 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | DEL REY / MARVEL | | | ▪ | AUTHOR / ART: | | ANTONY JOHNSTON / WILSON TORTOSA | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | JAPANESE / B&W | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 188 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | T | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 04/07/2009 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 04/06/2009 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
Wolverine Prodigal Son is an all new original English language manga based on the popular Marvel comic book character seen in the X-Men and his own title. With the upcoming Wolverine Origins movie soon to hit theatres, here is a chance to see Logan in a completely original retelling of the famous hero with attitude and killer claws. The story reimagins Logan as a teenager. He was found in the woods in Canada by a kind man who raised him like one of his own…and it just happened to be in a dojo. Therefore Logan grew up learning martial arts. Despite his prowess, he quickly learned that he was different than the other kids. There is his phenomenal strength and agility along with his keen senses and super human healing factor. And of course he happens to have claws that shoot forth from the back of his hands. Many of the kids shun him but he has a loyal friend in Tamara, the daughter of the sensei and the sensei, Elliot, as well. But things are far from easy and his restless nature along with his discontent has the young Logan, nicknamed Wolverine by his classmates, yearning for a greater challenge. He should watch out what he wishes for because he is given exactly that. At first he is challenged by the contest of Wind, Wood and Water. It is a test that no one, not even the sensei has managed to successfully complete. Plus there’s an added catch – he must complete it with Tamara. If either of them fails, they both fail. The test challenges their speed, strength, stamina as well as their ingenuity. Despite success, Logan faces one of his worst nightmares when Tamara learns about his secret – his claws. She turns against him and he suddenly has lost his best friend. In the aftermath, Elliot takes Logan to the city. There they go to a fellow sensei’s dojo. But Carter runs a different ship than Elliot has and Wolverine comes out when Carter’s pupils push Logan’s buttons. Logan must learn control in order to master his skills but that too will be put to the test when they are attacked, he and Elliot, by a mysterious group of ninja commandos lead by the fearsome Lady Silence. Wolverine is no match for them and must run. Facing the loss of his sensei is multiplied when his return home for help has him discovering the destruction of the dojo, his home, and all his friends dead. All except one. Tamara is still alive and with her, they have vowed vengeance. They will have to grow up fast as the enemies in the shadows hunt them and are willing to go to any length to get Logan and make him their weapon to control! Wolverine fans will enjoy this reimagining of the origins of Logan. It stays close to the signature truths in the Marvel hero’s origins while making the diversions intriguingly diverting. He’s still Wolverine and easily recognizable as such. Both in looks and in attitude. The story is exciting and promises more action and excitement to come. The art style approximates the manga style of illustrating fairly closely. Like many Original English Language manga (OEL), it tends to have more images, and more talking than an actual Japanese manga holds. It still is very close though and offers a visceral style in its imagery that is engaging for depicting the feral Logan aka Wolverine. The manga also includes bonus character design sketch at the end of the book.
IN SUMMARY:
Wolverine Prodigal Son is a creative and engaging reimaging of the origins of one of Marvel’s most admired and respected comic book heroes. |
