexter Vines w/Mark Morales (Inks), and Morry Hollowell (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I’ll be honest and admit that I’m pretty torn about the conclusion of Old Man Logan before even reading a single page of it. Why? The $4.99 price tag.

The Story: Logan gets revenge against the Hulk clan…

What’s Good: As far as violent, brutal confrontations go, Logan’s strike against the members of the Hulk family is top-notch. The blood flies early and often as Logan’s rage is let out in full force. It’s entertaining as hell and suitably epic from start to finish.

While Mark Millar tosses in some cool dialogue here and there (“People piss themselves when I get angry.”), the majority of Giant-Size Old Man Logan is almost entirely a showcase for the talent of Steve McNiven and his art team. McNiven’s pencils are nearly flawless and do an excellent job of detailing the carnage that Logan unleashes. Simply put, the gore is something to see for those that like it bloody. Also, thanks to Morry Hollowell’s colors and the inking done by Dexter Vines and Mark Morales, nothing gets lost in all the chaos. Everything pops off the page in a way that really shows what McNiven is capable of.

The action is what you should buy Giant Size Logan for, but that doesn’t mean that action is all the book has to offer. Mark Millar wraps his tale up rather well and leaves the door wide open for more exploration of the universe that he’s created. In addition, a few of the slower moments of Giant-Size Old Man Logan deliver what I like to call “poster-worthy moments,” courtesy of Steve McNiven and his team. Wolverine staring at the Hulk kids, claws out… quite badass and iconic if you ask me.

What’s Not So Good: The biggest problem I have with Giant-Size Old Man Logan is how quickly it’s over. For $4.99, the comic is one hell of a fast read. Sure it’s pretty satisfying and damn impressive looking as a whole, but the extra padding that is supposed to help justify the price tag (cover images and pencil/ink work) just simply isn’t worth the extra buck.

Another complaint I have is that, occasionally, Steve McNiven’s storytelling seems to be a bit off. There’s either a jump in the action or the panel/page is a bit hard to follow. The best example of what I’m talking about comes when something tears through members of Hulk’s family. I’m still not entirely sure exactly what takes place in that scene or even how that scene came to be.

Conclusion: The great-looking Giant-Size Old Man Logan definitely caps Millar’s Wolverine arc well. That said, I’m not entirely convinced it’s worth the price tag. Check it out, but just be aware that, outside of the visuals, you aren’t getting as much as you might think for your five bucks.

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny

Wolverine #72 (Old Man Logan Chapter 7) – Review

By Mark Millar (Writer), Steve McNiven (Penciler), Dexter Vines & Jay Leisten (Inkers), and Morry Hollowell w/ Nathan Fairbairn & Paul Mounts (Colorists)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: “Old Man Logan” is definitely going to go down as one of the most memorable Wolverine stories ever told. The concepts, the characters, and the crazy action sequences come together in a way that recalls some of the best blockbusters of all time. Sure it demands that you accept a few things in order for the story to work to the fullest effect, but I’m more than willing to do so since the entertainment factor is so high.

The Story: As the Red Skull, the current President of the “Old Man Logan” version of the U.S., contemplates and remembers the past in his trophy room, he receives two bodies and the super-soldier serum that got Hawkeye executed and Logan gunned down. But one of those bodies isn’t quite dead yet…

What’s Good: AWWW SNAP! Yeah I hate the expression too, but it fits Wolverine #72 so well that I just had to use it. While I won’t explain why the expression is so adequate in order to avoiding spoiling the fun, I will say that, from start to finish, the seventh chapter of “Old Man Logan” is just a blast to read and look at. It’s jam packed with moments that are memorable both visually and as part of one hell of a fun story.

Mark Millar does a particularly great job of handling the Red Skull’s personality. Evil, satisfied, cocky, arrogant, and even reflective; the Red Skull’s appearance gives the arc yet another memorable twist on the Marvel universe. From the opening with Captain America to the brutal trophy room showdown, the Red Skull absolutely dominates the book in a way that I didn’t expect.

