Wolverine has a one-way ticket to Hell (and back).
Wolverine’s gone to Hell to smoke cigars and kick Satan’s ass. And he’s all out of cigars.
Wolverine Goes To Hell collects Wolverine: The Road to Hell, and Wolverine #1-5 in a story that sees Wolverine facing an eternity paying for the sins he’s committed throughout his long life. Written by Jason Aaron, with art by Renato Guedes, Wolverine Goes To Hell is a deep and thoughtful, if mostly inconsequential, examination of Wolverine, his journey so far, and the legacy he may leave behind him, as long as you can overlook some inconsistencies along the way.
In Wolverine Goes To Hell we learn that the titular X-Man has been tricked by a group known as the Right Red Hand and his soul has been sent to Hell whilst a demon roams the surface in his body with a view to destroying Wolverine’s life and killing his loved ones and friends. This allows for the introduction of several cameo’s from characters from Wolverine’s past (Sabretooth, Silver Samurai, Mariko) as well as current Marvel characters (Mystique, The Ghost Riders, Spider-Man, Colossus), and several big face-offs including fights between Wolverine and Satan, Wolverine and Colossus, and Wolverine and Sabretooth. Ultimately, Wolverine Goes To Hell reveals that the Right Red Hand have bigger plans than just sending Wolverine to Hell.
While Wolverines soul has been sent to Hell a demon roams the surface in his body!
There are a lot of good things to talk about in Wolverine Goes To Hell. Jason Aaron asks several deep and meaningful questions of Wolverine’s character: Has his life always been leading him down a path to Hell? Does he ultimately deserve this fate? Has Wolverine become like his Father? How important to Wolverine is revenge, considering the path it is leading him down? It’s refreshing to see his character being examined at such a deep level, as opposed to the sometimes animalistic and basic portrayal of his character. Whilst this side is still on show in the action sequences, this book really has Wolverine examining himself and asking whether there’s more to his legacy than a trail of blood and shattered lives. This collection should be commended for looking at Wolverine’s character in this way, and for having Wolverine question himself and admit that he always suspected he deserved an eternity in Hell. Despite the focus of the book being about questioning Wolverine’s character and way of life, there are still plenty of action sequences to enjoy, with some spectacular fight scenes both on Earth and in Hell.
The Red Right Hand, a group of seemingly normal people, is an interesting new antagonist in this book. They appear to be people who have been affected by Wolverine in some way, and although not stated directly the implication is that they have more than likely lost important loved ones at the sharp and pointy end of Wolverine’s temper. They remain mysterious throughout the collection, with their overall plan hidden from view, but their goal very clear; they want to make Wolverine’s life a living Hell.
Wolverine Goes To Hell asks plenty of deep and meaningful questions of Wolverine’s character, but still has plenty of action.
The art work is exceptional throughout, although the depictions of Hell in this book are somewhat uninspired with tortured souls, and walls of skulls; a bit more imagination would have been nice. Nonetheless, there’s no denying the strength of the artwork; vibrant colouring and attention to detail make the environments pop and the characters look brilliant.
There are some inconsistencies throughout this collection, as well as some relatively unexplored areas, though. Mystique, an enemy of Wolverine and the X-Men, has a sudden and unexplained allegiance change, whilst Satan seems extremely powerful at one point, but then easily overcome moments later. Similarly, the residents of Hell seem to be set for an existence of eternal damnation and suffering at the hands of the almighty Satan, but are then pictured easily rising up against him, and wondering around unchallenged. Why are some souls not being tortured whilst others are? It doesn’t really make sense. Additionally, some of the supporting characters are treated roughly. The Silver Samurai is introduced and disposed of in under a page and a half, and Sabretooth (arguably one of Wolverine’s greatest enemies) is nothing more than a snivelling, obedient pet for Satan.
Ultimately though, Jason Aaron sets out to challenge and explore Wolverine’s character and soul, and partially succeeds. The book reflects Wolverine’s life; an endless battle against interchangeable enemies, and uses this to question who and what he is. More importantly is the unspoken question of who Wolverine will become that is hinted at throughout this collection but never explicitly asked. If Wolverine Goes To Hell is guilty of one thing, it’s asking all these questions of Wolverine’s character whilst not providing many answers. Wolverine is portrayed as questioning himself, his actions, and his motives, but yet by the end of the story, despite where it has led him so far in life, he still leaves Hell seeking revenge. This conclusion seems somewhat at odds with all the philosophical soul-searching that Wolverine displays throughout the story. Subsequent stories show that Wolverine still seeks revenge and continues in his way of life suggesting that his time in Hell did not do much to deter him, or to encourage him to change his destiny.
The book reflects Wolverine’s life; an endless battle against interchangeable enemies, and uses this to question who and what he is.
Included in the hardcover collection reviewed was the five chapter Scorched Earth. These chapters help expand on some of the unexplored areas within the main collection examining what happened to the Silver Samurai (a tale this character deserves to have told), and the Right Red Hand’s motives and actions. The hardcover collection reviewed also contained several sketches and variant covers (including a really cool “Tron Variant” by Brandon Peterson) and a multi-page recap of Wolverine’s life story and character biography. All of these are great additions to the collection, fleshing out the story further, filling in knowledge gaps, and providing additional artwork and sketches to look over.
Wolverine Goes To Hell is an enjoyable book, despite some unimaginative ideas and under-explored areas. It has one of Marvel’s greatest characters asking deep and meaningful questions of himself, his way of life, and his past, present and future. Ultimately Wolverine Goes To Hell asks a lot of questions, without ever providing the answers or making the consequences of what Wolverine learns stick with him for his future. Despite this, there’s plenty of enjoyment to be had reading Wolverine Goes To Hell; there’s some great action sequences (Wolverine versus Colossus in particular), and there’s an introspective side to Wolverine on show that isn’t seen that often. Although it doesn’t rival some other Wolverine titles (e.g. Origins), Wolverine Goes To Hell is certainly worthy of your time.
You can follow Chris on his website www.dresslikethehulk.wordpress.com or on Twitter at @Orr_Man
Posted on July 9th, 2012
Category: PROJECT COMICS, REVIEWS
Tags: Chris Orr, Comic Review, jason aaron, marvel, marvel comics, Project Comics, Sabretooth, Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine, Wolverine Goes To Hell, X-Men