Written by: Ales Kot
Art by: Ricardo Ortiz and Lee Loughridge
Publisher: Image
Full discloser: There was no review of Wolf #7 because I did not read Wolf #7. Something went bad with the review copy file, and I guess I haven’t quite liked this comic enough to buy it. That perhaps says more than the words in this review will, and yet…and yet I can see myself going and getting both trades of this when they come available. Even when Wolf isn’t meeting my expectations, its world and characters are fun enough to keep me coming back.
Flaws and all, I do like this comic.
It should also be noted that I’m kind of a cheapskate, so…you know, that’s why I don’t buy as many comics as I should.
Anyhow, I know for a fact I missed a bunch of stuff, because the prison Wolfe was stuck in is now filled with Cronenberg monsters. Thankfully, his posse of friends—a Chthulu monster, a teenage werewolf, a vampire, and an ex-con with a shotgun—are now here to save the day. Well, “save the day” might be a bit strong, but they’re certainly going to try!
And maybe it’s because I missed an issue, but I am left wondering: When did this series get so funny? Issue 8 is somewhat packed with humor as the aforementioned posse kill monsters and bicker like a close-knit family. It’s enjoyable as hell, yet a very awkward tonal contrast between Wolfe and the lady who appears to be torturing him.
Lest we forget, Wolfe’s whole shtick is that he’s immortal and wants to die. He isn’t a funny character, and up until recently, neither was his world.
I am very torn on the humor. On the one hand, I like it and laughed a lot—which is a good thing—while on the other, it’s just…so out of place. I get Freddy being funny (and he’s as charming as ever here), but the vampire and teenage werewolf? The former was always a bit bitchy and the latter was a nice mix of confusion and angst last I remember.
They do make an adorable family though, so there’s that.
On the art front, Ricardo Ortiz and Lee Loughridge are doing some of their best work. The monsters look great, and there are some very creepy panels here. The action sequences are quick, yet they showcase quite a bit for taking up so few panels. I respect that.
I missed out on a Wolf issue and somehow stumbled back into the comic with one of its strongest to date. Kind of funny, now that I think about it. Wonder when the trades come out…
