Old Man Logan #1 Review: A New Wolverine is Here

In the future the world is separated. Lands controlled by villains. Villains who ganged together and massacred many of the strongest and greatest of the Super Heroes the world had ever known. In 2008 Mark Millar (Kingsman: The Secret Service) and Steve McNiven (Death of Wolverine) introduced us to a new Wolverine. Or, to be more accurate, to an old Wolverine. The New York Times bestselling series, Old Man Logan returned to the spotlight as a tie-in with Marvel’s over-extended 2015 Secret Wars Event, written by Brian Michael Bendis (Powers, Ultimate Spider-Man) with art by Andrea Sorrentino (Green Arrow, All-New X-Men). And now, the Old Man is getting his own ongoing title with Marvel’s All-New, All-Different Universe.

For anyone waking up naked in the middle of a large city, it would be hard to accept. It would be even harder when you cannot remember who you are, where you came from and had incredibly sharp adamantium claws slicing through your hands. But that fear and worry is easily alleviated by a little police style electroshock therapy to the back. Once again aware of whom he is, and a little detective work of when he is, the Old Man Logan, takes up the task of making sure a future he had known for 50 years does not come to fruition in this all-new timeline. A new shirt, a new hat and a hit list later, the Wolverine is back.

Can I just say, ever since I, Vampire, the very short lived series from DC Comic’s New 52, I have loved reading almost anything that Andea Sorrentino does. His art is a mix between the lines and veins of Jae Lee and the shadows and dark eyes of horror artist Damian Worm. His rough style not only reinforces a characters musculature but raw emotion as well. As Old Man Logan was moved from a strictly Secret Wars tie-in to a Marvel All-New, All-Different ongoing series with Sorrentino continuing as the artist, the sheer jubilance I felt was surreal.

Alongside colorist Marcelo Maiolo (Batman Beyond), the art is breathtaking. Reds, greens and browns depict a Logan that has been unfulfilled and lost for decades, but with a soft brightness that depicts a new beginning or, better yet, a reboot that could lead to the complete deletion of his own future. Yet the styling does not stray from the color themes and rough action scenes of McNiven’s original imagery.

And, if anyone could follow up Millar’s story like Sorrentino to McNiven, it would be Jeff Lemire. Descender from Image Comics, Bloodshot Reborn with Valiant Comics and All-New Hawkeye with Marvel, Jeff Lemire has to be one of the busiest and most talented writers in the current comics industry. Along with his history of New York Times Bestsellers and a short list of still yet-to-be-released titles, Lemire is also penning the Extraordinary X-Men, the first of the All-New, All-Different X-titles. The first title to introduce Old Man Logan following the Secret Wars event.

Need I say more? Lemire’s story telling is nothing short than “on target”. The only way that I would ever be interested in reading a new ongoing Old Man Logan title would be if someone wrote a semi-realistically emotionally driven tale of rebirth. One that was just slightly unbelievable enough that the reader’s mind remains aware that the struggles are that of a fictional character. And Lemire hit every single feeling. One page became the next and, before I knew it, the book was over and I find myself impatiently looking up the release date for the second Issue. (It is February 10^th, by the way!)

Yet, this book does have a flaw. If you have never read the original Old Man Logan Trade Paperback, I would strongly suggest picking it up before grabbing this #1. When it comes to certain revenge schemes or extended memories sequences, the references within the original title would be greatly beneficial. Either that or make sure you have Wikipedia up for some basic support. Though I would suggest grabbing Old Man Logan Vol 0, the Secret Wars tie-in, it is not nearly as directly connected to this story as Millar’s title is, and thus not really considered so much a required reading.

**Note: If you would like to try picking up Extraordinary X-Men #1, I would suggest grabbing the tie-in since it explains the relationship between the time-displaced Jean Grey and the Old Man.

Old Man Logan #1 is most definitely worth the pick-up. Make sure to stop by your local comic retailer and grab your copy today.