Discussion – Wolverine: Old Man Logan

What WOULD it take to kill Wolverine?

Writer: Mark Millar
Pencils: Steve McNiven
Cover Art: Steve McNiven

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: Sept 2010
Cover Price: $29.99

I was at my local Barnes and Noble the other day, when I came across this Trade collection. Now, before we go any further, there’s a few things you should know about your friendly neighborhood jman. First, for many years I was out of comics. Many years. I missed a lot of stuff from the late 90’s probably through 2010. That’s a lot of time, right!?!? Don’t get me wrong, I picked up a few issues here and there over that stretch, but nothing for any great period of time. So, needless to say, I missed A LOT of good stuff.

The other thing you should know about me is that I don’t like buying trades. I don’t know. They’re a lot of money. Yes, it makes sense to go and buy the trade rather than collect each book individually, especially when it comes down to cost of the individual issue v the cost of the trade. But, I’ve missed so much over the years, I have a hard time spending 15 -20 bucks on any one trade.

But, after perusing Old Man Logan, I actually broke down and bought this book. It collects the issues of Wolverine 66 – 72, beginning with the June 2008 issue. I’ll tell you what, I’m actually kind of glad that I didn’t read this “live”. I don’t know if I could’ve stood the long month between issues what with all the cliffhanging going on after each issue’s end.

Don’t be fooled by the tameness of these last few pages…

Oh. And one more thing you probably should know about me. I love “Elseworld” tales. Alternate histories, etcetcetc. I love those kind of stories. And Old Man Logan fits that bill. Now, since this isn’t a current story, I’m probably gonna be a bit spoilerish. So, if you haven’t read the book(s) yet, now’s the time to turn around! You may also want to turn around if you’re a bit squeamish. This book ain’t for the faint of heart!

And that ain’t nothin’!

The story takes place 50 years into the future. In this timeline, the villains have gotten their collective acts together (finally) and taken down the superheroes. In doing so, the villains have divided the United States into territories, each territory controlled by a different baddie.

Wolverine, now going by Logan (and only Logan), is a small time farmer ,living on the coast of what used to be California, has sworn off fighting (snikting his claws no more) for good. Until one day, a blind Hawkeye shows up at Logan’s door enlisting him (by tempting him with a reward sizable enough to pay off Logan’s past debts) on a courier job across country.

Logan, the pacifist, taking a beating

Logan reluctantly agrees. They end up traveling across the divided territories, ending up in all kinds of crazy side adventures, with Wol…er, Logan holding fast to his no violence edict. Even when they have to go and save Hawkeye’s daughter (who’s mother, get this, is Peter Parker’s youngest daughter), Logan stands firm.

Ya’know… I would’ve thought Pete’s kids would’ve
been better looking than that…

The entire journey, Hawkeye continues to egg Logan on about his lack of violence. That is, until Logan finally breaks down and tells him (and us) what caused him to give up his violent ways.

Yup. That’s Wolvie’s doing. And it’s shocking!

I’ll leave it at that. I said I was only going to be “spoilerish”. Let’s just say, people who die, stayed dead. There’s no surprise endings. There’s no surprise guests that come running out from backstage to help out Logan and Hawkeye. It’s just the two of them. Well…that is…until it isn’t.

The book is filled with dreary, heartbreaking, imagery. Ok…heartbreaking is a bit…over the top, but it’s still a bit jaw dropping. Who lived, who died (and how they died) is all, well…it’s in this story.

Those crazy Banner kids…

Just out of curiosity, if Wolverine’s head was severed from his body, don’t you think that would be enough to kill him?!?!?

 

by Jesse
the Container of Useless Accessories
this is what it sounds like, when doves cry…