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