The Debt of Death means nothing if Wolverine is cashing it.
This comic contains two stories:
Debt of Death (The main feature starring Wolverine):
Wolverine is one of Marvels best characters because so much can be told with him. A Superhero story, with or without the X-Men for example. But some of the best solo comics of Wolverine are not Superhero at all, but character stories. Wolverine is a man of Honor and his Japanese stories are all about honor.David Lapham weaves a great story of Honor. Japan being the setting because no country handles honor like Japan, so it was a great choice of venue. Wolverine shows his honor to past friends and mentors by coming to Japan and trying to make things right. Honor of family becomes in question because of the main plot of father, son and sell outs. Honor of country comes into question both with Wolverine and his split love for American and Japan and then there is Nick Fury and his concepts of honor.
This was a great main feature and it was David Lapham writing at its clearest, which puts it up to any of his best.
Sick Day (The 9-11 10 years memorial reprint):
Silent, visually lead comic stories are a dying breed and it is nice to see them when we see them. After 10 years this story doesn't impact the same as it did when 9-11 was fresh. 10 years ago this story would make most North Americans tear, its effects are not the same now. I wouldn't go all the way and accuse Joe for reprinting this to put more money in his pocket, but I do wonder if there was a better story to reprint, since the remembrance of 9-11 was the purpose of the reprint in the first place.Overall verdict:
This is a great comic and even without the back-up $3.99 felt fine for the Lapham story alone, it was a great Wolverine story. Who I say hunt this down, yes if you like Lapham or Wolverine. If its for Nick Fury or war that is a coin-toss. If none of what I mentioned so far entertains you, then pass on this book.Cheers
- Silkcuts
