Comic Review: Wolverine #5 – Beautiful, brutal… and somewhat empty

 

The fifth issue of the new Wolverine series by Saladin Ahmed, with phenomenal artwork by Martín Cóccolo, is a textbook example of a comic that looks better than it reads. It’s an installment that impresses with dynamic visuals and cinematic panel flow, but disappoints with excessive exposition and a stagnant plot. There are great moments here—but also slow parts that drain the emotional power from what could have been a truly strong issue.

Cóccolo Delivers Once Again

Let’s start with the best part—Martín Cóccolo’s art. The artist once again proves that his style is one of the pillars of this Wolverine run. Panels are dynamic, readable, full of motion and emotion. Whether it's bloody combat, a quiet nature shot, or an epic plane landing (yes, that landing—chills), everything feels fluid and cinematic.

But it’s not just about action—Cóccolo also expresses the inner state of the character: the fear in Wolverine’s eyes, the eerily cute yet dangerous Wendigo, or the cold, unflinching adamantium... zombies? Yes, zombies. And yes, they’re weird, unsettling, and... sadly not very well justified plot-wise.

Ahmed – Introspection Gone Overboard

Here’s where the biggest issue lies—Saladin Ahmed’s writing. While his ambition to explore Wolverine’s psyche is admirable, the way he does it can be exhausting. Instead of letting the art speak (which it definitely could), Ahmed clutters the pages with overbearing internal monologue. What’s worse—it often happens at moments where Logan realistically shouldn’t even be conscious, like when he's passing out.

This narration no longer feels like we're in Logan’s head. It starts to sound like a disconnected voiceover, distracting from the art and emotional tone of the scenes. Instead of a visceral, primal fight for survival, we get philosophical musings interrupted by blood splatter. That disconnect ruins the rhythm.

Wendigo > Adamantine

Plot-wise, issue #5 doesn’t offer anything new. The Wendigo storyline continues to carry emotional weight and strong potential. The creature isn’t just scary—it has a symbolic link to Logan. It’s more than a monster—it’s a metaphor. On the other hand, the Adamantine plot… well, it exists. And it’s getting more absurd by the page.

The adamantium zombies are creepy to look at, sure—but they lack context and narrative weight. Hopefully, upcoming issues will develop this properly, because right now, they’re just aesthetic dressing.

Nightcrawler, Setup, and Lack of Climax

The appearance of Nightcrawler is a plus—his role is minor, but it’s always refreshing to see him, and he provides a great contrast to Logan. The real problem here is pacing. Issue #5 is all setup—building toward something bigger, but offering little payoff. If the previous issue was mysterious, this one just drags. No big reveals, no major turning points—it just ends, without a satisfying beat.

 Pros:

+ Fantastic art by Cóccolo – dynamic, emotional, cinematic.

+ Wendigo as a threat – both savage and symbolic.

+ Nightcrawler’s appearance – short, but welcome.

+ Atmosphere – tense, dark, with a touch of horror.

 Cons:

- Excessive inner monologue – distracts from the visuals.

- Adamantine plot – absurd and underdeveloped.

- No strong climax – feels like a “transition” issue.

- Few meaningful dialogues or interactions – buried in narration.

My Score: 6.5/10

Wolverine #5 is a comic that looks like gold, but sometimes reads like a rough draft. It has strong art, interesting monsters, and the right dose of brutality, but it lacks a clear purpose and better balance between text and visuals. Still, it’s a good—but not great—entry in the series, with potential for more.