Customer Reviews

Wolverine Omnibus, Vol. 1

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own several Marvel Omnibus collections (Captain America, Miller's Daredevil run, etc) but I have to say I think this one is the biggest in terms of thickness. This has a serious page count, and is definitely worth the money you spend on it for size alone. Those coming off the Wolverine movie and interested in more of his back-story will enjoy most of this.

The stories here are not put together in chronological order of publication, but rather in chronological order of when it supposedly happened in his life. That being said, it's odd that Marvel chose to leave out "Origin", since that six-part story would have made an obvious choice for the beginning of this collection. Instead, we start out with a number of "Weapon X" stories that are supposed to set the stage for his creation into a weapon. The stories are not easy to follow for a casual read, however. You'll have to invest time reading dozens of dialogue balloons over the constantly-resting pose of Logan with wires coming out of him. Not the best start they could have hoped for, but I can see the logic of it.

The Wolverine/Kitty Pryde miniseries is also here for some reason. I guess its inclusion into the collection is for completist purposes, but it's not that great.

Eventually, you reach the Frank Miller Wolverine mini-series that started it all and paved the way for his solo series later on. If you've read that one, you know it's a classic as we get more back story into his Samurai/Ninja training past (and it's also rumored to be the basis for the second Wolverine solo film if it gets made). This leads into the first 10 issues of his solo series as we meet Logan's "Patch" identity, his weird black "facepaint mask" costume, and the dark dealings of Madripor.

The colors here are rich and vibrant. Those who were disappointed with the washed-out look of the "Essentials" collection of Wolverine stuff will find nothing but happiness here. The price is reasonable for what you're getting here. Let me say again though that this is a MONSTER of a book, so you won't be carrying this around for a casual read at the coffee shop. This is more along the lines of a serious collector book than those Essential volumes.

It's difficult to imagine a more comprehensive Wolverine collection than this. It collects pretty much every solo appearance from the '70s and '80s into what is one of Marvel's largest Omnibus hardcovers to date. It includes two of the very best Wolverine stories ever written - the Claremont/Miller mini-series and Barry Windsor Smith's Weapon X. Both of these stories really deserve to be experienced in the larger format this Omnibus offers. The rest of the book holds up well too, with plenty of classic storylines that easily qualify as essential reads for Wolverine fans. This hardcover doesn't feature improved coloring like a lot of Marvel's Omnibuses, but in most cases it doesn't really need it (it would be nice to see Jim Lee's X-Men art redone with modern coloring).

The only question you have to ask yourself is how much you value a comfortable reading experience. There comes a point where a book is too thick and heavy for its own good. I think this Omnibus crosses that threshold. Mind you, the spine is durable and curved in such a way that the interiors of the pages aren't obscured, but it's still a bit of a chore actually sitting down and flipping through the book. You really need a flat and stable surface.

This drawback is especially worth noting because there's a similar hardcover out there called The Best Of Wolverine Volume 1 HC. It's nowhere near as comprehensive, but it does include the best and most essential stories from this Omnibus, including the Claremont/Miller mini and Weapon X. And it's less of a hassle to pull that volume off the shelf and read it. Basically, if you want a cheap but still high quality Wolverine collection, go with The Best Of. If you prefer to pay more and get the most bang for your buck, go with this Omnibus instead. Just don't drop it on anyone.

I have changed my diet and exercise regularly so I can slowly turn my body into wolverine's. Buying the omnibus was an obvios step in my obsession.

I have to say this was one fun book to read, i always loved the character but never got a chance to read these stories, and see what made the so great. This is exactly the stories that show, wolverine is not just a berserker. I loved almost all the stories here, although i have to admit that the hulk stories were my least favorite, at least the first ones where wolverine made his first appearance, those are just kinda lame, and only really serve as the showing which comic he made his first appearance, nothing brilliant about them.

You really get to see more in depth view of wolverine from his stories during the weapon x program, to his adventures in japan joined by kitty pride, and to the adventures in madripoor. So goes from tortured soul to tough loving sense to street wise patch where even the bad guys are hero's.

My only real annoyance with the book is that almost every single issue he mentions either something about his healing factor/adamantiam body/the best at what he does, and what he does isn't nice. At some point you just get annoyed with hearing that over and over again. It's like "ok i get it, can you not mention it anymore"

I love that marvel is doing these omnibuses they can give you one bulk of characters history in one massive tomb, i hope they keep at it ! DC needs to catch up and make some more like this!

His senses-particularly that of smell-are heightened to their maximum frequency. A rabid healing factor helps him overcome any wound, poison and disease. From bionic housings in his knuckles sprout retractable, razor-sharp claws forged from adamantium, the strongest metal known to man. Every bone in his body is laced with the same stuff, making them virtually unbreakable. And when cornered, he succumbs to uncontrollable berserker rage that doesn't stop until everyone's dead. All this makes him the best at what he does.

