Marvel has officially unveiled The new Ultimate version of Wolverine. The iconic X-Man character has had a countless number of variants over the years, all ranging from varying weakness and strength. The newly revamped Ultimate Universe is all about delivering audiences recontextualized variants of their favorite heroes. Now it’s Wolverine’s turn, with hints that Wolverine will be reborn as The final version of the winter soldierReplacing Bucky Barnes.
Marvel’s “Next Big Thing” panel at New York City Comic-Con panel officially announces Ultimate Wolverine #1 by Chris Condon (That Texas blood, Venom War: Daredeviland Alessandro Cappuccio (moon night). The panel also unveiled character designs by Capuccio and variant covers by Gleb Melnikov and Steve Skroce, giving audiences a better look at what Wolverine will look like in the Ultimate Universe. In addition, readers will notice that unlike most Wolverine variants and versions, this incarnation wears a muzzle on his face. Condon explained at the panel that, simply put, “It’s because he’s wild,” Providing insight into just how this could be the most violent Wolverine that audiences have ever seen:
“When Will Moss called me and asked me if I wanted to accept the title, I jumped and immediately had an idea what to do with it. I’m bringing my essence of storytelling from that Texas bloodline to the Marvel Universe with Wolverine, looking back at what came before and bringing us something new. You may notice that there is a red star on his costume and you may wonder why. If you look at the mask, there’s a muzzle on it and that’s because he’s wild.”
What the ultimate Wolverine as the Winter Soldier means for Marvel’s Universe
Wolverine returns to its ‘weapon’ status as the manufacturer’s greatest weapon
Along with the reveal of the new design of Ultimate Wolverine, the first details were also offered. Before the character runs their own book with Ultimate Wolverine #1 in January, they will make their debut in Final Universe: One Year In #1, a special one-shot marking the first year of the robust Ultimate Universe that is also promised to “Set the next year of stories.” The next year of planned stories includes the return of the Maker. It’s only fitting that his most valuable weapon (both for his character and Marvel as a publisher) would debut in the same issue.
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It would seem as if Wolverine will not only become instrumental to the Maker and his council, but perhaps directly in it as an agent. Whether he is truly a willing member, or if he has been brainwashed and manipulated remains to be seen, but it seems clear that Wolverine as an idea will go back to its roots as a weapon of violence for the opposition. In Earth-616 canon, the Weapon X program designed Logan to become an instrument of violence for unimaginable forces. Wolverine could be used in the same manner in the Ultimate Universe. In fact, Marvel’s Early details imply that the new Wolverine will be reimagined as “The Winter Soldier” of the Ultimate Universe:
According to the character’s origin as a government weapon, Ultimate Wolverine is an unwilling agent of the Maker, the secret creator of the corrupt universe. Mindwipped and used as an assassin, he’s still the best there is at what he does… even if he’s not in control of who he’s doing it to. In order to maintain control of their end of the Maker’s world, three members of his council – Magik, Colossus and Omega Red – deploy their most lethal asset: the Winter Soldier! But who is the weapon behind the mask?
Our take on the ultimate Wolverine as the Winter Soldier
Who is the new Wolverine?
What’s most fascinating about this variation on Wolverine is that it can’t be Logan. In fact, in all likelihood, this version of Wolverine is not Logan, as “Forgotten Marvels” by Deniz Camp, Juan Frigeri, Federico Blee and VC’s Cory Petit from Free Comic Book Day 2024: Ultimate Universe / Spider-Man #1 Teas that The Logan of this universe may already be dead. Unless there is a revelation that Logan’s death was faked and he will be resurfacing under a new path and identity (not unlike Earth-616’s Bucky Barnes), this Wolverine will be someone completely different.
If Logan recovers in the same way as 616’s bookie debut as the Winter Soldier, it would certainly be an indicator of how he joins the ranks of the Maker’s Council. On the other hand, if it is not Logan, it treats the Wolverine name and thought as a coat in the same way as it is loosely used as such for Laura Kinney. It also maintains a set of Ultimates not necessarily having the same secret identity as their 616 counterparts (ie Ultimate Hawkeye is Charlie Ramsey, not another Clint Barton).
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Alternatively, there is a chance that the new Wolverine could be a Logan clone, as cloning could also be the reason there are some bullseye on the Maker’s Council. There are many theories about who Wolverine could be and how he ties into the Winter Soldier comparisons, but most importantly, it seems clear what goal Marvel wants to achieve with this Wolverine: Bring the Wolverine namesake back to its original status quo while experimenting. When Logan first debuted in comics 50 years ago against the Hulk, he was an assassin. An overt Winter Soldier amalgamation brings Wolverine back to his roots.
The Earth-616 Wolverine has evolved immensely since he debuted 50 years ago as an antagonist fighting the Hulk. He has tempered and calmed the rage within him and, despite his violent tendencies, character development has matured him. For Marvel in its official universe to go back would be a disservice to the evolution of the character, but that’s the beauty of the Ultimate Universe. It brings characters like Wolverine back to their status quo without de-evolving their official iteration. Ultimate Wolverine Being a return to form starting from scratch is exciting news for readers.
Ultimate Wolverine #1 Begins in January 2025.