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T**X
He's the Best at What He Does
It's not news to anybody at this point that Wolverine was far and away the most popular character to emerge from the X-Men series - since his debut in the mid-seventies he's grown to be a ubiquitous presence in the Marvel Universe, whether on page or on screen. Just look - his Epic Collection precedes the first X-Men one by a month. Of course, some modern readers might argue that he has become OVERexposed, diluted by his vast number of appearances. With that it mind, it's wonderful to return to 1988 and the start of his first-ever solo ongoing series, so that we can remind ourselves just why he became the most popular character of the modern age.This volume collects both the introductory ten-part series from Marvel Comics Presents, as well as the first sixteen issues of the Wolverine series itself. Together, they take Wolvie out on his own (at this point in the comics, the X-Men were scattered around the world, having faked their own deaths), as he finds a new life in the lawless south-east Asian island of Madripoor.Taking on the pseudonym of 'Patch' and attempting to conceal his mutant nature from the raucous locals, he finds himself caught up in the local criminal turf wars as well as taking part in some rather more esoteric adventures. In these pages you will meet crime lords Roche, Tyger Tiger and Nguyen Ngoc Coy, brutal enforcers Roughouse and Bloodsport, a visiting Hulk (in his Joe Fixit persona), ex-Spider-Woman-turned-private-eye Jessica Drew, ancient demon Ba'al, lethal mutant Silver Samurai and more.The stories are nearly all penned by mutant maestro Chris Claremont, although Peter David scripts the concluding six-parter, and likewise are drawn by Marvel legend John Buscema, with a guest spot from Gene Colan. Claremont has always had a good fix on what makes Wolverine tick, and takes pleasure in exploring his ruthless, wry nature through laconic inner monologues and witty quips - this is a Marvel antihero who is more than willing to deal death to the deserving. Buscema, too, his art sketchier and rougher to match the setting, shows the mastery of visual storytelling that made his name.As much as Wolverine is the protagonist, though, and as fun as his supporting cast is, the real star of this collection is Madripoor itself. With elements of Casablanca, eighties Daredevil and countless noir movies thrown into the mix, the city-island is a living, breathing cesspit where life is cheap and sudden violence mixes with sleazy glamour. It helps give these adventures very much a unique flavour.As with a lot of the later material, extras abound in this Epic Collection. As well as plenty of pinups of Wolverine himself, there are Marvel Age articles on both series collected here, ads of the time, the covers of previous collections to collect this material, and lots of original Buscema art. All of which help to make this a definitive printing of Wolvie's original solo outings; why not pick them up and remind yourself what the fuss was all about. What he does might not be pretty... but it sure is fun.
K**D
What does Wolverine get up to when he's not with the X-Men?
Nice noir type feel to these stories. Buscema art great as usual. Madripoor really comes to life as the setting for these adventures. Good stuff
A**N
Wolferine
This collection contains classic material from the 1988 series!
L**N
Snikt!
Great book! Classic stories! Superb value! Great format!
T**Y
Very interesting stories. Excellent drawings. Highly recommended.
Great
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