Though heavily aging, Wolverine is still unable to retire. The world still needs his help. This time, Logan has to save Jubilee and the Alpha Flight division. To do this, however, it must face not only new threats, but also its own past.
In Romania and in space
Old Fears is the fifth volume of the adventures of Old Man Logan. Unlike the previous ones, this one has been divided into two stories that only Wolverine’s character has in common. In the first of them, “Rosomak” goes to Romania to find and save his former ward, Jubilee. To do this, he must defeat the hordes of vampires led by Count Dracula. Fortunately, he will not be alone in this battle. There is a special SHIELD unit in place, known as the Howling Commandos. A squad consisting of monsters such as Man-Thing or Orrgo should make Logan’s task much easier.
The second part of the comic takes the reader into space, where Wolverine tries to save the Canadian team Alpha Flight from the hands of aliens known as Brood. However, the matter is not easy. Someone manipulates the hero’s memories and transfers him with his thoughts to the Wasteland. Logan at times fails to recognize what is fiction and what is reality. In this situation, he has to fight not only for his friends, but also try not to go crazy.
Simple and intricate
The author of the comic book script Old Man Logan: Old Fearsthere is Jeff Lemire, who is also responsible for the previous four volumes. Once again, he plays with the character of an elderly Wolverine, getting him into trouble. The first part of the notebook is the hero’s trip to Transylvania. This adventure is extremely simple and there are no complexities to it. “Wolverine” and Howling Rangers versus vampires – this is how it can be briefly described. We get a large dose of good humor and a carnage in the Logan style. The ending is not surprising and the recipient gets a typical comic book from the superheroes series. It should also be mentioned that it looks like an addition to the series that is in no way connected with it. Just a short, cheerful story to fill the pages. In fact, however, it is a reference to the story created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven and the hero’s relationship with Jubilee that fans of the series will surely appreciate.
After visiting Dracula’s castle, we return to the plot that began in the first volume. Lemire sends Logan into space, but in the process brings him back to the Waste Lands. The hero has to face his past and fears about the consequences of his actions. The reader really needs to focus so as not to get lost in the plot. But it’s definitely worth it. Although at some point we begin to guess who is behind the visions harassing “Wolverine”, we still follow its fate with bated breath and cheer it on so that he does not go crazy. By the way, you can see that the author is slowly ending his relationship with Old Man Logan. The sixth volume, or Past Lives , is to be the last one Lemire worked on.
New and well known
Old Man Logan: Old Fears has two cartoonists. The first is the Portuguese artist Filipe Andrade. He is responsible for the beginning of the notebook and the visit to Romania. Admittedly, his work looks quite austere, but at the same time it has that something to it. More than the paintings, they resemble pencil sketches, to which only a little color has been added. In many places, the background is also missing, but there are colors that symbolize the emotions of the characters. Probably not everyone will like this solution, but I am delighted with it and I’m glad that the cartoonist also participated in the creation of the sixth volume.
The second artist who worked on Old Fears is Andrea Sorrentino. The Italian illustrator has worked with Lemir from the very beginning and his original style is well known to fans of the series. Once again, I must say that I am not convinced of his works. The computer technique he used did not appeal to me from the beginning. I lack precision and clarity in it. The images are blending together and at times I’m not sure what I’m looking at. After so long I got used to this way of creating a comic, but I still don’t quite accept it.
The penultimate fight?
Old Man Logan: Old Fears is Lemire’s penultimate volume and the last to include Sorrentino’s work. We get two interesting stories in it. The first is a nod to the classics, the second leads the reader to the finale of the whole adventure. If you haven’t read the previous parts, unfortunately it will be hard for you to find your place in the events presented in the comic. However, if you are up to date with the comic, you cannot let go of this item. Without it, it can be difficult to understand the events of Past Lives .
