Just A Broken Pawn — Reviewing ‘Ultimate Wolverine’ #3

James “Logan” Howlett and tragedy go far back. Even in different universes, the clawed, healing mutant is cursed by loss. Mysterious pasts, government experiments, lost memories, and pain brought to loved ones. These are the hallmarks that follow this character.

Despite that familiarity, there are ways to remix them and offer up something new. Even for the most versed audience members.

That’s where things currently stand with Ultimate Wolverine as Chris Condon, Alessandro Cappuccio, Bryan Valenza, and Cory Petit bring their own flavors to bear.

Visually, this series is pretty perfect.

I loved everything that Cappuccio was doing with Moon Knight, a character that was made for his particular style. That being said, Logan is another character perfect for this style. And we’re seeing that showcased with every issue.

Especially paired with the color stylings of Valenza.

Everything is so dark, moody, and grim. Yet, there is a lightness which permeates both the art and the colors. Not just from the powers or flashy clothing that some of the figures wear. We can feel the struggle that is brewing as Logan moves along, towards the inevitable end. We see that conclusion starting to spark even more by the end of this issue.

There is such liveliness to the character as even with the full mask. Cappuccio really nails the body language and emotional energy. Mixed amongst the more harsh and dynamic elements at play. Keeping things clean but also brutal at the same time. We get a pretty horrible death here but it’s done in that way where we know it’s horrific but shies away from gruesome.

We’ve born witness to the ways the Rasputins have turned this version of Logan into their unrelenting weapon. Now, we begin to unravel pieces of his past as paths cross with people who were once close to him.

As with the first issue (and over in Ultimate Black Panther), the way familiar X-Characters are being repurposed in this world is interesting. Remy LaBeau, the card-flinging Gambit, as a grizzled Opposition (resistance) fighter is not where I ever expected to see that character. I used to just detest him on sight until the 2010s revamp (Rogue & Gambit/Mr. & Mrs. X books) that opened my eyes in new ways. Kate Pryde as a resistance leader/fighter makes more sense, in all universes.

It is kind of her place when it comes to a lot of multiverse positions.

Not that it’s mundane or dull here. Pairing off her and Remy definitely caught me off guard a bit here. As did the possible indication that she was romantic with Logan (unless I was reading that image wrong), but I trust Condon.

That’s what he has already garnered in just these three issues, because it’s the only work of his I’ve read so far. I plan to change that very quickly.

Capturing things is what Petit always accomplishes. Finding the best ways to deliver the lettering and capture the distinct voices for these characters. This really lets the tone, volume, and different energies just flow across the page in natural, logical ways that never hamper any of the other artwork. It just works hand-in-hand with it in order to best tell this story. Even with most of the dialogue sitting at a more standard visual, there is still uniqueness through and through.

Ultimate Wolverine #3 is now available from Marvel Comics.