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All-New Wolerine is a comic I noticed would get high praise in reviews, but one I never had the time to dip in and see for myself what the hubbub was all about. Marvel Comics is releasing volume four of the series this week in comic shops and that allowed me a chance to get the 6 issue arc into my system!
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
From the stars comes death! An alien ship. A dying passenger. And two words that will forever change Wolverine’s life. They fi re the gun on a non-stop race against a deadly transformative disease, as Laura faces a battle in a quarantined city against a mysterious villain. But when the sickness starts to spread, to what lengths will she go to help the people in danger? Wolverine turns to former allies and new friends to help save the day – but her search for answers will ultimately propel her into battle…against the Brood! Will Wolverine’s quest end with her being overwhelmed by hundreds of parasitic aliens? Or will the Guardians of the Galaxy be able to turn the tide? Join Wolverine on her most amazing adventure yet!
Why does this matter?
Collecting 6 issues, this story arc has a beginning, middle, and end. That makes it very accessible to readers like me who haven’t been following along. The story also takes Wolverine off planet in a very mutant-style story.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Given how often heroes have been ressurected from the dead Star-Lord sure is quick to give up on Gabby.
Dang guys, Wolverine is a pretty sick character, especially paired with her younger sister/clone self. Chances are Wolverine’s younger cloned self was added to the book due to her Logan film counterpart, but the dynamic between them is excellent. Tom Taylor makes Gabby a fun loving and enjoyable character who plays off Wolverine/Laura’s colder self-preserving characterization well. Taylor finds more than one way to split them up, which helps show their need for each other and their close bond.
The story in this issue is quite good and jampacks a lot of story. Most comic story arcs these days spend 6 issues telling a story that could probably fit into one issue, but the story here weaves, bobs, and goes in surprising directions. It opens with a virus coming to Earth and ends on a moon infested with Brood. Somehow Taylor ties all this together so that we get a meaningful and satisfying story. He also manages to flip the mutant healing power on its head, which is not only a cool twist, but it also ties well into Laura’s inability to connect with people. This character has come a long way and this trade paperback does a great job capturing the growth of the character.
It also looks pretty damn good. Leonard Kirk draws all of the issues (with various inkers backing him up) does well with various visual challenges like detailed city backgrounds or the anatomy of a Brood. When Wolverine is using her claws in action it looks sharp and believable and the action is always easy to track.
Wolverine’s hate light!
It can’t be perfect can it?
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There’s a plot element or two that will scream cliched, like a moment where Laura helps an ex AIM agent who just so happens to be kidnapping patient zero for good causes. Another eye rolling element is Gabby being kidnapped (I sense a pattern here) by Brood and being used in a predictable way. It doesn’t help the resolution of that storyline goes about as you expect. As far as superhero comic books though it’s all good.
Is It Good?
A highly enjoyable comic series with a solid story arc that’s satisfying by the end. Taylor writes a great Wolverine and it’s a series I know can’t wait to keep reading.
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