Pizza cutters are a simple, useful invention. They make quick work of a large pie, even if you’ve slightly overcooked the crust. They’re great for making a delicious meal easier to eat. But when it comes to comics, a pizza cutter is no good at all. Unfortunately, Ultimate Wolverine #9 feels a lot like a pizza cutter: all edge and no point.
Brought to us by Chris Condon and Alessandro Cappuccio, the Ultimate Wolverine series has had an interesting place in the new Ultimate Universe. Like most of the books so far, it’s been pretty self-contained, taking only the core premise of the Ultimate Universe and carving out its own bloody, gruesome niche. The creation of this title was surprising, given the success of Ultimate X-Men and the presence of Akihiro, a character with clear Weapon X origins, in that series. While there was some initial buzz about a fresh take on the character, Ultimate Wolverine has largely been… well, a classic Wolverine story. The Weapon X inspirations were clear long before Condon mentioned his work was a tribute to Barry Windsor-Smith’s iconic masterpiece.
In a way, what makes Ultimate Wolverine distinct in the Ultimate Universe is how indistinct it is from the usual Wolverine stories we’ve had over the last forty years. Unlike the other books that have reinvented their core premises and lead characters, Ultimate Wolverine is a very by-the-book Wolverine tale. This adherence to tradition might please readers frustrated by Peach Momoko’s new take on the X-Men, but for me, it has been a frustrating experience.
Ultimate Wolverine #9 serves as a microcosm of that frustration. Working with Eurasian resistance fighters, Wolverine targets a Sentinel facility, cleverly named Master Mold, where rumors say the brutal regime is turning mutants into Sentinels. The issue is action-heavy, showcasing the beautiful art of Alessandro Cappuccio and the fantastic colors of Bryan Valenza.
This duo has been a stellar force throughout the series, bringing a level of artistry that surpasses many of the comics Marvel is publishing today. Their prior work on Moon Knight is evident in the masterful use of light and shadow, which gives Ultimate Wolverine a weighty atmosphere. It’s a visually stunning book when they’re working together. Last issue, for example, their introduction of Ultimate Angel was awe-inspiring.
Unfortunately, the story itself isn’t as compelling as the art. Condon’s writing feels minimalist, perhaps a deliberate choice to echo the feel of Weapon X. However, it leaves many issues feeling thin and quick. While it’s a common complaint that comics feel shorter these days due to a decompressed writing style, in Ultimate Wolverine, the sparsity of plot and dialogue is damaging.
Ultimate Wolverine #9 can be read in under a minute and still feels quite empty. The mission plays out completely, but there’s a surprising lack of stakes and urgency. The reveal of a popular X-Men character’s fate should have been more memorable, but it’s let down by a derivative and over-the-top design that feels like a huge step back from the fearsome Angel we saw in the previous issue.
Ultimately, Ultimate Wolverine #9 is a visually beautiful but unfulfilling experience. There’s little to hold on to or contemplate for the next issue. It begins and ends without impact. It’s a problem that some fans have had with the series from the beginning, and with Ultimate Endgame approaching, this issue feels like a time-filler before the main event.
‘Ultimate Wolverine’ #9 Review: Delivers a Slice of Style, But Nothing to Chew
Ultimately, Ultimate Wolverine #9 is a visually beautiful but unfulfilling experience. There’s little to hold on to or contemplate for the next issue, and with Ultimate Endgame approaching, this issue feels like a time-filler before the main event.
