Wolverine #12 – Review

by Jason Aaron (writer), Renato Guedes (pencils), Jose Wilson Magalhaes (inks), Matthew Wilson (colors), and Cory Petit (letters)

The Story: The story is revealed behind another of the Red Right Hand, as is the demonic source of their power.  Meanwhile, Wolverine finds himself in a two-on-one fight to the death.

What’s Good:  Did you like Jason Aaron’s Ghost Rider?  If you did, you’re going to absolutely love this issue, because that’s the Jason Aaron we get this month, in force.

Between the insane violence, the gruesome satanic rituals, the hooded cultists, the animal parts, and the creepy possessed kids, this is Aaron heading back to the world of grindhouse horror.  That’s a very good thing, because it’s something he does very well and it’s very distinctly his own.  It makes for a Wolverine comic that’s far from the norm.  It’s creepy, gruesome, and has a grimy, over-the-top, low budget feel.

Going along with this is Aaron’s twisted humour.  The two villains we get this month are, as usual, demented in concept and brilliant and comedic in dialogue.  There’s also a gag in this issue relating to how one of the Red Right Hand’s members seeks catharsis that is…well…it’s hilarious and it feels like something Garth Ennis would come up with.  The visual image we get from this sequence is, in itself, unbelievable.

Much like the last two months, Aaron also gives us a flashback to recount the history of one of the Red Right Hand’s faithful.  Thankfully, he does deviate from the formula a bit here.  The flashback is a single prologue an isn’t spread throughout the issue, and it’s also much more contemporary.  It’s also very different insofar as what Wolverine is guilty of.  This month, Logan’s wrong is entirely accidental and unbeknownst to him.  While he’s looked like a monster over the last couple of months, here, he’s just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Superboy #9 – I haven’t always been high on this series, but over the last couple of months, Jeff Lemire’s Superboy has really hit its stride.  Lemire has found his voice or superhero comics and, more importantly, the unique take he brings to the medium.  The weird sci-fi/horror that Lemire does so well is on display here and while he’ll be leaving the book come September, it bodes well for his upcoming Animal Man and Frankenstein books.  This also happens to be Pier Gallo’s strongest showing on the series, who apparently does weird sci-fi/horror better than anything else as well.

Most Anticipated: Captain America #1 – It’s been a while since it was so easy to pick a “most anticipated,” and it’s actually a pretty big week, featuring several personal favourites (Journey into Mystery, Detective Comics).   However, a pairing of Brubaker and McNiven on Cap?  And the return of Steve Rogers to the shield?  Oh, hell yes.  I cannot wait to get my hands on this.

Other Picks: X-Men: Schism #1, Journey into Mystery #625, Detective Comics #879, American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #2, FF #6, PunisherMAX #15, Flashpoint: Frankenstein & the Creatures of the Unknown #2, Wolverine #12, New Avengers #14, Green Lantern #67, Amazing Spider-Man #665

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: X-Men #14 handily took this week’s crown with some great reveals, quick action and not a small bit of unfolding mysteries. Art chores were awesomely done and if you have a hankering for seeing what the X-Men were like in the old days, then this is your book.

Most Anticipated: X-Men Schism #1. Although I’m a tiny bit worried by Marvel’s “a full roster of comics’ top artists” (whatever happened to the days of just one artist?), schism looks cool enough to check out and the events in X-Men #12-#14 are making this event look big.

Other Picks: Ghost Rider #1, Defenders: From the Marvel Vault #1, Uncanny X-Force #11