BNP At Home Recommends: Wolverine: Enemy of the State (2005) #20-31

Writer: Mark Millar / Artist: John Romita Jr. / MARVEL Wolverine: Enemy of the State is a really fun read. I typically finish that sentence with a ‘for comic book fans of all ages’, but I’m not exactly sure I can say that in full confidence. Wolverine, in his natural state, is a crude individual that is no sort of a role model for kids…or adults for that matter. After Hydra gets their hands on the Canadian killing machine, the strides made by Charles Xavier are undone with brainwashing precision and the animal reverts back to his murderous state. Mark Millar is well known for his ability to create a comic book that feel like a blockbuster movie, and he nails the job in this 12-issue run. Broken down into two 6-part halves, John Romita Jr draws his ass off as we see dozens of superheroes grace his pages as targets of Wolverine, or teams assigned to take down “the most dangerous mutant on the planet.” Enemy of the State won’t go down as the smartest Wolverine run, but that’s part of the magic that Millar creates. Instead of trying to beat you over the head with surprises and twists, the plot thickens with each issue like a simmering pot of gravy. Ambushed after trying to help an old friend, Wolverine is kidnapped, brainwashed and unleashed to target some of the most powerful mutants and super powered people on the planet. Little do they know, there are more diabolical plans in the works and Wolverine is the perfect person to carry out both known and unforeseen plans while wre…