Wolverine #63 – Review

By Jason Aaron (writer), Ron Garney (artist), Jason Keith (colors)

After a very rocky debut, Jason Aaron and Ron Garney unleash their second collaborative effort with Wolverine #63. Sadly, it’s more of the same. It’s well documented that I am a big fan of both creators. Jason Aaron’s work on Scalped is superb and Ron Garney has always delivered top notch art – especially on his latest Amazing Spider-Man run. There’s a persistant problem that’s plaguing this book and it’s not one, but both creators’ fault.

Ron Garney’s is the lesser problem and could easily be rectified. Get him a damn inker! I don’t know who’s decision it was to let him pencil this book without an inker, but it was a poor choice. The pencil work is, at times, muddy, uneven, and undefined. If you had an inker on this stuff it would undoubtedly look so much sharper. It’s a shame, too, because Garney is doing some excellent storytelling and it’s all going to waste.

Jason Aaron, however, is the bigger problem. Much like Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (the writers of X-Force), Aaron’s portrayal of Wolverine is just awful. Wolverine continues to trot around Asia and Africa on the heels of Mystique only to be fooled and foiled time and time again. There’s even a point where he actually catches up to her (again) and has a drink. He retardedly (is that a word?), like a James Bond villain explains the plans he has in store for her only to see her slip away (again). Is Wolverine really this stupid? How many times is he going to fall for this crap before he catches her? Why is Marvel’s editorial staff approving stories like this? You think just because a writer has a good resume it gives him free license to do what he wants? This is just awful work.

To be fair, there are a few moments that I liked. The flashbacks between Wolverine and Mystique are getting more interesting. Also, the scene where Wolverine’s looking for an excuse to smack down an American solider in Baghdad is pretty hilarious. But fleeting moments like these don’t make a good story. Until Aaron starts treating Wolverine with the respect he deserves, this book isn’t worth your $2.99. Sorry, this book fails, but I’ll give it a “plus” for humor and the flashbacks. (Grade: F+)

– J. Montes

Wolverine #62 – Review

By Jason Aaron (writer), Ron Garney (art), Jason Keith (colors)

A little rant before I begin. Wolverine has to be a Skrull. He’s in Europe in Uncanny X-Men, Afghanistan in his own book, New York in New Avengers, Running around X-Force in their book, and off in space in Astonishing X-Men. There’s no way he can be in that many places!

Because of his overexposure for more than two decades, let it be known that I’ve not bought a Wolverine comic off the stands since Wolverine #1 back in 1987. So what motivated me to pick up this issue? Three words: Aaron and Garney. If you’re not reading Jason Aaron’s Scalped, you’re missing out on one of the best Vertigo titles being published today. And Ron Garney? Well, I’ve been a fan of his since his Captain America days. I like his work so much that I also own a piece of his original art from his Amazing Spider-Man run. As you can see, picking this book up was very much a no-brainer to me.

But is it any good?

Our new creative team begins a story arc exploring Wolverine and Mystique’s past and present relationship. Now, I’m not good on mutant continuity as I used to be, but I had no idea these two knew each other since 1921! Is this something new or is this common knowledge?

In the present, Wolverine’s in Afghanistan looking for Mystique after the events of Messiah Complex and he’s determined to get his payback. He chases her across Africa and into Asia, and every time he gets close, she slips away. What I don’t understand is why Wolverine is running around in his X-Men uniform to all these places. I mean, doesn’t he want to at least try to blend in with the locals and get the jump on her? Because of logic problems like this, this first chapter ends on a disappointing note. Wolverine is not stupid, and yet he’s portrayed as a complete idiot. I really expected more from Jason Aaron, and so should Wolverine.

Garney’s art does not disappoint. But as good as it is, it lacks the refinement that Bill Reinhold gave it when they were together on Amazing Spider-Man. His Wolverine and Mystique, however, are excellent. Jason Aaron brings his trademark “natives speaking in languages we don’t understand” routine. He does this a lot in Scalped and he does it here, too. We get the gist of what the Mexicans and Afghanis are saying, but it’s never fully translated. As I said, his script is lazy and there are logic problems, but I have hopes that he’ll find his footing and turn things around. (Grade: D-)

– J. Montes