by Jake Douglas
Wolverine is a man of messy origins.
With Wolverine: Origin, back in 2002/2003, Paul Jenkins took us back into the late 1800's, detailing the childhood of James Howlett, the boy who would eventually become Logan.
While pretty (thanks to Andy Kubert) and intriguing, for me, I could have just the same guessed everything that happened and felt the same way about the character. It offered no real revelations except for the fact that he was not initially raised with the name Logan. Now nearly twelve years later, Marvel takes us back to where Wolverine: Origin left off, shoving the first blood soaked issue of Wolverine: Origin II in our sweaty faces. Only this time, Kieron Gillen takes the helm as writer, with Adam Kubert on art duties instead of his brother Andy.
Origin II picks up shortly after the first series left off, with Logan out in the wilderness cozying up to a pack of wolves. Hunting, eating, hunting, eating, running, hunting, more hunting and so on and so forth, Logan seems to finally be at peace with who and what he is. Deep down however, he knows that the peace he has with the pack is a fleeting thing. Just like the bad shit that went down in Alberta when he was sick little James Howlett, and just like the even crazier events that occurred in the stone quarry that led him to where he is now. Logan begins to see that no matter where he goes, strong smelly winds seem to follow.
Wolverine is a man of messy origins.
With Wolverine: Origin, back in 2002/2003, Paul Jenkins took us back into the late 1800's, detailing the childhood of James Howlett, the boy who would eventually become Logan.
While pretty (thanks to Andy Kubert) and intriguing, for me, I could have just the same guessed everything that happened and felt the same way about the character. It offered no real revelations except for the fact that he was not initially raised with the name Logan. Now nearly twelve years later, Marvel takes us back to where Wolverine: Origin left off, shoving the first blood soaked issue of Wolverine: Origin II in our sweaty faces. Only this time, Kieron Gillen takes the helm as writer, with Adam Kubert on art duties instead of his brother Andy.
Origin II picks up shortly after the first series left off, with Logan out in the wilderness cozying up to a pack of wolves. Hunting, eating, hunting, eating, running, hunting, more hunting and so on and so forth, Logan seems to finally be at peace with who and what he is. Deep down however, he knows that the peace he has with the pack is a fleeting thing. Just like the bad shit that went down in Alberta when he was sick little James Howlett, and just like the even crazier events that occurred in the stone quarry that led him to where he is now. Logan begins to see that no matter where he goes, strong smelly winds seem to follow.
Kieron Gillen has crafted a tight little first issue that you can read on it's own. It plays out like a mini Wolverine adventure. This is also its main downfall. Fans of the original Origin series and Wolverine fans in general, may be disappointed in what may be seen as 'just another Wolverine story'.
This slight mark on the comic is saved, however, by the masterful artwork provided by Adam Kubert. I am constantly amazed by the talents of Adam and Andy Kubert, who carry on the work of their father Joe Kubert with a certain style and grace rarely seen in comics these days.
Logan is a complex character shrouded in mystery. While I would have preferred that it had been left this way, with his blurred recollections of the past, and his unwillingness to divulge in what he remembers of it, you simply can't have a character that's been around for forty odd years without some kind of origin tale. Wolverine: Origin is now considered canon, as was its intention, so it will be cool to see where Origin II fits in, not just as a sequel, but as a part of Marvel's canon.
So in all, if you are looking for a nicely illustrated, passable Wolverine adventure covered in wild animal entrails, then this is for you. If you are looking to read another piece of history to fill in Logan's spotty mind, then you aren't going to find anything new in the first issue.
I for one am interested to see how the story pans out, and will most certainly be adding the rest of this to my reading pile.
This slight mark on the comic is saved, however, by the masterful artwork provided by Adam Kubert. I am constantly amazed by the talents of Adam and Andy Kubert, who carry on the work of their father Joe Kubert with a certain style and grace rarely seen in comics these days.
Logan is a complex character shrouded in mystery. While I would have preferred that it had been left this way, with his blurred recollections of the past, and his unwillingness to divulge in what he remembers of it, you simply can't have a character that's been around for forty odd years without some kind of origin tale. Wolverine: Origin is now considered canon, as was its intention, so it will be cool to see where Origin II fits in, not just as a sequel, but as a part of Marvel's canon.
So in all, if you are looking for a nicely illustrated, passable Wolverine adventure covered in wild animal entrails, then this is for you. If you are looking to read another piece of history to fill in Logan's spotty mind, then you aren't going to find anything new in the first issue.
I for one am interested to see how the story pans out, and will most certainly be adding the rest of this to my reading pile.
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