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Wolverine: Origins #30 [Review]

Posted on November 28, 2008 by Walt

Original Sin: Conclusion

Writer: Daniel Way
Artist: Mike Deodato
Colorist: Rain Beredo
Letterist: VC’s Cory Petit
Production: Tom Van Cise
Assistant Editor: Jody Leheup
Editor: John Barber
Group Editor: Axel Alonso
Cover: Mike Deodto & Richard Isanove
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Daken is preparing to kill Xavier…and Wolverine provokes Daken’s rage, luring it to himself. After a bloody rumble with a glimpse into Wolverine’s memories of Daken’s mother, and the revelation of how Xavier survived the “psy-bomb” that he tripped when probing Daken’s mind, we are left with a Wolverine determined to head down a certain road.

The art is–by far–the best thing this issue offers. I definitely like the look of Wolverine’s costume here as depicted by Deodato (and colored by Beredo). Some panels are a bit unclear, and certain visual angles seem a bit strange and hard on the eyes in terms of actual clarity as to what’s going on. On the whole, though, not much of a complaint with the visuals.

The story on the other hand does nothing for me. Xavier’s condition seems a little too “convenient.” The interaction between Wolverine and Xavier seems forced, as does the revelation of their apparent past that after all these years of comics has just come to light. I still don’t care at all about Daken, and just don’t “buy” the reason of the character’s existence. I also have zero interest in whatever/whoever this “Romulus” is (I recall the name from the dreadful arc in Wolverine by Loeb, of course). I’m a bit confused by the issue’s ending–I’m not entirely sure what it’s supposed to mean in terms of Wolverine’s status quo and interaction with the X-teams and New Avengers and such.

Ultimately, at the end of this issue I actually asked out loud “That’s it?!?” This issue is far from satisfying, and while I initially enjoyed the idea of an Xavier/Wolverine story, the execution and final result is quite a disappointment, and I feel like neither character was particularly advanced story-wise…and that they may actually have been regressed or spoiled a bit by this story if it holds as any sort of defining point for either character or their relationship.

Recommended really only for anyone who has already bought the first four chapters…you’ve come this far, might as well see the trainwreck itself. If you’ve not followed the arc, I see no reason to get this issue–you can find much better Wolverine and/or Xavier stories to read.

Story: 4/10
Art: 7.5/10
Whole: 5/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2008, MARVEL | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

X-Men: Legacy #218 [Review]

Posted on November 23, 2008 by Walt

Original Sin part four

Writer: Mike Carey
Penciller: Scott Eaton
Inker: Andrew Hennessy
Colorists: Jason Keith with Brian Reber
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Production: Joe Sabino
Assistant Editor: Daniel Ketchum
Editor: Nick Lowe
Cover: Mike Deodato
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Wolverine and Professor Xavier infiltrate the place Daken is being held, and a battle erupts between them and Sebastian Shaw with Miss Sinister…Daken caught in the middle.

The story is at once simple and somewhat boring. I don’t care about Daken, I knew nothing of the character prior to this Original Sin story. I do not like the way Marvel (in general) seems to be shoehorning so much crap into the past of their characters, casting a 180 on how they were viewed for the last three to four decades.

It’s fairly interesting seeing Wolverine and Xavier interact–I have long enjoyed their dynamic, as Wolverine struggles to be his own person, and almost grudgingly respects the professor–the man who helped him reclaim his humanity. This story suggests that a certain amount of Wolverine’s memory loss was actually caused by Xavier himself all those years ago–that Wolverine joined the X-Men intent upon killing Xavier, and I just don’t buy that. I have never found the Hellfire Club interesting, nor do I care one bit about their internal political maneuvering…I just don’t find it engaging at all.

The art of the issue is the best part–it’s pretty good, and I actually like the way Xavier and Wolverine are depicted. No real complaint visually…or at least, any visual complaint would have to do (Daken) with a story element I disagree with.

You could probably do much worse than this issue…but if you’re not interested in Daken-Son-of-Wolverine, and you’re not already following this Original Sin story, you’re just as well skipping this issue and coming back when X-Men Legacy is its own story again.

Story: 6/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 7/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2008, MARVEL, X-Men: Legacy | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Ender’s Game: Battle School #2 [Review]

Posted on November 23, 2008 by Walt

Creative Director & Executive Director: Orson Scott Card
Script: Christopher Yost
Art: Pasqual Ferry
Color Art: Frank D’Armata
Lettering: VC’s Cory Petit
Story Consultant: Jake Black
Cover: Pasqual Ferry & Frank D’Armata
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Picking up where the previous issue left off, we see Ender’s trip to and arrival at Battle School. His teacher lays it on a bit hard, intentionally (and effectively) isolating Ender from his fellow students from the get-go…the hope being this will prevent Ender from getting comfortable, and force him to think outside the standard “system.” We see Ender’s craftiness as he quickly engages older students, proving himself worthy of their level…we also see Ender’s skill in the Battle Room, easily adapting to a zero-gravity situation other students have a harder time with.

The story seems quite true to the book as I recall reading. Whether this holds up under close/immediate comparison I’m not sure. I find it to be quite satisfactory, though. The concepts Card presents work well in present-day American culture where we’ve got a war going on a couple of fronts and non-traditional enemies abound…and military advances seem to be pushing the bounds of traditional practices. While obviously set in the future, the story has that charming relevance in present-day.

After the first issue, the visual style’s growing on me a bit–it’s still not what I initially imagined when I’d read Ender’s Game years ago…but it fits, and it’s not hard to let this visual take influence my memories. There’s a certain vibe to the art that I can’t quite put my finger on…sort of a manga influence while seeming like it’s trying to fit a live model for certain characters.

On the whole, not a bad issue. As an adaptation this holds my interest–a sort of re-reading of the familiar story, but with pictures replacing thousands of words.

I’m not entirely sure why I bought this issue…this is a 5-issue limited series, and I would be absolutely shocked if the collected-volume (aka “graphic novel”) isn’t available within a month or two of the final issue’s shipping. You’re probably better off waiting for that version, unless you’re absolutely chomping at the bit for a visual production of Ender’s Game.

Story: 7/10
Art: 7/10
Whole: 7/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2008, Ender's Game: Battle School, MARVEL | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

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