Release Date: Christmas Day, 2013
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Written By: Kieron Gillen
Art By: Adam Kubert
Price: 4.99
Review:
The second run of everybody’s favorite hairy Canadian’s twisted backstory starts here. Wolverine’s origin continues not long after the first one left off and delves into his time spent running wild in a loin cloth with a pack of wolves. This is not the days after Weapon X leading into the Hudsons finding him, however.
The message behind Origin II seems clear and present. That is, that James Howlette will never find peace and always be followed by, be the victim of, or be the cause of, utter chaos in the lives of those around him. Instead of X-Men, fellow mutants, or even human beings, this time the pack of wolves he currently runs with falls prey to a stray polar bear in the woods. Even though he enjoys a time of relative peace, hunting, and freedom with the wolves, eventually the force of nature called Wolverine has to emerge and rain chaos down on his surroundings. Despite the pack’s reluctance to approach the huge white bear, it finds them later and turns the entire pack into dinner. Then Wolverine finds him red handed, literally. Commence berseker rage and what is one of the most visceral, savagely brutal fights ever shown in comic books in my opinion.
Kubert is at his best with this return to the X-Men universe. His art is gut wrenching and full of emotion. The action sequences look like a storyboard for a kung fu flick, full of plenty of punches, kicks, and fluid movement. The emotions are easily read on all the characters, even the animals. The wolves’ faces are full of curiosity, love, ferociousness, and fear as they experience the whirlwind of destruction and chaos that is Wolverine.
Origin was a fantastic book full of surprises and emotions and it looks like the sequel will follow suit. My only concern would be speculation that this story has been told before several times before by several creators. Hopefully Gillen has all four aces up his sleeves because this could end up being an unnecessary sequel since we already know that part of Logan’s story. Kubert’s art is worth the risk to find out whether Origin II will have as big an impact on Wolverine and his fans as the original or just rehash an old tale.