Al Harahap
May 16, 2003, 04:08 pm
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/xmunl-46.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/xmunl-46t.jpg" align=left alt="X-Men Unlimited #46"></a>Reviewer: Al Harahap, alharahap@xfan.cjb.net
Quick Rating: Below Average
<hr>
Story Title: Weapon of Choice
Wolverine cracks down on an illegal fighting ring that harms and kills mutantkind.
Writer: Ian Edgington
Artist: Simon Bisley
Colourist: Jose Villarrubia
Letterer: Randy Gentile
Assistant Editor: Stephanie Moore
Editors: C.B. Cebulski & David Bogart
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
In this first story, we find Wolverine in a (surprise, surprise) bar brawl. And as exciting as these fight scenes are, the concept of Wolverine in bar brawls has become repetitive and monotonous. But to be fair, there’s not much a writer can do with a character who’s done more than his share of rounds on the comic page. Scribe Ian Edgington (X-Force, Batman books, 2000 A.D.) portrays Wolverine at his most macho – aggressive, intimidating, winning fights, hitting on women, and chugging down beer.
Lending a hand to this portrayal is artist Simon Bisley (2000 A.D., Heavy Metal) with his very “badass” attitude Wolverine. Bisley’s style may turn off some readers. It’s somewhat erratic, very rough, and his inks are on the heavy side. But I find this style to be very complementary to the atmosphere the story attempts. It has an appropriate urban feel and seems to jump right off of graffiti on a wall. And Bisley puts so much imagination into his mutants that goes above and beyond the call of the typical deformed features. But most importantly, Bisley is consistent in his style all throughout the story from start to finish.
I wish I could be equally praiseful of the story, but the only redeeming quality I can find is the unexpected plot twist at the end. There is a moment where Edgington justifies all the previous fighting. But, at the same time, it also creates a major inconsistency. In fact, more so because if Wolverine and the sidekick/old-pal-of-the-moment, Nome, always intended to save these exploited mutants, then why on Earth has Wolverine been ok with hurting them, and maybe even killing them, all this time? It just doesn’t come together, especially with all the spilt blood and dismemberment of the mutant brawlers. I’ve tried really hard to rationalise this inconsistency, but all I can come up with is that Edgington is trying to convey Wolverine’s “the means justify the end” attitude. But even so, the sacrifices Wolverine makes are overkill.
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg
<hr>
Story Title: Upon Reflection
Wolverine investigates an isolated government compound. What dangerous threat is he up against, and what is the mystery behind it?
Writer: Bruce Jones
Penciller: Shin “Jason” Nagasawa
Letterer: Randy Gentile
Assistant Editor: Stephanie Moore
Editor: C.B. Cebulski
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
In the second story, scribe Bruce Jones (The Incredible Hulk, Hulk/Wolverine: 6 Hours, Wolverine: X-Isle) takes the reader through a deductive style of narrative where clues are dropped here and there that come together at the end. In this regard, it reads somewhat like the movie Memento, where Wolverine and the mysterious creature are the variables, and the recording of the dead scientist is the constant that dictates their next actions.
Visualising Jones’ story is Shin “Jason” Nagasawa, who brings in a manga style rarely seen in American or European comics. Yes, contrary to popular belief, there are different styles of manga – and not just the bug-eyed, spiky-haired figures of Pokemon. Nagasawa’s more down-to-earth, less flashy manga is appropriate for the sombre mood of the story. His multiple oblique perspective lines that are characteristic of certain styles of manga are also present in many of the panels to exaggerate motion. And he also provides his own colours that definitely complement his pencils. I just wish that it had inks to further accentuate the dark areas and shadows that the story demands. I don’t understand why Nagasawa and the editors would leave this story a non-inked piece. To me, such a thing is only good to set apart a flashback, dream sequence, or other reality blips of the sort. But in a straightforward, linear story such as this, I think it only takes away from the visuals.
Nagasawa’s rendition of the monster is in tune with Jones’ intentions. They make us wonder why the hell this creature looks like a bigger, badder, darker Wolverine, also with three claws on each hand, and we only find out at the end. But despite Jones’ unconventional narrative flow and Nagasawa’s unique visuals, this story can be just another parable for Wolverine’s inner conflict with his darker side.
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xuhalf.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg
<hr>
Can you get enough Wolverine? I can. This month alone, the little ball of fluff is in New X-Men, Ultimate X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine, Wolverine/Doop, Wolverine: Snikt!, X-Men: Ronin, X-Men Unlimited, and X-Treme X-Men. Who else is getting nauseus? There really isn’t much else to say about this issue of X-Men Unlimited. Let’s not pretend that it isn’t the designated post-X2 issue. It is. And with that of course comes, not one, but two Wolverine stories for fanboys to ogle. Yes, I realise that this is a smart business move to snag in new readers who just can’t get enough of Wolverine coming out of the cinema. But how many Wolverine stories can you tell before they become “just another Wolvie story”? Personally, I think Marvel passed that line long ago. I cherish the day when he appeared in only two titles – one solo series to delve into his character, and one team book to chronicle his group dynamics. The character actually meant something to me. Now he’s just become a caricature and this issue further reinforces that. No, I take that back – at least partly. The general creative pool can still take Wolverine to new and interesting places, narratively such as in Peter Milligan’s Wolverine/Doop, and also artistically such as in Tsutomu Nihei’s Wolverine: Snikt!. But because of its oversaturation in the market, the Wolverine character has inevitably set itself against higher standards, therefore becoming its own worst enemy, and good Wolverine stories have become too few and far between. C’mon, Marvel, whatabout the other thousands of mutants out there?
