Logan isn’t healing the way he used to. Something is wrong — recent fights are leaving their marks, in ways he’s never experienced before. Beaten down, Logan goes to the one people he thought he could always count on for help…The X-Men. But when an old pupil of Logan’s asks for his help, it’s Logan’s enemies who will learn the hardest lesson: This old dog still has bite.
It has been a long time since I last read a comic like Old Man Logan #39. I don’t mean that in the way you probably expect, however; I don’t tend to read much from the House Of Ideas any more aside from Old Man Logan and the odd X-Men or Avengers offering, so it has been a long time since I read a comic that has echoes of Wolverine and the X-Men – a series that remains one of my all time favorite runs. Old Man Logan #39 brings back the feeling I got from the early issues of Wolverine and the X-Men as Logan heads to an X-Men outreach center in Central Park in a really heartwarming sequence as the young X-Men see their old mentor for the first time in awhile.
With Wolverine returning from the dead, and soon to return to the Marvel Universe properly, there’s a feeling within this series that Old Man Logan won’t be around for much longer; his deteriorating healing factor, and the way he handles himself amidst the other X-Men has the hallmarks of a Hallmark goodbye. Without the cheesy writing. Wolverine is the reason that I’m a comics fan, and unlike the Death Of Wolverine miniseries from a few years ago, Old Man Logan #39 seems positioned to give the (much older) Logan a very fitting send off.
Ironically, this issue is also an easy jumping on point for those hankering for a bit of Old Man Logan action. Ed Brisson gives you enough context to enjoy the back and forth between Logan and the X-Men (though I have no idea why there’s an X-Mansion in Central Park, it doesn’t matter; why it is there is irrelevant to Old Man Logan #39), but it’s the return to what, personally, I consider the classic X-Men villain – the public that hates and fears them. Granted, I’m not as familiar with the current X-series as I could be, but this issue is one of the first times in the series that I’ve really felt a tangible connection to the X-Men – coincidentally, I’m sure – and reminded me why I used to love the X-Men so many years ago.
Whether Marvel is getting ready to retire Old Man Logan in favor of the younger model returning or not, this issue continues a trend of high quality entertainment for the series, and is well worth your time and dollar.
Story: Ed Brisson Art: Ibraim Roberson Colourist: Carlos Lopez
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.8 Overall: 8.8 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided a FREE copy for review, however this comic is still on hold at my LCS for me.
