Brian Wilkinson
Mar 27, 2002, 06:55 pm
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/wolv-174.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/wolv-174t.jpg" align=left alt="Wolverine #174"></a>Reviewer: Brian E. Wilkinson, bewilkinson@yahoo.ca
Quick Rating: Great!
Story Title: The Logan Files (Part 2 of 3)
Someone has targeted those nearest and dearest to Wolverine? But who is it, and can Logan find them before anyone else gets hurt?
Written by: Frank Tieri
Cover by: David Finch
Pencilled by: Sean Chen
Inked by: Norm Rapmund
Lettered by: Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Saida Temfonte
Colored by: Avalon's Raymund Lee
Assistant Editor: Mike Raicht
Editor: Mike Marts
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
It occurred to me today that I have been searching for a way to define Frank Tieri’s run on Wolverine. No one word seemed to fit the bill, and then as I was driving home from work today I hit upon a combination that worked well:
Proud and Primal.
These two words embodied both the spirit of Wolverine as a series and as a definition of its main character. Logan, the man, is a man who exemplifies the virtues of human nature. He is a man of honour, of courage, and of stout heart. Despite the gruff exterior, he has a big heart and willingly extends his love and friendship to those he would call friends or family. He is a man who is in constant search of his true self and a greater purpose for his life. No matter the conflict, he won’t stop fighting no matter what the odds are against his succeeding. As touched upon recently in Origin, the name ‘Wolverine’ suits him in more ways than one. Frank Tieri didn’t invent this character, nor did he create all of the traits as mentioned above. He has, however, utilized every aspect of Wolverine’s nobility in so many memorable ways that he has virtually guaranteed himself a place in one of the best writers of Wolverine in his long history.
The other word I mentioned was primal, and for good reason. Wolverine is a force of nature. Something so wild that it cannot be caged. A man who wrestles with the beast within himself and exults in the ferocity of the life he finds himself living. This is not to say that Wolverine would reject a life of peace, but that it seems as though is fate is to always fight the good fight. Whether it is from threats to himself, his family, his friends or the ongoing struggle against the wildness of his soul, Wolverine is a man of pride and one to be proud of. Tieri has embraced this aspect of Logan’s personality as well as we witness first hand how devastating it can be to those who cross his path. Death follows Wolverine no matter where he goes.
It feels like such a contradiction to label a man both proud and primal. Perhaps it was hit on best in the likening of Wolverine to a wolf in the pages of Origin. Both man and beast are capable of great deeds, but when the need arises their claws and teeth can take down any animal. It is with a measure of respect that I attempt to define Tieri’s run on Wolverine because I am so impressed by how easily Tieri seems to handle the contradiction. I have not enjoyed the series or the character this much in years and it is my sincere hope that Frank can keep it up for years to come.
As for the issue (this is a review, dontcha know) it is a clear example of the kind of writing brilliance that Frank Tieri is capable of. In the first pages he touches on part of Wolverine’s past, and the deep love he shared with Mariko Yoshida before events forced him to take her life in order to end her suffering. Tieri’s writing makes it possible for me to really feel the sadness of the moment. The scene isn’t just Wolverine visiting a deceased loved one, but the place where one of his few chances for happiness ended. Sean Chen captures the frailty of the scene beautifully as his art continues to improve with every issue.
For all the pain visited on Logan’s friends last issue, at least it wasn’t as... permanent as some thought it might be. For one, Yukio is still alive! It seems as though the brutal beating she received last issue was not fatal after all. Sadly, she was paralysed from the attack and coupled with her frustration for failing to protect Amiko (Logan’s ward) she makes an unthinkable request of Logan. This isn’t the first time this particular request has been asked of him, but I shudder to think that he might agree!
Meanwhile, the hornet’s nest known as Weapon X is busy trying to figure out how Sabretooth got the best of them. Not much is really revealed here as to what they are going to do to solve the problem so it readers are going to have to wait until next issue to see how they enter the mix. I really liked the confrontation here between Jackson and the Weapon X director. It in organization with as clouded goals as this, there are bound to be a lot of disagreements of a violent nature as to what should be done. The Director handily wins the fight, but I get the feeling this will only be the beginning of the troubles for Weapon X. Besides, if you throw in the fact that Frank Tieri will be writing the upcoming Weapon X ongoing series, you just know that there’s going to be trouble before too long. I was also pleased to see Kane make an appearance, though as I don’t follow Deadpool (which featured the Weapon X program in its previous arc) I hadn’t realized how much different Kane looked. When he was first introduced circa X-Force #2 he was half cyborg, but Kane’s image has him looking much more machine-like. Not sure if I like it, but it certainly is impressive.
