Why I Love Old Man Logan
A spotlight on one of Marvel's biggest buzz books
Welcome to a very special edition of the Why I Love Comics column. This
edition we talk about a very major buzz book that was recently released by
marvel which you can soon find in a very beautiful collection. I am talking of
course about Mark Millar and Steve Mcniven's Old Man Logan.
Now when I was a kid, I can remember always picking up a Wolverine comic
from the local bookstore and always liking the character. there were plenty of
stories where Logan was on some sort of mission and alpha flight was around or
Kitty Pryde was tagging a long. But in my mind, we've never viewed Logan like he
is here.
The only other story in Wolverine's history I've ever read that took this much
of a risk was Paul Jenkins' Origin where we got to find out exactly who
Logan was and where he came from.
Here, though, we have something truly different. The heroes of the world are
gone, it's 50 years after the villains have been put in charge and our good
friend Logan has settled down as a farmer and not popped his claws in 50 years.
It's not until rent is due that the blind archer Clint Barton comes to Logan for
help with a job that he needs Wolverine for.
We are soon brought onto a Fantastic Four of the new Marvel Universe and how
much the world has changed with different places now being under different
villains control. This is where Mark really excels with his dystopian future.
Seeing things like Red Skull added to a certain mountain and seeing the names of
people like Doom controlling areas of America is disturbing and sends chills
down your spine.
Marks use of Clint Barton is really strong and even in a horribly dark future
he's able to keep his sense of humor as well as his skills. Oh yes that is
probably one of my favorite parts of the whole 8 issues. I could tell you what
it is, but I'd rather you read it for yourself. Let's just say Clint's hearing
definitely helps him out.
There
is something else that I'll need to point out, Logan doesn't actually fight
until the 7th issue of the book, but what Mark does is build the suspense so
incredibly high that when you get to those pages, you can't help but to smile.
As well as the most brilliant use of the most well known sound effect in comics
by the creators.
Taking place in the future of the Marvel U, plenty of characters, creatures,
settings and vehicles are used to exception. Steve's artwork excels when we get
to Pym falls or Emma Frost's compound as well as the way Captain America's
shield is used in one of the best moments in the whole series.
Old Man Logan is in line with The Dark Knight Returns or The
Last Avengers Story where the old heroes have to come back in order to
really show that they are still needed. Logan here is pulled to the brink of his
anger and by the end, doesn't turn back. The last issue has both the biggest
body count I've seen since Punisher War Zone as well as the most blood
I've viewed since the Conquest arc in Invincible.
Then there is the reason that Logan no longer retracts your claws that I
actually had to put down in shock over what happened. It's truly one of the most
disturbing moments I've read in a mainstream comic book and I read Strange
Embrace!
So final thoughts on the book? If you love Wolverine, if you dig heroes coming
out of retirement and if you love Steve McNiven artwork, this is for you. This
is easily on of the best Wolverine stories ever next to Mark Waid and
Claremont's stuff as well as Len Wein's first Wolverine appearance. It's Logan
in a Clint Eastwood movie and easily worth your time
Eric Ratcliffe is a young writer/pop culture journalist/interviewer currently working on pitching a project named the Hunter chronicles. When not reading his weekly stack Eric can be found watching dvd's, playing on his 360 (gamertag: Zack Hunter) or just surfing online trying to find a scoop or two. Brand new to the Comic Related family, Eric is a fun new voice. Eric shops at TJ's Collectibles. Visit them on the web at www.tjcollect.com!
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