Old Man Logan #31 Review

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comics, Ed Brisson, Frank Martin, Gorgon, Hawkeye, Logan, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Mike Deodato, NCBD, Old Man Logan, Old Man Logan #31, Old Man Logan #31 review, Scarlet Samurai!, The Hand, The Maestro

Old Man Logan #31

Review by Paul Bowler

Old Man Logan #31 begins the first major Marvel Legacy adventure for the man formerly known as Wolverine, as he confronts a deadly new threat – the Hand! Upon his return to Tokyo, Old Man Logan becomes drawn into a ferocious conflict involving the Hand, and they are now stronger than ever! In his battle with the feuding clans, Logan will also have to face the mysterious Scarlet Samurai, a lethal adversary like no other he’s faced before…

Friends and foes, both past and present return as the adventures of Marvel Comics grizzled time-displaced alternative dimension version of Logan continues with Scarlet Samurai Part 1, the brand new story arc from writer Ed Brisson, artist Mike Deodato JR, and colorist Frank Martin. Following his run in with the Maestro and the Hulk gang in Canada, Logan’s travels bring him back to Kabukicho, in Tokyo, where his reminiscing about this place he once called home briefly eclipses Logan’s apocalyptic future in the Wastelands.

Violent action, drama, and brooding intrigue permeate every aspect of Ed Brisson’s tautly woven scrip as Old Man Logan’s momentary peace is shattered by a brawl with henchmen from the Crazy Thunder Clan empowered by a new drug that gives them uncanny regenerative abilities. You can’t have a slug-fest like this in Tokyo without the Silver Samurai being involved somehow, and sure enough the Yashida Corporation developed the drug, Regenix, and the mystery of who has been supplying it to the Crazy Thunder Clan is soon ruthlessly uncovered.

From the shadowy, neon lit side streets, to the gleaming vista of the Tokyo skyline, the fantastic work of artist Mike Deodato and colorist Frank Martin effortlessly brings the various locales featured in this issue to life. Dedato’s trademark open-panel style and dramatic use of perspective places you right in the thick of the action. Every scene feel larger than life, especially when Logan tracks down the Crazy Thunder Clan, and the battle which follows – just like their earlier confrontation – is a blood splattered collage of visceral action and severed limbs as Logan’s berserker rage kicks into high gear! Frank Martin’s colors accentuate the action perfectly, with urban grey tones contrasting beautifully with the shiny modern hues of Yashida Corp, while the brutal violence and unflinching detail jostles with ominous shadows amidst the crimson carnage.

As the issue races towards its devastating high-rise cliff-hanger, Logan makes a fortuitous discovery, Gorgon – who has also led the Hand into battle against Wolverine in the past – makes his move, and the Scarlet Samurai finally steps into the fray!

From the moment you see that gorgeous cover by Mukesh Singh, you just know that you are in for something special with this issue of Old Man Logan. The first part of this new saga is a real scene setter. There’s plenty here for long term fans to enjoy, but this issue is also a great jumping on point for new readers too (especially as it also features a brief recap of Old Man Logan’s back story by Robbie Thompson, Andrea Sorrentino, Lee Loughridge). The Tokyo setting is impressively realized, the plot moves along at a blistering pace, and the mystery surrounding the Scarlet Samurai will no doubt prove an intriguing and bloody one for Logan to solve. The creative team of Ed Brisson, Mike Deodato, and Frank Martin are really hitting their stride now, this series continues to go from strength to strength, and Old Man Logan # 31 gets this new story-arc off to a great start!

