OLD MAN LOGAN #11
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Andrea Sorrentino
Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Release Date: 9/14/16
Price: $3.99
Plot: Fresh off the heels of Logan’s dangerous well escape, our titular hero squares off with his new (old?) enemy, the Silent Order. But in order to take them down, he must team up with long time foe and former lover Lady Deathstrike!
Story: Nothing in old man Logan’s life has come easy. This arc for example, while still new, has been an never ending nightmare for our hero. A seemingly simple trip to Japan has resulted in mayhem and bloodshed. That kind of stuff seems to follow him around, you know?
Part three of The Last Ronin saga begins with a bloody brawl between Logan, Sohei, and a couple dozen masked warrior monk cohorts. It’s a bit strange how Sohei’s motives are still unclear. Much of the issue he’s tossing cryptic mumbo jumbo at Logan while they fight. As annoying as it is to have a villain who’s close to being a caricature, I’m willing to let it slide this one time.
The odds are stacked against the grumpy old man this issue. I mean, even more so than previous issues. He takes a licking and keeps on ticking, but one thing Jeff Lemire makes clear during his run is Logan is way past his prime. His accelerated healing factor doesn’t work like it used to. Every fight could very well be his last. So needless to say the old fella could use some help. Who comes to his aide? I’ll give you a hint: it rhymes with shady left strike.
Yup, Lady Deathstrike enters the fray to dish out some vengeance against her captors. It was a pretty short team up altogether with one highlight: Lady Deathstrike counting the number of ninjas she kills while Logan looks on in shock and confusion. It’s a fun little moment between the two that highlights their relationship with each other. Obviously a different Logan, but those two feuding former lovebirds still have a connection even if it is nothing but hate and snark.
Logan manages to get the upper hand on his masked foe, but this small victory is short lived. A new challenger steps up to the plate to further make Logan’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day even worse. Surprise, surprise. Not much else happens to drive the narrative forward. Had this been part four or five of the storyline, I’d have more complaints about the pacing. Luckily Lemire has a smooth handle of story telling that it makes going through this issue seem like less of a chore.
Art: Andrea Sorrentino doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to portraying the gritty no-holds barred action. It’s a treat to see Sorrentino do what he does best in every spread. Multiple panels of Logan slashing and stabbing ninjas would seem repetitive, but not here. Even if it is nothing but him berzerker raging, Sorrentino adds a layer of tension.
Sorrentino and colorist Marcelo Maiolo have been virtually in sync with each other since this saga began. When I’m not focused on the stunning action, I’m entranced by backdrop. Maiolo’s usage of different hues and shades of the Japanese sky are glorious.
Verdict: Overall, Old Man Logan #11 was an entertaining issue from start to finish.