Comics
Review: ‘Wolverine’ #1
An action-packed mutant romp, “Wolverine” #1 is an entertaining read that readers should not miss out on. At war with himself, his friends, and enemies, old Wolvey continues to be compelling as ever. There is no way you can say no to a fresh issue of “Wolverine”, bub.
WRITTEN BY: Paul Cornell
ART BY: Ryan Stegman
PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: Feb. 5, 2014
Logan has lost his mutant-healing factor due to a deadly virus. Now rendered mortal, if Logan makes one wrong move, he will definitely end up dead. Having been beaten and scarred by his lifelong enemy, Sabertooth, Logan realizes he has to give up his old life and start fresh again. But in his new direction, Logan wrestles with the fact that he can never seethe his claws. As Wolverine, Logan has always been the wild man loose in the woods, the loyal solider, and the perfect killer. How can he truly step down from another adventure?
Mixing witty humor and action, writer Paul Cornell examines how a man on the edge faces his own mortality. Logan is at a crossroads as he realizes just how killable he actually is. How can Logan pick himself up again after being humiliated and on the losing end? The cover by Ryan Stegman and Edgar Delgado actually foreshadows the dangerous road that Logan has put himself on. Logan has to revert to his old ways, putting off emotions and sentiments, as he strives to find a new purpose in his dangerous lifestyle.
Even though Cornell presents readers with a dark character piece, there is a lot of humor injected into the narrative. When Logan is by himself, he seems downtrodden and vulnerable. But when the mask comes on, Wolverine actually looks like he is having fun in action. When the Wolverine is unleashed, he is unafraid to jump recklessly into battle headfirst. Notice how different Wolverine is when he is talking with a member of the X-Men and how he banters around with his new ragtag team.
In an excellent splash page, Stegman captures Wolverine in his new and glossy costume design. Stegman decorates the wrists with protective armor and the mask looks more like a helmet. In just one physical pose, Stegman illustrates Wolverine’s ferocity as he comes out swinging, with his claws tearing at the walls. If you notice closely, the belt on the costume is actually for a gun holster, which harkens back to Logan’s time in WWII.
I also like Stegman’s character design for Lost Boy, a member of Wolverine’s new ragtag team. With his jacket open, Lost Boy reveals the tattoo on his shirtless chest. As if showing off, Lost Boy wants everyone to read the message, “I Fight Evil With Evil,” in big letters. In a wide shot, Stegman depicts Lost Boy walking around as if he is more of a slacker, with his hoodie on and his hands in his pockets.
If you’re excited for some mutant mayhem, then “Wolverine” #1 is definitely right up your alley. With the shocking cliff-hanger, I can’t wait to see what Cornell and Stegman have in store with “Wolverine.”
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – Jorge Solis
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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