Wolverine: First Class, Vol. 3: Wolverine-by-night

Wolverine: First Class (Collected Editions)

by Fred Van Lente, Francis Portela (Illustrator), Dave Williams (Illustrator)

Flashing claws versus fists of fury! That's right — Wolverine takes on SHANG-CHI, MASTER OF KUNG-FU! Then, though a lycanthrope's bite has turned Wolverine into a true raging beast of the night, he may have at last found peace in his werewolf pack. But when he learns that the focus of the pack's vengeance is Kitty Pryde's father, only Jack Russell, the Werewolf-by-Night, may be able to stop him in time! Plus, CYCLOPS returns to the X-Men! Will Kitty Pryde continue her training with him, or with Wolverine? Scott Summers and Logan duke it out over the right to be her mentor! Collects First Class #9-12.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, X Men, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Comic Book

96 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2009

About the author

Fred Van Lente is the New York Times-bestselling author of comics as varied as Archer & Armstrong (Harvey Award nominee, Best Series), Taskmaster, MODOK's 11, Amazing Spider-Man, Conan the Avenger, Weird Detective, and Cowboys & Aliens (upon which the 2011 movie was based), as well as the novels Ten Dead Comedians and The Con Artist.

Van Lente also specializes in entertaining readers with offbeat histories with the help of his incredibly talented artists. He has written the multiple-award winning Action Philosophers!, The Comic Book History of Comics, Action Presidents! (all drawn by Ryan Dunlavey), and The Comic Book Story of Basketball with Joe Cooper (Ten Speed September 2020).

He lives in Brooklyn with his wife Crystal Skillman, and some mostly ungrateful cats.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this series is now officially running on fumes for me. It begins with yet another Wolverine vs. archenemy Sabretooth showdown before moving into a two-chapter story involving . . . werewolves (?!). The only thing I'll really remember about that particular adventure was Kitty Pryde's deplorable treatment of a vintage '65 Ford Mustang during the climax. The story - and the car - deserved better.

Things belatedly - though too little, too late - get better with the finale, in which the teaching and leadership styles of Wolverine and Cyclops (finally making an appearance in this limited series) are contrasted during a battle of / an escape from a terrifying monster on an otherwise-deserted island.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two things I should mention first that I didn't mention in prior reviews of this series. One is that this series is set early in X-Men continuity, right after Kitty Pryde joined the team, and these stories are mostly Kitty Pryde and Wolverine team-ups in some form. The second thing is the art is really good in this series, at least when you consider it's aimed at younger readers.

Now, for this volume specifically. We had another Sabretooth skirmish, and this issue guest starred Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu. Unfortunately we never get to see Shang-Chi and Sabretooth tangle, but still a decent issue. Then we get a bit of a horror two-parter guest starring Werewolf-By-Night which was decent. Then we end up with a Cyclops appearance in a story that's a bit of an homage to H.P. Lovecraft. Another good volume in the series.

[Max Ostrovsky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I seriously want some recognition and a parade for getting this far into the series.

[Gavin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm guessing the First Class series is geared towards younger/teen readers. The first story has Logan learning from a martial arts master so he can defeat Sabretooth, but other than that, the rest of the stories are faily blasé. Artwork is solid but without a story, it's just pretty pictures. Maybe a good intro to Wolverine for kids? I'm only partially joking...I don't think I needed to read Vol 1-2 of Wolverine First Class before reading this, and I don't think I'll rush to read any more of them yet. Non essential.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far my favorite volume so far. Kitty showed so much maturity and depth of character, not just in her interactions with Wolverine but in her interactions with Professor Xavier and Cyclops. She treated everyone with dignity and respect while still being able to tell them the truth without sugarcoating it at all.

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, low-stakes series. I like Wolverine and Kitty as a team. Plus, this was my introduction to Shang-Chi adn the Werewolf-by-Night.

Tune in here for my interview with the author, Fred Van Lente: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/of...

[Nate Deprey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There can be no smoother 1970s comics two step than having a Shan-Chi, Master of kung fu guest spot followed up with a two part Werewolf By Night team up! The werewolf fell in soul mate at first sight with Wolverine plotline is just icing on the cake.

[Βαλάντης Δοξάκιερ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent Stories & Good Illustrations Character Designs Artworks just like the previous 2 graphic novel volumes of Wolverine & Shadowcat!!!!

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fred Van Lente and a host of artists team up for the all-ages adventures of Wolverine and Kitty Pryde. The opening issue sends Wolverine to Shang-Chi, hoping to tame his inner beast before another violent confrontation with Sabretooth. The next arc turns a survival field trip into a werewolf showdown, as classic Marvel monster Werewolf-by-Night turns up to help Kitty Pryde against a pack bent on revenge. The final issue highlights the different teaching methods of Cyclops and Wolverine, as a routine island recon mission turns up an ancient mystical evil. The volume concludes with a bonus Wolverine/Power Pack tale, as the kids prove to be the deciding factor in a confrontation with a trio of robotic Sentinels. Fred Van Lente captures the old-school feel of early Marvel comics with a modern kid friendly style, which helps this collection appeal to all readers. The art chores are all handled decently, featuring expressive action and dynamic character poses. The First Class series continues to shine as a bridge between comic geeks new and old, inviting everyone to sign up for the next class.

[Randy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wolverine is one of my favourite superheroes, so when I was cataloguing this book, I could not resist and started reading it. It is a series of stories, unconnected, that reveal different aspects of wolverine's character. I liked the first story as he learns to defeat some of his inner demons and in doing so defeat Sabretooth. The other stories are just silly, and not as enjoyable.

[The Ghost's Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic! I don't care that this is aimed at more of the younger crowd, Van Lente made this comic over the top and tons of fun. Something more comics could remember. They don't all need to be Civil War.

[Jay Rox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wolverine gets bitt by a warewolf & starts running with the pack. this story is about Wolverine letting out his inner beast in a crowed that encourage is it but he faces a crossroads & has to make the right decision. Very entertaining story with lots of surprises

[Jostalady · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. It has less violence and has elements that appeal to a wider range in age. I really love the Kitty Pryde and Wolverine relationship and here is more of it :)

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good stories and great teamwork from Kitty and Wolverine.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Random werewolf story arc is random.

[K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Random werewolf story arc is random.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The wolverine being bitten by a lyconthrope thing was kind of cool.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

We interviewed co-author Fred Van Lente for Previously on X-Men. Tune in here: http://previously-on-x-men.libsyn.com...

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. So much.