The rest of this issue largely centres around a battle between Wolverine and the duo of Omega Red and Lady Deathstrike. What could easily have descended into a typical slash and hack battle is made much more interesting by the fact that Logan is without the use of his powers. Tieri makes sure Logan comes to the fight prepared wearing a ‘guardian’ suit under his X-Men uniform which helps to make up for the missing healing factor. Securing Lady Deathstrike’s mask to shield himself from Omega Red’s death spores makes the playing field more even, but the duo proves to be too much in the end. Logan uses a lot more brains in this fight than he has in quite some time (including remembering that the spore Omega Red releases is flammable). The art is fantastic as it matches the pacing of Tieri’s writing and the destruction of objects near by help to give an indication of the ferocity that all three are displaying. Logan gives it his best, never once quitting despite claws through his foot, being thrown through windows, slashed, bumped, and bruised. In the end, Logan is finally beaten, and the time has come for him to confront Sabretooth once again.
This is great stuff! This is the perfect blend of action and characterization that has helped put this book on the map. Chen’s art is nothing short of fantastic, and Tieri’s Wolverine is the strongest one there is (sorry, Hulk ;)). What has my curiosity at the moment is the content of the mysterious ‘Logan Files’ for which this arc has been named. What information is it that Weapon X has in their hands? Does it contain the events currently being told in Origin as was hinted at in issue #166? Why does Sabretooth want this information (I mean, I know they hate each other, but this seems like an awful lot of trouble to go to for revenge, even for the ‘toothmonger)? I know the answer is inevitably ‘wait and see’ so I suppose patience is the key.
I really want to know, though.
If you can’t tell from my thoughts on this issue and the series in general that it is definitely worth a look (not to mention your hard-earned money) then let me say it clearly here: Go out and buy the book. You won’t regret it.
{I may be nitpicking, but how else am I supposed to keep Old Man Tieri on his toes? ;)}
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!
Quick Rating: Great!
Story Title: The Logan Files (Part 2 of 3)
Someone has targeted those nearest and dearest to Wolverine? But who is it, and can Logan find them before anyone else gets hurt?
Written by: Frank Tieri
Cover by: David Finch
Pencilled by: Sean Chen
Inked by: Norm Rapmund
Lettered by: Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Saida Temfonte
Colored by: Avalon's Raymund Lee
Assistant Editor: Mike Raicht
Editor: Mike Marts
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
It occurred to me today that I have been searching for a way to define Frank Tieri’s run on Wolverine. No one word seemed to fit the bill, and then as I was driving home from work today I hit upon a combination that worked well:
Proud and Primal.
These two words embodied both the spirit of Wolverine as a series and as a definition of its main character. Logan, the man, is a man who exemplifies the virtues of human nature. He is a man of honour, of courage, and of stout heart. Despite the gruff exterior, he has a big heart and willingly extends his love and friendship to those he would call friends or family. He is a man who is in constant search of his true self and a greater purpose for his life. No matter the conflict, he won’t stop fighting no matter what the odds are against his succeeding. As touched upon recently in Origin, the name ‘Wolverine’ suits him in more ways than one. Frank Tieri didn’t invent this character, nor did he create all of the traits as mentioned above. He has, however, utilized every aspect of Wolverine’s nobility in so many memorable ways that he has virtually guaranteed himself a place in one of the best writers of Wolverine in his long history.
The other word I mentioned was primal, and for good reason. Wolverine is a force of nature. Something so wild that it cannot be caged. A man who wrestles with the beast within himself and exults in the ferocity of the life he finds himself living. This is not to say that Wolverine would reject a life of peace, but that it seems as though is fate is to always fight the good fight. Whether it is from threats to himself, his family, his friends or the ongoing struggle against the wildness of his soul, Wolverine is a man of pride and one to be proud of. Tieri has embraced this aspect of Logan’s personality as well as we witness first hand how devastating it can be to those who cross his path. Death follows Wolverine no matter where he goes.
