Wolverine: Worst Day Ever

by Barry Lyga, Todd Nauck (Artist)

He's Marvel's most popular mutant... and the best there is at what he does Now, for the first time ever, experience the storied saga of everybody's favorite feral X-Man IN HIS OWN WORDS - fully illustrated with archival images from more than 30 years worth of comic-book appearances

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Marvel, Childrens, Superheroes, Science Fiction

200 pages, Hardcover

First published April 22, 2009

About the author

Barry Lyga is a recovering comic book geek. According to Kirkus, he's also a "YA rebel-author." Somehow, the two just don't seem to go together to him.

When he was a kid, everyone told him that comic books were garbage and would rot his brain, but he had the last laugh. Raised on a steady diet of comics, he worked in the comic book industry for ten years, but now writes full-time because, well, wouldn't you?

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl is his first novel. Unsoul'd is his latest. There are a whole bunch in between, featuring everything from the aftermath of child abuse to pre-teens with superpowers to serial killers. He clearly does not know how to stick to one subject.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know this obviously wasn't aimed at my age group - but I just wanted to love it so much! And I didn't.

[Phobean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a surprise to the level of someone leaping out of a giant cake. I thought the cover was funny, particularly the title, but I had no idea just how compelling a little mini-novel this would be. The typical alienation/isolation themes that form the underpinnings of the X-Men exist here, but with an additional icing of wry humor and curiosity. I appreciated protagonist Eric's (a new, teen mutant with unfortunate ability to completely disappear) interest in the mundane details of Logan's life, as well as meeting the uber-popular loner X-Man through a view of his gentler habits and value system. Also, Lyga's writing was such that every time I expected the story to delve into sentimentality and or stereotype (in my opinion, Marvel comics tend towards both), he tugged the balloon and we popped back up. Good work, Lyga. I look forward to reading more of your work.

As for those Power Pack/Wolverine mini-comics that followed the novelette, I wasn't impressed. But I never did connect with Power Pack.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually one of the first books I've read to start my career of reading. So I decided to reread it, and yes, it's that interesting for me. It's about a teenager named Eric who's recently had his mutant power kick in, which literally makes him unnoticeable. With his recent transfer to Xavier's School of Gifted Youngsters, he now has to deal with his new life with the ability he has. One of Eric's quotes are, "When the world is about to end (which is like at least twice a month), school gets canceled," which I find humorous in a silly way. The writing style is like a biography, and the point of view is in first person. I'd recommend this book to those who like superheros and things like comics.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good earlier chapter book. Excellent comics to follow.

[Andrew Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Wolverine story.

[Jahlil Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read it over 30 times, and it never fails to bring a smile to my face. It's not too challenging, it tackles the feeling of invisibility across the world, and I love it.

[Marco · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is very interesting and has a cool format of journal entries, that makes you want to keep reading it, this book has a funny part to it and uses a nice mix of pictures and words, the vocabulary is simple and it is easy to read, this book is not suited for people who like long complex paragraph
in this book, you follow the story of a mutant named eric.

[Patricia - Lady with Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic novels aren’t really my thing and I probably wouldn’t have given this one a second look when I got it in the mail except I have an obsession with all things Marvel and cracked it open because I was curious. I’m glad I did. I laughed, I cried, I love it. The main story is told in diary/blog form from Eric’s point of few. So we’re getting the story through his online posts. Instead of irritating me, like letter and diary form usually does, it really worked here. There are also a couple of comics after the main story with Wolverine and the Power Pack. The entire book is just amusing as all hell and I’m glad I followed my curiosity and read it.

I cried several times reading Eric’s story because I have a thing for the underdog and characters whose situation is seemingly so hopeless and there appears to be no help forthcoming. I know, I’m weird. If you can get me crying over a character, than that is a mark of a great author. Even within just a graphic novel, I can see that Barry Lyga is a great author. I adored I Hunt Killers but it’s good to see his other works have the same quality to them. Wolverine Worst Day Ever was an enjoyable and fun read and I sped through it in an evening. There is a long list of contributing artists and all of the art is fantastic. The book is in full color and utter gorgeous. It you like Marvel or just graphic novels in general, then I’d pick this book up.

[The Loft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine if you really did have adamantium claws, and crazy healing powers? What if you could manipulate the weather like Storm? How does invisibility sound? Pretty cool, right? Now let’s say that your mutation isn’t clear cut invisibility. No, instead it seems that people just do not notice you. You can be standing next to them, but unless you focus so hard that it feels like your eyeball is going come out of its socket, they’re none the wiser to your presence.

