Wolverine describes himself as “the best there is at what I do.” The same can be said of writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Greg Capullo. However, what Logan does best “isn’t very nice.” What Hickman and Capullo do is quite nice indeed, and Wolverine: Revenge #1 is an excellent showcase of their respective and respectable talents.
The curtain rises on a world in peril at some point in the not-too-distant future. The death of Magneto triggers an electromagnetic pulse that depowers most of the Northern hemisphere. Logan is blissfully ignorant of this, however, being on a dinosaur-hunting vacation in the Savage Land.
Called into action by Nick Fury, Wolverine is recruited for a special taskforce. Their mission is to seize control of the one cold fusion reactor in existence and the only power source that can save the Western world. Unfortunately, that reactor is under the control of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. However, when the mission goes south, there is nothing left but for Logan to exact bloody vengeance.
Wolverine: Revenge is a perfect union of art and story
What Jonathan Hickman does with this first issue of Wolverine: Revenge is simply magical. The previews and covers focused on Logan fighting a T-Rex as if that were the centerpiece of the series. However, the audience is faked out, with gears shifting suddenly to an espionage saga with the fate of the world in the balance. Such trickery is second nature to Hickman, but it is still surprising when he throws out a curve ball.
Greg Capullo is in similarly fine form. He is widely regarded as one of the best pencilers in the business, and Wolverine: Revenge #1 shows why that is so. Capullo’s style is detail-driven without being gritty and as smooth as a fine whiskey.
Backed by the inks of Tim Townsend and the colors of FCO Plascencia, the finished art offers many poster-worthy pages throughout the issue. The letters of VC’s Cory Petit are also amazing. All in all, it will be shocking if the creative team isn’t honored with an Eisner nomination for their work here.
Wolverine: Revenge #1 is everything one could want in a comic. The story is thrilling, packed with action, and plenty of twists. The artwork is outstanding in every respect. This is a worthy effort, plain and simple.
Grade: 5/5
Wolverine: Revenge #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
