Wolverine #66
This review written by James Hunt on Jun.19, 2008.
Unlike “Enemy of the State” which was little more than a murderous free-for-all, Millar’s first issue of “Old Man Logan” shows a nice amount of depth to Wolverine. He’s become a pacifist following some horrifying event in the past where most of the heroes died, and as a result he’s settled down and become a family man, running a farm. He’s still struggling with his inner-rage, but it’s pretty much under control. Of everything in the book, Wolverine is the best character, and it actually feels a lot more like Wolverine: The End than Paul Jenkins’ dubious effort a few years ago.
However, the problem with “Old Man Logan” is that it’s set in a future that’s been gratuitously constructed out of Marvel continuity, rather than any specific logic. The Hulk’s grandchildren ride around in the Fantasticar, beating rent out of farmers. Hawkeye turns up in…the Spider-Mobile? Wolverine has named his son after Cyclops, for some reason that will either be very symbolic or… not. It’s yet another mix & match Marvel Future, and god knows we’ve got plenty of those as it is. The unique selling point of this one? It’s a little Mad Max-meets 1930s US-depression inspired. Yay.
There are some really cringeworthy elements in the book, including the big double-page reveal of a map filled with the kind of nonsense a 4 year old would write if he was asked to imagine a Marvel future. Electroville, the Mutant Forbidden Quarter, Paste Pot Creek… seriously? Unlike Kick-Ass and 1985, Old Man Logan returns to the Millar of Civil War, who has a lot of ideas but struggles to find a clear narrative to wrap them around.
At least, on the other hand, McNiven’s art is fantastic. It’s not really clear why Wolverine suddenly looks the same age range as Hawkeye when everyone knows Wolverine barely ages, but we can let that slide simpley because McNiven’s version is so damn accurate. Even without the classic hairstyle, it’s immediately recognisable. The art has as much characterisation as Millar’s dialogue.
It’s not a hideous comic – certainly, no worse than the rest of Wolverine’s solo series has been for a while, but coming from Millar and McNiven, we’re trained to expect better than this days of future past/age of apocalypse type alternate future riff. Apparently it’s going to tie into Millar’s Fantastic Four run, which is currently setting the low end of the top 30 alight, and that in itself feels a bit strange – Wolverine is actually outselling F4, shouldn’t the tie-in be the other way around? If you’re reading F4, I’d certainly recommend picking this up, but let’s be honest – this run is going to have to pull something seriously entertaining out of the next issue or two if it wants to be held up alongside Millar’s work in title’s like Ultimates, and it’s beginning to look like he might never get that good again.
June 20th, 2008 on 12:41 pm
I quite enjoyed it, but then I seem to be the only person in the whole world who is also enjoying Millar’s Fantastic Four.
The Mad Max influence is plain, but I also got a bit of an old school 2000AD Cursed Earth vibe from it.
Obviously the whole “Logan is a pacifist now” business is merely building up to the moment when he gets his claws out again, the success of this book will depend on how many interesting things happen on the way to that happening.
The McNiven art is great.
June 20th, 2008 on 12:52 pm
Yeah, I’m kind of torn. Millar’s understanding of Logan’s character is better than any writer has had in years, but the plot is leaving me utterly cold, and a lot of the ideas are too flat-out ridiculous to fit with the grittier setting. Seriously, Spider-Mobile?! That’s a joke best left in the past, I’d argue…
June 23rd, 2008 on 5:20 pm
I’ve really enjoyed the first issue but I’m hoping things pick up a bit in the ones that follow. James, I hear what you’re saying about the quality that is expected from a writer like Millar but I also believe that it’s really difficult to achieve a fantasticly great epic, which this is supposed to be, in one issue.
I think we’ll all need to wait until this whole story unfolds before we can really give a solid review of what he’s brought to the comic and character.
Great review!
Also, LOVED the Spider-Mobile.
July 9th, 2008 on 3:27 pm
You can read Wolverine #66 on my website
September 16th, 2008 on 10:25 pm
Eh, I don’t know. I think the “cringeworthy elements” just take away too much from this for it to be enjoyable to me. I’m just having a hard time enjoying it with stuff like Paste Pot Creek and the Spider-Mobile. /shrug