WOLVERINE #1 REVIEW

[Erwin Rafael]

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/wolv3-01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/wolv3-01t.jpg" align=left alt="Wolverine (3rd series) #1 preview"></a>Reviewer: Erwin Rafael, 3rdsummers@edsamail.com.ph
Quick Rating: Great!

Welcome to the world of the Mean Man.

Written by: Greg Rucka
Cover by: Essad Ribic
Art by: Darick Robertson
Colored by: Studio F
Lettered by: Chris Eliopoulos
Assistant Editors: Warren Simons and John Miesegaes
Edited by: Axel Alonso
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas

Wolverine used to be my favorite character when I was a kid. He has claws that can slash through anything. He has healing powers. He is unpredictable, a hotheaded unknown quantity which prefers to do things his way. He has very bad hair (which I can relate to). And he is short (which I can definitely relate to because we're the same height). He is cool not because he is the strongest of them all. He used to get beaten up A LOT during the early days. Does anybody remember the original Marvel trading cards series which contained win-loss ratios? He has more losses than wins! Wolverine's cool because despite his shortcomings, he fights and fights until he finds a way to win. He's the ultimate underdog, and I always root for the underdog.

Somewhere along the way, Wolverine just lost his appeal to me. He lost that "underdog" image. Now, he's Marvel's premier fighting machine, slashing his way through all his enemies, winning all the women's hearts and raking up all the comic book reader's dollars. From being the lowly man's hero, he has become the unbeatable Superman. Well, Superman with memory implants. I am no Superman, and most definitely I have no memory implants. Wolverine just became somebody I can not relate to anymore.

But here I am picking up this #1 issue. Why? Two names: Greg Rucka and Darick Robertson. Rucka has a track record for writing very good solo characters, as his runs in Detective, Elektra and Queen and Country has already proven. Robertson, on the other hand, has made a name for himself with his work in Transmetropolitan. If there was a writer-artist tandem who can make Wolverine cool again, this could be it.

So I went to my store, and issue #1 was already sold out. Looks like Wolverine has not lost his appeal in the market. The store-owner managed to give me a copy by sifting through the pull list of somebody who reserved twenty copies (damn speculator). Finally, I have a copy of Wolverine #1! And when I finished reading the issue, a thought sprang in my mind:

OH MY GOD!!! THERE WERE NO CLAWS!!! NO CLAWS!!!

Really, it took some guts on Rucka and Robertson's part to start off their Wolverine run without Logan popping his trademark claws. And the funny thing about it is that this feels as much a Wolverine story as the usual slash-fest we always get from the pages of Wolverine. This issue, we see Logan from the POV of his neighbor, Lucy. This detached approach allows us to see Logan from a fresh light, which works quite well for an introductory issue.

How would it feel like living next door to Logan? This is the question posed this issue. Rucka wants us to know who Logan is, but he is not telling. Rather, he shows us bits and pieces of Wolvie's life and he lets us decide how we would see Logan. It's a subtle approach compared to bombarding us with captions or internal monologues describing Logan's character. We see that Logan loves reading books, lives in a very bare apartment and apparently watches out for his neighbor. What does this tell us about Wolverine's character? Well, YOU tell me. That seems to be what Rucka is saying to us in this first issue.

What the story does NOT show is as much revealing of Logan's character as the ones Rucka chose to show. The best example is the scene where Logan gets home with a knife stabbed in his leg. Where did he get it? Again, Rucka lets us use our imagination to fill the gaps. In a way, this is embodied in Lucy's statement, "Like if you get stabbed doing a mean thing to a not-mean guy, that kinda blows. But if you're doing a mean thing to a mean guy, that's cooler." What did happen to Logan? We don't know. But we imagine that we know, and I am sure that not all of us came to the same conclusion.

And that is the crux of Rucka's approach in this first issue. He wants us to know Logan, the "Mean Man". He wants us to know Logan's world. But he wants this to be a two-way process. He asks for our involvement to fill in the gaps and make our own judgment. Rucka provided us with the basics, but he wants us to paint our own picture of Logan in our mind. Who is Wolverine? It's something we have to answer on our own.

Rucka's approach reintroduces another aspect of Logan's character which has been missing for a while - mystery. Oh sure, he has this Weapon X thing going, but that mysterious past mumbo-jumbo is SOOOO artificial. I'm talking about real mystery here. Getting overused in several comic books made the once unpredictable Logan a bit cliche. This time, we once again ask, who is this guy? What is he thinking? What is he doing? What would he do next? Rucka's got me guessing again, and I love it.

