Comic Review: Wolverine #6 — Claws, Heart, and...

 

Wolverine #6 is a comic full of paradoxes — on the one hand, it delivers brutal action, beautiful illustrations, and some genuinely well-written character interactions. On the other, it leans heavily on a central plotline that feels increasingly bland and derivative with every page. Saladin Ahmed seems to have his heart in the right place, but his obsession with a mysterious substance called Adamantine weighs the story down and, at some point, overshadows what actually works.

Adamantine: A Narrative Ball and Chain

The idea of Adamantine had potential — a mysterious metal tied to Wolverine’s past, possibly with cosmic or mystical origins, and unknown enemies… Sounds like the setup for an intriguing sci-fi thriller. The problem is that across six issues, the plot moves at a snail’s pace. Each new “revelation” is either a repeat of what we already know or a new twist with no context — two supposedly important characters are introduced, yet we get no explanation of who they are or why we should care. The result? Every “big” reveal lands with a thud… like a wet noodle.

Characters to the Rescue

What saves Wolverine #6 from complete mediocrity are the characters — more specifically, their relationships. Logan’s encounter with Laura is one of the issue’s standout moments. Their interactions have emotional depth, and their side-by-side fighting showcases the brutal beauty of their twisted “family” dynamic. Also compelling is the subplot involving Leonard, with whom Wolverine shares a surprisingly intense and affecting relationship.

Leonard (aka Wendigo) is a character full of tension — unpredictable and dangerous, yet he offers Wolverine brief moments of honesty and humanity. Their conversations and fleeting shared moments are among the best the series has offered so far. Unfortunately, in this particular issue, Leonard’s subplot is pushed to the sidelines and treated more as a narrative excuse than a driving force.

Dialogues That Say Too Much About Too Little

Wolverine #6 is text-heavy — sometimes too much so. The dialogue can be long-winded and often revolves around unimportant details: where characters are moving, what they ate, what Nightcrawler said before he vanished. Very little of these conversations contribute to the plot or character development. The pacing suffers as a result, and readers are met with yet another teleportation scene just to hear, “Thanks, Nightcrawler, we don’t need you anymore” — followed a page later by the characters wondering where to go next. Instead of escalating conflict, we get empty chatter.

Villains Return… Without Emotion

This issue sees the return of an old Wolverine adversary. For some fans, this might spark nostalgia, especially if they remember the character’s earlier appearances. The issue, however, is that the antagonist is neither introduced with enough weight nor feels like a real threat. Too many villains in this series operate under the control of some vague external force, which strips the story of real stakes. If the villains are mere puppets, it’s hard to care about their actions — and even harder to feel any tension.

Art Saves (Almost) Everything

One of the strongest aspects of Wolverine #6 is undoubtedly the artwork. Martín Coccolo delivers dynamic, brutal, and richly detailed illustrations that perfectly match the tone of the story. The fight scenes, in particular — bloody, chaotic, yet clear and full of emotion — are especially impressive.

That said, some inconsistencies in the quality of the panels can be felt. Possibly due to deadline pressures, certain pages look less refined than others. Compared to Coccolo’s previous work (especially on Immortal Thor), it’s clear his full potential wasn’t fully tapped here.

Conclusion

Wolverine #6 is an issue that both fascinates and frustrates. On the plus side, we have compelling character relationships, solid chemistry in the dialogue (especially between Logan, Laura, and Leonard), and excellent artwork. On the downside, the Adamantine plotline drags on endlessly, emotional beats fall flat, and the story is bogged down by excessive dialogue and a lack of momentum.

Saladin Ahmed has strong ideas when it comes to character dynamics but seems to lack direction for the central plot. And it's that plot which increasingly overshadows everything else, drawing attention away from what truly works.

Pros:

+Strong action scenes and fight choreography

+Chemistry between Wolverine, Laura, and Leonard

+Beautiful art by Coccolo, especially in dynamic sequences

+A few emotionally resonant moments

Cons:

– Central plot (Adamantine) feels dull and lifeless

– Poor pacing, repetition, and unimportant dialogue

– Antagonists lack personality and stakes

– Leonard's subplot is pushed aside

– The comic becomes less accessible for new readers

My Score: 5/10