Comic Review: Dead Man Logan #12 (SPOILERS)

Dead Man Logan #12

Marvel Comics

Writer: Ed Brison

Artist: Mike Henderson

It’s finally here! After almost four years, Old Man Logan is ready to say goodbye and join his family in the afterlife. Last time we visited the Wastelands, Logan’s group was attacked by Sabertooth and his army. Being all but defeated, our heroes finally got a lucky break as Dani Cage did the impossible – lifted Mjolnir and assumed the role of that universe’s Thor. For one last push against Sabertooth, Logan injects his final (and most certainly fatal) dose of Regenix. This is it, it’s all or nothing.

The Old Man Logan (which includes this renamed series) has been a consistently decent comic. There were better (but not fantastic) issues and there were worse (but not awful) issues, but it has held a consistent level of quality. This issue is probably one of the better ones.

Ed Brisson doesn’t pack any surprises in this issue – everything goes as you’d expect it to go. They fight the bad guy, come out victorious. They proceed to Logan’s old farm where they say their heartfelt goodbyes. Logan dies, Dani and Bruce Jr. bury him, the end. It’s a formulaic conclusion, hitting all the right emotional beats at the appropriate moment, giving us a rather satisfying ending to (a) Wolverine’s story. It does, however, feel a bit rushed. You would expect the finale of a 60-plus issue – over 80 if you count the original Old Man Logan and Bendis’ Secret Wars tie-in series! – to at least have an extended epilogue.

As emotional as those last shots of Logan were, it does leave the reader wanting. I had expected a longer exchange between Logan and Dani (and Bruce Jr.), but all we got is a couple of panels. One would expect a page of Logan finally seeing his family and joining them, embracing them, but that’s nowhere to be found as well. Again, it’s not bad, but it does leave you wanting.

Mike Henderson, responsible for the art of the whole series, is back to finish what he started and he does a fairly decent job. The book flows nicely and the fight sequence, which makes up the majority of the issue, feels dynamic and interesting. The opening page, with our three heroes, uh… ‘assembling’, is a really cool and joyful page, probably one of the best in the series. Also, kudos to Nolan Woodard, the colourist of the book. His vibrant colouring breathes life into the Wastelands.

So that’s it. Logan is gone. It’s been an interesting ride and it’s surprising how long it actually pasted. I’m just kinda sad that we didn’t get to spend more time with Logan in the Wastelands. But, as it was revealed a couple of days ago, Marvel might be done with Old Man Logan, but it isn’t done with the Wastelands. A new series, ‘Avengers of the Wastelands’, is due in January. It will star Dani Cage as the New Thor, Bruce Banner Jr, and the new Ant-Man as the titular team. So while you wait for the return to the Wastelands, take a moment to remember old Grandpa Logan.