Now back to Rucka's decision to not pop Logan's claws in this first issue. Truthfully, it is a risk, because a lot of readers associate Logan with his claws, and they might be disappointed that there is no slashfest. I think Rucka's decision to not use the trademark claws is captured in this statement: "You have to pick your battles. Decide who's worth the effort." When Logan uses the claws, it should be an event - something worth the effort. Gone is the day that the sound "SNIKT" is something we routinely expected. "SNIKT" is something that should be anticipated.

Rucka's fresh approach to the writing is complemented by Robertson's fresh take on the art chores, as well. Robertson's Wolverine is world-weary and battle-scarred, definitely not a Hugh Jackman, but more fitting the Wolverine of comics lore. Robertson also plays up the aspect that Wolverine is small, and I assure you that he got what 5'3" really looks like. I think, though, that Wolverine is drawn a bit top-heavy for somebody his speed. The art is a bit rough, which is a good thing because it reinforces the dark atmosphere of the story.

There has been a debate on whether Wolverine should have been renumbered or not because of this relaunch. I won't delve on that matter, but if you ask me, this issue feels very much like a #1 issue. Rucka and Robertson brings a fresh look at Wolverine which makes true of the often-used-but-rarely-executed promise of a back-to-the-basics approach. After years of being apathetic to my once-favorite character, I'm feeling that tinge of excitement. Who knows, the Mean Man may become cool again. C'mon, Greg and Darick! Give me that SNIKT!

ART:
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STORY:
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OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/wolfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/wolfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/wolfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/wolfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/wolnone.jpg

Buy this issue online now from X-World (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=55&cat=WOLVERINE) and save!

[spinarakboi]

Well... I personally never had an interest in the Wolverine series but when i heard about this being good so i picked it up and it was great! I'm actually interested in Wolverine. That is certainly a first. I will be picking this up from now on. It's really an interesting.. and quiet read in a way. I liked it.

[Bry Katz]

It was pretty good. I wasn't blown away by the story, but I'm interested for what comes next, and I'll be back next month.

Darick's Logan was a little jarring, though. He looks rather pudgy. And a little 58.

[Dragon]

I'm sorry but i still dislike this whole relaunch idea, i don't like the no Snikt idea, i don't beleve this is Wolverine, he doesn't feel like him, he diffently does not look like him. I'm sorry nothing against he artist but he looks like a beaten up hairy drunken Midget Ogre, he doesn't look anything like the 5'3 butt kicking machine i know and love. i give this issue a 2/5

[Wolverine]

I though it was ok but it was really jarring from the incredible Tieri/Chen Run

[spiral48]

eh, to each his own I guess. But personally I'm thrilled with this issue. I dropped the book after a few issues of the Tieri run... I read an issue here and there, but overall I didn't see anything that constituted good or even mediocre writing so I dropped.

I see this as a breath of fresh air. Rucka uses a nice subtle approach and Robertsn does a wonderful job of setting the mood. great great work. Nice to see I'll be reading Wolverine again.

[Zachary J. Morrison]

Great review, Erwin. This was a great issue to enjoy. I liked how Lucy interacted with Logan a few times, but not a lot. Most of the time, he was too quiet around her. Although Darick's style of art is different from what I've seen in the past, I'm sure to get use to his work. It is different, but enjoyable to see a different view of what someone thinks Logan looks like. I would like to draw Wolverine one day, but I can't really draw and I'm going to learn how sooner or later, depending on my class schedule for upcoming quarters. I can't wait to pick up the next issue of Wolverine, because I would like to find out who Lucy's murderer is.

Logan is one of my MOST favorite X-Man in the world along with Jean Grey-Summers (also known as Phoenix). Both X-Man are DA bomb! :jeanphnx: :logan:

[spare_ribs85]

Nice review, and i have to say that i fully agree with you, this is one of the most refreshing wolverine stories in a while.

I give it 4/5.

[Wolverine]

Originally posted by phoenx
Logan is one of my MOST favorite X-Man in the world along with Jean Grey-Summers (also known as Phoenix). Both X-Man are DA bomb! :jeanphnx: :logan:

Da Bomb Indeed!!!!!!!:) :)

[Daniel J Ciccaglione]

I liked it alot I give the issue a 5/5. The storyline was ok we got to see Logan read. Lucy was a neat character to bad she died. I can't wait for Logan to kill guys who shot Lucy. Those punks are going to be getting a whole lot of SNIKT in there diet. :LOL: I find the whole him looking like a Dawrf cool because he is small but built like an ox. Remember to he had to be hunched over and mean looking because this is what Lucy saw every time she seen him.

