Ultimate Wolverine #6 starts with a quote from one of my favorite stories, the Christmas Carol. It’s not a quote to think it applies to Wolverine, but it’s a perfect fit for the character, especially in this version, which is tied to a chain of blood, violence and manipulation.
But someone loosened those chains. This means that Logan is free for a long time. To truly gain his freedom, he must fight past ghosts of his past and still hugging him. Again, this is pretty heavy for Wolverine’s book, but it’s been going very well. From start to finish, I was hooked thanks to Chris Condon’s writing. The conversation between Wolverine and the mysterious voice in his head is rich in subtext and depicts the story of someone who is truly involved with Logan.
Through Ultimate Wolverine #6, Condon Hammers homes the points I made about Wolverine. That’s true here – he could have kept stomping on the chains, but he chose to fight through the darkness and throw away the weight of his past. The fact that Condon is willing to tackle such a heavy issue rather than resorting to bloody violence is evidence that this will become an outstanding Wolverine story.
Amazing
Alex Lins artwork also helps sell its subtext. When Logan first blows his claws, the chain covers his whole body and shoots him out. He passes through space and past makers – a man whose whole world was chained by his own disease design. And he meets with large versions of Colossus, Magic and Omega Red. Those who turned him into weapons. But that’s nothing compared to the final fight Logan has. The issue isn’t as bloody as the installments in the past, but it packs plenty of violence to hook Wolverine fans.
Images from this comic are further enhanced by Brian Valenza’s incredible colour work. Valenza starts by covering things with shadows and softening the dark tones as Logan runs through the obstacles after the obstacle. It is fitting that the finale takes place in a bright room. There, Logan is surrounded by friendly faces (X-Men fans, peel your eyes for a cameo.) Cory Petit digs deep into his free-set figure, and digs into pages that add tragedy to his torment.
Ultimate Wolverine #6 is a soulful, standalone story that delves deep into Wolverine’s core and breaks the cycle of bloodshed and violence. It also marks the turning point for the series. This only makes me more excited about the issues in the future. Wolverine may have broken out of his chains, but Condon and Lin were engrossing me in what’s coming next.
“The Ultimate Wolverine” #6 delves deep into Logan’s state of mind
The Ultimate Wolverine #6
Ultimate Wolverine #6 is a soulful, standalone story that delves deep into Wolverine’s core and breaks the cycle of bloodshed and violence.
Condon writes a soulful, standalone story that shows Wolverine fighting against the dark side of his nature.
Lins does an amazing job of representing the parochial or literal chain trapping Logan.
Valenza begins with a dark colour and slowly begins to let Logan enter the light.
X-Men fans will want to keep an eye on certain characters.
The Wolverine stories rely on more introspection rather than bloody violence – and we need them more.
