Wolverine #3
Published and © by Marvel, November 1982
Title: “Loss”
Synopsis: Wolverine learns an ally has been playing both sides and vows to take down the Japanese kingpin Shingen.
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Frank Miller
Finisher: Joe Rubinstein
Review: It’s hard to remember a time when the comics market wasn’t saturated with Wolverine appearances. Now, if only they were all a fraction as good as this one. The Canadian X-Man’s 1982 miniseries offers an excellent character study, and this third issue doesn’t let up. Writer Chris Claremont’s story hits all the right notes: hints of back story, internal conflict, crime drama and, of course, a little romance and lust. Artist Frank Miller turns in another superlative effort, as well, with expert pacing and exceptional fight choreography. Colorist Glynis Wein’s palette work also deserves a nod. Collectively, great stuff!
Grade: A
Second opinion: “A Claremont-Miller production like this was virtually bound to be overdone, and it is; but it was also virtually bound to be gut gripping, and it is.” – Keith Williams, BEM #36, 1982 … “(Claremont) is once again overcome by the verbosity virus, as Wolverine stands around, plays with rocks, and explores his inner self after being beat up.” – Comics Coast to Coast #3, 1982 … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
Cool factor: Great pacing, both story and art.
Not-so-cool factor: Only one issue to go.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 75¢ Canadian variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “You’d better kill me now, Yukio. You won’t get a second chance.” – Wolverine, jilted lover
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Sequential Reaction (Vol. 1) on Feb. 3, 2016.
