Brian Wilkinson
Jan 30, 2002, 07:50 pm
{Originally posted on X-Fan v. 3.1 on January 28, 2002}
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/origin4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/origin4t.jpg" align=left alt="Origin #4"></a>Reviewer: Brian E. Wilkinson, bewilkinson@yahoo.ca
Quick Rating: Excellent!
Story Title: Heaven and Hell (Origin Part 4)
In the wake of tragedy and the frontiers of a new life, young Logan slowly becomes the man now known as Wolverine.
Plot by: Paul Jenkins, Bill Jemas & Joe Quesada
Written by: Paul Jenkins
Cover Art by: Joe Quesada
Story Art by: Andy Kubert
Colored by: Richard Isanove
Lettered by:JG & Comicraft's Saida Temofonte
Assistant Editor: Mike Raicht
Editor: Mike Marts
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
The Logan we come to know in this series comes across as a rather tragic hero. Ripped apart from the life he should have had by violence and death, Logan comes to a place where survival of the fittest is displayed daily and not over the survival of the species but in the daily battles against hunger, poverty, and the bleak conditions of the camp.
As readers both new and old come to understand the origins of one of Marvel Comic’s most popular characters one can’t help but feel a mixture of pity, sadness, and deep respect for the events that young James (Logan/Wolverine) has already gone through in such a short amount of time. From all outward appearances at the beginning of this story, young James should have led a privileged life in a New World and followed in the footsteps of his caring father, Soft John. The series opens with an almost tranquil appearance and the blossoming friendship between three young children. At the end of the first issue, we see that all good things come to an end as Dog, the young son of Thomas Logan, the groundskeeper, is continually beaten by his father. During the second issue we see the tragic effects this has on Dog as he grows to be a vicious young man. By the end of the issue, both Dog and Logan have gone too far and murdered John Howlett. Such a traumatic experience manifests itself in the appearance of James claws... the final proof that this young man is destined to become the man we know as Wolverine. James lashes out in anger, and by the end Dog has his face torn to shreds, Logan lies dead due to wounds James inflicted, and James’ poor mother takes her own life.
Such actions cannot be with serious repercussions. James and Rose, the servant girl and friend to both James and Dog, are forced to flee the sanctity of the Hill and make their own way in other parts of Canada. Coming at last to a mining camp, the pair hope to make a new life for themselves and leave the horrors of the past behind.
Readers of this series can’t help but instantly fall in love with it. Paul Jenkins turns out some of the best writing of his career and it is plain to see that Andy Kubert puts every scrap of talent he has into every picture. One can’t help but be amazed at how well Jenkins understands the human condition and how real his characters become. Each character is exceptionally well written and even the supporting characters play integral roles in progressing the story and the evolution of James’ (now called Logan) character.
When issue #4 begins, James doesn’t appear to be adapting very well to the new life he has found. Working in the local quarry, Logan frequently finds himself the subject of ridicule and abuse by the majority of people around him. Not surprising as the frontier community resembles a slightly civilized pack of wolves ready to tear each other apart in the hopes of getting mere crumbs more than the next man. It isn’t hard to see how this will affect Logan as he grows older.
Often I felt shocked by the unfounded cruelty expressed by the men in the camp. Cookie, the camp cook in particular, displays an unnecessary amount of cruelty and abuse to young Logan in this issue and I felt myself hoping James would use his claws once again, if only to end the torment. That’s when I realized how well Jenkins was writing his main character. Logan’s entire life has been a struggle to control the beast within, and young Logan’s anger can plainly be seen on his face. I can’t imagine the feelings and emotions welling up inside this young man but I do feel an incredible amount of respect for how he contains them.
So, as this is the story of Wolverine’s origin and readers finally get to see the how and why of it all, what new things do we get to learn about the creation of Wolverine?
Well, after a couple of years at the camp, we see that Logan provides a clear argument over the nature vs. nurture debate as he is clearly becoming a part of the land he lives in. At one point we see him stalking barefoot through the woods, armed only with a crude spear, which he uses to take down a deer. Rose expressed concerns over the change, but Logan describes it as an urge he has and that perhaps this is what he is meant to be. Despite his more aggressive nature, both Rose and the reader can clearly see that he is a good natured and honourable man.
Logan is starting to resemble modern-day Wolverine more and more (with the trademark hair, and his penchant for plaid when out of uniform) and his manner of speech, gruff nature, all seem to have come from his days here at this camp. One panel shows Logan copying the mannerisms of his ‘mentor’ of sorts, Smitty, as both men are holding a beer and a cigar.
There are many fantastic things about this issue, though it lacks the punch found in issues #2 and #3. The ending, for instance, features Logan (who whether he realizes it or not becomes Wolverine at this point) facing down a pack of wolves. Popping his claws for the second time in his life as they approach an understanding of sorts is exchanged between all the beasts present (including James) and his wild nature seems to get him accepted as part of the pack. Indeed even the cover itself suggests common traits between Wolverine and wolf, the hunter rather than the hunted. Where will Logan’s life take him from here? Will we get to see parts of his life up until he comes to be a captive of the Weapon X program? At this point, that seems unlikely. In fact, if the series progresses much beyond life at this camp I will be truly surprised. Given the pacing and theme of the story, there must be a reckoning of sorts between James, Dog, and Rose, with an outcome no one will likely be able to predict.