[D4773T]

Originally posted by Dragon
I'm sorry but i still dislike this whole relaunch idea, i don't like the no Snikt idea, i don't beleve this is Wolverine, he doesn't feel like him, he diffently does not look like him. I'm sorry nothing against he artist but he looks like a beaten up hairy drunken Midget Ogre, he doesn't look anything like the 5'3 butt kicking machine i know and love. i give this issue a 2/5 Thought i was the only one who felt this way. I just hope this doesnt turn into another daredevil where nothing really happens for three issues so they can throw it all in a trade paper back. Sold out or not.:mad:

[Alan Lynch]

Originally posted by Dragon
I'm sorry nothing against he artist but he looks like a beaten up hairy drunken Midget Ogre
That's because he is. My first Wolverine book in bloody years, and I loved it. I'm glad Rucka and Robertson are trying something different, and I for one think it works great. I hope they make Logan what he was before he got too popular: tough, short, angry, beat-up and noble.

[Darick Robertson]

For those of you who like the short, angry mean looking Wolverine, you'll enjoy the first 2 issues. For those of you who prefer the Hugh Jackman-esque pretty Boy Wolverine you'll be satisfied by issue 3, and very happy by issue 6.

Marvel agrees with you. Congratulations.

[Tan K.]

I find it hard to judge a new series based on the first issue. I'll gie it 'til maybe 3. It was well written, but I don't know if I find it interesting enough to give out $3 for it. I've liked Darick's art in the past, but I am just not liking his Logan. I'm sure his stamina is a turn on, but I find it hard to believe that he's been able to bag so many fictional hotties with the mug I saw in Wolverine #1.

[SmashedPumpkin]

I enjoyed #1, but then again, I haven't read wolverine since around issue #80 either. :D

[Drax]

Originally posted by Darick Robertson
For those of you who like the short, angry mean looking Wolverine, you'll enjoy the first 2 issues. For those of you who prefer the Hugh Jackman-esque pretty Boy Wolverine you'll be satisfied by issue 3, and very happy by issue 6.

Marvel agrees with you. Congratulations.

Oh no. It really was too good to last. Does Wolverine have the chin hair crap now too?

[Andy James]

The whole changing of Logan's appearance on a whim really bugs me. Ive said this before elsewhere, but i just dont understand why Marvel insists on Darick changing his style. They knew how successful X2 was going to be, heck they relaunched the book to attract new readers from the movie, so why if they wanted Logan to look like Hugh Jackman didnt they tell Darick at the beginning? I mean are Marvel expecting us to buy Logan loosing 100 lbs and having cosmetic surgery midway through a scene between issues? Personally i love the "new" look which was exhibited in issue #1. It makes Logan looks like what he is- an angry, old man with a tortured soul. I liked Chens version a lot, but this just seems more realistic. The whole idea of a Hugh Jackman style Logan living in the situation that was presented in issue 1 (The barren appartment with only a blanket) doesnt seem as plausible. I dunno, maybe its just me. I can see where Marvel is coming from though-it is all about the Benjamins after all and if Hugh Jackman style Logan sells, then i cant argue with them really.
Its still going to be as good as this issue was, because Gregs still doing the superb words and Daricks doing the superb images, its just a shame Darick cant have creative freedom and is restricted on what he sees Logan as.

[Daniel J Ciccaglione]

Originally posted by nova
The whole changing of Logan's appearance on a whim really bugs me. Ive said this before elsewhere, but i just dont understand why Marvel insists on Darick changing his style. They knew how successful X2 was going to be, heck they relaunched the book to attract new readers from the movie, so why if they wanted Logan to look like Hugh Jackman didnt they tell Darick at the beginning? I mean are Marvel expecting us to buy Logan loosing 100 lbs and having cosmetic surgery midway through a scene between issues? Personally i love the &quot;new&quot; look which was exhibited in issue #1. It makes Logan looks like what he is- an angry, old man with a tortured soul. I liked Chens version a lot, but this just seems more realistic. The whole idea of a Hugh Jackman style Logan living in the situation that was presented in issue 1 (The barren appartment with only a blanket) doesnt seem as plausible. I dunno, maybe its just me. I can see where Marvel is coming from though-it is all about the Benjamins after all and if Hugh Jackman style Logan sells, then i cant argue with them really.
Its still going to be as good as this issue was, because Gregs still doing the superb words and Daricks doing the superb images, its just a shame Darick cant have creative freedom and is restricted on what he sees Logan as.
I agree with you 100% I loved Chen's version I loved almost all the versions of Logan in his series. I like Darick's more because this is what Logan is. Greg of course will always be a great writier to me. But now I'm kinda of mad at Marvel for having Darick change his art of Logan.

