Wolverine gains one more monthly comic book — this one is Volume 5 of the original series.
Most comic fans are not pleased with the overexposure of Wolverine. He appears in so many comics that he often gets more spotlight than he deserves. Yes, he’s popular — but he’s not the only hero in the Marvel Universe.
This new title, though, is considered the core Wolverine book. It features a new numbering and, more importantly, a great creative team: Paul Cornell as writer and Alan Davis as artist. That’s the reason I read it.
Art
Alan Davis teams up yet again with inker Mike Farmer and colorist Matt Hollingsworth — delivering a stunning visual delight.
Davis has a unique, trademarked style that is recognisable wherever you see it. The inks and colours compliment his art perfectly, giving Wolverine a more superhero flair. Wolverine is now part of the Avengers and no longer just a popular outsider, so this glossy, polished art for a new beginning suits the book well.
Story
The story is Part 1 of a story‑line named Hunting Season — a perfect title for a Wolverine comic. But from the very first page, it seems Wolverine is the one being hunted and cornered.
Thanks to Paul Cornell, in just one issue we have more than a few twists and turns that thicken the plot and amp up the mystery of what new threat Wolverine will have to face.
Cornell gives Wolverine the chance to use his Avenger membership to state that he is here to help. This is refreshing — because after a while, it gets boring to see a misunderstood Wolvie growl and attack authority figures.
Witty comments and a sense of humour are also present in the dialogue — a skill Cornell knows how to use in clever ways.
We might also see a new supporting cast. We are introduced to a new female character, NYPD Detective Tomomatsu, who already knows Wolverine. Let’s hope she survives — because she seems like a cool addition.
Final Verdict
Overall, this may be another Wolverine comic — but it is refreshing. It moves the character to a new level, making him more of a hero, placing him in the real world, and not burdening him with heavy X‑Men or Avengers continuity.
It’s a Wolverine comic with no out‑of‑the‑blue team‑ups. It has beautiful art and an intriguing story.
Give it a chance. You will enjoy it.
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