Speaking of Dog, does he make an appearance in this issue? During the sequence with Logan hunting the deer, both Logan and Rose feel as though they are being watched. A mysterious (mostly hidden by tree branches) face and boot are seen by the reader which lets us know that the pair are being watched. While it could be someone from the camp, odds are that Dog has finally caught up with them. While in previous reviews I’ve expressed my opinion that Dog is none other than Sabretooth I must continue this belief here. If it is in fact Dog, the most obvious clue to lead me to believe him to be Sabretooth is the lack of obvious scars on his face. Not only that, but the face itself looks similar to the Sabretooth of modern day. At this point it’s all speculation, but that’s half the fun of exploring Wolverine's origin, isn’t it?
My only complaint about this issue comes from the fact that I hate not knowing more about the obvious connection between Thomas Logan the groundskeeper, and young James. Obviously the familial connection is becoming more apparent as young Logan grows older and Rose at the very least should soon begin to put two and two together. Logan, at this point, is in complete denial about who he was and the events that forced them to leave the Hill. I don’t believe he even knows the reasons why at this point... it seems clear he has been so traumatized that he can’t remember.
It is interesting to note that a man who has spent much of his life trying to remember who he is was also in part responsible for repressing his memory in the first place. This makes his struggle rather ironic, doesn’t it? After all, he has spent his life since Weapon X raging against the people who took away his true memories, his true SELF, and yet he is amongst those who have robbed him of his past. I wonder what Wolverine would do if he knew the truth about himself? I wonder how it would change him? I wonder if there is anything left of the Hill today... I wonder.
Isn’t that the great thing about this series? Many people were concerned that once Wolverine’s origin was revealed that there would be nothing new left to explore, no mystery left to the man who defines the term by simply existing. For every piece of information that Jenkins reveals, four or five new questions are dropped into its place. This makes me eager for each issue in such a way I haven’t felt since waiting to finally see Lord Of The Rings on the big screen. Each issue is an instant classic with the promise of bigger and better things to come.
There is no better argument for comics as serious literature than Origin by Paul Jenkins and Andy Kubert. A masterpiece by any standards, a book unlike any other. Here’s hoping there will be a follow-up series featuring the same creative team soon, just so it doesn’t have to end.
ART:
:wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie:
STORY:
:wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie:
OVERALL:
:wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie:
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/origin4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/origin4t.jpg" align=left alt="Origin #4"></a>Reviewer: Brian E. Wilkinson, bewilkinson@yahoo.ca
Quick Rating: Excellent!
Story Title: Heaven and Hell (Origin Part 4)
In the wake of tragedy and the frontiers of a new life, young Logan slowly becomes the man now known as Wolverine.
Plot by: Paul Jenkins, Bill Jemas & Joe Quesada
Written by: Paul Jenkins
Cover Art by: Joe Quesada
Story Art by: Andy Kubert
Colored by: Richard Isanove
Lettered by:JG & Comicraft's Saida Temofonte
Assistant Editor: Mike Raicht
Editor: Mike Marts
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
The Logan we come to know in this series comes across as a rather tragic hero. Ripped apart from the life he should have had by violence and death, Logan comes to a place where survival of the fittest is displayed daily and not over the survival of the species but in the daily battles against hunger, poverty, and the bleak conditions of the camp.
As readers both new and old come to understand the origins of one of Marvel Comic’s most popular characters one can’t help but feel a mixture of pity, sadness, and deep respect for the events that young James (Logan/Wolverine) has already gone through in such a short amount of time. From all outward appearances at the beginning of this story, young James should have led a privileged life in a New World and followed in the footsteps of his caring father, Soft John. The series opens with an almost tranquil appearance and the blossoming friendship between three young children. At the end of the first issue, we see that all good things come to an end as Dog, the young son of Thomas Logan, the groundskeeper, is continually beaten by his father. During the second issue we see the tragic effects this has on Dog as he grows to be a vicious young man. By the end of the issue, both Dog and Logan have gone too far and murdered John Howlett. Such a traumatic experience manifests itself in the appearance of James claws... the final proof that this young man is destined to become the man we know as Wolverine. James lashes out in anger, and by the end Dog has his face torn to shreds, Logan lies dead due to wounds James inflicted, and James’ poor mother takes her own life.
Such actions cannot be with serious repercussions. James and Rose, the servant girl and friend to both James and Dog, are forced to flee the sanctity of the Hill and make their own way in other parts of Canada. Coming at last to a mining camp, the pair hope to make a new life for themselves and leave the horrors of the past behind.
Readers of this series can’t help but instantly fall in love with it. Paul Jenkins turns out some of the best writing of his career and it is plain to see that Andy Kubert puts every scrap of talent he has into every picture. One can’t help but be amazed at how well Jenkins understands the human condition and how real his characters become. Each character is exceptionally well written and even the supporting characters play integral roles in progressing the story and the evolution of James’ (now called Logan) character.
