LOGAN: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD #2 (MARVEL COMICS)
The violent past of James Howlett continues onward.
With the “Black, White & Blood” series, creators are unleashing the beloved character in new ways. It’s a perfect for Wolverine to do what he does best. Considering the trail he has left over the years, there’s no telling how far his legacy has reached.
LOGAN: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD #2 by Benjamin Percy, Robert Gill, Mirka Andolfo, Frank Tieri, Raffaele Ienco & Cory Petit debuts three new stories in different eras.
Let’s take a deeper look at what’s unfolding now for the unstoppable X-Man.
LOGAN: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD #2 by Benjamin Percy, Robert Gill, Mirka Andolfo, Frank Tieri, Raffaele Ienco & Cory Petit (Marvel Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The issue is a compilation of three stories. Due to the amount, the overview of each tale will be shorter than usual reviews.
“First Kiss” by Percy, Gill, & Petit puts Logan in the year 1919. While running from his past, he stumbles across a Bourbon transport gone bad. The writing shows how his experience with the beverage draws a certain piece from his war-torn soul. It’s a fun moment before the chaos ensues. A gangster want payback for their stolen product. There’s only one way this story ends for them: badly. It resolves with a great image of Logan sipping the day away. Percy knows Wolverine very well. This is prime example of a short, but very effective tale.
Gill’s art brings a calm sense to the opening pages. Even with the flashbacks in red, there’s never a moment where Logan feels on a mission. Stumbling on the full page ambush leads to an unlikely image. The pure joy when the Bourbon hits his lips is priceless. It’s interrupted by the gangster who comes shooting into frame via half panel. Pacing speeds here to allow the action room to grow. The result allows Logan to tear loose. It’s capped off with a great final page of peace….for now. Kentucky *&^%$ Bourbon indeed.
“One Last Crossing” by Andolfo & Petit is next up. The story is et at sea in 1930. Logan is on board of a voyage of illegal immigrants escaping Madripoor. When accidents start taking place on board, Logan becomes caught up in the mystery. Honestly, this might be the breakout story of the issue & my favorite work from Andolfo.
Andolfo is on double duty for this tale. The dialogue hits on Logan’s moral compass. Readers often forget he is not 100% an angel because of his reformed ways. The writing portrays him in that light until he makes a crucial decision. It sends him on a path of discovery. The results are bloody as a stand is made. Once landbound, the epilogue leaves many questions to ponder.
The art brings out the gruff stance Logan carries during this time. Seeing the child on board doesn’t make him jump into action. The images of passengers killed sends a loud message to what is really going on. This leads into a face-off with a certain passanger before the captain. Readers watch as a handshake attempt signals a turning point for Logan. The panels fill with bloody action. Events end with a calm portrait of a park. It leaves much to the imagination on a perfect walk-off. Really enjoyed the take of Logan for this one.
“The Children of The Altered Mind by Tieri, Ienco, & Petit puts Logan with a partner on a spy mission. The partner’s name? Carol Danvers. Tieri brings out the covert vibes when pushing Logan into combat. There’s a fair share of “Hack and Slash” time. That said, there’s a lot more of Logan trying to defeat the cult leader he’s on assignment for. The wriitng pushes him into protecting Danvers while breaking down the mission. Once the turning point happens, the truth starts coming to light. Dialogue is very blunt as the spin job starts. It leads into a strong close and better finish. Great story.
Ienco never shies away from the violence in the opening pages. A near full page shot shows the aftermath of Logan’s work. It’s not pretty for the opposition. Once the sotry advances, the leader’s action hits with another half panel. It doesn’t take Logan and Danvers long to return in kind. Readers will have to do a double take as a secret is revealed during the fight. The stern reactions to the mission's failure camouflages more than expected. This speeds into a wild final panel. It’s a superb send-off for the throwback saga.
FINAL GRADE: 9.4
There’s no sophomore slump in the latest chapter of Logan’s path of rage. Each team brings out new looks to the iconic character. The art each gives Logan a new dynamic to his violent ways. Don’t sleep on what is happening here. If you ever wanted to find the “true” Logan, it’s this series.
Let me know your thoughts on LOGAN: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD #2 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