It feels like such a contradiction to label a man both proud and primal. Perhaps it was hit on best in the likening of Wolverine to a wolf in the pages of Origin. Both man and beast are capable of great deeds, but when the need arises their claws and teeth can take down any animal. It is with a measure of respect that I attempt to define Tieri’s run on Wolverine because I am so impressed by how easily Tieri seems to handle the contradiction. I have not enjoyed the series or the character this much in years and it is my sincere hope that Frank can keep it up for years to come.
As for the issue (this is a review, dontcha know) it is a clear example of the kind of writing brilliance that Frank Tieri is capable of. In the first pages he touches on part of Wolverine’s past, and the deep love he shared with Mariko Yoshida before events forced him to take her life in order to end her suffering. Tieri’s writing makes it possible for me to really feel the sadness of the moment. The scene isn’t just Wolverine visiting a deceased loved one, but the place where one of his few chances for happiness ended. Sean Chen captures the frailty of the scene beautifully as his art continues to improve with every issue.
For all the pain visited on Logan’s friends last issue, at least it wasn’t as... permanent as some thought it might be. For one, Yukio is still alive! It seems as though the brutal beating she received last issue was not fatal after all. Sadly, she was paralysed from the attack and coupled with her frustration for failing to protect Amiko (Logan’s ward) she makes an unthinkable request of Logan. This isn’t the first time this particular request has been asked of him, but I shudder to think that he might agree!
Meanwhile, the hornet’s nest known as Weapon X is busy trying to figure out how Sabretooth got the best of them. Not much is really revealed here as to what they are going to do to solve the problem so it readers are going to have to wait until next issue to see how they enter the mix. I really liked the confrontation here between Jackson and the Weapon X director. It in organization with as clouded goals as this, there are bound to be a lot of disagreements of a violent nature as to what should be done. The Director handily wins the fight, but I get the feeling this will only be the beginning of the troubles for Weapon X. Besides, if you throw in the fact that Frank Tieri will be writing the upcoming Weapon X ongoing series, you just know that there’s going to be trouble before too long. I was also pleased to see Kane make an appearance, though as I don’t follow Deadpool (which featured the Weapon X program in its previous arc) I hadn’t realized how much different Kane looked. When he was first introduced circa X-Force #2 he was half cyborg, but Kane’s image has him looking much more machine-like. Not sure if I like it, but it certainly is impressive.
The rest of this issue largely centres around a battle between Wolverine and the duo of Omega Red and Lady Deathstrike. What could easily have descended into a typical slash and hack battle is made much more interesting by the fact that Logan is without the use of his powers. Tieri makes sure Logan comes to the fight prepared wearing a ‘guardian’ suit under his X-Men uniform which helps to make up for the missing healing factor. Securing Lady Deathstrike’s mask to shield himself from Omega Red’s death spores makes the playing field more even, but the duo proves to be too much in the end. Logan uses a lot more brains in this fight than he has in quite some time (including remembering that the spore Omega Red releases is flammable). The art is fantastic as it matches the pacing of Tieri’s writing and the destruction of objects near by help to give an indication of the ferocity that all three are displaying. Logan gives it his best, never once quitting despite claws through his foot, being thrown through windows, slashed, bumped, and bruised. In the end, Logan is finally beaten, and the time has come for him to confront Sabretooth once again.
This is great stuff! This is the perfect blend of action and characterization that has helped put this book on the map. Chen’s art is nothing short of fantastic, and Tieri’s Wolverine is the strongest one there is (sorry, Hulk ;)). What has my curiosity at the moment is the content of the mysterious ‘Logan Files’ for which this arc has been named. What information is it that Weapon X has in their hands? Does it contain the events currently being told in Origin as was hinted at in issue #166? Why does Sabretooth want this information (I mean, I know they hate each other, but this seems like an awful lot of trouble to go to for revenge, even for the ‘toothmonger)? I know the answer is inevitably ‘wait and see’ so I suppose patience is the key.
I really want to know, though.
If you can’t tell from my thoughts on this issue and the series in general that it is definitely worth a look (not to mention your hard-earned money) then let me say it clearly here: Go out and buy the book. You won’t regret it.
{I may be nitpicking, but how else am I supposed to keep Old Man Tieri on his toes? ;)}
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!