Logan is alive again – let’s see if he can stay that way!

If the first issue was the 15 minutes before the credits role, Return of Wolverine #2 is the action sequence we’re thrown into right after the credits wrap up. Logan is in pursuit of the mysterious individuals that have kidnapped a kid and… that’s about it really.

Writer Charles Soule gives us a frustrating issue that is generally just one long pursuit. It’s a setting for Logan to remind us he doesn’t remember who he is, then have glimpses of someone he might know, and reveals his claws now get hot. Yes, flaming claws. That, and the particularly weird portrayal of Logan in his dialogue makes for a comic that feels like a 90s James Bond sequence than anything with Wolverine in it.

Declan Shalvey‘s art, with color by Laura Martin and lettering by VC’s Joe Sabino, can’t help the issue which is generally boring and forgettable. There’s actually not a whole lot to work with for the artistic team as a lot of the issue is on a boat pursuing another boat. But, when given opportunities to do something interesting, a mental shock a fight scene, it all is rather boring. Nothing stands out in the art or the panel layout.

The issue feels like it’s phone in. The major aspects to it is the reveal of Logan’s new claws and the ending, which I won’t revealed but isn’t Earth shattering either. It’s not bad, it’s just rather boring and feels like it’s a few pages stretched out for 22. There’s also Wolverine not really acting like Wolverine and hell, not even struggling a whole lot not remembering. We’ve seen him struggle more in this sort of situation in the past. There’s a tone in character and story that feels rather off.

There’s a lot to go so maybe this is a bump in a road but after a surprisingly good first issue, this is quite a few steps back.

Story: Charles Soule Art: Declan Shalvey
Color: Laura Martin Lettering: Joe Sabino
Story: 5.0 Art: 6.5 Overall: 5.5 Recommendation: Pass

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review