The Good

In 1907, the Wolfish Man, AKA Logan, hunts game during the winter to find food for the pack of wolves he travels with.

As a fan of ORIGIN and Wolverine, I was a bit skeptical about this sequel. What's great about this first issue is that while it is a sequel, it feels so different. The tone of this book is completely different. It feels more like a story from mythology and lore rather than a Wolverine story. It has shades of Native American folklore sprinkled into the story, like the power and hungry white bear. Writer Kieron Gillen does a phenomenal job at combining modern day comic book storytelling with campfire tales. This reads more like a novel than anything else. That's what makes this stand out from the rest of the pack because it's different in a glorious way. The story is told through captions and what is actually said it pretty limited. Gillen let's Kubert's art do most of the talking.

ORIGIN II is a showcase for how awesome Adam Kubert's art can be and how well he can tell a story from panel to panel.His art really grabs the reader and pulls them in close. His line work is fantastic and the two page fight scene, between Wolverine and the white bear is thrilling. During this fight, the panels are a bit askew, but every piece of the page is utilized. Plus, the fight scene is pretty dang awesome. Along side Kubert are the beautiful colors from Frank Martin Jr. Together, these guys can do no wrong. Although the book takes place in the winter, out in the snow, Martin's colors shine here. There's lots of variation in color and it all looks extremely natural. This is one dynamite art team for this book

After Wolverine dukes it out with the white bear, there's something on his nose: a button. It reads "Subject II N. Essex." Obviously, most of the readers will know that Mr Sinister is a part of this story, but this is the lead in to that. It has me hooked.

The Bad

This issue may be a bit weird for Wolverine lovers. It's a big departure from ORIGINS. We do start to see a connection to a familiar name in the Marvel universe, but this issue focuses mainly on the Wolfish Man's family.

I still remain a tad skeptical because I'm not sure if this is an area of Wolverine's past that needs exploring. It's unfair to compare this to ORIGINS, but this is a sequel and that original mini-series did so much for the character. It's hard to see this mini-series having that same impact. However, only time will tell.

The Verdict

This particular issue hit me in a much different spot than it will hit other readers. I love Native American folklore. I love when well established characters can be placed in another genre and it really works. While there will be a lot of people that have a bit of a problem with this first issue because it's unknown, at this time, whether or not this will have the same impact as ORIGIN, take this first issue for what it is and enjoy it. It's a ton of fun and Gillen, Kubert, and Martin hit a home run here. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

Haven't read it yet, It's in the mail I should get it thursday. I am excited to read it.

Going to check this out on Dec. 26th.

(Though it taking Wolverine, even this younger version, 2 whole pages to dismantle what I'm assuming is a polar bear, seems a little underwhelming).

It's good, just read it and after this issue I have big expectations for the serie.

Just read it and really enjoyed it. The art is amazing and real pretty to look at.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Nice to hear that someone with good taste like you enjoyed this.

I personally think James is 20 at this time.

Why wolves? Why not wolverines?

Ahhhhhh, why is Wolverine in everything these days?!!! Why????!!!!!!!

i'm tired of batman and wolverine retold origins

This isn't retelling his origin though. It's exploring his past and a sequel to ORIGIN.

says the guy with Batman in his name.

Also how the heck do you have only 388 posts, but 695 followers? And how in the world did you get negative wiki points?

Hmmm I'm gonna check this out since there aren't that many comics this week.

Heh, sounds nice. Looks like the Wolverine fan in me will be pleased.

I can't believe he's in this either. You'd think an origin tale about Wolverine would star Spider-Man.

And i'm going to have to agree with Grant Morrison on that they need to stop exploring Wolverine's origins

@iideadxpoolii: Except that this isn't his origins...

Is there a Private Eye review in the works? Fifth issue came out last Friday. Best new series this year! How can you go wrong with Bryan k. Vaughn and Marcos Martin? And it's free if you want. I give them a couple bucks each issue to give them some support though.

Panelsyndicate.com

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Why do they feel the need to continue to talk about Wolverine's past? This wasn't even good Wolverine literally fought a damn bear and that was it.

I picked this up. But I never read ORIGINS 1. Is that going to be a problem for me just to start off with this issue and move forward?

Well, why can't they talk about Wolverine's past? There's so much of it that we've never seen.

The issue wasn't bad but nothing that brings up in me hope for the next issue or something like that.It was a solid 3/5 and I will definitely pick the next issue but I will continue to be sceptical.

Because each year they explore Wolverine's past and each year it just gets stupider and stupider.

@iideadxpoolii: Every year? This is only the second series.

can't believe Sinister was only on subject 2 by 1907 and also did anyone notice the diamond on the Lone wolf.

That page with the Bear and the pups... UGH

This was a good read I think I'll see it through. I remember jumping on the train late in the game for the first Origin series and was never able to get the first couple of issue (this was back when #1 was going for $200 on ebay)

@solarflare32: Yes, yes I did....

Writin' is pretty shabby for me. Art work doesn't make it any better. Overall it was pretty disappointin'.

same goes with Batman :)

its all about money that's why

I don't know if I should read this or not

looking at the comics and the review: lol. this doesnt even deserve one star. wolverine in the woods with wolves how....NOT NEW. and boring. it was just him narrating no conversation or anything of substance happened. this is only for wolverine fan boys or those who like to see animals kill each other...wait they are one in the same right?

Just out of curiosity, what work of Gillen have you disliked?

i liked the cover.

I remember reading the first Origin when it was originally released. So I don't really remember much about it. Is this worth reading? Is it new reader friendly?

Loved this first issue but I hate the fact that Mr.Sinister's going to be involved in the plot.

One of the things I loved about the first Origin was that it introduced new characters that we've never seen before (like Rose, Dog and Smitty)

So I wonder if the end of this is going to explain Wolverine not knowing who Sinister is when they first meet.