Death of Wolverine: The Logan Legacy Paperback – January 1, 2014

Classic

Collecting: Death of Wolverine: Logan Legacy #1-7This book as well as Death of Wolverine: The Weapon X Program are mini-series that spin directly out of the Death of Wolverine event. The Logan Legacy is a good collection that is bookended by Charles Soule's writing. Each issue in between, however, is scripted by a different writer and illustrated by a different artist. Jonathan Marks' Sabretooth-centered issue is visually arresting and is a highlight of this book.This book has a narrative structure similar to episode 18 of Star Trek the Next Generation Season 3. In the Star Trek episode, Picard is abducted and placed in a cell with three aliens who fundamentally do not like each other, and they have to figure out why they are there. In "The Logan Legacy" the narrative starts with Mystique, Sabretooth, Daken, X-23, and Lady Deathstrike in a cage at the mercy of a mysterious captor. None of these characters are known for impulse control, and they are soon at each other's throats. In order to find their common ground, the characters are forced to recount their reactions to Logan's death. Thus. each issue in the "Logan Legacy" book focuses on a different character. The common thread shows how each of the prisoners copes with news of Wolverine's death and how each deals with the loss of their father/genetic material/nemesis.The common threads weave the beginning of the next episode which can be found in Wolverines Volume 1: Dancing with the Devil.Overall, the combination of Sabretooth, Daken, Lady Deathstrike, Mystique, and X-23 in a cage together is a strong start for the novel. The different artists in the book also create an overall strong and visually interesting collection. Each story generally works well, but some of them are a bit uneven. For instance, the Sabretooth issue strikes the right notes as Sabretooth frustratedly attempts to deal with the loss of Wolverine. This issue has a keen sense of character and psychology. On the other hand, Captain Chinook seemed rather forced, and he came out of nowhere to leave such an impact on X-23.

Good book.

Spinning out of Charles Soule's Death of Wolverine mini-event comes a seemingly stand alone mini series about the people closest (in good ways and bad ways) to Logan who are reeling from his death. Captured and detained by a mysterious organization, X-23, Sabretooth, Mystique, Lady Deathstrike, and Daken are forced to assess their recent pasts to figure out how they've been touched by the passing out their mutual friend/enemy/frenemy. As a stand alone book this one leaves a bit to be desired. Most of the story is all set up for the ongoing sequel series the Wolverine (which unites this ragtag group as they seek out a mutual foe). As a eulogy to Logan, however, it is a better read. Each character has their own reaction to Logan's demise and each provides a great look at the "team" being established. Mystique is relieved her on-again/off-again foe is vanquished, Sabretooth and Deathstrike are both frustrated they weren't the ones to finally kill him, Laura is understandably upset, and Daken is processing in his own way. Oddly enough Daken's solo arc was the best of the book for me as he took revenge on those who tried to sell off pieces of Logan's mortal remains. Laura's was sadly one of the weaker moments due to some writers insisting on portraying her as an emotionless void (thanks be for Tom Taylor's All New Wolverine series which reestablished her as an actual character instead of a lump). All in all the book is decent, but loses steam in the ending when it becomes clear the plot is going to be left unresolved and picked up in the next series.

Good book, as an old Wolverine fan I liked seeing how Wolverine effected those close to him (be it friend or foe).

Could have been a much shorter series. Too much padding. I am catching up on my Wolverine background info.. Way too many characters.

Logan legacy is for the most part good - I confess I wasn't a fan of the story narrative of 'forming a super-team' by bringing several characters together (i.e. those shown on the cover) for one episode, and then flashing back to their individual storylines before coming back to the overarching plot. It's probably not a big deal but I always get annoyed in comics with the endless to be continued, hence the reason I tend to wait a while and buy collected series like this.In terms of the individual tales, Sabre-tooth's is creepy as, Daken is intereting, and Mystique is suitably mysterious. X-23 story started and ended well but I felt had the wrong balance of humour and action in her story. Yukio was interesting on paper but the artwork was as confusing as it was epic weakening the tale in my opinion.In conclusion a good read for those wanting continued Wolvy centric stories

Consider how far, wide and deep Logan had featured in ‘616’ The Marvelverse it was to be expected that his death was not going to be something turning up as a ‘And Which Hero Dies?’ single issue, nor someone who is then packed away for a couple years with only a few mentions here and there until their traditional return.Oh no, Logan’s death has to be worth entire story arcs rippling out magnificently in all directions.Onto this volume.Normally if I come across an arc where several formidable characters have been captured with seeming ease by a bunch of smirking unknowns then it is not a volume I will be buying as the word ‘Contrived’ leaps out at me.However…The majesty of this volume is in the manner of its telling. Whereas it starts off with Sabretooth, X-23, Mystique, Darken and Lady Deathstrike captured the narrative moves so that each are given a separate space which revolves around the effect Logan or his death has had on their lives. This is much magic and depth in the telling. I will try and give a brief outline in the out this conveys the worth; while not giving too much of the individual plots away.X-23: Starts off with her angry at Logan for dying, for not being invulnerable and then working through her issues through taking on a grade C-bunch. Nice cameo by Kitty Pryde remembering her early days.Sabretooth: Magnificent ghostly artwork, a panorama of his work with Wolverine in 1990s Mogadishu infused with images of other times. Just the sort of confusion you’d imagine inhabits Sabretooth’s mind.Lady Deathstrike: This is told in a style of homage to another warrior. Set in Japan Deathstrike venting her fury on gangsters who are daring to auction and haggle over items they have stolen from Logan’s Japanese vault. Heavy on the sense of honour and for once will have you cheering on Deathstrike (bet you’d never thought that would happen)Darken: Set in Madripoor; Something similar to the Deathstrike tale, only in this case it as sale of remains of Logan, interspersed with Japanese ceremonies revolving around death, and Darken’s past. Something of parts being drawn together into a montage. I found it captivating. Needs very careful re-reading I reckon.Mystique: Basically rampaging through a S.H.I.E.D location for some secrets on Logan? But interspersed with memories of an earlier episode with Logan, when the lines were more blurred. And one long tear down her face. I would have preferred seeing her more subtle, but some would say ‘this is Mystique-deal with it’, so there you go….Very thoughtful even amongst the mayhem.Then it’s back to the business of them all being captive. This is not my favourite bit (Spolier……) There are echoes of Weapon-X and experiments on the run, and we have another secret society. It seemed a bit rushed; something to fit onto all the good work. Still to be fair it is the start of another arc The Wolverines, so let’s give it a chance to develop.Worth it for the individual episodes alone.

It was worth the money I paid for it, but it felt too short. It ends with a clear set up for 'Wolverines' which I will inevitably get as well, just so I can read more and find out what happens. The main draw of this story was seeing characters reacting to the Death of Wolverine, of which I have loved.

A+++