A Barrel Full Of Logans: Reviewing ‘Wolverine’ #37

Krakoa has fallen, but Wolverine has bigger fish to fry. Those fish would be his three rogue Beast-grown clones. The Marvel Universe has a problem right now, and that problem is too many Logans in the kitchen.

After a bit of a detour with Ghost Rider, Wolverine #37 turns the series back to it’s own plots and Logan’s place in the main universe. Benjamin Percy remains the man guiding the clawed one’s adventures alongside the returning Juan Jose Ryp, Frank D’ Armata, and Cory Petit.

Okay, I’ve had some quibbles with this series off and on during my tenure reviewing it. Look back at my review for Wolverine #35, which ended the Beast-centric Weapons Of X story, and you’ll see. Things like too many juggled plots, climaxes that leave things dangling, and a handful of other things.

Generally, though the record will show that I mostly enjoy this series.

Why did I just go through stating all of that, you might be asking? Because this issue most definitely will be one of those I point at as proof that I do indeed like this series overall. I mean how could I not like this issue? There is a freaking Wendigo Wolverine within the first few pages, and the Hulk comes barreling in to throw down too.

What can I say? Sometimes my tastes are quite simple, and this issue satisfied those tastes.

Is it the best Logan issue? No, but really that is a subjective measure that can’t really be quantified, and I won’t even try. What I enjoyed about it beyond the whole Wendigo-verine and the other trips down memory lane, was what they accomplished. As I noted, one of my issues with the series is plotlines that drag and dangle. This issue just straight-up deals with and removes the three lost Wolverine clones.

Even the nostalgia of the Wendigo, Hulk, Japan, and Madripoor/Patch isn’t egregious. In this age where nostalgia is a heavy sharp weapon that we’re bludgeoned over the head with, this was a logical and fun usage. Of course, the not fully formed more basic clones of Logan would glom onto parts of his past in their search for safety. For once, nostalgia is my friend.

As I’ve said before, and will say again, Percy writes a really good Logan.

All the right levels of brooding and self-reflective but also doing awesome things. The Banner/Hulk dynamic from their own series bleeds over a bit and is handled well here. Clearly, it was for nostalgia’s sake too, with the connection to Wendigo and Logan’s first appearance, but I’ll let it pass. It worked quite well.

Ryp’s artwork is one that I have pointed out to be a bit too static in some cases. The first arc he handled being heavily montage/dream sequence didn’t help. Since then, there have been improvements. Many of the action sequences here are quite dynamic and powerful, feeling like there is a good sense of movement and scale. A little bit of static does creep back in but it’s in fitting spaces where it would be somewhat expected.

Maybe things are just growing on me at this point but I felt like it was a little bit less super slick this time around. In prior issues that slickness just felt a bit too much for a Logan series. Some of that wore off with the darker Weapons Of X arc. Perhaps these heavier more action-packed less dream sequence stories are better suited for Ryp’s work.

Time, and the rest of this arc, will tell.

Color-wise, D’ Armata is still a bit smooth and gives a more toned-down appearance in a lot of areas here. Like the colors are pulled back or washed out allowing the shadows to flood in a bit more. It works a bit for the idea for this story and the darkness/brutality on display. Clearly, it’s got a very fall (the season not the Fall Of X event) feeling with the color tone choices at the start, seen in the trees/vegetation.

Beyond those pages, each space they travel to do has if its own energy and vibes. That is reflected in the color palette choices that are made.

There is a lot of space for Petit to play around with lettering here and he definitely takes advantage. Lots of changes to the font, with the different ways some of the characters speak. Lots of speech bubble fun and SFX which range from gruesome to fun. It all flows so easily and makes sure that we pick up all that we need without it taking up too much space. Not that most of the main characters are the most verbose, which helps, I’m sure.

I still love the feeling and presentation to Logan’s captions. There is something very Logan about the color scheme but also the way they are deployed. As I said, Logan isn’t really the most verbose at times and the captions mirror that. Keeping things short and sweet, getting right to the point. Which is the Logan way, both with words and those adamantium pokers he’s got.

Wolverine #37 is now available from Marvel Comics.