Ultimate Wolverine has been a slow burn, looking at a man turned into a killing machine, with an emphasis on “machine.” However, something was shaken free in Ultimate Wolveirne #3 after Kitty Pryde seemed to get him to remember his past. Enter Ultimate Wolverine #4, where the machine may wake in time to escape. But how is he contained so well? A major reveal in this issue will get X-Men fans very excited.
Ultimate Wolverine #4 opens with a 13-page battle between a wolf and a bear. It’s a risky choice as it’s a major thematic departure from the previous issues, as well as a tougher sell with Wolverine absent visually. He’s there in spirit, however, as writer Chris Condon uses captions to detail the scientists in the room of a slowly wakening Wolverine. As the wolf battles the bear it appears Wolverine is fighting too, or maybe the wolf is Wolverine trying to wake himself from the scientists controls.
While bold and interesting, this opening lasts too long and grows tiresome. Alessandro Cappuccio draws a heck of an animal battle, but most like me will want to see Wolverine, or at least a little more than dreamlike animals fighting in the snow.
Bear vs. wolf, who ya got?!
Credit: Marvel
Once past that opening, the issue opens up, dropping details and reveals that’ll have everyone talking. It’s a clever idea to have three methods explained as to how Wolverine is controlled, showing it’s no easy task.
The final page, not counting a revealing data page at the end the book, is a real shock. It reveals a familiar mutant, cast in a rather dark and disturbing state. Like something out of an Alien movie, this character looks to be in a bad way and needs rescuing.
When Wolverine is on the page, Cappuccio makes him incredibly scary-looking. Step aside, Jason; Wolverine is far bloodier and monstrous in this issue.
Ultimate Wolverine #4 continues to build its story with cerebral, metaphor-rich storytelling that might test some readers’ patience but pays off with haunting visuals and thrilling revelations. While the pacing may drag early on, the latter half offers enough major reveals and bloody Wolverine carnage to satisfy fans craving both mystery and mayhem.
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