REVIEW: ‘Wolverine’ Issue #2

Wolverine #2 is published by Marvel Comics. It is written by Saladin Ahmed, with art by Martín Cóccolo, colors by Bryan Valenza, and letters by Cory Petit. Still in the wilderness, Wolverine is hunted by agents of his old firm and a new version of a classic enemy.

This second chapter moves on but remains in the wilds of Canada. Wolverine has been unable to leave the forest that he has made his new home, and more invaders are making their presence known. Wolverine #2 throws two different dangers at him, which he must also keep safe from each other.

Caught between two dangers, Wolverine #2‘s pacing is dramatically affected. Initially, Logan is trying to be slow and calm, but the presence of both threats instantly ramps up the speed. While he focuses more on one side due to an ancient, dangerous curse native to the area, the others pose multiple forms of danger.

Ahmed also displays the opposing sides of Wolverine’s physicality. He can be a stealthy soldier, hidden and methodical, or a brutal animal, launching himself into a savage sparring session. And yet, there is a tragic and exciting surprise, providing hope in a comic filled with so much violence. Much of the story is about preventing and holding back a seemingly inevitable nature. The possibility of hope is sadly squashed by an ending that seems to resort to basic instincts.

Wolverine #2 is the second issue to feature two variables, which help explore the incredibly nuanced title character. The first issue had Nightcrawler and Cyber, Wolverine’s friend and enemy. This chapter sees him face soldiers and a monster; Logan has been both. Wolverine is a creature of ferocity and violence, capable of flinging himself into a frenzy. But he can also show restraint and help those who need it most.

The dialogue is brilliant, always about reining in Wolverine’s wild side. Whenever he jumps to pop his claws, he considers a different option or at least attempts to be non-lethal. The monster is the most fascinating part of the comic. It’s a sad backstory with a gruesome beginning and possible end.

The art is phenomenal. Both the sensitivity and savagery are well-represented. Wolverine’s tentative approach highlights his training as a ninja and soldier early in Wolverine #2. But then comes his first showdown, and his ferocity steps up. Whether his enemies are bigger than him or there are more of them than him, it doesn’t matter. Cóccolo brilliantly illustrates his speed and precision.

Wolverine and the monster can have their emotions come to the fore if they are ravenously hungry, furious, or even afraid and devastated. The details are exquisite, with slight changes to the shapes of the eyes completely changing the context. The final page of Wolverine #2 is the best example of that, combining sadness and brutality in the same image.

The story of how the monster came to be is presented in its own style because Wolverine finds it inside a book. This section looks rougher and more amateurish, genuinely looking like it has been sketched by someone other than the artist.

The colors are also attractive. Wolverine changes into his classic costume, featuring the most unnatural colors—the yellow and blue stand out against the stark white snow. Set early in the morning, Valenza adds more than just white to the landscape. The surroundings are stunning, blending the light with the shadows formed by the trees. The lettering is crisp and clear and is always easy to read.

Wolverine #2 focuses on opposites. Every issue has added something extra to elevate the stories. Wolverine is forced to face two problems simultaneously, making the comic more unpredictable and exploring the extremes of his personality. Logan is the ultimate combination of man and beast, with a tendency to protect but an unrivaled skill in unleashing violence. The art and writing capture that perfectly.

Wolverine #2 is available where comics are sold.