Ultimate X-Men/Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1
Writer: Aron E. Coleite & Joe Pokaski
Penciler: Dan Panosian & Mark Brooks
Inker: Danny Miki & Troy Hubbs
This is an intriguing annual with two sets of writers and two sets of artists.
I get the sense that the half featuring the future X-Men, is by Aron Coleite and Mark Brooks (for the most part). And frankly, that half is by far superior to the rest of the book — the future versions of the X-Men are very cool and even feature a nice twist.
Unfortunately, the other half featuring the Fantastic Four (ostensibly by Joe Polaski and Dan Panosian) is way too cute for my likings — adorable teenagers reminiscent of the Scooby gang.
Jinkies, Wolverine, I can’t find my glasses!
Have you read this issue? Share YOUR thoughts below…
From Marvel (preview): “Who can stop the future X-Men from killing today’s Fantastic Four? Who else…the future Fantastic Four! Witness the revelations that have torn this young family of adventurers apart. And this is only the beginning as Ultimatum changes the very landscape of the Ultimate Universe!” On sale September 10, 2008.
Wolverine News
-Ultimates 3 #5: Is this long delayed issue going to finally arrive this week? Yup.
UPDATE: Nope… postponed to September 24th.
Probable Wolverine Appearances This Week
-Uncanny X-Men #502 (preview): Wolverine unleashed…
-Marvel Adventures the Avengers #28 (preview): Wolverine makes the cover at the very least…
-Marvel Apes #2 (preview): No Wolverine appearance confirmation, but a cameo is likely…
Ultimate Origins #4
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Butch Guice
With Wolverine featured on page one of Ultimate Origins #4, one would think he would have a starring role this month.
But one would be wrong, most egregiously wrong.
Wolverine’s single-page cameo aside, we do delve deeper into the back story of the Ultimate Universe and set the stage for Ultimatum.
And as interesting as that may be, I am concerned that if Ultimatum doesn’t arrive soon, we are all going to lose interest before it even gets here.
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Have you read this issue? Share YOUR thoughts below…
From Marvel (preview): “Continuing the shocking exploration of the dark side of the Ultimate Unverse! For the first time we learn: How did Nick Fury become Nick Fury? How did the Hulk become the Hulk? And, finally, how did a baby Peter Parker connect to it all? Plus: the Ultimate Watcher has appeared and he is here to witness the Ultimatum!” On sale September 10, 2008.
Secret Invasion #6
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciler: Leinil Yu; Inker: Mark Morales
Imagine, if you will, Secret Invasion as a four-issue summer crossover.
That would have rocked.
But instead, we are left with this bloated and padded eight-issue monstrosity that never seems hit its stride.
Last issue held such promise, promise that this issue fails to deliver upon.
We are left waiting, yet again, for the big battle.
Perhaps Marvel and Brian Bendis should take a look at James Cameron and the marvelous scenes he cut from Terminator 2 and Aliens for the sake of pacing.
Because I’ve reached a point where I just don’t care about this story anymore.
As for Wolverine, he utters only two sentences and serves as background for most of the issue.
Have you read this issue? Share YOUR thoughts below…
From Marvel: “EMBRACE CHANGE! With these words, the Skrulls have made their intentions clear but not everyone thinks they sound all that bad. Which heroes and icons are hell-bent on defending the Earth from the invasion, and who thinks a new era has dawned for mankind? The final double-page spread of this issue will send chills down your spine, and that is a promise!!” On sale September 10, 2008.
Wolverine: Saudade
Writer: Jean-David Morvan
Artist: Philippe Bouchet
Translation: Alexandra Hain-Cole
Adaption: Larry Hama
Wolverine: Saudade is an English translation of a French Wolverine one-shot produced a few years back, taking place during the Grant Morrison ‘New X-Men’ run.
It’s very European in feel, very offbeat and in my opinion, quite good.
It has an emotional center that I find missing from many of Marvel titles nowadays and the final four pages pack a powerful wallop that I wasn’t quite expecting.
I’m not sure this is what I would want every month, but for this month at least, it suffices quite nicely.
Have you read this issue? Share YOUR thoughts below…
From Marvel (preview): “Presented for the first time in North America: an amazing tale by two of Europe’s top creators, starring one of the world’s most popular super heroes! While on holiday in Brazil, the X-Man known as Wolverine has his motorcycle stolen by a group of young boys — one of whom has a secret. When a brutal gang kidnaps the boy, Logan sets off on a quest to find him — leading to a deadly encounter with a corrupt faith healer who may not be what he appears! WOLVERINE: SAUDADE is a vicious saga of bloody revenge as only Wolverine can deliver!” On sale September 10, 2008.
From 2008 to 2009, Wolverine Files highlighted, in chronological order, iconic Wolverine covers and their homages. Want to start at the beginning? Click here…
Deathblow and Wolverine #2 is a personal favorite of mine and one not all that well known.
Back in 1996, Marvel Comics and Image crossed over two of their most popular characters in a story that takes place in the early days of the new X-Men. The artwork by Aron Wiesenfeld and Richard Bennett is simply breathtaking, and the second issue, from February 1997, sports an especially impressive cover…
…with an even more impressive opening spread from the first issue…
…and some truly spectacular original art from the second (and final) issue from the collection of Tim Townsend.
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Previous Classic Wolverine Cover: Classic X-Men #1 | Next: Marvel Holiday Special 1991
Want to see the Classic Wolverine Covers from the beginning? Start here…
Wolverine Files features every Wolverine’s TV appearances in order, continuing with #4…
Night of the Sentinels, Part II, the second episode of the X-Men animated series, aired on November 7, 1992 and concluded the opening story.
This is a very strong episode dealing with honor, consequences and death. And a terrific argument between Wolverine and Cyclops is reminiscent of the old days of the new X-Men.
Best Wolverine line of the episode (among many), “Hey Tin Woodsman. I’m sending you back to Oz… in pieces.”
<<< X-Men 01: Night of the Sentinels, Part I | Next: X-Men 03: Enter Magneto >>>
Don’t faint.
I finally updated 006: The Lost Years, covering Logan’s time during World War I and the 1920s.
Check it out and let me know what you think!
Wolverine News
–Wolverine: Origins Sneak Peak: Prologue to ‘Original Sins’ comes out September 24th with sneak preview art above…
Probable Wolverine Appearances This Week
-New Exiles #11 (Preview): Hydra Wolverine vs. Exiles Sabretooth.
-Secret Invasion #6 (preview): Wolverine appearance confirmed.
-Ultimate Origins #4 (Preview): Ditto.
-Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four Annual (Preview): Future Ultimate Wolverine.
-Wolverine: Saudade (Preview): European import by Jean-David Morvan and Phillipe Bouchet
Marvel: Your Universe Saga #1
Cover: Tom Raney
Writer: Madison Carter
I missed this free recap of the Marvel universe last week.
As you can see, Wolverine graces a very cool cover by Tom Raney, and the summary of events by Uatu the Watcher is most welcome for those like me who do not read every comic in the Marvel Universe.
Make sure to ask your local comic book store for a copy next time you’re in.
From Marvel: “Featuring a complete look at the major Marvel events of the last five years, as narrated by Watcher, this is your chance to catch up on everything! Is it all connected? What’s next? These answers and more arrive in Marvel: Your Universe! Plus, Marvel: Your Universe contains preview material from the new Marvel Handbook hardcovers along with never-before-seen handbook material! And did we mention that this 32 page must-read comic is absolutely free? That’s right True Believers, Marvel: Your Universe is your guide to comics’ most popular universe and absolutely free! ” On sale August 27, 2008.
