Reviewer: Mathan Erhardt
Story Title: The Brothers Part V
Written by: Greg Rucka
Art by: Darick Robertson
Colored by: Studio F
Lettered by: Chris Eliopoulos
Editor: Axel Alonso
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Ah, my first foray into the Marvel U. proper. This issue begins with one of the cheesiest character summations ever. “And when that rage is past there is blood on the ground.” Pure muenster. I actually read the preview of issue #1 in Wizard so I saw how this storyline began. To fill me in on issues 2-4 Marvel has the cool “Previously” page. It tells me everything I need to know.
As for the actual issue, we see Logan preparing to enter the compound of The Brothers of the New World (those guys who killed Lucy in #1.) We also see how ATF Agent Cassie Lanthrop (who was captured by the Brotherhood) is planning to break out. We get to see Logan use his nifty stealth to infiltrate the compound, where he makes a startling discovery that sets off his ferocious (yawn) rage. Lanthrop also shows off her training while escaping her captors. Wolvie get his vengeance, but may have found a tail in Lanthrop.
Rucka has managed to make Wolverine almost interesting. He is definitely a strong silent type and is portrayed as such. The brainwashed sound like brainwashed, and Logan’s rage is pretty believable.
Rucka tells a good story. Lanthrop also sound believable. Again Rucka’s mad Wolverine a “might want to pick up, possibly if there were nothing on TV and every other comic were published quarterly” book.
Robertson does an excellent job of visual storytelling. His depiction of Logan is dead on. Logan should always be a stocky guy, with massive amounts of body hair. And that two-page spread is one of the finest pieces of art I’ve seen this year. Marvel need to make that a poster posthaste. The dark moody art compliments the feel of the story.
I’m not a Marvel guy. Rucka and Robertson are fantastic creators. But the character is lame. It’s like having a cheese sandwich on tomato basil bread, that has been toasted and dusted with a hint of garlic and parmesan cheese; no matter how great the bread is the substance of the sandwich sucks. I can’t say that this issue answered all of the questions from previous issues (I had none) or if it was a satisfying end to the story (I have no idea.) As fine as this issue was, I won’t be back next month, which essentially makes this a waste of $2.25.
