Wolverine 49 (2003)

Wolverine 49 (2003)

Wolverine out Bruce Willis’ breakout character John McClane in this semi-cloned Christmas Eve story. The only thing missing is the “Yippy ki-yi-yah (explicative deleted).”

While I say this is a re-imagining of a classic action movie, “Better to Give…” is much more. Like Uncanny X-Men 143, the similarities between comic book and movie are laid bare early on and, in this case, Rob Williams makes no apologies. Nor should he.

The juxtaposition of a character with more red ink on his hands than a copier repair man – on a mission of mercy for team mate Kitty Pryde – on the cusp of Christmas in a crowded New York department store is, well…Wolverine says it best.

“I’m the best at what I do.

“But what I do best…

…isn’t shopping.”

Williams swipes from master Wolverine scribe Chris Claremont, but who hasn’t? Plus, the line works perfectly.

If looking for a stocking stuffer for the tougher-to-shop for, this is the one. Even the cover oozes menace.