By Jason Aaron and Daniel Way (writers) Adam Kubert and Tommy Lee Edwards (art), Mark Farmer (inks), Edgar Delgado, Mary Hollowell, and Paul Mounts (colors)
The Story: This two-part swansong of Wolverine wraps up its two stories, as we prepare to see the series renamed “Dark Wolverine” next month. The first story concludes the family soap-opera centering around a biker gang as Wolverine goes from playing social worker to sacrificial lamb. The second part of this arc, a day in the life of Wolverine, concludes as Spider-Man has a super-hero intervention with Wolverine for his obsessive work habit.
What’s Good: This issue is a mixed bag. I suspect that hardcore Wolverine fans are so hot-blooded about Logan lately that Marvel could release a Wolverine playing water-sports on a Caribbean vacation to rave reviews and high sales. So, if you’re an adamantium addict, this issue will give you a quick fix as it is standard Wolverine fair, chock-full of softie with gruff exterior, one-liners, and of course, opening his claws into the bad guy at just the right time.
The other highlight of this issue in my mind is his team-up with Spiderman, that takes place in the second story. I love the way these characters interact and just by default, there is a lot of humor that naturally surfaces between the two. When done right, I think the Wolverine/Spider-Man team-up is one of the best in comics.
As I said with the last issue, Tommy Lee Edwards’ art is great in this arc, especially given the fact that the scenery rarely changes as he is limited to a few scenes and settings. Also, Kubert’s art is typically classically executed and detailed. I am no student of illustration at all, but I’d say his work here lands in the same family as John Romita Jr.
What’s Not So Good: Well to be blunt, both stories are really flat-lined affairs. I wish I could think of a different adjective for the first story besides “stupid,” but I can’t. It so mentally devoid, Daniel Way had to literary explain the whole plot through Wolverine’s inner monologue. Also, none of the plotlines and character relationships were resolved at all, save for Wolvie gutting the bad guy, as Way explained, at the end. The ending made no sense to me and involved traceable bullets from some guy who we didn’t even see shoot Wolverine.
As for the second story, although I appreciate Spidey and Wolverine having a heart-to-heart, this particular episode in their friendship was very forgettable. It involved Spidey telling Wolverine a bunch of things about himself that Wolverine already knows. The whole premise of this story was built on an uninspiring premise about Wolverine’s work ethic. Not that his commitment to the uniform is spurred by a sense of justice, revenge, wrath, anger, or duty, but rather, because he doesn’t want to face his issues. I know writers in the past have used that dynamic to explain his destructive personal life like the drinking and the relationships, but it seems like a let down for denial to be his major motivation for being a superhero.
Conclusion: I’m sure that there will be many fans that will enjoy this book simply because it is a Wolverine story that pulls the heart-strings a little. However, I think if one looks at this book objectively, it’s obvious that there is very little merit here, save for some of the art. I know this is a new era for the Wolverine franchise as this title changes creative direction, but this is far off from being a decent sendoff to Wolverine from his own series. By the way, can anyone tell me why the second story is entitled “A Mile In My Moccasins?” Doesn’t Wolverine wears boots?
Grade: D+
-Rob G.
Filed under: Marvel Comics, Reviews | Tagged: Adam Kubert, Comic Book Reviews, Comics Books, Daniel Way, Edgar Delgado, Jason Aaron, Mark Farmer, Marvel Reviews, Mary Hollowell, Paul Mounts, Tommy Lee Edwards, Weekly Comic Reviews, Wolverine, Wolverine #74, Wolverine #74 - Review | Leave a comment »
Weekly Comic Book Review 