This is the dilemma Eric Mattias faces in Barry Lyga’s new book Worst Day Ever. He attends Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Students. Eric thinks his mutant power is pretty lame. Especially, as it makes it difficult for him to make friends, and he can pretty much forget about a date with Dani.

There are a few things that keep Eric from going off the rails alotgether. First, he has his newly created blog. It’s through his blog entries that we get to know him. Second, his drawings. While people may not be able to see him, they can see his artwork. One of Eric’s favorite things to draw is Wolverine.

Eric and Wolverine share an inability to sleep. Often times late at night, Eric will go down to the kitchen and find Wolverine with a sandwich. Both quiet and sad.

Fans of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series are sure to enjoy Worst Day Ever.

[Jeane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book for, I believe, around the age of 8-12. It was a very easy young adult read, and I think that it is defiantly geared towards boys who don't like to read (but I might add I am a girl who likes to read comics and so it's not only for boys). The main character is a mutant teen at Xavier's Institute for High Learning. His mutant power basically makes him un-noticeable by everyone, not invisible or anything, just un-noticeable. I like this premise because I feel like this is something teenagers/pre-teens deal with everyday when they are in the real world--feeling like no one cares enough to even notice they are around. But with a lot of effort he can manage his mutant abilities. He also finds a kinship with Wolverine. The book is written in the form of a blog that the main character types everyday on his computer or phone so it is very casual vernacular and writing style, but like I said it is marketed towards getting the non-readers to read. I will definitely file this book away to maybe bring out to a young reader who is having a hard time reading and likes comics. Added bonus of 3 comics at the end of the book featuring a young super hero team called Power Pack and Wolverine.

[Lani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little annoyed that this book was shrink-wrapped when I bought it since the format isn't very clear. This is NOT a comic book. It's a "blog" written by a new student at Professor X's School that is illustrated by panels from old Xmen comics (I think?). There ARE 3 Power Pack/Wolverine comics (mostly Power Pack with Wolverine cameos) in the back, and they were pretty cute.

Format confusion aside, the book was cute and I think well-done for its audience of middle readers familiar with Diary of a Wimpy Kid style books. Eric is a new student with the questionably "super" power of being unnoticeable. His insiders view of the School and the Xmen is entertaining and his struggles with acceptance are also ideally suited to the audience.

Pretty cute book, but definitely written for younger readers. Fans of the Xmen may enjoy the book, but it seems to mostly be a rehash of other stories just from a different perspective. Still fun, and I also enjoyed the Power Pack comics at the end.

I don't think I will read it again, but I'm holding on to it for my nephew who I think will have fun with it in a couple of years.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit that my knowledge of X-Men and Wolverine does not extend beyond the movies, so my review may not be entirely accurate...
Eric is new to the Xavier School for Gifted Students where mutants go to hone their power and hopefully, someday, become X-Men. Eric's mutant power? No one notices him. No he's not invisible, he's there, all the time, it's just that no one notices that he's there. It is, possibly, the suckiest mutant power EVER. Eric has decided that becoming a loner is his only hope in life, and he takes to shadowing Wolverine to learn from his loner tendencies. This is all recorded on his blog (which is a big no-no at Xavier School) in hilarious entries that are accompanied by equally hilarious pictures. Sabertooth gnawing on a piece of steak - priceless! A mix of comic humor and a woe-is me main character makes this a good choice to share with Wimpy Kid fans. Included are three bonus comic books featuring Wolverine and the Power Pack.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric is a mutant new to the X-Man school, and he's miserable. His mutant power? No one notices him. He's gone from being a moderately popular 13 year old getting ready to go to a regular high school to a ghost in the halls, a kid no one notices. He's lonely and miserable, and starts to blog about his life, including the pictures he draws. He's drawn to Wolverine, the "star" of the X-Men because Wolverine is solitary, and Eric desperately needs to figure out how to survive in his new solitary world. I actually really liked this novel, and would hand it to just about any reluctant boy reader 11 to 14 (and maybe some not reluctant readers too). It isn't a graphic novel, but it has plenty of illustrations and the blog entry format keeps the "chapters" short and the eye reading. The nicest thing? It was easy to follow without knowing squat about the X-Men. The book ends with three short comics about Wolverine. I found the format intriguing.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish goodreads let me use half stars; this should have three and a half stars. Also, most of the "shelves" I put this book on only vaguely fit it. I did finish reading it. It's a Wolverine story told from the POV of a scared 12 year old, so it's not really based on folksong or myth, unless you consider Wolverine folksong or myth and I guess I do, a little. It's more novel with some small pictures than a graphic novel. It's a Middle Grade novel for older elementary or younger middle school students rather than a young adult book.

