wolverine son has returned from the dead, rejoining the Marvel canon as Mephisto's new personal Ghost Rider. Nicknamed “Hellverine”, Akihiro has gained a multitude of new powers thanks to his Spirit of Vengeancein addition to his already fearsome mutant powers. Now, one of Wolverine's most iconic abilities is increasing his power thanks to the mystical power of hell itself.
Hellverina #1 – written by Benjamin Percy, with Raffaele Ienco – is the debut issue of Akihiro's personal journey since his hellish return. Before being brutally mauled to death by Sabertooth, Akihiro's life was largely defined by his hatred for Wolverine.
After his resurrection, Akihiro struggles to understand his new purpose and the incredible appetite for revenge that remains in his soul. The mutant is no longer driven by personal vendettas; When the world is full of sinners far more deserving of revenge than Wolverine, Akihiro has more important things to focus on.
As the “Hellverine,” Wolverine’s son takes on a vital new role in the Marvel Universe
Hellverina #1 – Written by Benjamin Percy; Art by Raffaele Ienco; Color by Bryan Valenza; Lyrics by VC's Travis Lanham; Cover art by Kendrick “Kunkka” Lim
Logan and Akihiro share the same mutant powers. Although most only consider their bony claws to be shared, they each possess a second ferokinetic mutation. In short, they can track other people's pheromones and manipulate them to achieve varying effects. However, Akihiro's heightened senses underwent a supernatural enhancement, allowing the mutant to sense the presence of evil. Akihiro and his family are naturally gifted trackers, but like the Hellverine Akihiro, can see an entirely different world defined by a spiritual nature.
While this ability may be new to Akihiro, it is a standard power that all Ghost Riders possess. Akihiro is entering a new realm with evils significantly greater than he has ever faced before. Compared to the nearly infinite frontiers of Hell and evil that exist unseen by most, mutant affairs and small acts of revenge are mundane matters. Akihiro will not only have to overcome his overwhelming new sense, but he will also need to quickly learn the cost of being bound to Mephisto's service. If Johnny Blaze proved anything, the Devil is always over Ghost Rider's shoulder.
As Hellverine, Akihiro struggles with a new desire for revenge
Akihiro's hellish past sets the path for his future
Fortunately, Akihiro doesn't seem to be as much of a slave to Mephisto as Johnny Blaze or Wolverine. After bonding with Wolverine for the first time, Akihiro's Spirit of Vengeance, Bagra-ghul, changed, moving away from Mephisto's grasp and accepting his new role as a Spirit. Unfortunately, this means that Akihiro has an untamed demon trapped in his soul, and his desire for revenge isn't going away anytime soon. Now that the mutant's senses have been attuned to the immoral and evil, he will have to choose whether to suppress his hellish urges or surrender the fury of Hell to the wicked.
Akihiro has steadily been given a significant redemption arc over the last decade of stories, and now Hellverina gives the character the opportunity to defend himself as a full-fledged hero.
As the series progresses, Akihiro will be taken to the most important and tragic places in his past. First, to the horrific patch of blood-soaked snow at the North Pole, where Akihiro was resurrected, and near his hometown in Japan. Hellverina series promises a dark and spiritual mystery that will test the new Ghost Rider's developing powers and expand on the growing myths surrounding his being. Now, it's just a matter of which soul will desire revenge more, Akihiro or Bagra-ghul.
Overall, this new role for Wolverine's son is most notable for how it marks a turning point for the character. As mentioned, the character's role in Marvel lore has long been defined, naturally, by his relationship with his more famous father. Initially introduced as a villain, Akihiro has steadily received a significant redemption arc over the past decade of stories, and now Hellverina gives the character the opportunity to defend himself as a complete hero. By also making him the latest incarnation of Ghost Rider, Marvel has seemingly gone all-in on Akihiro.
The Hellverine Could Quickly Become Marvel's Most Ferocious Ghost Rider
Wolverine's son leaves his mark
As the Hellverine begins his path toward lethal revenge, he will also have to deal with a new level of mystical threats. No longer facing other mutants, Akihiro is against angels, demons, gods and, soon, Doctor Strange. Possessing a Spirit of Vengeance is a burden and a responsibility. The Spirit does not discern the gravity of someone's sins when their gluttonous desire for revenge increases. Hellverine already struggles to keep his emotions under control, living most of his life consumed by hatred. To maintain his current existence, he will have to prove his heroism by Strange's standards.
This will be a challenge for the character, which in turn is what makes him Hellverina such a promising book because it has already introduced into its pages a strong struggle for its protagonist to overcome. Where exactly the journey will take Akihiro, and by extension the readers, is open to speculation at the start of the title, and that's exactly what makes it a must-read for Marvel Comics fans, especially fans of Wolverine and Ghost Rider, but also anyone who is the publisher's most attractive new saga.
Akihiro was never considered the calm and collected type, promising him to become the fiercest Ghost Rider to ever exist. It is said that a Saint's power is limited only by the host's ability to wield it, but Akihiro has long proven he has the mental and physical strength to handle the spiritual weight of Hell's flames. Armed with powers nearly identical to his father's and now enhanced with a Spirit of Vengeance, Wolverine's son will soon be an unparalleled lethal threat to the sinners and evildoers of the world.
Hellverina #1 is now available from Marvel Comics.