As for the artwork…well what more can be said, really? It looks about as fantastic as expected and is unrelentingly brutal in a way rarely seen in a non-MAX title. The big fight scene is extremely satisfying and ends with a visual that won’t soon be forgotten.

What’s Not So Good: The only real big negative about Wolverine #72 is how fast it reads. It’s over in a flash and leaves you wanting more. And unfortunately, who knows when more will come considering how long the wait has been in between issues.

Conclusion: The latest part of “Old Man Logan” may just be the best yet in some ways. It isn’t deep, but it sure is a hell of a lot of fun. The visuals are memorable, the Red Skull is awesome, and the shit…well it finally gets real.

Grade: A

-Kyle Posluszny

Wolverine #73 – Review

By Jason Aaron and Daniel Way (writing), Adam Kubert (pencils), Mark Farmer (inks), Justin Ponsor (colors), Tommy Lee Edwards (art)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I totally understand Marvel’s intention with this issue of Wolverine. Coming off the movie launch, Marvel expects there to be new readers looking for a Wolverine title. Since it’s obvious that Millar’s Old Man Logan arc might not be the easiest for these newbies to consume, this is a wise decision by  Marvel. Look what happened with the Dark Night when new readers flocked to get the current Batman title and ended up reading Morrison’s R.I.P.

That being said, and Marvel’s reasons being sound, it is still a let down to not be reading Old Man Logan this month. O.M.L. is a classic in the making and this is a forgettable tale that reads mostly like a movie trailer. Anyways, let’s get to…

What’s Good: This issue is broken down into two parts, and Adam Kubert drew the heck out of the first one! (Disclaimer: I don’t know what that means but I’ve read people using that phrase so I ‘m giving it  a try). Seriously, every scene of the “day in the life of Wolverine” montage was great; full of detail, and in some cases, nostalgia (who can forget the classic Punisher, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider JRJR drawn tale? Oh, wait- You did, didn’t you? Just admit it).

The second part is drawn by Tommy Lee Edwards which I really enjoyed mostly because it reminded me of Marvel 1985.

What’s Not So Good: If you’ve noticed, I haven’t mentioned much about the story because in the first part, there is actually no story, and in the second part, it isn’t all that captivating. The story centers around Wolverine and some old biker friends who have some of the worst nick names I’ve ever heard of: Ram, Level, and Horror-Show, for example. Horror-Show’s son is in some kind of trouble. See, he and his mom and dad used to use drugs and now the father is clean but the son isn’t and after all this exposition that borders on sleep-induction, Wolverine decides to have an intervention with the son.

Besides the boring story, the characters are really off. Horror-Show is supposed to be some reformer or socially-conscious activist bike gang leader. Kinda hard to believe. Wolverine also has some weird lines. For example, when a guy is about to pull a gun during a bar fight, Wolverine says, “I wouldn’t! An’ you shouldn’t.” WTF?!

Conclusion: Great art and bland story delivered cold for this excursion into the Wolverine mythos. That being said, I do think new readers will enjoy this story enough to keep them plugged in. And new readership is a good thing for all.

Grade: C

-Rob G

Wolverine #70 (Old Man Logan) – Review

By Mark Millar (Writer), Steve McNiven (Pencils), Dexter Vines & Mark Morales (Inks), and Morry Hollowell & Justin Ponsor (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: Simply put, Wolverine #70 is,  in many ways, a make or break point for the entire “Old Man Logan” arc. While I’ve enjoyed the slow burn storytelling, the unique setting, and the rather fresh take on Wolverine, I’m ready for some answers. And considering that the entire storyline is based around the “What If?” styled premise of Logan being a pacifistic farmer, there had better be a damn good reason behind the berserker’s rather unique (taking his past into account) new lifestyle choice. The ball is firmly in Mark Millar’s court. Time to find out if he can deliver something that finally makes the fundamental concept of “Old Man Logan” truly satisfying.

