I don’t think anyone was surprised when Wolverine won a new monthly series when the Kracon era ended. Unless Logan has a solo adventure at any point, X-Line doesn’t seem to be perfect. The bigger question was whether it was looking ahead or whether it was a classic theme and plot point retread. Like many of the other X-Books that came out of The Ashes Releunch, this story advances to familiar territory. Logan is drawn into another bloody conflict in search of solitude in the wilderness. Saladin Ahmed’s script leaning towards the scheduled Wolverine beat. Captured with a densely packed internal caption of Logan’s ghostly spirit, rarely surprising, but exists as a capable and fun Wolverine arc.
In the bones, it collects the first five issues of the current Wolverine title and features the revival of Cyber, the main enemy to Logan since the 1990s. They eventually face off against this adamantium-equipped villain as his close-knit-crawler lives with a wolf pack in pursuit of Logan into the woods. Meanwhile, a mysterious metal layer appears beneath the forest floor, and the story ends on a cliffhanger that poses a greater threat.
Amazing
Ahmed is excellent at dialing Logan’s inner chaos, switching perspectives between Wolfpack’s main instincts, cyber threats, and Logan’s passive heroism. These multi-voice captions add depth and occasional humor, but their heavy use of them puts pressure on the pacing, and the action scenes feel more narrated than felt. Thematically, the book revisits the well-running ground of Logan’s struggle to balance the tension between mutants and humans and his brutal nature with his moral code, the common territory of all Wolverines.
Visually, Martín Cóccolo and Bryan Valenza deliver the product. A look out into the forest, the winter cold that spits out from every panel, and the adamantium glow that makes cyber suitable foil. Cóccolo layouts are well supported by clean handling of actions and coloring. But even the finest art cannot completely hide the familiarity of a story. Some panels echo past the Wolverine Saga to grasp homage rather than inspiration.
Character dynamics remain the strongest asset in the series. Wolverine’s isolation emphasizes his inner conflict, and Nightcrawler’s light-hearted optimism cuts through the darkness. Some of my favorite Wolverine stories include these two characters, so I feel the plot is very similar to the Wolverine stories of the past, but at least gives us a valuable character moment between these two friends. Cyber’s return is welcome, but his motivations and methods are followed by the standard “Kil Logan” playbook, with little room for genuine surprises. Chemistry works, but dramatic turns rarely increase interest.
Finally, Saladin Ahmed Vol by Wolverine. 1: In the bones, it offers competent writing and impressive art, and promises a greater revelation on the horizon, but it works like the classic “Wolverine in the Woods” story, along with all the anticipated traps. While fans appreciate the craftsmanship and promises of a future twist, those seeking a bold reinvention of Logan’s mythology may find it comfortable to predict.
‘Wolverine by Saladin Ahmed Vol. 1: Bones review
Saladin Ahmed vol. 1: On the bones
Promising competent writing and impressive art, a greater revelation on the horizon, but it functions like the classic “Wolverine in the Woods” story with all anticipated trappings. While fans appreciate the craftsmanship and promises of a future twist, those seeking a bold reinvention of Logan’s mythology may find it comfortable to predict.
It offers enchanting Wolverine/Nightcrawler character moments. It’s great to bring these two characters back together.
It concludes with promising and interesting notes for future storylines.
The predictable plot relies on the ratios of worn-out Wolverines.
