Review: DEATH OF WOLVERINE #2

Writer:  Charles Soule
Penciller:  Steve McNiven
Inker:  Jay Leisten
Colorist:  Justin Ponsor
Letterer:  Chris Eliopoulos

When we last left Death of Wolverine, Logan found out that there is a bounty out on him.  This bounty, however, wants him alive and not dead.  Determined to find answers, Logan has taken off to the island nation of Madripoor.  What he finds there unveils an added layer to this intricate plot.

Death of Wolverine #2 interior art

What I Liked

Adding Madripoor as a change in location is never a bad thing.  Being an island run by criminals allows for cameos from a number of Marvel villains (which we get in one scene).  The hero, Wolverine, has to stay alert because you never know where a potential threat can come from.

Charles Soule has been using word balloons to convey Logan’s different senses.  Every person he comes in contact with is met with a “sense” balloon.  We find out if they’re sweating, have an accelerated heart rate, or what pheromones they are giving off.  Another thing I enjoyed is the plot being bigger than “what creative way can we kill off Wolverine?”  As we learn from Viper, someone is targeting people like them.  People who are tied to the Weapon Plus program.

The art team’s talents are on display once again.  As we learn from the bonus material, Steve McNiven creates a disguise for Logan in Madripoor.  I must say it looked nice.  Wolverine could pass for an Italian crime boss with the beard, suit, and hair tied back in a ponytail.

Wolverine suffers a pretty big injury.  As we count down, will we see Wolverine injured issue after issue?  It would tie into how he’s lived such a violent life.

What I Didn’t Like

The way the spinoff series’ Logan’s Legacy and The Weapon X Program were framed, they would deal with the ramifications of Wolverine’s death from those closest to him.  I assumed that Death of Wolverine would be a solo adventure following Logan during his last days/battle.  As this issue ends, it looks like he will have some help along the way.  This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I would have preferred that the main miniseries kept things solo, and the spinoffs to pick up with his associates.

Death of Wolverine #2 cover art

Summary

Since this is coming out weekly, before we know it we will be in a world without Wolverine.  Maybe the rapid succession of issues will numb us to it.  The story is adding people from throughout Logan’s history (Viper, Sabretooth, and the guest-appearance at end) which will hopefully conclude with an impressive sendoff.  Each issue we’ve learned a different clue:  who has the bounty out on Wolverine, and that there is someone targeting Weapon Plus members.  What will we learn after issue three?

Rating:  4 out of 5

This review is written in partnership with Pop Culture Network.  They can be found at their website http://www.popculturenetwork.com/

#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE