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• Price: $29.99
• Rating: T+
• Pages: 224
• On Sale: Sept 8th, 2010
• Writer: Mark Millar
• Artist: Steve McNiven
• Publisher: Marvel Comics 

Wolverine just can’t get a break! After being manipulated to attack the X-Men, Wolverine could not save the day when the bad guys got organized and finally took down all the remaining good guys at a big battle in Las Vegas. Afterwards, Wolverine was so soul destroyed that he proceeds to kill his superhero persona. The only thing left of him is Logan.

Now 50 years later in a rather desolate future without heroic superheroes, America is split into villainous kingdoms such as Hulkland, Kingpin, Doom’s Lair and the President’s Quarter (Red Skull). No longer a superhero by choice, Logan has traded in this claws for a tractor and family life on a Sacramento farm. By living in Hulkland, it also means he now has to constantly contend with the nasty green offspring of the Hulk who also act as his murderous landlords.

After Logan is given a dubious deadline for the next rent payment, he teams up with his retired superhero friend Hawkeye who promises Logan money if he helps deliver a mysterious cargo to the East Coast. Logan agrees to go but he refuses to let his claws out to help along the way. Thus with the blind Hawkeye behind the wheel of the Spider-Buggy, they blaze across a smoldering America, headlong into enemy territory and Logan’s haunted past.

This trade paperback is a collected series from Wolverine 2008 to 2009 and it’s not surprising why it’s still recommended because the premise is fantastic. A superhero so traumatized by his own actions that he refuses to save another soul just so he can act normal to protect his own kingdom at home. Meanwhile the rest of the carved up world remembers his claws and are just baiting him to hack and slash again just so they can kill him themselves. No wonder why Logan is a bitter old man on the verge of snapping. All this internal struggle along with a Tyrannosaurus Rex from the Savage Lands covered in the Venom symbiote chasing Hawkeye and Logan is just a part of the thrill ride.

But, for me, the real stars of this series is the amazing teamwork of artist Steve McNiven, inker Dexter Vines and colorist Morry Hollowell. After Steve lays down the art and hatch work, Dexter brings out the lines and contrasts, which leaves Morry the perfect platform to add amazing color and dimensions! There is an unforgettable scene where Logan is on the verge of having an emotional break down in front of Hawkeye while sitting at a camp fire as he tells the story that led to his suicide attempt. Writer Mark Millar’s words come forth from the two characters explaining while Logan’s phenomenal healing ability prevented the goal of the suicide, the accompanying physical pain was just enough to make it all worthwhile. I don’t think I have ever seen a trembling lower lip along with a tear look so convincing in a comic book!

I could go over panel after panel to show the reader how well it all works together but you really have to see it yourself. If you have a digital copy of this book series, zoom in! If you have a paper version of it, get a magnifying glass and marvel at the techniques. I was so mesmerized by the talent it took to make this book a classic that I nearly failed to comprehend the terror Logan faced as he stepped into the Hulk’s lair.

This book should be on everyone’s digital download list or any bookshelf at home.

Review by DJ Rat Bastard

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