Astonishing X-Men #27
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Simone Bianchi

The revelation of the Ghost Box results in easily the best Astonishing X-Men issue penned by Warren Ellis so far.

Agent Brand absolutely steals the show. Scott Summer is ****ing hysterical. And Wolverine gets perhaps the best line of the Ellis run, “It’s like catching a rerun of ‘Happy Days’ and seeing Ron Howard picking up hookers.”

I must admit though that I’m still on the fence about Bianchi’s art. It’s beautiful — much like Alfonse Mucha’s stunning visuals. But it doesn’t necessarily work in a graphic storytelling sense — again much like Mucha’s disappointing Wonder Woman miniseries.

All in all, a vast improvement over last issue and very encouraging as Warren Ellis starts to hit his stride with the book.

Thoughts? Share them in the comments below!

From Marvel (preview): “Big action. Big Science. And a big mystery to solve! The superstar team of Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi take the X-Men to the ‘Second Stage’! ‘Messiah CompleX’ pulled the X-Men team together, ‘Divided We Stand’ tore them apart. Now the X-Men are back to business—with a new look, a new base of operations, and a mission that will take them into mind-bending and previously uncharted territory—one that will test them—and their leader Cyclops—to their very core. You won’t believe your eyes.” On sale October 15, 2008.

Wolverine Files features every Wolverine’s TV appearances in order, continuing with #9…

Slave Island, the seventh episode of the X-Men animated series, aired on February 13, 1993, continuing the season-long storyline. This episode focuses on Storm, Gambit and Jubilee in Genosha, and includes a series of fun mutant cameos and a special guest star.

No classic Wolverine lines this time around, but he does appear, albeit briefly.

<<< X-Men 06: Cold Vengeance | Next: X-Men 08: The Unstoppable Juggernaut

Above is the special promotional ad for Ultimatum, kicking off November 5. We also have an interview with Mike Carey and Daniel Way on Original Sin and as always, online previews of the probable Wolverine appearances this week…

-Astonishing X-Men #27 (preview): Ghost Box, Part 3…
-Uncanny X-Men #503 (preview): More models and white teeth courtesy of Greg Land…
-Ultimate Origins #5 (preview): Series finale builds towards Ultimatum…
-Marvel Adventures the Avengers #29 (preview): The Avengers must keep Thor’s date with Storm a secret from Odin. Oh, the hilarity…

I’m trying something new this week. Because I hate writing reviews of Wolverine cameos and the like, I decided to only write full-length reviews of major Wolverine appearances and dump the rest of his myriad appearances into a Week-in-Review post, hopefully every Friday. Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Aside from X-Men: Original Sin #1 (see review), Wolverine appeared in two other issues this week (October 8, 2008). And while he does NOT appear in Marvel Zombies 3 #1, it is definitely worth the read (see preview)…

Avengers/Invaders #5 (preview)
Plot: Alex Ross & Jim Krueger
Script: Jim Krueger
Pencils: Steve Sadowski & Patrick Berkenkotter

A very odd issue with Spider-Man obviously on drugs, Wolverine not far behind (making an X mask with his claws!) and EVERYONE forgetting that the original Human Torch was an android.

X-Men: Manifest Destiny #2 (preview)
“Flaw”
Writer: Chris Yost
Artist: Paco Diaz

This Astonishing X-Men tale nicely delves into the guilt that Emma Frost carries around with her. Wolverine has a strong appearance, capturing the essence of forgiveness quite effectively. Unfortunately, X-Men: Original Sin #1 completely destroys this story, so be warned…

X-Men: Original Sin #1

Chapter 1
Writer: Daniel Way
Artist: Mike Deodato

Chapter 2
Writer: Mike Carey
Pencils Scot Eaton
Inks: Andrew Hennessy

Daniel Way and Mike Deodato do an impressive job setting up the Original Sin story in Chapter 1. Deodato’s art is especially strong, and Daniel Way effectively builds up the suspense.

Unfortunately Chapter 2 by Mike Carey and Scot Eaton is a big letdown.

Eaton’s art is uninspiring especially in comparison to Deodato’s gritty style, the introduction to Daken’s handler is ridiculous, and the “stunning” surprise is rather dragged out and a shockingly bad ripoff of Ultimate X-Men.

And considering the next part of this story shifts to X-Men Legacy, one can expect more of the same from Carey and Eaton.

The only saving grace? We get treated to the Classic X-Men #1 story by Chris Claremont and John Bolton. And frankly, it’s never looked better.

Disagree? Speak out in the comments below…

From Marvel (preview): “WHAT IS THE SECRET REASON WOLVERINE JOINED THE X-MEN?
The X-Men event of the fall begins in this one-shot! For years, Logan has been a man without a past, whose memories existed only as conflicting fragments. And Charles Xavier has been a master of his own mind and others. Now the tables are turned, and as WOLVERINE struggles to rescue his son, DAKEN, from the evil and darkness that have consumed him, PROFESSOR X comes face-to-face with the most terrifying secret of all! Beginning here and continuing in the pages of X-MEN LEGACY and WOLVERINE: ORIGINS this month and next, ORIGINAL SIN is sure to turn your expectations on their head!” On sale October 8, 2008.

