Wolverine #2 – Review

By Jason Aaron (writer), Renato Guedes (artist), Matthew Wilson (colorist)

The Story: His soul now trapped in Hell while his possessed body walks the Earth killing those closest to him, Logan is forced to answer for a lifetime of murder by battling his victims before they can break him completely.

The Good: After what I felt was a decent, but rather mediocre first issue, I’m pleased that Aaron has jacked up the intensity and made this issue a much more entertaining read. It never ceases to amaze me that writers continue to find new things to do with Wolverine, especially considering how often he is used and abused in comics, and Aaron stands poised to pull off one of the most audacious Wolverine tales to date. Which is good! I like creators who are willing to sound off like they’ve got a pair and take these well-worn characters and do ridiculous shit with them because, when done right, that makes for the kind of entertainment that will keep me coming back month after month.

The thing that struck me about this issue was how creepy it was. Aaron imbues every page with details that underscore just how out of his league Logan really is. When Logan observes how there’s no passing of time, how he’s not actually breathing, or how his claws are once again bone and his healing factor has been compromised, you realize that he has, for all intent and purpose, been rendered powerless in a very mortal way, and part of the strength of this issue comes in watching Logan fight past his limitations and overcome what can only be described as the most insurmountable odds he has ever faced. This is the foundation of good storytelling. Aaron is fully aware of this, I’m certain of it, and I’m ready to trust him to take this story to the next level. Why, you ask? Well, just go back and look at that splash page of Sabretooth’s fate and tell me that didn’t get under your skin just a little bit. And just when you think you’ve got this story figured out and know what to expect next, Aaron pulls off one of the most ridiculously outrageous (and I really do mean that in a good way) cliffhangers I’ve seen in awhile and reminds you why you need and want to see what he comes up with next.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Atlas #5/ Avengers: Prime #3 – It was a thin week and nothing really floated to the top for me, but if forced to take a stand, I’d say Atlas #5 (for the continuing originality) or Avengers: Prime #3 (for the art alone).

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #11 – return of the Black Lanterns, origin of the new Aqualad and the secrets of the Firestorm Matrix revealed? Are you kidding me? Sign me up! PS: I know some people (including me) have been dissatisfied with the speed at which Brightest Day is rolling out, but issue #10 really felt like the wind had filled the sails again.

Other Top Picks: Other Top Picks: Uncanny X-Force #1, Chaos War #1, JSA All-Stars #11, R.E.B.E.L.S. #21

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Avengers Prime #3 – Fun stuff.  This comic had the moment of the week (for me) when Steve Rogers with a makeshift sword and shield saves a naked Tony Stark (who is riding a horse bareback) from ogres.  And, the Steve, Tony & Thor are now together.  This should be a lot of fun going forward.

Most Anticipated: S.H.I.E.L.D. #4 – This is just a packed week, but I’m most excited about seeing the next chapter in Hickman’s mind-bending story starring Leonardo da Vinci.

Other Top Picks: American Vampire #7, I Zombie #6, Scalped #41, Orc Stain #5, Chaos War #1, Uncanny X-Force #1, 28 Days Later #15, Incorruptible #10, Taskmaster #2

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Action Comics #893 – Action Comics is quickly becoming my favourite book from DC.  The main feature was as good as always, awesome robot Lois and all.  That and it reaffirmed my love for Gorilla Grodd and also proved that he is completely underused.  Of course, at this point, Action Comics’ high quality isn’t news.

The real story here though is Nick Spencer’s Jimmy Olsen back-up, which was pure and unadulterated fun accompanied by equally fun artwork.  It was utterly delightful and I also really enjoyed Spencer’s take on Chloe Sullivan.

Most Anticipated: American Vampire #7 – With a cliffhanger like last month’s, I can’t wait for the next installment of Scott Snyder’s vampire epic.  I’m really curious to see how Sweet and Pearl fit into this new arc and what they’ve been up to.  If you haven’t been following this title, get to it!  It’s really, really good and one of the best new series of the year.

Other Picks: Wolverine #2, SHIELD #4, Madame Xanadu #27, Unknown Soldier #24, Sweet Tooth #14, Secret Six #26, Brightest Day #11, Scalped #41

Joe’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: The Stuff of Legend: The Jungle #2 – Mike Raicht, Brian Smith and Charles Wilson III have created a children’s tale for adults that can be best described as a mash-up of the plot of Toy Story with the dark and serious tone of The Neverending Story.  Wilson’s sepia-toned artwork never ceases to please and the script jumps from one nail-biting moment to the next as our heroes confront some dangerous foes this time around.  Not only will I be reading his again and again down the years, but my future kids can count on their dad reading this to them as well.

Most Anticipated: Richard Stark’s Parker: The Outfit HC – In a week where American Vampire, Uncanny X-Force and Secret Six are all released, you’d think it’d be difficult to choose which new comic I’m extremely excited about.  Darwyn Cooke proves that thought wrong by unleashing his second hardcover adaptation of Richard Stark’s Parker series upon the world.  Cooke’s clean, stark (pun intended) interpretation of Stark’s film noir world is a tour de force, and the artwork alone is worth the hype.  Lucky for us we get a kick-ass story, too, all wrapped up in a beautiful hardcover.  Wednesday can’t come soon enough.

Other Picks: Avengers Academy #5, S.H.I.E.L.D. #4, Shadowland: Spider-Man #1, Taskmaster #2, Uncanny X-Force #1, Wolverine #2, Back Issue Magazine #44, American Vampire #7, Brightest Day #11, Red Hood: Lost Days #5, Secret Six #26