Logan prepares for his most dangerous mission.
There's a certain sense of gloom coming into Old Man Logan #19. Not only do we know that writer Jeff Lemire is preparing to wrap up his run on the series, but we've also seen the last of artist Andrea Sorrentino's interior art. The character looks like he'll be more active than ever in the ResurrXion relaunch, but without Lemire and Sorrentino leading the way, it just won't be the same. Even now, the absence of Sorrentino is weighing on the series as Lemire preps for his final big storyline.
This issue kicks off a short, two-issue arc that paves the way for that final storyline. Logan recently had the epiphany that the only way he can truly be at peace with his past is to return to his own universe and ensure that baby Banner doesn't grow up to become a monster. The problem being that Logan has no sure way of actually making the journey. Thus, this issue shows the aged hero resorting to increasingly desperate measure to find a way back home.
It's a solid premise, though one that feels stretched a bit thin even in this two-issue format. To a certain extent, the nonlinear narrative helps disguise the very straightforward nature of the story, but not entirely. This issue mainly consists of a handful of brief encounters between Logan and various familiar Marvel faces, with a healthy dose of stabbing and growling padding out the remainder. The sudden appearance of Miles Morales feels especially random and pointless. Sure, it's fun to see such a different spin on the usual Wolverine/Spider-Man team-up, but it's not clear what purpose Miles is meant to serve or why he's even present in the first place.
And again, the series loses something vital without Sorrentino bringing Lemire's scripts to life. His striking pae layouts and generally surreal approach to the X-Men universe made this book feel wholly unique among the Marvel lineup. Felipe Andrade's style can't replicate that sensation. His angular, stylized figures have a certain surreal quality, but the page design and use of color are far more traditional in execution. The overall look of this issue is pretty traditional when it comes to Wolverine's contemporary solo adventures, when half the appeal of this series has been its groundbreaking visual approach.
The Verdict
We can hope that Jeff Lemire will be able to wrap up his Old Man Logan run on a high note, but without Andrea Sorrentino providing interior art, the odds aren't looking great. This issue kicks off an entertaining but spartan little storyline that paves the way for Lemire's final conflict. And without the book's trademark surreal, psychedelic look in place, some of its appeal is lost.
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