Hey Darick can you show us a few drawings of the new look he gets soon?

[Tan K.]

Originally posted by Tha Wolverine

I like Darick's more because this is what Logan is.

How that be what Logan is if he has never looked like that in his decades of appearances?

Hey, he's been a rough and hard kinda guy all of this time, but not bad looking. **lightbulb** Let's make him butt-ugly. Yeah! That makes sense!

[Erwin Rafael]

I'm glad Rucka and Robertson are trying something different, and I for one think it works great. I hope they make Logan what he was before he got too popular: tough, short, angry, beat-up and noble.

and please, let us not have that memory implant thing again. not again!!! :p

I'm sorry nothing against he artist but he looks like a beaten up hairy drunken Midget Ogre, he doesn't look anything like the 5'3 butt kicking machine i know and love

but he never (not even once) been drawn as 5'3". sure, the artists draw him shorter than the other X-Men, but i tell you, he's always been drawn with a built of a tall person. only now has he been drawn with the correct built for a heavy 5'3" person.

[Anthony Lucynski]

No offense to Frank Tieri (Frank knows how I feel about his Wolverine) but Greg and Darick have made me a Wolverine fan again.

If that was the goal, then that's been acomplished. Well done guys. Hope it continues.

Anthony L

[Alex Guillen]

well i tought the issue was quite good, a nice introductionnin to what rucka/Robertson have planned for Wolverine. Not the best issue ever but still damm good and we're back tothe "old" Logan, which I really enjoy, he's not fuzzy, he's just who he is and if you don't like well, you know what happens next. :logan:

[Daniel J Ciccaglione]

Originally posted by Tan K.


How that be what Logan is if he has never looked like that in his decades of appearances?

Hey, he's been a rough and hard kinda guy all of this time, but not bad looking. **lightbulb** Let's make him butt-ugly. Yeah! That makes sense!
Because that is his character. Short, bulit looking hunched over and mean alot, animal like, older looking. That was Logan back in the day. Now Darick brings those things to life. His Logan is suppose to look mean in the first issue because that is what Lucy sees. But Logan was a grumpy type of guy. Also there was an artist that drew him like that before right after he changed back from being an animal from issue 100 when he goes ferial. I think it was around 110 or so and for a while this guy drew Logan like this, then Yu took over. So Logan was drawn like that for a bit.

[thewrite1]

Originally posted by D4773T
Thought i was the only one who felt this way. I just hope this doesnt turn into another daredevil where nothing really happens for three issues so they can throw it all in a trade paper back. Sold out or not.:mad:

I thought a lot happened in this issue. We got to see Wolverine away from the X-Men, nurturing his soul by reading (I've never seen him read a book before!), getting into scraps (the knife in his leg) and looking out for his neighbour. The neighbour adds an air of mystery - who is she, where did she come from, why was she murdered - and it creates suspense for the next issue.

If you like Wolverine as a caricature, then read the other X-books. This is the real Wolverine and I like him!

I'm sorry, Darick, that Marvel is not as brave as you are.

[Tan K.]

I guess I should stop trying to instigate disharmony.

I see what ya'll are saying. My favorite renditions of Wolverine were J Buscema's and Silvestri's. It met the standards of all worlds I felt.

[D4773T]

I like the fact that now he will have alife but that doesnt mean i want to see three or four issues of him reading a book or sitting in a diner. Wolverine was never a philosopher but he will kick some a$$ to right a wrong. And about the art ,im sorry but i dont like him looking like an orgre either. He just looked to much like a mini hulk to me. He was never really drawn like that.

[thewrite1]

Originally posted by D4773T
I like the fact that now he will have alife but that doesnt mean i want to see three or four issues of him reading a book or sitting in a diner. Wolverine was never a philosopher but he will kick some a$$ to right a wrong. And about the art ,im sorry but i dont like him looking like an orgre either. He just looked to much like a mini hulk to me. He was never really drawn like that.

We haven't seen three or four issues of him sitting in a diner. We've seen ONE issue and it was showing the perspective of someone who worked in the diner, so that's all she knew of him.

He was never really drawn 'like that' because us readers all have the intimate and primal need to see heroes as good-looking and perfect human beings. Wolverine is an anti-hero but he was still drawn as fairly good-looking because otherwise we wouldn't like him. Wolverine is not a good-looking man. He is being drawn realistically at last and its up to us to see beyond his appearance to the good kind man underneath.

