WOLVERINE #18

[ THIS WAS TO THE MALL ] 

Once upon a time there was a dragon. Whose job was to pull a drug-filled wagon. But then one day, to his dismay, he got pounded on by a man who looked like a lagan. As Written by Jason Aaron; Drawn by Ron Garney; and Published by Marvel Comics in December 2011.

So what’s the story morning glory?

In part two of ‘Goodbye Chinatown’, Wolverine, Master Po, Yuen Yee, and Gorilla-man, continue their underground adventure relation to dragons, drugs, and drudgery.

Conceptually, this story is broken down in two parts.

Now the first part concerns ‘the gang’s’ battle with the ‘bad guys’ – which results in Wolverine and Gorilla-man being tied to two Dragons – Master Po being pushed off of a cliff – and Yuen being held captive by the evil master-mind behind all of his, Jade Claw.

While the second part of this story is basically a dual plot storyline, with Wolverine and Gorilla mans escape, plus their eventful paring with Fat Cobra – of the Immortal Weapons. This then coincides with Yuen’s part of the story, relating to Jade Claw, and her nefarious organisation.

What is the most memorable sentence spoken in this issue?

For me, Yuen stole the show this issue. Firstly, whilst he was fighting one of the bad guys, he says to him with distain ‘Right, because all Chinese know Kung Fu. Racist, %^&’. And secondly, after Jade Claw explains to Yuen about her wealth and fortune, he replies ‘Would you maybe reconsider that whole concubine thing again?’.

Fat Cobra’s lines were cool too!

Was the story any good?

YES! GO TEAM GO!!!!! Personally speaking, I thought that this issue was on the same par as the last issue – which is a good thing in my book. I also found that this tale had I nice balance between what was presented last issue, with the addition of a bit more action, comedy, and silliness, plus two red giant dragons – a narcissistic bitch of a crime boss – and a big fat hungry Chinese man as well.

Just perfect!  

Was the art any good?

I liked Ron Garney art in this issue more so than the last issue. The strange thing is, though, is that I am not sure why! Maybe it is because of the kinetic nature of this story-line, or maybe it is something to do with his panel layouts being slightly more expressive? Still, what ever the case may be, his art – which is aided by his cohorts – did feel that much more special overall.

What is the best thing about this issue?

The Kung-Fu comedy aspect of this storyline is the best thing about this story arc. OK, I know that I am a bit biased in this area – as I love a Kung Fu comedy. But when it is inserted into a great comic book with great characters and great art, I’m in heaven.

Moreover, I did really like to see Fat Cobra return to the comic books – because I have not seen him much since the Iron Fist series was cancelled. I especially liked the way in which he was always hungry, plus the note he and the guys ended this issue on – in the belly of a dragon, ha!

What is the worst thing about this issue?

Now I do have one minor gripe with this issue that I did frown upon at first reading – it was when Soul Striker pushed Master Po off of the ravine. I find that it wasn't presented dramatically enough, and did not seem to be taken seriously within the confines of this story.

OK, I know that Po will most probably save himself somehow, or maybe Wolverine and Yuen know what Po is capable of – thus their glibness. Still, this did come off as felling a bit ‘off kilter’ within the scheme of things.

If you could sum up this issue in a phrase or saying, what would that phrase or saying be?

I am reminded of one of Mr T’s catch phrases whilst reading this comic book – ‘I pity the fool’ – sounds hip and biting, huh? Like this issue.

If this issue were a movie, an object, or a piece of music, what would that be and why? 

Simple – as soon as the guys started fighting, straight away I thought of Carl Douglas hit anthem ‘Kung Fu Fighting’ – well – both this comic and this song do have a certain hip snapping twang about them.

What do you think would have made this issue better than it was?

OK, so we have a talking Gorilla, a big fat Chinese man, what else would make this comic book that much more titivating? Err? A black transvestite named Cynthia Jones, who has a big afro and a bigger butt.

Perfect.

Final thoughts...

I hope that this creative team and these characters stick together for longer than this story arc, because I feel that all of them have a promising dynamic that is very nice for us readers to read.

Marks out of 10? 9