Brandon Yates
Apr 7, 2002, 03:19 pm
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/wolvhulk2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/wolvhulk2t.jpg" align=left alt="Wolverine/Hulk #2"></a><b>Reviewer:</b> Brandon Yates, brandonyates@zentertainment.com
<b>Quick Rating:</b> Excellent!
Wolverine can't stands no more, and cuts loose against the Hulk. But where Logan may fail... a little girl will succeed.
<b>Written by:</b> Sam Kieth
<b>Art by:</b></b> Sam Kieth
<b>Lettered by:</b> Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Wes Abbott
<b>Colored by:</b> Richard Isanove
<b>Editor:</b> Stuart Moore
<b>Associate Managing Editor:</b> Kelly Lamy
<b>Managing Editor:</b> Nanci Dakesian
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Joe Quesada
<b>President:</b> Bill Jemas
This mini-series hasn't gotten any less bizarre, let me tell you, but it has improved, story-wise, since the last as the genre this book fits into has become more clear. This is a comedy; A surreal comedy, sort of like a lighter version of Kieth's <i><b>The Maxx</i></b> and I find it a refreshingly unusual take on the Wolverine/Hulk dynamic which usual ends in bloodshed on both sides. While Wolverine takes plenty of punches, and the Hulk is on the receiving end of some adamantium rage, you never see any blood and, though they may say "ouch" here and there, the combatants never seem to get injured. Last issue I criticized this aspect, but now that I see that perhaps this series is meant to play-down consequential violence and focus more on the overall surreal tale, which slowly unfolds, I can appreciate and enjoy it that much more.
The issue begins with one of the most pathetic sights you'll ever behold in your comic-reading lifetime - the Hulk, brow furrowed, trying to contemplate. Logan actually managed to get the big lug to sit and think for a second (literally) between the end of last issue and the beginning of this one, but even the most casual reader knows that a big brute, who runs around yelling "Smash!" in ripped up purple pants, does not offer much in the way of logical thought. And so goes the result of that little endeavor - "Hulk must smash!"
The mystery of Po, the little-girl version of Mr. Mxyzptlk, thrives still and this issue brings us only slightly closer to the truth. I think at this point we can rule out the possibility of her being an hallucination since she has a very real influence on the Hulk who can't actually see her, unlike Logan, but is still susceptible to her... abilities. As with last issue, albeit with more frequency, Po physically changes into a "crayon-drawing" state every now and again, though Wolverine never brings it up, which adds to the pecularity of this issue - does anyone involved in this find the whole situation a little odd? I guess when you're going toe-to-toe with the Incredible Hulk everything else takes a back seat. Makes sense. (probably the only thing that does).
Elaborating on my earlier point, Kieth plays each character in a very light, comedic fashion. Many times it's only the Hulk who is played as comic relief, and that gets very annoying very fast for this reader, but when everyone is sort of bouncing quips and sarastic remarks off each other with some "Hulk not stupid! You stupid!" thrown in for good measure, I can't help but laugh and be glad that even Logan takes himself a little less seriously for a change. I'm sure there are Wolverine fans who will be turned off by this version of Logan but all I can recommend is that they see this as an out-of-contuity story, no harm done, and enjoy it for what it is. Isn't that the Marvel Motto these days, anyway?
Kieth's art is fantastic, as always. Richard Isanove's color-assist, with Kieth's paints, is just overkill (in a good way) making this title one of the prettiest on the stands for the next couple of months. Almost every single page is poster quality.
I'm still not sure where Kieth is going with this story, but ending the issue with the trio approaching their destination, with a surprising twist (or not so surprising depending on how you look at it) was a better way to entice readers into anticipating the next issue than the lackluster cliffhanger from last time. In some ways I'm still worried that this is a tale best told in three issues than four, since there is a slight amount of padding this issue (I fear even more in the next) and we've moved little past the "Wolverine versus The Hulk" scenario. However, since <i><b>Wolverine/Hulk #2</i></b> ends with a certain tragic Doctor in place of a certain angry behemoth my qualms may be unfounded. I will enter next issue with an open mind and, if only for the art, wide-open eyes.
