Old Man Logan #27 Review

Tags

Days of Anger Part 3, Ed Brisson, Frank Martin, Hawkeye, Logan, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Mike Deodato, Old Man Logan, Old Man Logan #27, Old Man Logan #27 review, Old Man Logan Days of Anger, The Hulk Gang, The Maestro, X-Men

Old Man Logan #27

Review by Paul Bowler

Logan takes on the fearsome might of the Hulk gang in Old Man Logan #27, as his quest to rid the present-day world of the Banner offspring he thought he’d killed back in the apocalyptic Wastelands of the future continues. There are more faces from Logan’s uncannily entwined past and future lifetimes to contend with as well. Logan is in for the fight of his life, but an even greater threat plots against humanity in a remote compound in Yurkon territory, Canada, as the Maestro prepares the next stage of his terrifying scheme.

Old Man Logan #27 is a gloriously brutal mix of claws, bullets, and gamma-infused blood splatter as Days of Anger Part 3 from writer Ed Brisson, artist Mike Deodato JR, and colorist Frank Martin, pits Marvel’s grizzled Old Man Logan against the Maestro’s grand vision for global domination. Having been ambushed by the Hulk gang while tracking them across Canada, all seems lost for Logan. The Hulk gang even used this opportunity to deal with one of their own, Billy-Bob, who had recently caused problems for the Maestro.

The brooding menace of Logan and Hawkeye’s time in the Wastelands of the future resonates powerful with Logan’s predicament in the here and now as Ed Brisson sublimely balances this issues heady mix of drama, strong characterization, and violent action set-pieces as Logan awakens finds himself hung out dry in the wilds of Yurkon territory. Outnumbered and outgunned by the Hulk gang, and blasted to kingdom come if he so much as twitches a muscle, Logan must think fast if he is to have any chance of escape.

Brisson also gives us a chilling insight into the Maestro’s plans during his discussion with Cambria as he gets to work in human form on the old Department H weapons back at the secret compound. If anything the Maestro’s human visage proves even more terrifying than his Hulk form, especially when the full scope and scale of the Maestro’s distain and contempt for humanity becomes all too apparent to Cambria. .

From the bleak setting of the farm in the Wastelands, to the simmering fury behind the Maestro’s assesment of mankind’s sell-by-date, Mike Deodato’s stunningly detailed artwork positively explodes from the page as Logan uses his dim-witted enemies’ strength to his advantage. Dedato’s open-framed panel layouts really come into their own here as Logan takes on the Hulk gang, the frenetic urgency and danger of the situation is unflinchingly conveyed, and the fitting payback the Hulk gang receive is depicted is all is visceral glory. The fine nuances of the characters expressions are also top-notch: from that evil glint in the Maestro’s eyes, to the Hulk gang reeling and gawping in shock, and Logan’s bestial fury unleashed all collectively enhance the ominous atmosphere in this issue. Colorist Frank Martin also excels on every level with a blend of exuberant tones and deep shadows accentuating every scene to make this issue a totally riveting experience.

The pace doesn’t let up for a moment as Old Man Logan #27 races to a triple pronged cliff-hanger of sorts, with the Hulk gang and the Maestro betrayed by one of their own, Logan making a crucial discovery, and the return of an old friend… The creative team of Ed Brisson, Mike Deodato JR, and Frank Martin are really delivering the goods with this new story-arc. Packed with insightful character moments, unexpected developments, and more savage action than even the Hulk gang can handle, Old Man Logan #27 and its especially striking cover by cover by Mike Deodato & Frank Martin is another fantastic issue not to be missed!

Publisher Marvel Comics

Writer: Ed Brisson / Art Mike: Deodato JR

Colorist: Frank Martin / Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit

Cover: Mike Deodato JR & Frank Martin

Follow @paul_bowler

Old Man Logan #26 Review

Tags

Alpha Flight, Days of Anger Part 2, Ed Brisson, Frank Martin, Logan, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Mike Deodato, Old Man Logan, Old Man Logan #26, Old Man Logan #26 review, Old Man Logan Days of Anger, The Hulk Gang, The Maestro, X-Men

Old Man Logan #26

Review by Paul Bowler

The Maestro returns as Logan’s dark future begins catching up with him! Resolved to stop history repeating itself, Logan takes to the road in Old Man Logan #26 as he sets out to hunt down the Hulk gang – the Banner offspring he believed killed back in the Wastelands. He’s going to need help from an old friend to track them though, but the Maestro’s actions creates an opportunity that could soon mean Logan’s downfall…

The outstanding new Days of Anger arc by writer Ed Brisson, artist Mike Deodato JR, and colorist Frank Martin, continues in Marvel’s Old Man Logan #26 as the Maestro’s schemes advance to the next level. Having taken a motorcycle trip to Canada to have some time away from the X-Men, Logan was left reeling when he was ambushed at a diner by the Hulk gang. Old Man Logan #26: Days of Anger Part 2 sees Logan embark on his quest to prevent the Hulk gang from harming this world, a stance writer Ed Brisson powerfully reinforces with this issues glimpse into Logan’s time in the Wastelands, before returning to the present as we catch up with the Maestro making his presence felt at a remote compound in Yukon territory, Canada.

Of course, at the moment Logan believes that its only the Hulk Gang he‘s after, he doesn’t know that the Maestro is also here in the present as well, and it’s this dramatic edge to proceedings which Ed Brisson skilfully builds on as fate inexorably sets Logan and the Maestro on a collision course that’s knee deep in treachery, blood, and violence.

