It seems every few decades, Marvel Comics needs to knock Wolverine down a peg, and with the events of Wolverine #20, it seems we’ve met the quota. Wolverine’s right-hand claws have broken, making him half as dangerous. Still reeling from the events of the last story arc, it’s time for a little R&R ala Nightcrawler!
Julius Ohta is the guest artist in this issue, and he draws a meaty-looking Wolverine. Ohta accurately draws a wide-shouldered, definitely short Logan, and it adds a slight comedic element when he’s in vacation clothes. That works, since he’s out of his element in this issue. Meanwhile, Ohta draws Nightcrawler to perfection, who is constantly smiling and ever the positive pacifist. That’s even the case when a Wolverine versus villain showdown takes place.
Sure, this is certainly a bottle episode of sorts; putting Wolverine on vacation doesn’t necessarily advance any story arc or require a big setup. But then again, it’s always fun to see superheroes doing non-superhero things, especially with the X-Men and their famous scrimmages playing baseball or basketball. A montage of Polaroids conveys the vacation these two are having, and it’s lighthearted and fun to think about.
I love that the lettering conveys he’s faking it.
Credit: Marvel
If you’re a newer reader, this is a good jumping-on point, with Nightcrawler effectively recapping past events and using early captions to establish Wolverine’s state of mind.
But of course, bad guys always show up, in this case by coincidence. This leads to a well-choreographed throwdown, not without a few surprises. One could argue the battle is minor in the grand scheme of things, although it does lead to a revelation in the last two pages that will have fans running to pick up Wolverine #22.
Wolverine #21 succeeds because it understands the value of slowing down. Following recent events, the issue gives Logan room to breathe while highlighting one of Marvel’s most enduring friendships. Julius Ohta’s artwork brings warmth, humor, and personality to every page, particularly through Nightcrawler’s infectious optimism and Wolverine’s discomfort outside his usual element. The vacation premise allows the characters to shine, while the action delivers enough excitement to keep the story moving. By the time the final revelation lands, the issue has accomplished exactly what it set out to do: remind readers why these characters are worth spending time with, even when the fate of the world isn’t hanging in the balance.
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