This is Prime Wolverine!
Review: Wolverine: Paradise #1
Copyright 20261021 by Dirk Hooper
Whoo-wee! We have an instant classic with Dan Panosian’s Wolverine: Paradise, and you should jump on board right now.
A few weeks ago, I was on Dash Hooper’s “The Real Creator’s Corner” podcast, and he asked who my favorite comic character was. My answer was Wolverine, but not the blue and yellow clad member of X-Men. No, what I love is when he’s running solo, riding his hog, wearing jeans, a tank top, and boots, and righting wrongs in remote locations. We don’t get Wolverine like that very often, but it’s prime Wolverine, and we’re getting it with Wolverine: Paradise.
Issue #1 begins with Wolverine leaving the X-Men and declaring that he’s no longer going to be a hero. He’s on route to Miami to get away from things. Just as you’d expect from a Wolverine story, it’s not too long before he meets some street thugs and gives them the soft touch (because he’s not playing the hero) and then meets Dazzler. Of course, because Dazzler has a problem she can’t solve on her own and Logan can’t sleep, he’s soon dragged into a much bigger scheme.
Before I go any further, let’s talk about Dan Panosian. He originally worked for Marvel Comics and fled to Image at the origin of that company. His work was a pale imitation of the big stars there, but he was young, and he was hungry, and unlike many artists, he evolved over the years to become what he is today, one of the best storytellers currently working.
Over the past decade, his sequential art has become exceptional. His characters are different and full of life. His backgrounds are detailed and has interesting people walking around. His figure construction is excellent. And his line work is gritty and interesting. If you want to learn how to tell a story and do it with style, start with Panosian.
But here’s something you might not know; Panosian has become a solid writer too. He understands how to set up and tell a fascinating tale. He also brings a toughness to a story that is sorely lacking in comics today. His work owes more to the pulp fiction of the 40s and 50s than whatever most mainstream comics give us. It’s refreshing.
This story is Wolverine operating as vigilante justice, like Jack Reacher with adamantium claws, and I love it! I appreciate getting the 70s look on Dazzler, which is respectful of the character and instantly obviates all the other silly reimaginings we’ve had in the last 40 years. There is a bad guy we all know in this issue, and it looks like some more appearances coming in later issues.
Panosian is not just writing and illustrating this comic, he’s doing the coloring chores, the cover and even the damn logo. This is a Dan Panosian joint and it’s amazing!
We’re getting prime Wolverine here, doing what he does best, with top quality art, a great story, and some much-appreciated macho swagger that speaks directly to this Wolverine fan. This is a thrill for me and will be for anyone else who likes a good loner Wolverine tale told by a comic creator at the height of his considerable powers.
Wolverine: Paradise (October 14, 2026) #1 is available now at your local comic book store, and as an e-comic in all the usual places from Marvel Comics.
Dirk Hooper
Dirk Hooper is a professional writer who has authored two novels under a pen name, done work for many high-profile online magazines, written several comics, a short film screenplay, and has won the Top Writer Award at Quora 3 times, a Moore Award for copywriting in 2017, and nominated for Best Erotic Writer in 2025.