From the sombre opening Mike Deodato’s artwork perfectly encapsulates the dark, gritty tone of this issue. Whilst the Hulk gangs attack on the compound is an unflinchingly brutal spectacle of raw power, Logan’s tracking skills also come to the fore in some especially atmospheric scenes as he uncovers some unsettling clues at an old Department H bunker. Deodato’s use of open integrated panel layouts is not quite as pronounced as usual, but it makes the build up to the Maestro’s scheme to kill two birds with one stone feel all the more effective as a result. Frank Martin’s colours are also superb throughout, the apocalyptically tinted hues of the farm scenes in the Wasteland contrast beautifully with icy greys and sweeping shadows that dominate the scenes at the compound and the bunker, and the Maestro and the Hulk gang look more menacing than ever before.

This issue of Old Man Logan strikes just the right balance between action and brooding plot developments. The characters motivations also become a real focal point, especially when it comes to Logan’s determination to stop the Hulk gang and the Maestro’s ruthlessness to achieve his goal to strike first against humanity. After a brief interlude to contact an old friend from Alpha Flight, Logan is soon back on the road once again as the issue races towards its thrilling cliff-hanger amidst an explosive barrage of bullets and betrayal!

Along with its intricately structure storyline by Ed Brisson and terrific artwork by Mike Deodato JR, Old Man Logan #26 takes this new arc into increasingly dark territory as the Maestro’s grand designs become apparent. Old Man Logan is without doubt one of Marvel’s best books right now, the creative team is firing on all cylinders, and the startling developments in Old Man Logan #26 make it a gripping read from cover to cover.

Publisher Marvel Comics

Writer: Ed Brisson / Art Mike: Deodato JR / Colorist: Frank Martin

Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit  / Cover: Mike Deodato JR & Frank Martin

Follow @paul_bowler

Old Man Logan #25 Review

Tags

Days of Anger Part 1, Ed Brisson, Frank Martin, Logan, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Mike Deodato, Old Man Logan, Old Man Logan #25, Old Man Logan Days of Anger, Olf Man Logan #25 review, The Hulk Gang, The Maestro, X-Men

Old Man Logan #25

Review by Paul Bowler

A powerful threat from the past returns in Old Man Logan #25, but seeing how Logan’s past is in fact a brutal dystopian future, that’s bound to spell big trouble and pain for him in the present. Yes, The Maestro is back, having plotted his ultimate revenge, and now its up to Old Man Logan to track him down and stop him!

The brand new arc by the standout writer Ed Brisson and acclaimed fan-favourite artist Mike Deodato JR, and colorist Frank Martin, begins in Marvel’s Old Man Logan #25 with Days of Anger: Part One. Right from its sombre scene setting opening in the Yukon Territory, Canada, Ed Brisson quickly brings us up to speed with Logan’s present day situation as Logan reflects on back at the mansion with the X-Men. Having survived a future existing in the Wastelands, where he lost everything, including his family, Old Man Logan awoke in the present day and resolved to prevent that terrible future reality from ever happening. Now he is gradually finding his place in the world, but in Old Man Logan #25 whilst seeking to escape the confines of the city for a while he visit’s a diner in British Columbia, where something doesn’t smell quite right, and old scores wait to be settled…

Brisson gets this issue and the new arc off to a cracking start. Its moody, atmospheric, and sets the tone perfectly. Old Man Logan #25 hits all the right beats; it’s also an issue that caters for the long-term fans just as much as it does newcomers. You don’t really need to have ever read the title before either, or even any of the other X-Men books for that matter, to quickly get swept along by Brisson’s engaging storytelling style.

Old Man Logan #25 is a gritty, bloody, awe-inspiring visual spectacle too. The art by Mike: Deodato is stunning. Deodato’s trademark multiple open-structured panel layouts make individual scenes feel more like a dozen or so moments crammed into one, with each deconstructed page as rich with detail and keenly tuned as all of Logan’s senses combined. The face-off with The Hulk gang is ruthlessly savage, Deodato doesn’t pull any punches either, depicting every bone jarring, scalding intense, and gut wrenching moment with visceral ease, and this in turn strikes a powerful contrast with the almost restrained menace employed to build towards the Maestro’s appearance. Colorist Frank Martin diligent uses of rich colors and dusky shades also sublimely complements every aspect of Deodato’s art whilst seamlessly reflecting the beats of Brisson’s script.

Its fair to say that even though Deodato and Martin’s awesome cover makes it clear the Maestro has returned, the way the Maestro’s initial appearance in the issue is handled really well, especially as it provides a new slant to the issues initial scenes. However, it is the moment where Logan’s memories of the past close in and our grizzled hero has an epiphany of sorts, which really strikes a powerful emotional cord and ominously sets up the next chapter of Days of Anger.

With its terrifically paced story by Ed Brisson and impressive artwork by Mike Deodato JR, Old Man Logan #25 gets this thrilling new arc off to a great start. This is Old Man Logan at his very best, Marvel have a top notch creative team doing outstanding work on this book, and I can guarantee that Old Man Logan #25 is one issue you wont want to miss bub!

Publisher Marvel Comics

Writer: Ed Brisson /Art Mike: Deodato JR / Colorist: Frank Martin

Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit / Cover: Mike Deodato JR & Frank Martin

Follow @paul_bowler