Wolverine is celebrating its milestone 400th issue this week in an extra-sized issue that wraps up a story arc while teasing a new one. Packed with three tales, Wolverine #8 feels like it is swinging big but doesn’t always connect. It may approach iconic at times, but it’s also a complicated read, especially if you haven’t been jiving with the Adamantine threat. At $7.99, it may be a tough sell for most.
Wolverine #8 (LGY #400) opens with a story arc wrap-up titled “Adamantine Unleashed.” It drops readers into a bare-knuckle battle between Logan and Romulus, and Romulus is wearing the gold Adamantine primal force.
The battle has all the hallmarks of a superhero fight right down to Wolverine seemingly close to defeat, but the trope of finding another gear wins the day. It’s not an earned win, and the Adamantine’s choice to fight another day also feels incredibly clichéd. The story wrap-up cheapens the experience, as if the creators knew they needed to move on but didn’t have satisfying answers.
Next up is another story by Ahmed and Martin Coccolo titled “This is Your Life,” which is more fitting for a milestone issue. It cleverly loops in the Wendigo, whom Wolverine has been teaching to control its monstrous side. The creators bring back an X-Men classic, Arcade, who wants to test Wolverine for kicks. The test leads Wolverine to revisit his past, which suits the milestone issue vibe.
Wolverine vs. Arcade is a fun second story.
Credit: Marvel
This story features a reasonably convenient wrap-up on Wendigo, and while it’s nice to get a definitive change, it’s unearned and rushed. It’s as if the creators knew this issue needed a turning point, so they are capping things off for another story arc.
Coccolo gets to let loose with the fight scenes, which are brutal and hard-felt. His art is good throughout, though it does feel a tad rushed compared to some of his past work. There’s a slight reduction in detail that is missed, but at least the action is fun to follow.
The second story includes a wrap-up cliffhanger about the series’ future. Teased last month, it’s a big gimmicky, but it could mean more development for Logan going forward.
Wrapping up this issue is an excellent short tale by Daniel Warren Johnson titled “Onryō,” a type of Japanese ghost. In ten pages, Johnson shows how brutal, violent, and unflinching this ancient Japanese Wolverine can be. In one panel, he cuts a horse’s head clear off. The design with crazy big hair and red eyes makes him look haunting and otherworldly. The use of sound effects in stylistic ways, be it behind the characters or breaking panels up, is flashy and eye-catching. Many will finish this story and want an entire series of this Wolverine.
Wolverine #8 swings for the fences in its milestone 400th issue, delivering three stories that range from underwhelming to unforgettable. While “Adamantine Unleashed” and “This Is Your Life” struggle to earn their emotional beats, the final short by Daniel Warren Johnson is a haunting gem that leaves a lasting impression. It’s a mixed bag that longtime fans may appreciate for its ambition, but newcomers might find it a pricey and uneven ride.
You must be logged in to post a comment.