First Thoughts on my Favourite Comic Books - episode two

Wolverine no. 119, the first of a mini series called Not Dead Yet
Wolverine 119 is the first book in a mini-series set in Hong Kong where Wolverine has no adamantium after Magneto took it from him in X-Men: Fatal Attractions. Not Dead Yet is a great storyline written by Warren Ellis and with art by a favourite artist, Leinel Francis Yu.

For those who don't already know, Wolverine's skeleton is coated in an indestructible metal called adamantium. He also has the ability to heal instantly from any wound. And he has brilliant animal senses. Not to mention sharp bone claws (also coated with adamantium) that protrude from his knuckles. Logan (Wolverine's most popular human name) has a berserker rage and since his healing factor has slowed his aging process by a ridiculous amount (he's been in his 30's since before WW2) he has had plenty of time to learn and master countless fighting styles. He survived Hiroshima.

What I like about the art is it's vintage romantic feel, despite being made in 1997. The gore is minimal which is a shame, because Asian films celebrate violence in a really special way and Asian comics are often concerned with fighting. So there was an opportunity to do something really shocking with this book.

119 is a book I wish to display because Wolverine is one of my favourite characters, I especially love this mini-series because it shows a vulnerability and familiarity with a superhero whom we have never before felt so close to. Wolverine is arguably the most unkillable, unbeatable superhero - now we see him as more of a man, as closer to ourselves.

He is no longer unkillable, without the adamantium. But his healing factor is increased, so that point is debatable. He is more vulnerable, but his primal senses have increased, so he is in some ways a more effective killer.

I should note here that some of the God-like superheroes could probably kill Wolverine just by dematerialising his entire body in one go. But my impression of Wolverine as the unkillable superhero is limited to living non-Gods. I don't think Captain Atom could kill Wolvy and if he tried it would be one Hell of a fight.

The setup is two aged assassins - McLeish the white ghost and Logan, tossing back a few beers in a local pub. McLeish is apparently the greatest killer alive and he's talking about getting old. Logan is also getting old. In the start, it's a flashback. Two old guys talking about the old days, of killing, drinking and sharing a few laughs.


Logan has a Chinese girlfriend, he takes her to the movies. Before Logan left the pub, McLeish did let on that he is remembering Logan's schedule - a foreshadow that perhaps McLeish is planning to assassinate Logan.

In present day Manhattan, Logan is without the adamantium, he is developing a past-his-prime complex. McLeish is hunting Logan.

"The best killer in the world has had years to plan a way to kill me. And he thinks I've still got the adamantium, which made me a lot harder to kill."