Going by the cover of this issue, Maestro is back, Logan is ready to deal out some claw on green skin, and Ed Brisson plans to thrust us into an action frenzy. Fine by me. Plus we have Mike Deodato Jr. on art who has blown us away for years (just look at his work on Elektra) and should be a good fit for a character that’s all about grit.
Writer: Ed Brisson
Artist: Mike Deodato Jr.
Publisher: Marvel Comics
So what’s it about?
Read the full preview to find out!
Why does this book matter?
This issue starts Ed Brisson’s story arc on the series and he has big shoes to fill considering Jeff Lemire’s issues before it. If you were looking for a jumping on point, this is it! It’s also tying heavily into Mark Millar’s Old Man Logan run, which is exciting as hell!
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
This is one humdinger of an issue that’s about as close to perfect as you can get, especially if you’re a fan of Millar’s Old Man Logan. Opening with an old, innocent looking man, Brisson brings us into the gentle heart of a man simply trying to help and nurture children. He talks about a threat that wants to take these poor children out and seems to have a plan to stop them from doing so. Cut to Logan entering an average diner called Fat Joe’s and Brisson puts us inside Logan’s head with solidly written captions. He’s weathered and happy to be out of the city for some relaxation. Things quickly get dicey in the diner (don’t they always?) and the action kicks into high gear.
He seems nice…
The threat Logan faces in this issue is a surprise, in part because we thought these characters were long dead. The threat level of these characters is high and it adds to the drama because he may not be able to get out of this one. He’s old after all, and the odds aren’t in his favor, especially given the situation. Brisson adds strong dialogue in this sequence that helps give us an idea of what these villains are like, but also how they may be in over their head. Layered on top are Logan’s captions which keep us inside his head and aware of how calm and measured he is.
Deodato’s art is exceptional and there’s a lot of compelling and dynamic layouts to enjoy. One page for instance, has Logan standing at the ready, claws out, and calm as a resolute soldier. Along the left of him are panels showcasing how he got beat and the image of him running down the page adds to the drama of what he’s about to do. And boy does he cut these suckers up. There’s some classic Wolverine action in play with cool diagonal panels dissecting images to add intensity to the panels. The fact that the gutters are red only enhances the bloodletting going on.
Ben-day dots are used masterfully as well, giving the ground and environment a harsher tone so the figures pop in the page. Logan also sports a classic hairy look that will bring fans back to the 90’s save for his gray hair. Overall the art is so tip-top I imagine some young kid is going to pick this up and be inspired to draw one day.
Hmm, maybe not.
It can’t be perfect can it?
It’s safe to say if you haven’t read Millar’s Old Man Logan run you will feel a tad lost. Given this character is directly from that series however, it doesn’t make sense to read it without that backstory anyway.
Is It Good?
This is an excellent issue that meets the high bar Lemire set and even surpasses it in some ways. Old Man Logan is intense, action packed, and has everything you’d want in a Wolverine book.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