<b>Art:</b>
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/xfull.jpg
<b>Story:</b>
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
<b>Overall:</b>
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/xhalf.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!
<b>Quick Rating:</b> Excellent!
Wolverine can't stands no more, and cuts loose against the Hulk. But where Logan may fail... a little girl will succeed.
<b>Written by:</b> Sam Kieth
<b>Art by:</b></b> Sam Kieth
<b>Lettered by:</b> Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Wes Abbott
<b>Colored by:</b> Richard Isanove
<b>Editor:</b> Stuart Moore
<b>Associate Managing Editor:</b> Kelly Lamy
<b>Managing Editor:</b> Nanci Dakesian
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Joe Quesada
<b>President:</b> Bill Jemas
This mini-series hasn't gotten any less bizarre, let me tell you, but it has improved, story-wise, since the last as the genre this book fits into has become more clear. This is a comedy; A surreal comedy, sort of like a lighter version of Kieth's <i><b>The Maxx</i></b> and I find it a refreshingly unusual take on the Wolverine/Hulk dynamic which usual ends in bloodshed on both sides. While Wolverine takes plenty of punches, and the Hulk is on the receiving end of some adamantium rage, you never see any blood and, though they may say "ouch" here and there, the combatants never seem to get injured. Last issue I criticized this aspect, but now that I see that perhaps this series is meant to play-down consequential violence and focus more on the overall surreal tale, which slowly unfolds, I can appreciate and enjoy it that much more.
The issue begins with one of the most pathetic sights you'll ever behold in your comic-reading lifetime - the Hulk, brow furrowed, trying to contemplate. Logan actually managed to get the big lug to sit and think for a second (literally) between the end of last issue and the beginning of this one, but even the most casual reader knows that a big brute, who runs around yelling "Smash!" in ripped up purple pants, does not offer much in the way of logical thought. And so goes the result of that little endeavor - "Hulk must smash!"
The mystery of Po, the little-girl version of Mr. Mxyzptlk, thrives still and this issue brings us only slightly closer to the truth. I think at this point we can rule out the possibility of her being an hallucination since she has a very real influence on the Hulk who can't actually see her, unlike Logan, but is still susceptible to her... abilities. As with last issue, albeit with more frequency, Po physically changes into a "crayon-drawing" state every now and again, though Wolverine never brings it up, which adds to the pecularity of this issue - does anyone involved in this find the whole situation a little odd? I guess when you're going toe-to-toe with the Incredible Hulk everything else takes a back seat. Makes sense. (probably the only thing that does).
Elaborating on my earlier point, Kieth plays each character in a very light, comedic fashion. Many times it's only the Hulk who is played as comic relief, and that gets very annoying very fast for this reader, but when everyone is sort of bouncing quips and sarastic remarks off each other with some "Hulk not stupid! You stupid!" thrown in for good measure, I can't help but laugh and be glad that even Logan takes himself a little less seriously for a change. I'm sure there are Wolverine fans who will be turned off by this version of Logan but all I can recommend is that they see this as an out-of-contuity story, no harm done, and enjoy it for what it is. Isn't that the Marvel Motto these days, anyway?
Kieth's art is fantastic, as always. Richard Isanove's color-assist, with Kieth's paints, is just overkill (in a good way) making this title one of the prettiest on the stands for the next couple of months. Almost every single page is poster quality.
I'm still not sure where Kieth is going with this story, but ending the issue with the trio approaching their destination, with a surprising twist (or not so surprising depending on how you look at it) was a better way to entice readers into anticipating the next issue than the lackluster cliffhanger from last time. In some ways I'm still worried that this is a tale best told in three issues than four, since there is a slight amount of padding this issue (I fear even more in the next) and we've moved little past the "Wolverine versus The Hulk" scenario. However, since <i><b>Wolverine/Hulk #2</i></b> ends with a certain tragic Doctor in place of a certain angry behemoth my qualms may be unfounded. I will enter next issue with an open mind and, if only for the art, wide-open eyes.
<b>Art:</b>
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/xfull.jpg
<b>Story:</b>
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
<b>Overall:</b>
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/xhalf.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!