REVIEW: ‘Wolverine: Black, White & Blood’ Issue #1

Wolverine: Black White & Blood #1 is comprised of three short stories published by Marvel Comics. “The Beast In Them” is written by Gerry Duggan, with art by Adam Kubert, colors by Frank Martin, and letters by VC’s Clayton Cowles. “I Shall Be A Wolf” is written by Matthew Rosenberg, with art by Joshua Cassara, and letters by VC’s Clayton Cowles. “Cabin Fever” written, art, and colors by Declan Shalvey, and letters by VC’s Clayton Cowles.

“The Beast In Them” is the first story up in Wolverine: Black White & Blood #1 and takes up the majority of the pages within the issue. In this first tale, we see the weapon-X version of Logan, as the scientists in the program continue testing him against more dangerous foes. Duggan takes a small field test for weapon-X and turns it into a narrative laden with dichotomy. While the obvious visual of the plot is watching Logan hunt down and do battle against other hunters, his narrative reflects the image up and asks the question, but who is the real monster here? Kubert really over-delivers on the imagery, with some stunning panels. One panel in particular really powers home, in which a double-page spread depicts a monstrous-looking mutant launch themself from a hidden area directly toward weapon-X, and wow! The coloring from Martin reinforces the bloody, gritty nature of the story that Duggan is looking to convey. An excellent tale told, permeating with a sense of melancholy.

Next up is “I Shall Be A Wolf” from Rosenberg, and Cassara.  Of the three stories, I think this is the one that felt less impactful. It was an average plot, with some really enjoyable graphics, but still, it just doesn’t land as well in comparison with the other two mini-stories that are within this issue. In this story, Hydra has caught Logan and are interrogating him in order to attain the whereabouts of Nick Fury. Rosenberg’s espionage story feels like it fits more with the character of a Black Widow rather than Wolverine. It’s a clever story, it just doesn’t quite land in the same impactful way. Cassara did a brilliant job with the art the shading and inking, in particular, providing a decent level of detail, however, while there are some good panels, and the coloring is boisterous, there was nothing in particular that I could point to and say this image right here is why this story stands by itself.

Shalvey is the last up in this Wolverine issue with “Cabin Fever”. Shalvey took no prisoners with this run on Logan, and holy moly it gets graphic. In this short story Logan travels up north along the New York – Canadian border during the wintertime. While there, he stumbles upon a trap set by weapons smugglers to send a message to someone who betrayed them. Shalvey goes in hard on this story, with limbs flying, and blood gushing. The dialogue and the visuals have an intensity to them that reinforces the rage of Logan as he loses control and the beast takes over. There is a one-page image that truly knocks you down, as the climax of the battle erupts, translating in a literal explosion of blood and guttural anger from the main character. The suspenseful pace Shalvey sets equate to a really entertaining short story that concludes the issue so well as Logan walks through the snow and off into the darkness.

Overall, wow! Black, White, & Blood delivered on many different levels. Of the three stories that comprise the issue, two were stellar and the imagery included will be one that comic collectors will want to get ahold of. For fans of Wolverine, this is an issue you do not want to miss. It’ll be exciting to see what the future issues hold from other creators who are lined up for this mini-series.

Wolverine: Black White & Blood #1 is available now wherever comics are sold.