Wolverine Week-17-in-Review: That’s a Whole Lotta Wolverine Comics…

Wolverine (and Dark Wolverine) appeared in ELEVEN FREAKIN’ TITLES this past week (April 22, 2009).

So to help with the workload, Brian Knippenberg and the man known only as jrpbsp (even to his family) have written up in-depth reviews for:

As for the rest of the titles that they were too lazy to review, here are my non-in-depth thoughts…

Wolverine: First Class #14 coverWolverine: First Class #14
(details | thread)
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Ronan Cliquet

Much like the previous issue, we are treated to a story more in line with ‘Marvel Team-Up’ starring Wolverine, Daredevil, Elektra and Kitty Pryde.

And the absurd demonic mask plot would feel more at home in ‘Jackie Chan Adventures’ than in First Class.

The art, too, is surprisingly pedestrian.

Just look at the first two panels of page two. Quick, which one is Wolverine and which one is Elektra? I honestly had to stare and compare the two to figure out who was who. Obviously, Elektra is in desperate need of a brow trimming.

Even Kitty Pryde, her friend Sarah, and Keli Saga look nearly identical.

Oh and the really cool cover? Has absolutely nothing to do with the issue.

Sigh…

Wolverine: The Anniversary #1Wolverine: The Anniversary #1 cover
(preview | thread)
“The Anniversary”
Writer: William Harms
Artist: Jefte Palo

Wonderful art by Jefte Palo, but the story by William Harms is rather run-of-the-mill. Wolverine travels to Japan by commercial airliner only to discover hijackers preparing for a 9/11-style terrorist attack.  What follows is fairly predictable on the one hand and over-the-top on the other. I mean, does Wolverine really need to claw his way from the belly of the plane to the cockpit — on the OUTSIDE OF THE PLANE?!?

“Ghosts”
Writer: Jonathan Maberry
Artist: Tomm Coker

Very sweet story, very beautiful artwork.

And Logan kills a ton of ninjas.

It doesn’t get much better than this…

New Avengers #52
(preview | thread)
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Billy Tan, Matt Banning and Justin Ponsor & Chris Bachalo, Tim Townsend and Antonia Fabela

Not much of a Wolverine issue, but entertaining regardless.

And the pages by Chris Bachalo simply rock…

Incredible Hercules #128
(details | thread)
Writers: Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente
Pencils: Dietrich Smith
Inks: Terry Pallot

Having enjoyed the old Hercules miniseries from back in the 1980s and the writings of Fred Van Lente in the present, I was looking forward to this issue and the Daken appearance herein.

Suffice it to say that the humor really didn’t work for me and I’ll be happy if there are no more Wolverine appearance (Dark or not)  in this series any time soon…

Wolverine: Weapon X FilesWolverine: Weapon X Files
(details | thread)
Head Writer/Coordinator: Jeff Christiansen

Another Wolverine handbook, but this time dedicated to many of the secondary characters to run through Wolverine’s past: Azrael; Daken; Deadpool; Kimora; Landau, Luckman & Lake; Maverick; Muramasa; Sabretooth; Seraph; Silver Fox; John Wraith; and Unceglia to name just a few.

There is no attempt to reveal anything new in the profiles or even to connect the dots but it is a useful guide if you are interested in Wolverine’s past and aren’t familiar with all of the names listed above.

That said, there is an interesting listing for John Howlett, Jr. (James Howlett’s older brother) that places the events of ‘Wolverine: The End’ firmly in the alternate universe of Earth 4011…

Marvels: Eye of the Camera #5 (preview) features a brief Wolverine cameo from Uncanny X-Men #200, while in X-Men: The Times and Life of Lucas Bishop #2 (preview), Wolverine’s image appears twice in generic flashbacks…

What do you think? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments below OR join in on the fun in the Wolverine Files Forums

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DiG
14 years ago

Got Rampaging Hulk… I have several comic stores within 30 minutes of me so I can usually track down any issue I am missing.

I do plan to review the bigger Wolverine Guides at some point… just haven’t gotten around to it.

14 years ago

Did you ever get Rampaging Wolverine?

Also, I know you are busy with work and I’m not trying to overwhelm you. (It’s just a question.) Do you have any time in the future or plans to buy either of the Wolverine guides? (Pocket Books Wolverine Files or DK’s Inside the World of a Living Weapon)

Just wondering. Take it easy. ^_^

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