The Story: How much can I really say without spoiling the surprise? In Wolverine #70, Mark Millar finally reveals the reasoning behind Logan’s decision to keep his claws inside for over fifty years. As you probably guessed, the reasoning involves lots of bloodshed and general brutality.

What’s Good: While I have a few complaints about the big reveal, the good definitely outweighs the bad throughout the entire issue of the latest “Old Man Logan” chapter. And the credit for that goes almost entirely to Steve McNiven and his team. The action during the big flashback is brutal, visceral, violent, and extremely satisfying; thanks to the outstanding and surprisingly memorable visuals. It goes a long way towards making up for the rather simplistic story by keeping the reader engaged enough so that the focus is more on the ride than the details. I know that sort of sounds like a negative, but it actually works in the book’s favor quite a bit if you think of the arc as the comic equivalent of a bombastic blockbuster/popcorn flick.

What’s Not So Good: I know that more than a few people are going to take issue with the explanation for Logan’s pacifism. And in all honesty, I don’t think I can blame anyone that does. Long story short, the whole plan the villains use against Wolverine just doesn’t stand up to scrutiny all that well. In addition, the chaos that results from the plan seems to ignite far too easily considering all the factors that seem to be at play. I could go into a bit more detail about why the events are frustrating to me, but I could end up spoiling something. And I wouldn’t want to do that.

Conclusion: Wolverine #70 rocks as long as you don’t think about it too hard.  That said, in regards to the grade, I still have to acknowledge the lingering disappointment that exists in the wake of the big reveal.  My suggestion? Just open it up, soak in the bloody visuals, and enjoy the ride…

Grade: C+

-Kyle Posluszny

Wolverine #67 (Old Man Logan) – Review

By Mark Millar (writer), Steve McNiven (pencils), Dexter Vines (inks), Morry Hollowell and Christina Strain (colors)

The first things that’ll come to your mind after reading this issue is: That cover was really misleading. Who did Peter Parker “pork” to get a daughter like that? And, wow… nice outfit.

I’m not going to ruin anything for you, but this is the future story of the Marvel Universe that only Mark Millar could tell. The book reeks of his ability to shock, charm, and entertain you on an almost effortless level. The odd part is, thus far, Logan’s been nothing but a “Negative Nancy”. He’s an old, defeated dog who broods about his business and avoids confrontation. But I suppose the fun part is waiting for the proverbial “pot to boil” and see him unleash hell down the line. If it doesn’t happen, color me surprised. But you know what? I think keeping him restrained is not only a challenge to the character, but to the Millar, himself.

If you’re expecting a ton of Wolverine goodness, forget it. Hawkeye does most of the heavy lifting (even driving), and for a blind man, that’s pretty impressive. But if you think that’s all silliness, wait till you see what he does in the middle of the issue – it’s hands down, one of the funniest and most memorable moments in comics that I’ve read all year. Millar has a knack for that between this book and Kick-Ass (and if you read issue #3 of that series, you know what I’m referring to).

Steve McNiven and his creative team are again at the top of their game, handing us some beautiful pedestrian moments and plenty of striking imagery. It’d be easy to play this story close to Earth X (design-wise), but thanks to the color palette and more “dirty” design work, that’s been completely avoided. McNiven creates a color cast of misfits of all shapes and sizes and its this uniqueness that sets him apart from other artists of his caliber. The details he puts into his panel work will have your eyes scouring for easter eggs and clues of this strange world. This comic is fun, and in the end, that’s all we readers really want. (Grade: A-)

– J. Montes

Marvel 1985 #2 – Review

By Mark Millar (story), Tommy Lee Edwards (art), John Workman (letters)

The Stilt-Man will never, ever, be an A-list villain. Every now and then, some writer tries to “reinvent” him, and it always fails. The Stilt-Man will never be scary. But in the latest issue of 1985, in a simple five-panel sequence, Tommy Lee Edwards shows us how strange and wondrous it might really be to have an 80-foot cyborg stride across a suburban working-class neighborhood, silhouetted against the setting sun. So hats off to Edwards for another beautiful job.

