Wolverine’s Tragic Loss Hits Another X-Men Icon Even Harder

The death of Akihiro is hitting one mutant hero even harder than Wolverine.

Wolverine #44 finds the titular hero recovering from the gruesome, self-inflicted wounds he sustained in the previous issue. After an attack carried out by Sabretooth’s army that left Wolverine’s son, Akihiro, among the dead, Logan took it upon himself to tear his own hands and feet from his body in a bid to escape his confinement. Although his teammate Aurora is willing to help put Wolverine back together, she also takes the opportunity to pointedly tell him how little he truly cared for Akihiro, as well as how much she hopes that loss hurts.

Written by VICTOR LAVALLE and BENJAMIN PERCY Art by CORY SMITH Colorist FRANK D’ARMATA Design by TOM MULLER Letterer CORY PETIT Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU and ROMULO FAJARDO JR. Variant Cover Artists SALVADOR LARROCA, GURU-eFX, DECLAN SHALVEY, and STEPHEN SEGOVIA

Sabretooth’s attack on the Arctic stronghold known as Krakoa North came as the latest in a long line of the villain’s annual assaults on Wolverine’s birthday. This time, Sabretooth was joined by a literal army of other versions of himself, all gathered together from different corners of the Multiverse. The first of their victims in this particular attack was Quentin Quire, who was taken out by the version of Sabretooth who is capable of shapeshifting and had taken the form of Wolverine himself.

Jeanne-Marie Beaubier, better known as Aurora, made her Marvel Comics debut in the pages of 1979’s X-Men #120 by writers Chris Claremont and John Byrne, the latter of whom also provided the art for the issue. Like her brother, Jean-Paul, aka Northstar, Aurora was born a mutant in an era where her powers were hardly understood, let alone accepted. Early on in her career, Aurora joined the Canadian super team, Alpha Flight, with whom she served for years on and off.

Aurora’s relationship with Akihiro kicked off in 2021’s X-Factor #7 by writer Leah Williams and artist David Baldeón. Though the two had shared an obvious affection for one another for quite some time, it wasn’t until after a violent encounter with the villainous Morrigan that Akihiro and Auroroa finally displayed their true feelings for each other. Not long after, Akihiro died and was resurrected by The Five, albeit without his memories of the kiss he shared with Aurora.

Wolverine #44 is on sale February 28 from Marvel Comics.

Source: Marvel Comics