WOLVERINE #301

[ WOLVERINE PRICE-SLASH ] 

It must be nice to be back in Japan. It must be like having a very nice sun tan. Granted Wolverine thinks otherwise - because he has a ninja in-between his thies - plus a medical appointment to see Doctor Zan. Or else why don't you read this tale by Writer: Jason Aaron; Artists: Steve Sanders and Billy Tan; plus Publisher: Marvel Comics in March 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

In part two of 'Back in Japan', we see everyone's favorite Canadian after Dan Aykroyd - Wolverine - try his best to stop Azuma Goda and his merry band of Ninjas, from causing too much havoc within this pastoral landscape.

However, Wolverine has not really begun this endeavour on the right footing I'm afraid to say. You see, although he may have saved his daughter, Amiko, from Azuma's clutches, he failed to make sure that her boyfriend, Shin (also known as the new 'Silver Samurai'), was safe as well.

Regretfully, they had a bit of a spat (literally) amidst this debacle - resulting in Shin being left behind.

Still, Wolverine has a plan up his sleeve which should rectify his mistake. (1) Go to an old ninja pal of his who has been in a coma for the last five years. (2) Wake him up. (3) Get un-comatose ninja to tell him where Azuma is. And (4) Go to Azuma's secret stronghold, and save Shin before he is tortured to death.

Easy, right? Wrong - to be continued.

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

I liked the conversation between Logan and un-comatose ninja after their mind battle together.

LOGAN: Thank you. You are a fine and honourable man. For a Ninja.

NINJA: And you are at least slightly less insufferable and embarrassingly ignorant than the average Gaijin.  

Respectful, yet sarcastic at the same time, don't you think.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

My personally favourite scene in this story was that whole ninja in a coma scenario. Well, not only was it very funny on one level, but it also added some extra personality to this tale too.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

The battle between Wolverine and Shin was an unneeded device to leave 'the New Silver Samurai' behind. Come one, Logan knew that this kid was a vital ingredient in saving Japan from a battle between two rival clans! So why not just fight alongside him and then save the day? Very silly - and not like Wolverine at all.   

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: Now it's not every day that you see a superhero go into a hospital and wake up a coma patient, so that this poor unfortunate bed ridden chap can tell you where someone is staying, the same someone who you have just left behind a moment or so earlier. OK, I know that this does sound really-really silly. But then again, this was a really-really silly tale. I like silly.

ART: Because two artists collaborated on this book, Steve Sanders and Billy Tan, it would be very easy for me to say that the presentation of this story was rather inconsistent throughout. In fact, I will - the presentation of this story was rather inconsistent throughout.

Moreover, in the same vein, I wished that only one of them actually drew this issue on his own, as they are both very good artists, and can produce some very dynamic and detailed layouts. Especially Steve. 

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

SHIN: For me, this one is a no-brainer to answer. Edison Chen of 'Internal Affairs 2' fame is the dead spit in personality and appearance for this wannabe hero.  

AMIKO: For Logan's daughter you need someone who is both pretty and feisty at the same time. So I think that Yifei Liu from 'Forbidden Kingdom' is a perfect match, don't you?

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

You Have Seen 'Meet The Parents' and 'Meet The Fockers'. But Have You Seen 'Meet The Canadian Mutant Who Will Kill You As Soon As Look At You'?

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

As you may have realised by now, I felt that this issue did have a pivotal flaw in its story-telling - that being the unneeded confrontation between Wolverine and Shin. Therefore, to mirror my puzzlement with this nicely jovial tale, the Weird Al spoof of a Britney spears song 'Oops I Farted Again' would be a nice compromise.  

FINAL thoughts...

I don't really like to be too harsh about this series, because I mostly feel that it is a great read with great characters and a great direction. However, this month did not really hit its mark for me as a continuing story-line. Though I do have faith that next month's instalment will be a lot better.

MARKS out of 10? 7.5