Wolverine and Jubilee #4 Open Thread

Wolverine and Jubilee #4 cover by Nimit MalaviaWolverine and Jubilee #4 (preview)
Writer: Kathryn Immonen
Art: Phil Noto

From Marvel: “When Jubilee finds herself in a lethal, gravitationally challenged badlands that make the Vatican vaults look like an exercise in simple living, she’s going to have to truly embrace her new abilities and her old allies to get out of there alive. Wolverine and Rockslide have got two tickets to this anti-paradise but before they can reunite with the kidnapped Jubilee, they’re going to have to get those tickets punched. Hard. They’re all about to come face to face with the master of the game but they won’t be playing by his rules… even if they knew what they were!”

On sale April 20, 2011.

I really liked this series up to point.

But I found the finale to be overly confusing and simplistic at the same time.

What’s up with this chaos land that Jubilee finds herself in? And the final battle is against a giant dragon?

Am I the only one confused here?

Wolverine #8 Open Thread: Jason Aaron Nails the Finale

Wolverine (2010) #8 cover by Jae LeeWolverine #8 (preview)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Daniel Acuna

From Marvel: “In the final showdown with the X-Men, Wolverine will fight a battle on two fronts. Inside his own head, Logan makes his last desperate stand against the demon hordes looking to burn his psyche to the ground. While outside, it’s demon-Wolverine in a fierce battle with Cyclops! Can Logan survive both engagements? And if he does, will he ever be the same? Find out here!”

On sale April 20, 2011.

I have been critical of Jason Aaron in the past on how he wraps up his storylines.

Not this time.

Aside from a few doors I wish had stayed shut, this is an outstanding finale.

And the last page is a perfect setup for what comes next.

Wolverine Files Update XLVI: Landau, Luckman & Lake (and Jasmine Falls)

The update for 011: Landau, Luckman & Lake (and Jasmine Falls) is now live, including an overview of the chronological contradictions introduced in Wolverine: Origins.

So in the past few months, 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…

‘Wolverine/Hercules: Myths, Monsters & Mutants’ #2: Open Thread

Wolverine/Hercules: Myths, Monsters & Mutants #2 coverWolverine/Hercules: Myths, Monsters & Mutants #2 (preview)
Writers: Frank Tieri
Art: Juan Roman Cano Santacruz

From Marvel: “Lions, Minotaurs, Medusas, oh my! Looks like Wolverine and Hercules have made someone angry this time. Matsuo—back from the dead—and his new partner in revenge, King Eurystheus, are raising mythical beasts from the dead hoping to take down the two heroes. It’s a knock-down, drag-out fight as Wolverine and Hercules struggle to stay alive! Don’t miss the action from FRANK TIERI and JUAN SANTACRUZ, with covers by the legendary JOE JUSKO!”

On sale April 6, 2011.

Neither great nor bad, this is an instance of a miniseries that doesn’t really seem necessary.

Rather a collective, “Meh.”

  

‘Wolverine: Best There Is’ #5 Open Thread

Wolverine: The Best There Is #5 coverWolverine: The Best There Is #5 (preview)
Writers: Charles Huston
Art: Juan Jose Ryp

From Marvel: “CONTAGION, CHAPTER FIVE – LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT: Contagion and his bloodthirsty posse have thrown everything and the kitchen sink at Wolverine, yet still her stands. Now it’s time for him to teach the ‘Unkillables’ a thing or two about pain. And when he’s through with them, he’s got something special planned for their leader. ”

On sale April 6, 2011.

You know a comic book is bad when even the characters in the story start to complain about how stupid the plot is.

For a writer, that should be an alarm bell that your story has gone awry.

  

  

Wolverine #7 Open Thread

Wolverine (2010) #7Wolverine #7 (preview)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Daniel Acuna

From Marvel: “WOLVERINE VS. THE X-MEN CONTINUES! On the outside, an enraged Logan is fighting for his life against the combined might of both Namor and Magneto, while on the inside he’s battling to stop a horde of demons from burning him out of his own mind. And now some of his closest friends, including Storm, Rogue and Kitty Pryde, look to stage the most improbable of rescue missions. Powerhouses JASON AARON and DANIEL ACUÑA tear it up as Wolverine’s battle against his literal demons rages on!”

On sale March 30, 2011.

Last month I suggested that no one writes a better first issue of a series than Jason Aaron.

I think we can safely say that no one writes a better second issue either.

Wolverine Files Update XLV: World War II Updated!

The update for World War II took a lot longer than I anticipated, but is now live!

So version 4.0 of the first 10+ chapters is now done. Enjoy!

-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…

Wolverine and Jubilee #3 Open Thread

Wolverine and Jubilee #3 coverWolverine and Jubilee #2 (preview)
Writer: Kathryn Immonen
Art: Phil Noto

From Marvel: “When Jubilee’s pursuer turns up in the dead of night, there’s a debt that needs to be paid and the hidden costs? Killer. Wolverine has always promised to be there for Jubilee but with her held hostage as collateral in a place where not even Fedex delivers, he’s going to have to play along to try to get her back. Wolverine is headed into a dangerous Siberian dead zone to do a job that no one else can or will do to retrieve a package that defies description. And Jubilee is about to come face to face with the man responsible. ”

On sale March 23, 2011.

Not as strong as the first two issues, but Immonen and Noto are still putting out top-notch work.

We get more plot this time around, so I have high hopes for next month’s finale.

Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #5 Open Thread

Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #5 coverAstonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #5 (preview)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Pencils: Adam Kubert
Digital Inks: Mike Roslan

From Marvel: “Meet Czar and Big Murder. They’ve kicked Spider-Man and Wolverine’s butts throughout time, working for the mystery villain who’s been running this whole scheme. And he’s winning. But will it matter when, SPOILER ALERT, the Phoenix Force steps in? Don’t miss the penultimate chapter of Jason Aaron (WOLVERINE) and Adam Kubert’s (X-MEN) modern-day masterpiece!”

On sale March 23, 2010.

Nearly three months since the last issue.

And as I’ve said before, when I have to wait that long for an issue, the series better be spectacular. Or in this case, astonishing.

Unfortunately, I still find the villains to be rather two-bit and silly.

And while there is comedy, it just doesn’t work for me this time around. There has been so much build up of emotions that the silliness just seems out of place.

Anyone else?

Wolverine Files Update XLIV: Chronology, version 4.0

Yes, it’s true — I am finally getting to the long-promised overhaul of the Wolverine File Chronology and rolling out version 4.0, as well as adding Facebook commenting to all pages and posts on the site.

Original Wolverine ad for Incredible Hulk #181

New and updated as of today:

-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…

I hope to continue adding one updated chapter every day for the next week or so, so stay tuned for more updates (and a few surprises)…

[added 03/16]004: Dog, Sabretooth and Silver Fox: Logan’s first encounter with Sabretooth and Silver Fox…
[added 03/17]005: The Amazing Skunk-Bear: Logan’s life with the Hudson’s Bay Company…
[added 03/18]006: The Great War: Logan’s time during World War I…
[added 03/19]007: The Roaring Twenties: Logan’s experiences during the 1920s…
[added 03/21]008: The Thirties: Logan’s adventures during the 1930s…
[added 03/22]009: Wax On, Wax Off, Master Ogun: Logan’s training as a ninja and a samurai…