Publisher Marvel Comics

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

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

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Daredevil #3 Review

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Blindspot, Charles Soule, Daredevil, Daredevil #3, Daredevil #3 review, Marvel Comics, Matt Milla, Matt Murdock, Ron Garney, Tenfingers, The Hand

Daredevil #3

Having confronted the mysterious crime lord Tenfingers in his Chinatown lair, The Man Without Fear and his new sidekick Blindspot must now face the onslaught of the Hand in Daredevil #3, as the mystically enhanced ninjas enter the fray to reclaim that which Tenfingers has stolen from them. If all that wasn’t enough for Daredevil to contend with, being both crime-fighter and mentor to his protégé Blindspot, Matt Murdock’s new career in New York as an ADA also takes a nose dive when he fails to indict Tenfingers…

This new Daredevil series is really hitting its stride now, writer Charles Soule and artist Ron Garney certainly had a tough act to follow, but the way they have nailed Matt Murdock’s character and the new direction for the title is really beginning to grow on me now. I’m a huge Daredevil fan, and I’ll admit, the jury was out for me with the first couple of issues, probably because I loved the Waid/Samnee run so much, but this post Secret Wars version of Daredevil is quickly winning me over. Its not just the return to New York, or Matt becoming an ADA, that has shaken up he status quo though, the addition of Blindspot – the one element I really had reservations about – has actually turned out to be one of the most daring and innovative moves of all.

Charles Soule throws Daredevil and Blindspot right in at the deep end in this issue as the Hand attacks Tenfingers and his minions. The scales are balanced with letting them slug it out between themselves, or stepping in to preserve life, it’s a no brainier really, we all know what Daredevil will choose to do and boy oh boy, does this issue see artist Ron Garney pulling out all the stops with the big-action set-pieces that follow. Things get even more challenging for Daredevil when Blindspot leaps into the action, but his invisibility suit serves him well, and this battle sees him even manages to earn a graduation of sorts as well.

The fight sequences are like a beautifully orchestrated ballet of razor sharp violence and unflinching bloodshed. The synergy between Soule’s writing and Garney’s artwork encapsulates everything I love about Daredevil, yet they’ve also made the character feel fresh and new again, whilst remaining totally faithful to the great legacy they have inherited, and Daredevil’s redesigned costume looks incredible this issue as well. The colors by Matt Milla sublimely complement the tone of each individual moment: from the dark shadows and vivid reds during the fight with the Hand, though to the cool blue and green shades seen in the rooftop scenes, which in turn is in stark contrast with the bland tones of the District Attorneys Office, Milla’s work on this title is stunning – and I especially like how the light and shading of new Daredevil’s costume alters so distinctly from scene to scene. At times there’s also a distinct monochrome, almost noir like tone to many of the visuals as well, particularly when we see views of the city, and it heightens the atmosphere beautiful.

The dynamic between Daredevil and Blindspot is another highlight of the issue. Daredevil can be a bit of a grumpy mentor at times, the bond between them is growing stronger though. Blindspot acquits himself well in the fight with the Hand, but he’s still got a long way to go before he’ll ever be able to sneak up on Daredevil! Following some unsettling parting words from Tenfingers, Daredevil finally has the lead he’s been looking for about who this mystically powered crime lord really is, and how he must’ve got his extra fingers.

As the issue draws to a close, Matt Murdock’s meeting at the office of the Manhattan District Attorney doesn’t go well at all, frankly Hochberg isn’t impressed one bit by Matt‘s failure to indict Tenfingers, or the way that their key witness was compromised. While he must suffer the indignity of a new assignment that may well send Matt’s new career as a ADA into free fall before its even begun, everything soon get pushed to the sidelines when Murdock receives and unexpected visitor with a misunderstanding to clear up…

Daredevil #3 is a great issue, Charles Soule, Ron Garney, Matt Milla are proving to be a dream team for this book. Any doubts I might have had about the new creative team and the direction of the title have all but completely evaporated with this issue. Marvel has chosen well, because with such strong storylines, characterization, and impressive artwork like this, Daredevil and this title is in very safe hands indeed!

Publisher: Marvel Comics/ Writer: Charles Soule / Art Ron Garney

Colors: Matt Milla / Letters: VC’s Clayton Cowles

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