Wolverine By Greg Rucka: Ultimate Collection (Wolverine (2003-2009))

I opened this book by mistake; I didn't have time... but I couldn't put it down til the last page. It's that good.While the art is fantastic and perfect for the story (despite changing about halfway through, both halves are great) the real genius is the way the story is structured and paced. The writer Rucka takes the vast lore of Logan's history and nature and weaves threads of character and plot into a perfect story of the man, the mutant, the hero. Each chapter (technically, each issue, but it reads so smoothly as one flowing story) has its own beginning, middle, and end, leaving you feeling satisfied but wanting more.The creators did a great job getting to the heart of the conflicted legend, putting together the pieces of past and present to push Logan to figure out what/who he is. Logan is presented not as the famous Wolverine, just a person, which allows for realistic exploration of how people react and feel toward to him; the bad guys are frightened, the good guys are awed, the female cop is attracted, and the lonely victim in danger feels safe. He is a complex man who must choose which hard steps to take and live with the consequences, and whatever they reveal about him.And when you get to the last arc where he's brought back to the world of Weapon X (not in a way you've seen before; he basically stays out of the actual labs - the graphics are GREAT) you remember that as hard as Logan tries to be better and do right, it's not always his choice - he's a powerful person, but he's the victim of so much pain, the survivor of so much hurt.I'd love to read more from this writer. Between the ups and downs Logan endures and the wonderful art showing his every thought and emotion, this book is moving and sometimes heartbreaking but also inspiring and resilient. It's Wolverine. Go read it, man.

I'm giving it a 5 star review because it's a great deal for the price, however, this isn't the kind of wolverine story for those who are into large scale battles and costumed heroes being heroes. This is a story that explores the man behind the mask. It's a story about Logan dealing with his more animalistic side, versus his human side. His conflicting sense of morality. It's sad, violent and a trip into the beast that dwells inside the wolverine.

Great book.

These stories of Wolverine are some of the best! The character Lucy has some of the best poetic taglines that best describes Wolverine who becomes nicknamed "Mean Man". If your a Wolverine fan, this is a must have for your collection!

It’s kinda weird? Like it was short stories but some were connected? But the art is good and Nightcrawler was there and they’re best bros! Anyway, the ending is kinda lame but it’s still nice. If you like XMen I’m sure you’ll like this.

Great quality, some of the most serious and violent Wolverine stories I have read. A must have for any fan bub.

this was really good starting point in my wolverine series (03-09)(just typing the required amount of words to finish..)

I've read all the Wolverine Ultimate Collections -at least I think I have- and this one by far has the best stories.I don't think the artwork was the same illustrator throughout the entire series, but I wasn't real crazy about some of it. It's not that is was bad, it was excellent really, it's just not how I care to see super-heroes portrayed -Wolverine actually looks so much like a unclean bump, that you can almost smell him. And I get that these stories, like the original Wolverine series in Madripoor, is supposed to be a take-away from Logan's yellow and blue tights and more a noir-ish look at his life. Still I think a most folks would have realized who Logan was, instead of them being all like "Who is this mysterious grumpy stranger?"Despite all that. I still really did enjoy these tales because if nothing else, I guess I like Wolverine as in not so uber-powerful and the gritty kinda hero he was intended to be. (less)

I've been a big fan of Greg Rucka since reading his work on Gotham Central and he doesn't disappoint here. We get his complete run on the book, and while not a definitive run, his handling of the character is superb, over the course of these stories Rucka explores the fine line between man and animal with humour, warmth and kick ass violence.

Delivers what it says on the tin: a cracking superhero tale with great art.

I had collected a few of these issues years ago and when I came across this I had to have it, This is Wolverine at his best away from the X-men on his own out in the world having adventures it shows his brutal side and why he's the toughest mutant out there.

The book has two seperate storylines. The first one is more of a Daredevil or old Batman story, not very action oriented but ok. In the first part, Logan looks like a gorilla and in the last part of the book he looks like a young Gambit. I kinda like the artwork but do not see the point in changing Logans look so much.

Amazing Wolverine collection. Love the art, the writing, storyline all A+. High quality comic.