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Ultimate Wolverine #1: “A diabolical genius known as THE MAKER used time travel to create his ideal Earth by systematically preventing anyone from ever becoming a superhero and by establishing a secret council of super villains, THE MAKER’S COUNCIL, that rules the world from the shadows.
The EURASIAN REPUBLIC, ruled with an iron fist by the ruthless triad of PIOTR RASPUTIN (COLOSSUS), his sister ILLYANA RASPUTIN
(MAGIK) and ARKADY ROSSOVICH (OMEGA RED), has become one of two places in the world for all known mutant activity.
The trio have created “DIRECTORATE X,” a secret division of the government that
seeks to exploit the unique genetic powers exhibited in mutant-kind, headed by DR. ALONYA PROSTOVICH.
But no power exists without its checks and balances. A covert group called THE OPPOSITION arose to free mutants from experimentation and Republic control…” -Marvel Comics
Chris Condon (WRITER) Alessandro Cappuccio (ARTIST) Bryan Valenxa (COLORS) VC’s Cory Petit (LETTERS) Alessandro Cuppiccio and Frank Martin (COVER ARTISTS)
**POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD**
Let’s Start With the Story:
If you are familiar with Chris Condon then you know he is no stranger to a ruthless and brutal story. He kicks off this take on the famed Wolverine shrouding the reader in mystery and building up the anticipation. Logan never speaks a word in this issue but, he doesn’t have to. Chris can weave and use his setting and other characters to fill in what needs to be said.
Including characters such as Colossus, Kurt, and Raven we mix between the present and a flashback. The flashbacks are done in such a manner that you are led to believe one thing and yet the characters in the present muddy those waters and leave us asking many questions. The hooks are sunk immediately as every panel and page is full of this “what is happening I cannot look away” moment.
How About the Art and Letters?
I want to start with the letters that Cory works in so well. This issue relies on sound effects and Cory is able to bring the sounds and explosions to life. The famed Snikt rings in our ears and it is all thanks to how he crafts in these effects.
Alessandro and Bryan use an almost rustic style of art that appears grainy in an old Western art type of way which really works in this opening issue. Alessandro is able to draw and convey so much emotion through certain characters eyes despite that being all we see and Wolverine is drawn as an absolute unit. When it comes to coloring Wolverine is shrouded almost as though he is hidden in shadows and we cannot read his mind while the remaining scene is soaked in blood. The way Logan flies through the air and fights as light as a feather is so awe-inspiring.
It seems as though we may have a Winter Soldier scenario on our hands and Logan is masked and honestly I prefer this as it leaves more to our imagination and adds to us asking just what is happening.
Final Thoughts:
I tend to leave Wolverine to Lauren but, when I heard Chris and this team assembled I had to get in on the action. Ultimate Wolverine #1 did not disappoint in the slightest. It is violent, it is bloody, and most of all it is an issue full of mystery. When we aren’t gasping from claws through the face of a character we are asking ourselves what happened to Logan and what is at play here. This comic has it’s claws sunk into me.
OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
To find more reviews from Matt and links to his podcast HopsGeekNews check out http://linktr.ee/hopsgeeknews
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