Note: WOLVERINE #1 is on sale February 5.
The Good
Here's the thing, I like Wolverine. Seems most would agree with that. The problem is, we've had quite a few different Wolverine stories over the years. There's nothing really wrong with that. Many have been really great but how many times can we read about Wolverine being the best there is at what he does?
The good news is, things are changing. If you've read the previous volume by Paul Cornell and Alan Davis, you know Wolverine has lost his healing factor. Think about how that alone changes who he is and how he would operate. He can't fight the way he used to. This alone is a fascinating idea. When I first heard the idea, I was highly skeptical but wait until you see what he's up to here.
Some time has passed since the last issue of the previous volume. Wolverine is hanging out with some new friends. This is one of those situations where we're thrown into the action and have to wait to see how the characters got to this point. It's going to be interesting to see this next phase for Wolverine and the fact that Cornell gets to continue the story he started in the previous volume.
More importantly, I can't wait to see how people react to Wolverine's actions in this issue.
Ryan Stegman's art is always great to see. It was unfortunate when it was announced he wouldn't be on SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN any longer but seeing it here is impressive. His Wolverine is a beast. The new costume design is great and it's always a joy to see a slightly shorter Wolverine when standing next to other familiar characters. You can really get a sense of what he's been through in the previous series and having Stegman follow Davis is enough to keep your mouth watering.
The Bad
There will likely be some readers with some problems with this issue. Mixing things up is a great thing to see characters get shaken up for a fresh or different take to happen. This is something we need to see more of in order to fully understand what the complete story is.
The Verdict
You think you know who Wolverine is? Paul Cornell and Ryan Stegman might argue with you. After his brutal defeat and loss of his healing factor in the previous WOLVERINE volume, this is where we get to find out what's next. This isn't the Wolverine you're used and that's a good thing. Change is always welcome and we are now left in suspense, waiting to see what the next move will be. Stegman's art is phenomenal and you'll love seeing all the brutal details he puts into every page. People will be talking about this issue and you don't want to miss out.