Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Wolverine #300
Marvel Comics
Aaron, Kubert, Mounts, Garney, Keith, Sanders & Soto Colors
Wolverine reaches its giant anniversary issue through re-numbered and some creative math with another good issue in what has been a terrific run for writer Jason Aaron. The issue is set almost entirely in Japan as Wolverine takes a road trip to settle a conflict and find his lost, adoptive daughter. The book plays with a lot of the classic Wolverine stereotypes (such as ninjas) very well as Jason Aaron continues to poke fun at the absurd continuity that this overexposed character has over the past couple of decades. There is a good story in here and this is the kick-off issue for larger arc. The five dollar price tag isn't terrible when you consider you get thirty pages of main story, a five page preview of a Jeph Loeb Wolverine story, cover gallery and sketches. It's a good package for your comic book dollars.
Aaron breaks up the issue in smaller chapters. The chapters don't necessarily flow together which I found to be a bit of a problem when I read the book the first time. However, I eventually picked up on the little clues that Aaron dropped in prior chapters to bridge the gaps upon a second read through the book.
Aaron builds various sides of the story through the chapters and it's very effective at keeping the book moving at a fast pace. Aaron also includes a lot of characters, some of which seem to be completely new, and he has the ability to introduce them and establish them with limited use of captions which is fairly impressive.
The basics of the story are that Wolverine goes to Japan to deal with the fact that the Silver Samurai is dead and that a lot of factions will be fighting for the title. Wolverine has no idea just how many familiar characters are involved, some of which were thought dead. By the issue's end we've got a massive battle with claws, ninjas and robotics. All that's missing is aliens.
The chapters also define the art team and with three teams you would think the issue wouldn't be consistent. This is not the case. It seems like the overall idea for the art in the issue is to make the scene's view from a distance. This seems to allow the various styles to come to a commonality. It works well because none of the art looks like classic Kubert or Garney and I think it works to make the issue better.
Whether or not you buy into the renumbered nonsense, this issue is actually a very good anniversary issue. It's the beginning of an arc and it has plenty of action and moves around a wide array of characters to keep the issue lively. The book is a solid read for your money and if you have even a passing interest in Wolverine I recommend checking out this issue. You may be surprised at how much you enjoy it.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
