Wolverine Annual #1. Are you as confused here as I am? I know the Wolverine series has taken hiatus, but it has always picked back up where it left off. Currently we are at Wolverine #312, which also came out on August 22nd. Why then aren’t the annuals working the same way? I’m understand that it’s the first annual of this volume of Wolvie, but you get where I’m going with this, right?
Now to the topic at hand. Was Wolverine Annual #1 everything it should be? I know not everyone reads the annuals to the series they collect. After reading this comic, I think I understand why. The annual universes are usually stand alone, but relevant. Wolverine Annual #1 in a continuation of Fantastic Four Annual #33 and Daredevil Annual #1. It’s an interesting way to tell a story across a broad cast of character’s titles. But, these are both series that I do not currently read. Is this an attempt to coax readers into picking up the other annuals? Most likely. Is it a tactic Marvel uses all too often? That’s up to you to decide, but I personally dislike it.
All of that aside, the book itself was alright. One thing that stuck out like a sore thumb was the abundance of characters from other story lines. I’m okay with it actually. I like getting to know some other characters I wouldn’t otherwise have the pleasure of spending time with. But, that bad taste of feeling like I need to read the other annuals to understand this one completely still lingers in my mouth of reading. It is following the story of ClanDestine. Maybe you’ve heard of them. If not, you’re in the same boat with me, going on the same journey. Clan Destine is an other-worldly family of super-natural beings who, once born to our dimension, have been parading about as super hero types. They are an interesting lot, with an obvious amount of history. A history that this book attempts to get you invested in.
So, is it investing? Sure it is, it does what it should. If you don’t know ClanDestine, you should know they once had a brother who was killed. This particular brother was immensely powerful, able to time travel and such. In here we see his “return” as a spirit who possesses a robot (see Daredevil annual #1) and wreaks havoc on a museum in New York City. This is an apparent attempt to grab the attention of his supposed family. But one of the members of the Clan, Kay, or Jasmine Cuckoo (does this mean mother of the Cuckoos?) has her doubts as to whether this is truly Vincent. After she convinces Logan to help her, they are drawn into a warped reality, created by the mysterious entity. A reality where Vincent’s intentions with Wolverine are made clear. Oh, and Doctor Strange shows up, for no real reason, and really doesn’t contribute much at all. It’s an epic story with an astounding battle. But is the story all that memorable?
Alan Davis both scripted and penciled Wolvie Annual #1, and really did a good job with it. He seems to understand the character of Logan, where other writers have been wavering. Here he is the hard ass he is supposed to be. As for the other characters, I really don’t know enough about them to say if they’re accurately portrayed or not. But I like them, for the most part. The story itself though was nothing to get overly excited about. An all too familiar theme with the Wolverine series right now.
Davis’ art is well done, and the inks by Mark Farmer and colors by Javier Rodriguez are adequate. I actually appreciate their collaboration better than that of the current Wolverine run. Everything is clear and concise, no real quarrels here. The art is really well handled and professional on all parts.
Wolverine Annual #1 was a good read, but I wouldn’t say it profoundly impacted my life. It was another random Wolverine story that leaned heavily on the events of some other annuals. Did it make me want to seek out more on ClanDestine? Not really. I read enough comics as it is, I don’t need to go seeking out stories I will probably never continue. But all in all, if you’re reading Wolverine, there is no reason not to read this book.
Art: 8/10
Script: 7/10
Parental concern: Moderate, blood and violence.
The Marvel Comics numbering system has become so ridiculous and hard to follow. Reboot, go back to original number, reboot again, go back again! It is annoying. Oh yeah, their key books are all about to get rebooted again (For like the 5th or 6th friggin’ time!) with Marvel NOW! Yippee!
As for this particular issue, I bought it and I will read it. I’m honestly not expecting much from it though. Alan Davis draws pretty pictures and I fully expect that to be the highlight.
I think annuals should be the place for great one-shot stories to be told. People overlook the annual all the time, and some really great stories can be found there. Most of the time, it’s just long, drawn out tales that leave the reader wondering why they even bought it in the first place. An annual should be a great end to that year of the series, either by tying up all loose ends, or just having on helluva story to finish off the year. The reader needs to be able to put that book down after that and feel full, not have stomach cramps from reading something that just didn’t settle.
I read this one… I didn’t read ff or daredevil, and I can understand those two tying in to each other, but why put wolverine in there too? I have the first clan destine x-men crossover, and I’ve glanced it over once or twice. Not enough to remember the plot. Because I don’t care about them, I think the wolvie annual should go back to the dark rabid hunts, the berserker losing control on a big time bad guy from his past. It pretty much writes its self here. Pop the claws and try not to run out of red ink. Don’t cloud it up with characters that aren’t even relevant to wolverines past. ok im stepping off the soap box now…
