Comic book name: OLD MAN LOGAN
Numbering: 4
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Andrea Sorrentino
Publisher: Marvel
Damn. That is the only appropriate word for how good Old Man Logan has been as a series. The way the writing of Bendis perfectly syncs with the art style of Sorrentino, is mind-blowingly perfect. Next to Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey’s run on Moon Knight, Bendis and Sorrentino may be the best comic duo on a Marvel series since then. The Secret War’s Old Man Logan captures so many elements of Frank Miller’s Old Man Logan, while still standing out on its own and sticking to the general tone of the Secret Wars: Battleworld. Enough credit cannot be given to how well Bendis and Sorrentino have handled this miniseries.
Old Man Logan #4 opens up with Logan battling his way through a sea of Marvel Zombies, for a time period in which, even he isn’t sure. Wolverine describes it as possible hours or even days, because of the lack of time change in the Deadlands, with no sun or moon. Logan is eventually able to battle his way out of the swarm of zombies before making it into a small cave on a cliff side, where he discovers She-Hulk (or really one of Battleworlds many She-Hulks) who had been sentenced there by God-Doom. After some time is spent on dialogue between Logan and She-Hulk regarding the Deadland, the two eventually figure out a way for Wolverine to escape this portion of Battleworld, through a mile high jumping, fast ball special over the wall. This is where the issue comes to a close and where Old Man Logan finds himself in yet another piece of Battleworld.
Bendis and Sorrentino are the best comic duo at Marvel right now.
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Most of this story relies heavily on multiple art panels in action scenes, which make up most of the book. Sorrentino’s signature use of turning the panels themselves into artwork, combined with Bendis’ ability to exude Wolverine, to the peak of what makes the Logan’s “Loganness”, is superb. Especially, being able to accomplish this in only one issue. The series thus far has been more than amazing and it’s as if every issue, gets better and better as the story goes on. Bendis captures such a life weary Logan to a T, you really miss having this character around in Marvel 616. Bendis is able to tell this story in such simple fashion, through the dialogue and plot pacing, and it’s one of the best examples to give for less is more. Many times writers focus so heavily on the dialogue it stifles the art of the book and takes away from the reading experience itself. However, Bendis let’s Sorrentino’s artwork tell his story, rather than forcing unnecessarily long conversations or forcing the comics’ script into the book. He knows who Logan is and what makes the character tick. Bendis isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, rather he’s making the best wheel he can.
And of course, when it comes to the artwork of Old Man Logan, nothing can be said less than Sorrentino’s work is God-tier levels of skill and artistry. The man knows how to turn simple paneling, into a visual masterpiece of art within art, completely changing how you read a comic. Everything is so aesthetically beautiful and mesmerizing, he could draw an entire comic without a single word and you would get more out of it than most comics on the shelves right now. The visual prowess used through this series and this particular issue isn’t a treat, it’s an experience.
Read this issue, read this series. By far, Bendis and Sorrentino are the best duo in Marvel comics right now. The way these two are able to mesh the scripting, as well as the art work, is discredited by a review. It needs to be read and experienced for oneself. In the future, Marvel really needs to put these two on other series without a doubt. Luckily, when Marvel launches their new titles in the fall, Sorrentino will be working with Jeff Lemire on the new Old Man Logan series, which is spectacular news. If you haven’t read those twos’ Green Arrow for the New 52, then you don’t know what you’re in for and if you have, then you probably share in the excitement for it. Praise God-Doom for what is to come with that title.