When issue #4 begins, James doesn’t appear to be adapting very well to the new life he has found. Working in the local quarry, Logan frequently finds himself the subject of ridicule and abuse by the majority of people around him. Not surprising as the frontier community resembles a slightly civilized pack of wolves ready to tear each other apart in the hopes of getting mere crumbs more than the next man. It isn’t hard to see how this will affect Logan as he grows older.
Often I felt shocked by the unfounded cruelty expressed by the men in the camp. Cookie, the camp cook in particular, displays an unnecessary amount of cruelty and abuse to young Logan in this issue and I felt myself hoping James would use his claws once again, if only to end the torment. That’s when I realized how well Jenkins was writing his main character. Logan’s entire life has been a struggle to control the beast within, and young Logan’s anger can plainly be seen on his face. I can’t imagine the feelings and emotions welling up inside this young man but I do feel an incredible amount of respect for how he contains them.
So, as this is the story of Wolverine’s origin and readers finally get to see the how and why of it all, what new things do we get to learn about the creation of Wolverine?
Well, after a couple of years at the camp, we see that Logan provides a clear argument over the nature vs. nurture debate as he is clearly becoming a part of the land he lives in. At one point we see him stalking barefoot through the woods, armed only with a crude spear, which he uses to take down a deer. Rose expressed concerns over the change, but Logan describes it as an urge he has and that perhaps this is what he is meant to be. Despite his more aggressive nature, both Rose and the reader can clearly see that he is a good natured and honourable man.
Logan is starting to resemble modern-day Wolverine more and more (with the trademark hair, and his penchant for plaid when out of uniform) and his manner of speech, gruff nature, all seem to have come from his days here at this camp. One panel shows Logan copying the mannerisms of his ‘mentor’ of sorts, Smitty, as both men are holding a beer and a cigar.
There are many fantastic things about this issue, though it lacks the punch found in issues #2 and #3. The ending, for instance, features Logan (who whether he realizes it or not becomes Wolverine at this point) facing down a pack of wolves. Popping his claws for the second time in his life as they approach an understanding of sorts is exchanged between all the beasts present (including James) and his wild nature seems to get him accepted as part of the pack. Indeed even the cover itself suggests common traits between Wolverine and wolf, the hunter rather than the hunted. Where will Logan’s life take him from here? Will we get to see parts of his life up until he comes to be a captive of the Weapon X program? At this point, that seems unlikely. In fact, if the series progresses much beyond life at this camp I will be truly surprised. Given the pacing and theme of the story, there must be a reckoning of sorts between James, Dog, and Rose, with an outcome no one will likely be able to predict.
Speaking of Dog, does he make an appearance in this issue? During the sequence with Logan hunting the deer, both Logan and Rose feel as though they are being watched. A mysterious (mostly hidden by tree branches) face and boot are seen by the reader which lets us know that the pair are being watched. While it could be someone from the camp, odds are that Dog has finally caught up with them. While in previous reviews I’ve expressed my opinion that Dog is none other than Sabretooth I must continue this belief here. If it is in fact Dog, the most obvious clue to lead me to believe him to be Sabretooth is the lack of obvious scars on his face. Not only that, but the face itself looks similar to the Sabretooth of modern day. At this point it’s all speculation, but that’s half the fun of exploring Wolverine's origin, isn’t it?
My only complaint about this issue comes from the fact that I hate not knowing more about the obvious connection between Thomas Logan the groundskeeper, and young James. Obviously the familial connection is becoming more apparent as young Logan grows older and Rose at the very least should soon begin to put two and two together. Logan, at this point, is in complete denial about who he was and the events that forced them to leave the Hill. I don’t believe he even knows the reasons why at this point... it seems clear he has been so traumatized that he can’t remember.
It is interesting to note that a man who has spent much of his life trying to remember who he is was also in part responsible for repressing his memory in the first place. This makes his struggle rather ironic, doesn’t it? After all, he has spent his life since Weapon X raging against the people who took away his true memories, his true SELF, and yet he is amongst those who have robbed him of his past. I wonder what Wolverine would do if he knew the truth about himself? I wonder how it would change him? I wonder if there is anything left of the Hill today... I wonder.
Isn’t that the great thing about this series? Many people were concerned that once Wolverine’s origin was revealed that there would be nothing new left to explore, no mystery left to the man who defines the term by simply existing. For every piece of information that Jenkins reveals, four or five new questions are dropped into its place. This makes me eager for each issue in such a way I haven’t felt since waiting to finally see Lord Of The Rings on the big screen. Each issue is an instant classic with the promise of bigger and better things to come.
There is no better argument for comics as serious literature than Origin by Paul Jenkins and Andy Kubert. A masterpiece by any standards, a book unlike any other. Here’s hoping there will be a follow-up series featuring the same creative team soon, just so it doesn’t have to end.
ART:
:wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie:
STORY:
:wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie:
OVERALL:
:wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie: :wolvie:
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!