Fourthman Reviews: LOGAN #1

by Lee Newman

Logan #1
Published by Marvel
Written by Brian K Vaughan
Art by Eduardo Risso

Wow, leave it to BKV to make the most interesting Wolvie story since Millar’s final issue. Like Wolverine (Vol. 2) #32, this book is set in World War Two. Here, Logan meets Atsuko in the Japanese country side and after the last page which has an awesome reveal… you know this can’t end well.

Vaughan is sparse with the internal monologue. While the lack of narration hurt early issues of Wolverine Origins, Vaughan uses it to cut down on the Noir kitsch and allows the character to breath. Here we find out (at least in this Marvel Knights title, which the line really seems to be going the Elseworlds route of late) that Wolverine’s memory has been spotty for a long time. Evidently, the House of M events brought back the repressed memories on display here (further confounding my attempts to figure out what that MK means in the top right corner of the cover). There is an interesting story set up here with plenty of foreshadowing to what is in store the three issues. As always, BKV brings solid dialogue and great plotting.

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Risso and colorist Dean White set a powerful palette in place. The setting and the art recall Frank Miller and Chris Claremont’s inaugural run with the title in the 80’s. Juxtaposing the modern mutant with the 40’s soldier works quite effectively, but the real star here is the shadows. With those, the art team provides a dark and foreboding backdrop to much of the book adding to the coming suspense while showcasing every detail.

A top notch effort. Worth picking up before scant ordering makes it hard to find. With all the hype of the end of Y, movie talk and Vaughan’s gig as Lost writer, this may be hard to find in a week or
two. Also, like Origin before it, when Wolverine is good, the fans go crazy.