This issue continues the theme set forth in the first: a group of super-villains, and at least one hero, have somehow been transported from the Marvel Universe as it was in 1985 to the “real” world. It’s unclear whether these are the original 616 characters, or doppelgängers created by some mutant power in “this” universe. Judging from the clues Millar keeps dropping, I suspect it’s the latter… and that Toby’s dad, his boyhood friend Clyde, and their monumental comic book collection have something to do with it.

Millar’s writing is spot-on, proving that while he usually goes for bombastic action, he can also do subtle scenes of human interest. My big gripe with the book is the one I often have with stories where kids run into mythical creatures and then try to convince adults to believe them. The scene where Toby tells his dad about the Hulk is frustrating because if my son told me he’d seen the Hulk, and he really believed it, I’d rush him to the hospital and have them check for brain damage, because that’s what a loving parent would do—should do—in the real world. But of course for the purposes of the story, Toby’s dad’s disbelief (or apparent disbelief; he may know more than he’s saying) is only an impediment to the plot. For me, at least, it punctures my suspension of disbelief and reminds me that what I’m reading is only fiction.

Other than that, though, the book is very good. The pace is gaining steam, and the sense of danger slowly ratcheting upward. At the end of the book, Sandman and Electro show up to demonstrate just how terrifying these rather average villains would really be if they were to show up at somebody’s home.

The task of putting supermen in the mundane world is a tricky one; the writer is always balancing on the razor’s edge between the sublime and the ridiculous. Will Millar drop the ball? So far he’s making it work, so I’ll just have to keep buying to find out. (Grade: B+)

– Andrew C. Murphy

Wolverine #66 (Old Man Logan) – Review

By Mark Millar (writer), Steve McNiven (pencils), Dexter Vines (inks), and Morry Hollowell (colors)

Not to make any comparisons or anything, but this book really reminds me of Alex Ross and Jim Krueger’s Earth X maxi-series from 10 or so years back.

We’re 50 years into the future where the planet’s been overrun by super villains. How Earth’s heroes fell is not explained, but Wolverine is one of the few heroes to survive the war and continue on. He has a rural, pedestrian life now – raising pigs, two kids, and burdened with the task of finding rent money. He’s a tired, old man trying to live out the rest of his days in peace.

But when hard times fall on Logan and he can’t come up with the rent money, he endangers the rest of his family. With a proposition from an old friend, Logan decides to take a trip out from the wastelands of Sacramento to the East Coast. As timid as Logan is about this job, he knows it’s the only way to keep his family safe.

If you’re expecting a huge, fast-paced romp like Mark Millar’s “Enemy of the State” storyline (which is probably the last great Wolverine story I’ve read), you’re going to be disappointed. This is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Wolverine is a man who’s made peace with himself and the past. He’s a pacifist and because of that it allows the story to grow. We all know this pacifism isn’t going to last. Eventually, Wolverine’s going to go berserk and that’s part of the fun – seeing how much he can take before that feral instinct takes over.

Millar’s story moves very quickly. A lot of the dialogue is strictly expository, but very much needed for this dystopian future. Also, the geographical map of the United States shows the political restructuring of the land, and like a good roadmap, it clearly shows what’s in store for Logan and his partner. Steve McNiven’s artwork is a feast for the eyes. Even with the bland desert-like setting, there’s plenty of life to be seen within the characters. It’s painfully obvious that a lot of care went into designing them, their environment, and the outfits. It’s also pleasing to see Dexter Vines and Morry Hollowell continuing to stick around as McNiven’s support team. Without them, this book wouldn’t look half as beautiful as it does.

Old Man Logan is not a mind-blowing debut, but it will fill you with lots of intrigue. The story’s properly set up and the production values are top notch. Coming from the team who did Civil War it’s hard to really doubt the lack of quality we’ll be receiving as the story progresses. I can’t wait to see how this ties into Millar’s Fantastic Four run and/or 1985. This is like Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven – but Wolverine style! (Grade: B)

– J. Montes