Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Hellverina #1
Akihiro, son of Wolverine, was possessed by a demon that delights in death and gore, and I think that's exactly what he needed. All his life, Akihiro has been driven by his father's anger, but in death he is only seeking peace. Ironically, bonding with Mephisto's pet is proving to be the mutant's best path toward redemption and inner peace.
Hellverina #1 – written by Benjamin Percy, with art by Raffaele Ienco – marks the beginning of Akihiro's journey as the Hellverine. Before bonding with the demon Bagra-ghul, Akihiro was nothing more than a horrific display of twisted limbs and intestines after being torn apart by Sabertooth.
Now, Wolverine's son has come back to life, and while he's obviously not in the best position possible, as a longtime fan of the character, I think this experience could be what Akihiro needs to find peace within himself.
Wolverine's son Akihiro needs to prove to himself – and readers – that he's a hero
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
I want to make it clear that Akihiro is a hero; Although Wolverine's son started out as an antagonist to X-Man, he underwent a lot of character development during the Krakoan Era. After meeting his sisters Laura and Gabby, Akihiro's hatred for his family's legacy lessened. When Krakoa collapsed, Akihiro was on the front lines, doing his best to save the country's refugees. When Akihiro became Hellverine, he used his new powers to free the Destroyers from Project Hellfire. Akihiro, like his father, is a good person who has done many horrible things.
However, his biggest character flaw now is his inability to let go of the past and his struggle to overcome shame. Most
this edition of Hellverine
and narrated by Akihiro, as he explains his past, his fears, and his ongoing thoughts as he enacts lethal revenge. With this, we are not only reminded of where the mutant has been, but how he feels about those moments. Coming face to face with some of the saddest horrors I've read in years, with the opportunity to bring peace to the dead, he admits he feels hopeful about himself and his future.
By becoming Marvel's new “Hellverine”, Wolverine's son has already learned a valuable lesson
Bagra-ghul offers revenge, Akihiro offers peace
Already in the first edition, I began to notice a pattern among the victims that Hellverine avenged. Each monster he placed on the ground killed, enslaved, or tortured multiple people, hiding their bodies where no one could find them. These poor souls remain lost and forgotten. Unfortunately, the dead don't win heroes. Except they have Hellverine now. While Bagra-ghul longs for revenge, Akihiro just wants the victims to find peace. He even takes it upon himself to find and bury all the victims, sending them flowers and a proper send-off.
Akihiro is tormented, wondering if he should exist, but still chooses to suffer alone.
After putting several children to rest, Akihiro reflects again. “They needed my help because they felt restless, painful and tormented,” he states, “maybe I could find a kind of peace… if I asked for help.” Just like Logan and Laura, Akihiro struggles with the idea of feeling weak and inept. He feels that asking for help right now will only burden others. At the beginning of the issue, Akihiro notes that both Wolverine and the Hellfire Project wanted to help him, but he was unable to accept. Akihiro is tormented, wondering if he should exist, but still chooses to suffer alone.
I hope Akihiro truly finds the redemption he seeks at the end of “Wolverine”
The Peace of the Suffering Character
Akihiro is going through Hell and it's only going to get worse from here. But I think that's the point. So far, we know that the series will bring
the diabolical mutant
to significant places of trauma from your past. Akihiro will only find more bodies, more victims and more dark truths. But surprisingly, he is already learning from his mistakes. He's learning that it's okay to need someone's help and hopefully he will learn how to forgive himself. Akihiro is a hero, but when he reflects on his past, all he can remember are his regrets.
Akihiro is on the path to redemption, but it is to find redemption within himself. The last person he needs forgiveness from is himself. I couldn't expect the mutant's bond with
Mephisto’s pet “punishing artist”
it would be what would heal your inner self, but that seems to be the case. So far, I'm impressed with Benjamin Percy's direction of the character and I hope Akihiro's journey brings him the salvation he seeks. The son of Wolverine deserves a new chance in life, where he can see the hero in himself that everyone else already sees.
Hellverina #1 is now available from Marvel Comics.