ISSUE OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=223&cat=X%2DMEN+UNLIMITED)
Quick Rating: Below Average
<hr>
Story Title: Weapon of Choice
Wolverine cracks down on an illegal fighting ring that harms and kills mutantkind.
Writer: Ian Edgington
Artist: Simon Bisley
Colourist: Jose Villarrubia
Letterer: Randy Gentile
Assistant Editor: Stephanie Moore
Editors: C.B. Cebulski & David Bogart
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
In this first story, we find Wolverine in a (surprise, surprise) bar brawl. And as exciting as these fight scenes are, the concept of Wolverine in bar brawls has become repetitive and monotonous. But to be fair, there’s not much a writer can do with a character who’s done more than his share of rounds on the comic page. Scribe Ian Edgington (X-Force, Batman books, 2000 A.D.) portrays Wolverine at his most macho – aggressive, intimidating, winning fights, hitting on women, and chugging down beer.
Lending a hand to this portrayal is artist Simon Bisley (2000 A.D., Heavy Metal) with his very “badass” attitude Wolverine. Bisley’s style may turn off some readers. It’s somewhat erratic, very rough, and his inks are on the heavy side. But I find this style to be very complementary to the atmosphere the story attempts. It has an appropriate urban feel and seems to jump right off of graffiti on a wall. And Bisley puts so much imagination into his mutants that goes above and beyond the call of the typical deformed features. But most importantly, Bisley is consistent in his style all throughout the story from start to finish.
I wish I could be equally praiseful of the story, but the only redeeming quality I can find is the unexpected plot twist at the end. There is a moment where Edgington justifies all the previous fighting. But, at the same time, it also creates a major inconsistency. In fact, more so because if Wolverine and the sidekick/old-pal-of-the-moment, Nome, always intended to save these exploited mutants, then why on Earth has Wolverine been ok with hurting them, and maybe even killing them, all this time? It just doesn’t come together, especially with all the spilt blood and dismemberment of the mutant brawlers. I’ve tried really hard to rationalise this inconsistency, but all I can come up with is that Edgington is trying to convey Wolverine’s “the means justify the end” attitude. But even so, the sacrifices Wolverine makes are overkill.
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg
<hr>
Story Title: Upon Reflection
Wolverine investigates an isolated government compound. What dangerous threat is he up against, and what is the mystery behind it?
Writer: Bruce Jones
Penciller: Shin “Jason” Nagasawa
Letterer: Randy Gentile
Assistant Editor: Stephanie Moore
Editor: C.B. Cebulski
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
In the second story, scribe Bruce Jones (The Incredible Hulk, Hulk/Wolverine: 6 Hours, Wolverine: X-Isle) takes the reader through a deductive style of narrative where clues are dropped here and there that come together at the end. In this regard, it reads somewhat like the movie Memento, where Wolverine and the mysterious creature are the variables, and the recording of the dead scientist is the constant that dictates their next actions.
Visualising Jones’ story is Shin “Jason” Nagasawa, who brings in a manga style rarely seen in American or European comics. Yes, contrary to popular belief, there are different styles of manga – and not just the bug-eyed, spiky-haired figures of Pokemon. Nagasawa’s more down-to-earth, less flashy manga is appropriate for the sombre mood of the story. His multiple oblique perspective lines that are characteristic of certain styles of manga are also present in many of the panels to exaggerate motion. And he also provides his own colours that definitely complement his pencils. I just wish that it had inks to further accentuate the dark areas and shadows that the story demands. I don’t understand why Nagasawa and the editors would leave this story a non-inked piece. To me, such a thing is only good to set apart a flashback, dream sequence, or other reality blips of the sort. But in a straightforward, linear story such as this, I think it only takes away from the visuals.
Nagasawa’s rendition of the monster is in tune with Jones’ intentions. They make us wonder why the hell this creature looks like a bigger, badder, darker Wolverine, also with three claws on each hand, and we only find out at the end. But despite Jones’ unconventional narrative flow and Nagasawa’s unique visuals, this story can be just another parable for Wolverine’s inner conflict with his darker side.
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xuhalf.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg
<hr>
Can you get enough Wolverine? I can. This month alone, the little ball of fluff is in New X-Men, Ultimate X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine, Wolverine/Doop, Wolverine: Snikt!, X-Men: Ronin, X-Men Unlimited, and X-Treme X-Men. Who else is getting nauseus? There really isn’t much else to say about this issue of X-Men Unlimited. Let’s not pretend that it isn’t the designated post-X2 issue. It is. And with that of course comes, not one, but two Wolverine stories for fanboys to ogle. Yes, I realise that this is a smart business move to snag in new readers who just can’t get enough of Wolverine coming out of the cinema. But how many Wolverine stories can you tell before they become “just another Wolvie story”? Personally, I think Marvel passed that line long ago. I cherish the day when he appeared in only two titles – one solo series to delve into his character, and one team book to chronicle his group dynamics. The character actually meant something to me. Now he’s just become a caricature and this issue further reinforces that. No, I take that back – at least partly. The general creative pool can still take Wolverine to new and interesting places, narratively such as in Peter Milligan’s Wolverine/Doop, and also artistically such as in Tsutomu Nihei’s Wolverine: Snikt!. But because of its oversaturation in the market, the Wolverine character has inevitably set itself against higher standards, therefore becoming its own worst enemy, and good Wolverine stories have become too few and far between. C’mon, Marvel, whatabout the other thousands of mutants out there?
ISSUE OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xufull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/xunone.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=223&cat=X%2DMEN+UNLIMITED)