A few months ago, I decided to test moving weekly Wolverine news and reviews to the Wolverine Files Facebook page (also displayed as a module on the right side of this page).
The upside for me was twofold. One, to expose Wolverine Files to a new audience on Facebook, something that has worked phenomenally well as we have over 5,700 Facebook fans to date. And two, to make it quicker for me to post Wolverine reviews and news (it takes me about a minute per post now versus the 15 minutes it took me on the website).
The downside, of course, is that while traffic is up on the website, the weekly posts on the website have dwindled to a few per month.
Unfortunately between work and several writing projects I am working on, I have come to the realization that in the coming months, this situation is only going to get worse.
So I need to announce that moving forward, ALL Wolverine news and reviews are moving to Facebook and that I will be making a concerted effort to complete the Wolverine Files chronology up through the end of the original Byrne-Claremont run. This will result also in a change to Wolverine Files homepage in the near future to focus entirely on the chronology itself.
The good news is that you can ‘Like‘ Wolverine Files in the Facebook module on the right and see those updates automatically on your daily Facebook news feed.
The bad news is that some of you don’t use Facebook, and for that I apologize. But if I am going to make a legitimate run at getting published, something had to give.
So let me take this opportunity to thank the many of you who have been here from the start and invite you to be as active as you have in the past on Facebook.
DiG…
Wolverine: The Best There Is #7 (no preview)
Writers: Charles Huston
Art: Juan Jose Ryp
From Marvel: “Bullets! Flames! Acid! Bombs! Wolverine’s healing factor has gotten him through it all. So how is his desiccated body locked away in a quarantine capsule on Utopia, on the verge of death? And what does Emma Frost see when she uses her telepathic powers to peer into Wolverine’s broken mind? Discover the sickening truth in WOLVERINE BEST THERE IS # 7!”
On sale June 27, 2011.
This was definitely better than previous issues, but that’s not really saying much.
It’s frankly too much of a caricature of the Wolverine and the X-Men, with an overly glib script and an absolutely ridiculous new look for Logan.
And if the Facebook comments are any gauge, I’m not the only one who doesn’t care for this series.
Wolverine #11 (preview)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Pencils: Renato Guedes
Inks: Jose Wilson Magalhaes
From Marvel: “Wolverine’s Revenge, Part 2: First, Wolverine was sent to hell. Then he was forced to fight for control of his own mind against demonic invaders. All thanks to the machinations of a mysterious group called the Red Right Hand. Who are they and what is their grudge against Logan? And how do they hope to survive now that Wolverine has come looking for some revenge of his own?”
On sale June 22, 2011.
This is a stellar issue.
Everything that didn’t work last issue, worked this issue.
The flashback story is heartfelt and touching, striking a perfect balance between revenge and remorse.
And the last page provides a link from the past to the present storyline started back in Wolverine (2010) #1.
Jason Aaron, I tip my cap to you.
Wolverine #10 (preview)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Pencils: Renato Guedes
Inks: Jose Wilson Magalhaes
From Marvel: “Wolverine’s Revenge, Part 1: First, Wolverine was sent to hell. Then he was forced to fight for control of his own mind against demonic invaders. All thanks to the machinations of a mysterious group called the Red Right Hand. Who are they and what is their grudge against Logan? And how do they hope to survive now that Wolverine has come looking for some revenge of his own?”
On sale June 8, 2011.
I think the world of Jason Aaron.
In my opinion, he’s one of the best Wolverine writers, if not the best, in a long time.
Unfortunately, the story and pacing of “Wolverine’s Revenge, Part 1” just do not work for me.
We start with Wolverine’s bloody battle with a seriously D-list villain (Cannonfoot?!?), interspersed rather inelegantly with 12 pages of humdrum flashbacks. And the final page is so weak, one wonders if the printers forgot to print Aaron’s traditionally jaw-dropping cliffhanger.
Perhaps that’s what we get when Marvel cranks this series up to two issues in a single month.
Too harsh?
Wolverine/Hercules: Myths, Monsters & Mutants #4 (preview)
Writer: Frank Tieri
Art: Juan Santacruz
From Marvel: “It hasn’t exactly been easy for Wolverine and Hercules lately. As if combating the most fearsome creatures of ancient mytholgy weren’t enough, it’s worse when they’re all working for the Hand. With a band of zombie thugs to contend with, the sea monster Kraken unleashed, and Mastsuo and King Eurytheus at the helm, it’ll take more than godly heroics and mutant know-how to end this once and for all.”
