Product Description: The master of mutants joins the master of ninjas in Wolverine's first solo series - replete with romance, intrigue and mayhem! Our beleaguered berserker's in Japan on a mission of the heart, if he can survive the Hand first! Plus: the introduction of everyone's favorite riotous ronin, Yukio! Collects Wolverine #1-4, Uncanny X-Men #172-173.
5-star story, but one minor problem... Okay, here's the deal.
Claremont's 4 issue Wolverine story is superb. Awesome, just like pretty much anyone here will tell you. It's a kickass action story that still manages to have heart. Sure, it's set in Japan, but somehow they managed to find a way to fit it into Wolverine's mythos without seeming hokey or forced.
But that's the thing. This book doesn't contain just Claremont's 4-issue run. It also contains Uncanny X-Men 172 and 173.
Now, both of these tales were also written by Claremont, but they weren't drawn by Miller and they're not technically a part of the Wolverine mini-series. The events in these two issues do follow the events of the mini-series, but I don't think they're necessary. In fact, they kinda just ruined the experience for me.
Without giving too much away, let's just say Wolverine 4 ends with a nice, definite resolution. It makes the book's experience feel like a good, solid stand-alone story. Issues before or after aren't really needed to read, understand, and enjoy.
Then, the two Uncanny X-Men issues screw that up for you. Hokey plotlines involving the other X-Men suddenly get entwined in the perfect world created by Claremont and Miller, and then you're left with more questions than answers at the end. It makes you want to go buy more issues just to find out what happens.
Sure, that's good for Marvel if they want money in their pockets. But it's not good for the reader who just wants a nice, solid story to sit back and enjoy. Be prepared to go on Wikipedia and learn why the story "ended" the way it did, and where it goes from there.
Bottom line, the cover story of this graphic novel is totally worth your money. But expect to do a little homework if you want to feel some sense of resolution.
First 16 pages?!?!?! I purchased the Marvel Premiere Classic HC of Wolverine. This is the orange/black cover (with issue #1 centered) 2,000 only limited version that contains Wolverine #1-4, and Uncanny X-Men #172-173.
And what's the first page? Page 17.
No introduction, just a brown filled page, then Page 17 of Wolverine #1. This HC contains pages 17-144 of the trade.
Ridiculous.
WOW! genius! frank miller is and always will be the best and he showed it here as always.
One of the best comic stories ever written... Combining the talents of two of comics' true superstars, Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, this 6-part story takes the character of Wolverine in a whole new direction and served as the start of his own long-running solo series.
A must have for fans of the character, fans of the X-men, or just those who love a good story.
The Beginning Great book awesome story and fun to read. Read in one sitting and then read it again a few days later. Couldn't keep my hands off it. Simply incredible way to bring it all together.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