Its like Hollywood. We like the perfect people to be our heroes, and in real life the ugly people can be just as nice. We just treat good-looking people with more respect.

[Booyah9]

I thought the issue was a good start. Great creative team and they seem to be going in a bold direction compared to what everyone else is doing with Logan. I'm really looking forward to next issue, as this seems to have lots of potential.

[Alex Groff]

Sorry Darick. I thought this new Wolverine was brilliant. Are you staying with it in spite of the disagreements? One would think that Marvel could look at how the book was doing and see that you guys were on the mark, doing Wolverine right for the first time in a decade or two. It's a wonder more writers and artists don't go the way of Brian Wood, David Choe or Rob G.

I can understand people not liking the ogreish Wolverine, but this picture of him isn't new. He has always been described this way-- hence his name, a small but aggressive mammal known for its resilience-- but the image presented never quite fit who he is. This vision is something brilliant, not because it's new, but because it's a return to the primal roots of what Wolverine represents.

[Sokkonn]

I thought it was great. I think this is indeed Logan- only character driven, and not action driven. Yes, were used to seeing him slash and attack and yata yata yata... but there's more to him then that, isn't there? Maybe I'm saying what has already been said, but it does seem like this issue had the real essence of Wolverine, and not just the impact he has.

And, for those wanting a snikit... hang on. I have a feeling it's going to be huge.

[Daniel J Ciccaglione]

I loved this issue just because it was different then the other ones. Well I think Logan would read though. Afterall he was training in the ways of Samuiri(sp) And you would think that he needed to read up on the history. Plus he's a warrior so I would think he read Art of War. Plus reading relaxes people. Maybe Logan use to read a lot just to find a little peace and when he joined the X-Men he stopped and now he started up again. It would be funny to see him read Harry Potter.

[djiceman]

I like Robertson's art. Just not his Logan. He kind of makes him look comical at times, not mean. That look worked really well in the Punisher series' Wolverine because I think that's how Ennis was portraying him. I am a fan of the Jim Lee Wolverine with the big fangs and cool hair.

[Daniel J Ciccaglione]

Jim Lee did make a good Wolvie. If you want a classic Wolvie I would go for Adam Kurbert personally.

[Filthy Mutie]

I liked it.

You can tell someone's familiarity based on if they like this issue or not. Those that have been in the comic loop for a while dig this--those that were introduced with the animated series do not. Maybe I'm wrong on this one. Just a theory I'm working on.

We're off to a good start. I'm interested.

From a business standpoint, I'm not terribly surprised with Marvel's decision to change Logan's appearance, but it is a big letdown in every other aspect that I can think of. I wonder what Stan thinks of Logan's appearance...

So, here's to you, Mr. Robertson. Good show.

[SmashedPumpkin]

Well, enjoy this issue while you can... cause marvel is forcing a change to his movie counterpart. CRAP!

[Daniel J Ciccaglione]

I know I'm a little mad at that too. Unless he looks a little more like Chen's Wolvie then I have no problem with that.

[AJ'sgirl]

Very much enjoyed #1.

However, I'm depressed by the news that Marvel has asked Mr. Robertson to change Logan to look more like a movie star. (not that he couldn't draw a very interesting Hugh Jackman-like character...Hughverine?)

I never wanted to see Logan look pretty. I do like him to be expressive. Logan gets mad, I want to be scared; if he's in pain, I wince in sympathy; he's happy--I'm smiling, too. I got all of that in Wolverine #1.

None of that should change if Logan gets a makeover; but Jack Nicholson is a great actor, in part, for the remarkable range of emotions he can express with his less than handsome face. An ugly mug can be a great canvas for emotions.

I'm interested enough in the series to stick with it, whatever the changes, but...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[MrHymes01]

Just one word. Ew.

Okay TWO words. Not good.

[doom32x]

I haven't read this issue yet, but on the art subject...I never really liked Chen's Wolverine, I always though Yu had a great Wolverine though. Hmmm...I wonder if Logan's claws will actually come out of the back of his hand for a change now like they should.

[darkhawk20]

i read it!
this first number is damned good!
rucka and robertson ,return to the wolverine of 80 not a animal only.
a man that is violent,but also read book,and have humanity!great :cool:

[W.Worthington 3]

Not really important, but why is this new launch called Volume 3 ?

Where did volume 2 go ????

Haven't read it yet though...