On sale June 1, 2011.
To my mind, this series is the epitome of what is wrong with comics today.
It simply did not need to exist.
The comics universe would have been the richer for it not having been published. What little money was spent on it could have supported a much worthier title fighting for survival in such an oversaturated environment.
I mean, the writing was dreadful, and as far as I can tell, the theme of this series revolved around decidedly unfunny references to bad movies. And, the kicker is that the story retconned in on itself such that its non-existence would have gone unnoticed.
Aside from that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
Wolverine #9 (preview)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Daniel Acuna
From Marvel: “Wolverine’s been sent him to Hell, forced into a brutal rampage against the X-Men, and had his mind torn to shreds by demons. Finally free, Logan’s only got one thing on his mind – payback! First on his list, the woman who put the gears of hell in motion, Mystique. Except, Wolverine’s not the only one who’s got her in his sights. Lord Deathstrike, the unstoppable new assassin, enters the fray to tear Mystique to pieces. Can Logan claw his way to her first?”
On sale May 25, 2011.
“Get Mystique, Final Repose” picks up where last issue left off and aside from a slightly ridiculous new villain and a cheesy new communicator belt, Aaron and Acuna deliver the goods.
Especially the last page.
But seeing as how I’m a proud former owner of a 1968 British Racing Green Mustang, the second totaling of Wolverine’s Pony is especially painful.
Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #6 (preview)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Pencils: Adam Kubert
Digital Inks: Mike Roslan
From Marvel: “WOLVERINE IS THE NEW DARK PHOENIX! We’ll let that sink in… NOW RUN TO YOUR RETAILER AND MAKE THEM RESERVE YOU A COPY OF THIS COMIC!”
This finale is not at all what I was expecting.
It is not full of “Sturm und Drang”.
It is rather poignant, personal and provides a final unexpected twist that promises a very big confrontation for Wolverine in the future.
What did the rest of you think of it?
On sale May 25, 2011.
Wolverine/Hercules: Myths, Monsters & Mutants #3 (preview)
Writer: Frank Tieri
Art: Juan Santacruz
From Marvel: “Wolverine was annoying enough when he was made of flesh and adamantium, but now that he’s been turned to stone by Medusa, he’s causing Hercules nothing but serious back pain. Unfortunately for Herc, the only person who can help him hangs out at the Café du Mort… too bad the clientele are so reanimated!”
On sale May 4, 2011.
While the concept of Hercules carrying around a stone Wolverine is rather amusing, the story has more of a sitcom feel than I prefer…
Wolverine: The Best There Is #6 (preview)
Writers: Charles Huston
Art: Juan Jose Ryp
From Marvel: “Wolverine’s healing factor has gotten him through some tough times, but its limits are put to the test when he’s caught by Contagion, a man nurturing a deadly obsession with unkillable mutants. However when Logan discovers the true purpose behind the torturous experiments he’ll wish he could have died on the slab.”
On sale May 4, 2011.
Was there a point to this story arc?
I mean, seriously.
What was the point?
The update for 012: Team X is now live, including several highlights of the chronological contradictions brought on by the stories of Larry Hama and Daniel Way.
For reference, we’ve launched version 4.0 of the following chapters (with more to come soon!)…
Wolverine Files Chronology: Overview of the chronology and the best place to start…
–000: Whence Came The Wolverine: Wolverine’s behind-the-scenes origin at Marvel…
–001: Lil’ Logan: Logan’s original childhood before ‘Wolverine: The Origin’ was published…
–002: The Howletts: Logan’s earliest days as young James Howlett…
–003: Days of Whine and Roses: James Howlett becomes young Logan…
–004: Dog, Sabretooth and Silver Fox: Logan’s first encounter with Sabretooth and Silver Fox…
–005: The Amazing Skunk-Bear: Logan’s life with the Hudson’s Bay Company…
–006: The Great War: Logan’s time during World War I…
–007: The Roaring Twenties: Logan’s experiences during the 1920s…
–008: The Thirties: Logan’s adventures during the 1930s…
–009: Wax On, Wax Off, Master Ogun: Logan’s training as a ninja and a samurai…
–010: World War II: The ever-growing chapter of Logan’s WWII experiences…
–011: Landau, Luckman & Lake (and Jasmine Falls): Logan’s life after WWII…
–012: Team X: Logan’s time with Sabretooth, Maverick and Wraith