Eric is a new mutant at Xavier School for Gifted Students. This is a MG novel with graphics and Eric is a kid who disappears, who can’t be seen and according to him "it’s the world’s most useless superpower.” As Wolverine tells him, “We don’t defeat our mutant powers. We don’t conquer them. We learn how to live with them.”

[Caity · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for middle grade readers who are beginning to get interested in graphic novels. The first part of the book is a more traditional narrative though it does have a blog format. This is the blog of Eric one of the newest students at Xaivier's School for Gifted Students. His story is a great mix of new and well known characters. The artwork in the blog is all drawn by Eric and while it does have some violence he makes a point not to feature blood and gore because he doesn't want to gross anyone out making this good for younger readers who don't want to be exposed to as much violence and gore. The second part of the book consists of three short comics featuring Wolverine and the power pack. Overall this is a great book for fans of the X-men particularly those who are not as familiar with graphic novels.

[SilvanShadow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told through a series of blog entries by Eric Mattias--a new student at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Eric is dealing (or not dealing as the case may be) with his new mutant powers: the ability to not be noticed. Eric finds himself entralled with Wolverine and ends up part of Wolverine's annual birthday brawl with Sabretooth. This book also contains a trio of 'Wolverine and Power Pack' stories.

This book was fun . It's part of the Marvel Kids imprint and is meant for younger readers. However the writing is really very good and the story flows well. Eric is a sympathetic character and he gets some real good quips in throughout the story. All in all, it made me smile and, sometimes, that's all you really need a story to do.

[Sherrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is told in blog format (with graphic novel elements) by a young mutant attending school with the X-Men and admiring Wolverine from afar. I'm used to Barry Lyga's novels being (literally) uncomfortably good...they often present the dark side of teens in such a remarkable way that I love the books but it makes me a bit uneasy to read them. This new book by Lyga is totally different from his YA novels, it's much more of a juvenile or tween based book. I didn't really enjoy it, but I will be buying it for my library based on the sheer number of students who picked it up off my desk today and asked to check out my public library copy.

[Britarya · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was such a fun book! Come on, Wolverine plus Barry Lyga= happiness! :)
This short story is about a kid who's power is to not be able to be noticed by anybody. It felt a lot like a video game really; like when the AIs don't acknowledge you unless you complete the objective or some such. Although it seemed kind of sad at first (despite the protagonist's sarcastic humor throughout). I thought it was funny for the most part; it was kind of a mixed feeling. But when he finally gets noticed (by Wolverine of course) its the happiest thing ever! :D I liked this a lot!

[Nicole Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very nice surprise!

The story is told not as a comic but as a blog, and isn't from wolverines pov but rather a new mutant by the name of Eric.

Eric has a unique power that draws him and wolverine closer.

This book is definitely for the younger set but I as a 27 year old, really loved it. Made me laugh and made me feel really sad at times. I'm blaming pms and not loner Eric.

Not really into the power pack extras

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

"So you're cruising along just fine, enjoying your life, looking forward to being a teenager and then - whap! Life smacks you upside the head with a super-power. A sucky super-power, to boot."

Finally, an answer to my question of what happens if you have a lame super-power. While this book is nothing spectacular, kids already obsessed with superheros are sure to enjoy this one.

[Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this because it was on sale. After I noticed it says for ages 8-12. I'm 27. Well, I've decided I'm still going to read it even though I'm not the target audience.

It was okay for what it was. Still the blog format was annoying and and made it seem choppy and the story broken up so it wasn't smooth at all to read.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Barry Lyga's writing. I wish there had been new artwork for this title because repurposing art didn't make sense if some of it was supposed to have been done by the main character. But it's a good introduction to the Marvel Universe for the "Wimpy Kid" set.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun. A never-noticed mutant kid gets to be a Wolverine fanboy up close. The blog style made the story sound more like a kid making it up as he goes along, and framing the action from his own perspective adds a nice touch to a kids' x-men story.

[Ginger Vampyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little story told from the perspective of a new kid at Xaviar's School For Gifted Youngsters. His mutant power? No one notices him, at all. He decides to follow Wolverine around and see what happens.

[Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a boy named Eric who lives at Xavier's School for Gifted Students,(A.K.A where mutants live). Anyway Eric starts to wonder about the place and then one day a little peak in Wolverine's room and that changes his whole life. I would recommend this book to all who like the X- men.

[Braden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It was about a mutant who writes a blog but nobody notices him because his power his just that. Nobody realizes he's there. It was a quick and fun read that I could really enjoy!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I originally suspected but highly amusing just the same.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little book about a student at Xavier's School for Gifted Students.

[Justin Stepney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids love it so far..

[harlequin {Stephanie} · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry. Just not for me. Good for very young children so two stars.