WOLVERINE #308

[ BARGAIN BRAIN ] 

Logan is in very difficult spot. He has been captured by the sadist, Doctor Rot. Can he possibly escape? Without getting into a scrape? With a bunch of chaps who own the same yacht? These guys. Writer: Cullen Bunn; Artist: Paul Pelletier; and Publisher: Marvel Comics in May 2012. I can see trouble ahead, can't you? Snik.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Have you ever drunk a gallon of anti-freeze whilst standing on your head before? If so, then you'd know what it must feel like for Canada's favourite son after Dan Aykroyd - Wolverine - in this fourth and final part of 'Rot'.

• Well, the FBI and Melita Garner had an idea that they were on to something when they tracked down old Logan to an old cabin situated somewhere in the woods.
• However, I am afraid to say that this same 'something' turned into a very strange set of circumstances indeed as soon as they arrived.
• Deranged nurses primed for a blood test. A tatty Wolverine strangely possessed. Plus Doctor Rot and his kin ready to turn the FBI into a right mess.
• Let's hope that Wolverine can snap to his senses in time to save the day, huh? Moreover, let's hope that he still has his faculties intact afterwards!

Ooops!

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

Although I did enjoy reading Doctor Rot's chat to his comatose Great-Great Granddaddy at the beginning of this book, I thought it very enigmatic when Logan said to Melita at the end of the book...

'I don't remember who you are'

... as this statement really did come out of nowhere. In a good way of course.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

For me, there were two things in this story that I really did like. Firstly, that Doctor Rot did not die. He's a great character, and I would like to see him again in the future. And secondly, this whole thing about Wolverine's memories going on the blink again was a very nice touch. I'm happy that he's a 'fresh slate' as it were. He can now hack and slash with relative peace. Amen!

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

As much as I understood visually how Wolverine snapped out of his possession, I did not understand in 'real terms' how he was able to do so. The insinuation is that the thought of him killing Melita instigated this somehow. Buts that's all it was - an insinuation - not an explenation.

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: In the last couple of pages of this yarn, Wolverine's inner monologue elaborated on the new dynamic of his future 'state of play'. Now this, for me, added a nice little 'tail end' to this tale, and showed that this adventure did inadvertently have some additional repercussions. OK, so this is nothing new to comic book lore - agreed. But for a character to say it in the dulcet manner Wolverine did - that is new.  

ART: Has artist, Paul Pelletier, turned into artist, Alan Davis, all of a sudden? Please note; this is not a slight by any stretch of the imagination. I am really enjoying Paul's work at the moment, as he seems to have a devilish glee for stories that balance the baroque and the classic at the same time. A very difficult balancing act to maintain. But one that he's more than capable of.

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

DOCTOR ROT: For this crazy Doc we'd need an actor who can do mannered just as well as he can do manic. So I thought I'd give this role to stand-up comic, Jim Gaffigan, because he has very nice teeth.

THE BANDAGED NURSE: Wouldn't it be funny if we could get a pretty actress with a pretty voice, like Keira Knightley for example, and then wrap her up in bandages and force her to say nothing. No. Not for this casting call. Just for fun. Ha!

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

A Mind Is A Very Dangerous Thing At Times. Where's Mine? Vote Democrat.

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

Now this may sound like an ironic comparison in retrospect, but in many ways this fresh tale does remind me of the Elvis Presley classic, 'Memories', mainly due to its aftermath.

FINAL thoughts...

After reading this issue I have to state for the record that I am both very happy and slightly sad respectively.

Happy - because this tale concluded on a very pertinent and revealing note, setting up this series with an intriguing and 'mind-boggling' future from here on in.

Sad - because Cullen Bunn and Paul Pelletier are pissing off for a couple of issue to God knows where, so that Ivan Brandon, Jeph Loeb, and company, can dabble about with this book for a while.

Come back soon Cullen and Paul, and don't forget to send me postcard, ha!

MARKS out of 10? 9