WOLVERINE #300

[ MY GOD I'M LOVELY ] 

There once was a man from Tokyo. Who was in love with a nice American beau. So what he did do - is to learn to fight Kung-Fu - and then decided to go with the flow. Honestly, this is a very accurate depiction of this tale, as Written by Jason Aaron; Drawn by Adam Kubert plus a lot of others; and Published by Marvel Comics in February 2012.

So what’s the story morning glory?

In part one of mega-issue 'Back in Japan', we are presented with so much story, that I think that I am going to explode by telling you all of it!

Still, I'll give it my best shot, BANG!

Now due to last issues shenanigans, Wolverine goes to Japan, so he can help out some wheelchair bound bint, Yukio, with a problem that she is having.

You see, after the death of the Silver Samurai, 'the Yakuza' and 'the Hand' are beating the living ka-ka out of each other, so that the victor can then rule this oriental province anyhow they please. Moreover, the only way for this feud to end, is if Wolverine can find the Silver Samurai's son, Shin, and forces him to take up his fathers mantle.

However, 'Hand' usurper, Azuma Goda, is doing all he can to prevent this from happening. For example: (1) He employs some ninjas to attack Wolverine on the plane whilst coming over, as well as when he meets Yukio at the graveyard. (2) He kidnaps Wolverines daughter, Amiko, and hold her hostage. (3) He hires Sabertooth to make mincemeat out of some Yakuza henchmen. (4) He forces an old school ninja to give him the specification of ninja conduct and future plans. And (5) Whilst Sabertooth overpowers Wolverine, Azuma and his ninjas storms a Yakuza stronghold.

God Damn! Can Silver Samurai's son do anything about all of this? BOOM!

To be continued.

What is the most memorable sentence spoken in this issue?

I loved it when wheelchair bound Yukio said to Wolverine 'Always puts me in the mood. Killing a bunch a fools who deserve to die. What do you say? Once around the clock for old times sake? I still have some feeling below the waist you know'.

Ha! It just goes to show that you can still have a sense of humor, even if you do have a disability.

And trust me - this is from someone who knows.

Was the story any good?

By in large this was a great tale. The story was expansive and informative - the characters had quality and tone - and the overall through line made sense in a jumbled sort of a way.

Granted, where a fractured narrative is concerned, it did have that stop / start quality about it, and did feel a bit strained towards the end. But this is a minor gripe really - and nothing too much to grumble about. 

Was the art any good?

Now for some 'mega' reason, Marvel felt the need to get a sh*t load of artists together, so that they could illustrate the different chapters of this comic book. But did this enhance the story? No. Did this aide the overall texture of the tale? No. Was there any point in having this many artist to illustrate this book? No.

Still, it was fairly nice to look at. Inconsistent - but nice.

What is the best thing about this issue?

I did like the scene between Azuma Goda and the farmer in this comic book the best. OK, I understand that this was not really needed within this more expansive and larger tale. Plus, if this was not a 'big issue' - this segment would most probably have been shorted to mere exposition. Nevertheless, the two characters who encapsulated this segment did bring a lot of personality through it - and this I liked. 

What is the worst thing about this issue?

I thought that it was silly how Sabertooth captured Wolverine. Well - come on - trip wire whilst riding a motor bike? Too seventies cinema I am afraid to say. Also, what was all that rubbish about Sabertooth muttering 'I've finished Wolverine off now'? As if he was some type of Saturday Morning Cartoon villain?

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

I find that there is a particular 'search and rescue' vibe to this tale, so the phrase 'Hello? Is anybody there?' and appropriate statement to use about this story. 

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

In the Clint Eastwood film, 'Thunderbolt and Lightfoot', there is a theme tune which ends this movie quite beautifully, and illustrates this comic book very nicely as well.

Paul Williams 'Where Do I Go From Here - listen to the lyrics and you can see what I mean.

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

I would have had Wolverine agree to Yukio's provocative offer, and then suddenly have the page go blank, and you can see (in worded form) a 'squeak-squeak' caption fill it up.

Well, it would be funny, right?

Final thoughts...

What the f*ck are Marvel doing with their numbering system now? It's bad enough that DC (the older company) wants to be younger, by starting their numbering from scratch, and then making all their 'players' look like kids again. So why do Marvel (the younger company) want to be older, by adding to their issues?

Can comic book publishing houses' have the menopause? Is that what we are seeing here?

Marks out of 10? 8