Wolverine Origin

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Wolverine Origin – I’ve always liked Wolverine, and while he may have appeared over-wrought in many of his tales, he’s still pretty cool; having Hugh Jackman’s near-perfect casting as Wolverine in the Hollywood movie versions also doesn’t hurt.

So when Marvel finally decided to do a Wolverine Origin comic, after dropping so many shadowy hints about his past, they knew they had to do a good job. They mostly come through here – great characterization, great plot twists, pretty good story, and a little bit of romantic tragedy (hey – it’s Wolverine, right?). Not sure how Wolverine’s family got this curse placed on it – there’s no witchcraft, sorcery, otherworldly powers, or mutantism going on here – nor am I sure why his first adversary is such a sadistic killer (motivation?), nor what becomes of the young man’s grandfather (something for future Origins issues?), but it is cool that Logan’s such an old guy, his natural healing factor allowing him an extra-long life.

The book’s first chapters tell the story of young James’ family, and that of the young maid Rose, and that of the groundskeeper Thomas Logan and his son Dog. It’s a tale of class, vendettas, madness and revenge, bitterness, lost love, and of violence against children and bullying, but also of young people coming of age. After a tragedy at the grand Howlett estate, young James and Rose take off for northern British Columbia where they live amongst miners and scumbags, building lives for themselves. It’s here that James turns into the Wolverine that we know – moody, damaged, and half-wild.

Ultimately, it’s the first half, and the “Wolverine among the wolves” part of the book that is the most successful, with the in-town-among-scummy-villains shenanigans that feels a bit hackneyed. Wolverine’s main opponent there is a fat bully cook called… Cookie… and an enemy that comes out of his past (as always). Yes, not perfect, but pretty good.

The art – stunning.

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