And after reading these facts a dozen times, I believe it.

Housing more than a thousand pages of comics, covers and commentary, "Wolverine Omnibus" will hopefully be the first of many collections covering the history of one of Marvel's most iconic personalities. From his beginnings as Weapon X to his debut in "The Incredible Hulk" to his adventures with the X-Men, Wolverine has certainly proven his 'mettle' over the years. And his team-ups with such mainstays as Captain America and Spider-Man further drives that point home. Though not every featured story delivers and fans may argue over the absence of other events involving Wolverine, that further excites the possibility of another Omnibus entry.

This book is unrated: Graphic Violence.

Just received the Wolverine Omnibus and was literally flabbergasted at the high production values...a MUST HAVE for all graphic novel/comic lovers...If you dont have it...what are you waiting for ???? Go ahead and order it...It may go out of stock soon ... Its still available at a discount.

In terms of size, this really does make the Omnibus format live up to its title. True, much of it has been printed before and can be found cheaper. But if you want just one book to showcase Wolverine's evolution, this is the one. Interesting, the stories are collected not in order of publication but in chronological order but still a great mix of tales from throughout Logan's history:

*"Marvel Comics Presents" #72-84: Barry Windsor-Smith's epic "Weapon X" storyline is the dark and wild tale of how Logan got his adamantium skeleton and became the savage warrior we know.
*"Incredible Hulk" #180-182: Wolverine's first appearances (with goofy early costume) as he tangles with the Hulk and Wendigo.
*"Marvel Treasury Edition" #26: A short story in which Wolvie and Hercules have an interesting encounter in a bar.
*"Best of Marvel Comics 1987:" Another short tale of Wolverine trying to rescue his love, Mariko Yashida.
*"Wolverine mini-series": The classic Chris Claremont/Frank Miller tale that redefined Wolverine forever as he finds himself in Japan, battling for his love and his own honor.
*"Uncanny X-Men" #172-173: The follow-up to the mini-series as the X-Men attend Logan's wedding only to find themselves in a brutal fight for thier lives that gives new X-Man Rogue a chance to shine.
*"Kitty Pryde & Wolverine" #1-6: This mini-series has Kitty traveling to Japan to help her father only to be captured and turned into a deadly killer by the immortal Ogun (who was once Logan's teacher). Wolverine must first fight her, then fight to save her mind and soul in a gripping tale.
*"Captain America Annual #8": Wolverine teams with Cap to face a deadly robot killer. A funny bit to read today when Cap tells the wild Logan that he'd better stick with the X-Men because "I can gaurantee the Avengers will never have you."
*"Incredible Hulk" #340: A modern classic as Todd McFarlane draws the most brutal Wolverine/Hulk battle ever in ugly glory.
*"Spider-Man vs Wolverine": A gripping story where the two find themselves in Berlin, on the trail of a KGB killer and set on each other in a brutal fight.
*"Marvel Comics Presents" #1-10: Madripoor is introduced as Logan meets the beautiful Lady Tyger and gets involved in a wicked gang war.
*"Marvel Age Annual" #4: A short tale of Wolvie's past to set up his own series.
*"Wolverine" #1-10: The first ten issues of his solo ongoing as he sets up shop in Madripoor, fighting various gangs and a memorable teaming with the Grey Hulk.
*"Punisher War Journal" #6-7: The first-ever meeting of the two anti-heroes as circumstances lead both Punisher and Wolvie to a jungle tracking poachers. Naturally, they each believe the other an enemy for a battle before seeing justice done.

All these are reproduced wonderfully on crisp paper and nice extras of covers, bonus pinups and introductions to collections by various writers. Overall, if you want the solo tales that made Wolverine the icon he is today in one big collection, this is the one to get and enjoy.

Amazon is selling this beast of a book for list price. $99.99.
I bought it for $62.99, and promptly returned. Regrets? Not a one.

This is a huge collection of great stories, ok stories, and bad stories... If you want just the great stories, go for Best Of Wolverine Volume 1 HC. Same cover, same great stories, no boring filler... Honestly, if you want to appreciate the character in depth, I'd spring for the new Wolverine, Vol. 1!! For less money, you get more story, better art, and greater understanding of Wolverine, as well as more SNIKT!!

Wolverine Omnibus, Vol. 1 is put together better than any other omnibus in terms of readability, as many have pointed it. It's in chronological order, not publication order. And that's awesome!~ But that's also it. There's nothing more to the tome that isn't in "Best of Wolverine, Vol 1."

Hell, you even get the same "Vol 1" logo, as if a Vol 2 would ever see the light of day. And so long as we're being honest, your absolute best bet for classic wolverine would be to simply purchase Wolverine.

After all, Miller & Claremont are the best there is at what they do.