Road of Bones

Well I just finished reading this thrilling story in the Wolverine saga, for the second time, and I have to say that it was just as enjoyable reading it the second time as it was the first. There is so much more than can be communicated by the written word that film and even graphic novel can't even come close to, that it makes me feel a bit of pity for those who, by their own choice, choose not to read. Anyhow, on with the review. The basic premise of the story is as follows: While Logan is visiting the grave of his beloved Mariko, he is approached by the daughter of an old friend to whom he owes a debt. The daughter, who happens to be the head of a very wealthy and powerful corporation, asks Logan to find and retrieve a prototype of a very powerful drug that has the potential to cure all human disease and injury, although it has a nasty side effect of killing you with 72 hours if you don't continue to take it for the rest of your life. Logan is also asked to recover, alive if at all possible, the scientist who was also kidnapped at the same time the experimental drug was stolen. As you may have guessed, Logan accepts and is soon off on a world-wide venture which takes him from Japan to Russia, South America, and eventually Africa in search of the drug and the scientist. Along the way he runs into numerous "trials and tribulations" including twin mutant brothers, various assorted run-of-the-mill bad guys, ninja assassins, and a very familiar figure from his past who has a neat little ring that allows him to teleport anywhere he wants to go. Throw in a drop-dead gorgeous Japanese beauty and an old comrade-in-arms from Logan's past and you have the ingredients for one heckuva great adventure, and one that will be sure to keep you turning the pages until the very end. But hey, don't take my word for it bub! Go ahead and pick this book up and see for yourself, and while you're at it, go ahead and pick up these books as well; Wolverine: Lifeblood (Wolverine), Wolverine: The Nature of the Beast (Wolverine (Mass)), Wolverine: Weapon X (Wolverine (Mass)), Wolverine: Election Day (Wolverine), and Wolverine: Violent Tendencies (Wolverine (Mass)). Shawn Kovacich Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

David Mack takes an emotionally vulnerable Wolverine on a James Bond type adventure that begins in Japan and ends in an almost war torn Africa. Simply, a new wonder drug (Panacea) and its creator is abducted by Ninja's from a lab in Japan where he is put to work on a "cloaked" ship to recreate the drug for distribution by a russian oil mogul (Alexei Pritikin) and a japanese super ninja of sorts (Harada); a member of "The Hand" whom Wolverine has tangled with before. The drug; while it will cure any and all forms of disease must be taken every three days from it's inception. Any lapse thereafter will result in death. While Harada see this as a way to cure starvation and sickness in the third world countries that have all but been ignored by the Super Power nations of the U.S, Britain, and Japan, Wolverine sees it as nothing more than modern day slavery; an entire world held hostage. The african backdrop where an impoverished woman, helpless to save her sick and dying children due to lack of food, water and medication is almost too realistic. Along the way Wolverine is forced to go against the Mutant Brother's Oskar and Gregor. Symbiotically linked, the two can harness the power of electricity and unleash it at will; one conducting the energy, the other releasing it. Logan is also teamed with Wai-Ying, a japanese mutant who has the ability to create a force field bubble of protection. Wolverine's private moment of reflection as he realizes that he is essentially powerless to do anything about the real life horrors of poverty, hunger, and human suffering is probably one of the most memorable and eloquently written scenes in any of the Marvel (or DC novels) to date. What the book may lack in action for Superhero junkies, it makes up for in plot, character development and a whole lot of heart! EXCELLENT!!

This book is very well done, from start to finish. You can be a noob to wolverine or be a long time reader of the comics to appreciate this book. I'd Definently like to see Mack write another

Yes, there is action. What would a story about Wolverine be without it? Indeed some of the fight scenes and imagery are not for the faint-hearted. (I am not squeamish by and large, but a few times even I had to shudder at descriptions of inflicted wounds and the manner of some deaths.) Not to mention cruelties, collective (raiding parties stealing food from starving villagers) and individual (a villain beating a prostitute in a drunken rage), while not the focus of the piece, serve as testament to the human capacity to knowingly commit cruelties. Yes, the story moves quickly, despite its 391-page length--I can think of barely a moment where the plot flagged to let a reader catch a breath. But the real message here is about the profundity of human suffering, both individually and globally. A woman grieving with the knowledge of her children's inevitable deaths. A people grieving for the lack of respite from suffering. A man grieving over the loss of his truest love. That same man realizing the futility of individual heroism. What if all illness, all pain could be wiped away with a single injection, a miracle drug--a "Panacea"? What if that same drug killed the healed in three days without a new injection every 24 hours? What would the ethics be of using such a drug? To whom should its use be entrusted? Apparently, the main villain (no spoilers, don't worry) assumes those with the control should be The Hand. Remember that "cruelty" from earlier? What if the antagonist felt he was only being cruel to be kind? What if he intended that medicine to be used to bring about world peace, since the playing fields for many conflicts would be leveled? Who can answer whether that would be a good idea? Who should be given that right? Yes, on one level this novel can be read as a simple James-Bond-style adventure yarn, on which level it succeeds perhaps beyond even the author's expectations. But it's even *better* if a reader stops to *think* about what can be done to alleviate suffering. Here. Now. Without the use of some "wonder drug"--without hierarchies or schemes or power differentials. Don't assume the pessimism in this work has to ring true (for in many respects this is *not* a happy book.) Don't assume there is nothing to be done. There is to be done about human suffering what we *choose* to do about it. Right at the end of the novel I had a very hard time finishing it, being empathetic as I am and feeling as I do acutely the sufferings of the world as a fellowbeing to everyone and everything else. Not to mention that I too have felt the same futility as Logan acknowledges, that same pointlessness, especially in the midst of a depressive phase. So be warned, a lot of emotional blows will, like three sharp claws, strike *very* close to the heart. I know I will not forget this novel for some time to come.

This is that perfect storm of a tie-in novel: If you don't know anything about Marvel Comics, you can still follow this entertaining action thriller. If you've been following the comics for years, you'll get a fine Wolverine adventure that has plenty of the trademarks of the best X-Men comics: action, adventure, snide remarks, and social commentary. This has all the best qualities of a good action movie: tons of exotic locales, a hero to root for, a love interest who holds her own with the hero, incredibly nasty villains, and a world-threatening crisis. There's nothing in this book not to like. You should go buy it right now and enjoy the perfection.