He is a warrior and a stranger, even to those who fight by his side. His mystery is a past, even to himself. This description identically describes both Wolverine and his Ultimate Universe counterpart. However, as the opening pages of Ultimate Wolverine #1 reveal, there is much that has changed.
Written by Chris Condon with art by Alessandro Cappuccio, Ultimate Wolverine #1 opens with the titular character on a mission. Who he is going after and why is not immediately obvious. What is clear, however, is that he still retains his healing factor and adamantium claws. He is also undeniably still the best there is at what he does, but what he does isn’t very nice.
The main cover and first seven pages may be viewed below.
(Image Source: Marvel / Alessandro Cappuccio)
The biggest change in Ultimate Wolverine is the name by which our hero is specifically known. Rather than being Logan or Weapon X, he is codenamed Winter Soldier. This is fitting, as he is controlled by the Mutant leaders of the Eurasian Republic, which rules what once was Russia. Beyond that, and a hint that he was once part of the Mutant resistance, nothing has been revealed of this Wolverine. The supporting cast of the book is also a mystery, though a trailer for the first issue confirmed Mystique and Nightcrawler are part of it.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” shared Condon. “Each issue we have planned pushes the ideas that we all have about Wolverine to their limits. Which is everything that an ‘ultimate’ Wolverine should be.” Condon also praised the art team on the book, which includes colorist Bryan Valenza and letterer Cory Petit, as well as Alessandro Cappuccio.
Ultimate Wolverine #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on January 15, 2025.