Wolverine Files features every Wolverine’s TV appearances in order, continuing with #8…

Cold Vengeance, the sixth episode of the X-Men animated series, aired on February 6, 1993 and continues as part of a season-long storyline. This time around, Wolverine is the focus as he returns the Great North, followed by Sabretooth…

And while the story is a little trite (especially with Wolverine screaming in agony after getting snow in his eyes) we do get treated to Wolverine’s classic line to Sabretooth, “I can still handle punks like you.”

<<< X-Men 05: Captive Hearts | Next: X-Men 07: Slave Island >>>

X-Men: Original Sin officially kicks off on Wednesday — above is the special promotional ad for the Wolverine crossover. We also have a sneak preview of Wolverine: Manifest Destiny coming later in the month and as always, online previews of the probable Wolverine appearances this week…

-X-Men: Original Sin #1 (preview): Wolverine storyline kicks off…
-Avengers/Invaders #5 (preview): Wolverine gets some dialogue…
-Marvel Zombies 3 #1 (preview): Not sure when Wolverine will appear, but Fred Van Lente (from Wolverine: First Class) is the writer…

New Exiles #12
“Wild Child!”
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Paco Diaz Luque; Inker: Norberto Fernandez

When I was first introduced to Wolverine, Chris Claremont was writing some of the best X-Men stories ever done. Between his scripts and John Byrne’s artwork, the duo created the Golden Age of X-Men comics, offering up iconic Wolverine moments issue after issue that, frankly, are the reason I still read Wolverine comics today.

Hell, they are the reason this website exists.

So for me, it is especially sad to see Chris Claremont as a mere a caricature of himself as he writes New Exiles. The overwhelming amounts of exposition, page after page of heavy dialogue, the same cast of characters, the overuse of the word “boss”.

Thankfully, the dreadful Hydra Wolverine saga comes to a close this issue so I won’t have to continue witnessing how far a giant of comics has fallen.

Have you read this issue? Share YOUR thoughts below…

From Marvel (preview): “Another double-dose of dimensional deeds dives your way this month! First, in issue 12, Sabretooth and Cat finish their face-off against Madame Hydra and her evil band of crosstime killers. Then, as a new arc begins in issue 13, the Exiles deal with the fallout of their last two missions…oh, and that pesky impending End of All that Is, the death and destruction of the OmniVerse! It’s a double-barreled confrontation that not all of them may survive.” On sale October 1, 2008.

Cable (Vol. 2) #7
‘Waiting for the End of the World
Chapter One: The Last Place on Earth’
Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Artist: Ariel Olivetti

If, like me, you are only interested in Wolverine’s four-page cameo, then read it in its entirety in this preview from Marvel.com.

Pretty cool, eh?

Anyone reading this series full-time? Is it any good? Let us know in the comments below…

From Marvel (preview): “When Bishop travels back to the present in search of intel that will aid his search for Cable and the mutant baby, he’s intercepted by the X-Force! With Cyclops eagerly waiting to interrogate his former comrade, it would appear that the game is over for the time-traveling cop. So why is Bishop smiling? What trick does he have up his sleeve? And what does this mean for Cable and the baby?” On sale October 1, 2008.

Marvel Apes #3
“Gorilla Warfare”
Writer: Karl Kesel
Artist: Ramon Bachs

“The Official History of the Marvel Apes Universe, Part 3: When Simians Persist in Clashing”
Writer: Tom Peyer
Pencils: Mike McKone; Inks: Lanning & Smith

I’m still having a hard time with this series. At times it wants to be a farcical comedy complete with stupid ape-names, bushels of bananas and other dumb sight gags, and at other times it wants to be a serious, scary and violent version of the Marvel Universe.

I, for one, think they need to pick one or the other, because this series just isn’t working for me the way it is (Wolverine tossing Dr. Bruce Bananner out of the back of the airplane notwithstanding).

Now if I were to make the call, I would choose the dark, violent and scary ‘Planet of the Apes’ meets ‘Lord of the Flies.’

Otherwise, all you have is a ‘Not Brand Echhh’ meets ‘Mad Magazine’ one-shot.

And this thing is four issue long.

What do YOU think ‘Marvel Apes’ should be? Funny, scary, both?

From Marvel (preview):
“THE FURRY, FURIOUS FINALE OF MARVEL’S MONKEYFIED MASTERPIECE!
It’s Gorilla Warfare as the Simian Superheroes plot their primate plan against the human’s homeworld– and the only one who can stop them is… The Gibbon!?!
Good thing he has help from… Speedball??!!?!
We’re doomed…
Don’t miss the all-out ape action and primate (plus prosimian!) pandemonium in this– the must-read mini-series of the month! Be the envy of your friends as people ask: “Is that a copy of MARVEL APES in your pocket… or are you just happy to see me?” On sale October 1, 2008.