The Good
I like Wolverine. I do agree that he's appearing in a few too many books. SAVAGE WOLVERINE has been going in some different directions and this issue takes us back to 1933. Stories set in Logan's past, focusing on areas and time periods we haven't seen have the potential for great and interesting stories. It's also a way we can accept "another Wolverine story" without worry about where it fits in with his other current appearances. The trick is making it a compelling story.
Richard Isanove is doing just that.
Wolverine as a bootleger may not be the first thing you'd think of when looking for a Wolverine story but it places him in an era we haven't really seen explored. Logan is a good man who will do bad things (kill) when push comes to shove. It's nice to know that he hasn't always lived out in the woods or been part of secret government task forces. Also Logan without Adamantium creates a different vibe as well.
The art is spectacular. You might even say it's classy. Isanove does a great job capturing the essence of the period and we get to see a few different locations. It's a nice change of pace compared to Wolverine being in costume taking on some super-powered foe.
The Bad
When we see Logan with a friend and his family, you get an idea of what's coming. Of course this isn't going to be a happy story with Logan sitting around a dinner table and having pleasant conversations. Despite that, there is still a nice feel and charm to the story that will make you want to see more.
The Verdict
Wolverine is the best there is at what he does. One of those is being able to appear in several different comics. In this new story arc, Richard Isanove takes us back to 1933 with a pre-Adamantium Logan. Under the All-New Marvel Now! banner, you can easily jump right into this issue and not have to worry about anything else. Isanove's art is spectacular and makes this a very good looking comic. If you're looking for a different sort of Wolverine story in a different environment, you should check this out.