10 Reasons Ultimate Wolverine Is the Best Current Wolverine Title

It appears to be an exciting period for Wolverine enthusiasts, as the character’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the movie “Deadpool/Wolverine” has rekindled interest in him. For the first time in years, we have multiple Wolverine comics at our disposal, including “Wolverine,” which has been around for decades (with a brief hiatus from 2014 to 2019 when Logan was deceased and his daughter Laura took center stage in “All-New Wolverine” ). We also have team-up books like “Deadpool/Wolverine” and “Spider-Man & Wolverine“, where Wolverine teams up with two of Marvel’s other most popular heroes. There’s also “Ultimate Wolverine“, which tells the story of the Wolverine from Earth-6160, and a new book called “The Savage Wolverine” (the second title with that name). Additionally, he is appearing in “Uncanny X-Men“. This is the most Wolverine content we’ve had since the early 2010s.

Speaking as an avid admirer of Wolverine over many years, the comic I eagerly anticipate each month is Ultimate Wolverine. This series offers a fresh take on the character, blending aspects of Weapon X, the Winter Soldier, and X-Men lore to craft a unique version of Wolverine. The tales in this series utilize familiar concepts to present stories that are significantly distinct from what has been told before. Ultimate Wolverine, penned by Chris Condon, Alessandro Cappuccio, and Alex Lins, has brought a new lease of life every month, making it the top Wolverine comic currently available. Here are ten reasons why it stands out:

1. A fresh take on an iconic character
2. The merging of distinct storylines to create something novel
3. The exploration of untold aspects of Wolverine’s history
4. A blend of action, drama, and intrigue that keeps readers hooked
5. Exceptional artwork that complements the narrative perfectly
6. Characters that are well-developed and engaging
7. A fast-paced plot that never slows down
8. The integration of contemporary themes into the storyline
9. Cliffhangers that leave you eagerly waiting for the next issue
10. An emotional depth that adds layers to the character of Wolverine.

10) The Art

Art plays a crucial role in comics, given their visual nature, and currently, Wolverine boasts an abundance of high-quality art in his titles. David Marquez is illustrating him in “Uncanny X-Men,” Joshua Cassara returns to draw Wolverine in “Deadpool/Wolverine” (with fill-in artist Robert Gill), and Kaare Andrews works on “Spider-Man & Wolverine.” Interestingly, “Wolverine” stands out as the exception. Martin Coccolo’s art can be impressive, but some issues feature pages with a lack of detail that appear rushed. However, this hasn’t been an issue in “Ultimate Wolverine.” The series has garnered attention due to Alessandro Cappuccio’s work, who was previously known for his work on Moon Knight books. His action-oriented style suits Wolverine perfectly, and every issue he draws is visually stunning. Even the issues drawn by Alex Lins — “Ultimate Wolverine” #5 & #6 — are stunning, despite having a distinctly different artistic style. Overall, “Ultimate Wolverine” looks fantastic, which has significantly contributed to making it the best Wolverine comic.

9) An All-New Sabretooth

In contrast to many other characters, Sabretooth holds significant importance in the life of Wolverine. Sabretooth serves as Wolverine’s most formidable adversary, their conflict tracing back over several decades, predating Weapon X and costumes. Sabretooth is renowned for his combats with Wolverine, tales that have been passed down through legend. In the comics “Ultimate Wolverine” #5, readers were taken aback to discover a Sabretooth who was not a ruthless killer, but rather a bartender providing refuge for Artie and Leech, shielding them from mutant hunters of the Eurasian Republic. As time progressed, it was revealed that this Sabretooth had been an ally to Wolverine, working alongside him and the Opposition against the oppressive regime led by Colossus, Magik, and Omega Red. This modernized portrayal of Sabretooth is unique and contrasts greatly with our previous understanding. The future dynamics between this new Sabretooth and Wolverine remain uncertain, but that’s what makes it intriguing.

8) Ultimate Wolverine #4 Does “Weapon X”‘s Best Moment in the Best Way Possible

As a devoted comic book enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on Ultimate Wolverine #4 – it’s hands down the standout issue of this series! What made readers eagerly anticipate this comic was the long-awaited moment when Wolverine would completely shatter his Winter Soldier programming, reminiscent of the iconic “Weapon X” storyline.

Unlike “Weapon X,” which detailed the events step by step, Ultimate Wolverine #4 took a unique approach. It employed caption boxes to narrate the tale and symbolically depicted the struggle between an injured old wolf and a colossal bear. This method of storytelling kept us on the edge of our seats, building up tension as we yearned to witness the battle unfold.

When the climactic scene finally arrived, it was nothing short of breathtaking! While some might argue that showing the entire situation would have made the issue stronger, I believe that replicating “Weapon X” would have been redundant. Instead, this comic offered a fresh take on familiar concepts, something not always seen in Marvel’s comics.

In essence, Ultimate Wolverine #4 delivered a compelling narrative with a creative twist, making it a must-read for any true Marvel fan!

7) Getting to See All-New Version of Wolverine’s Relationships

One delightful aspect of the comic series Ultimate Wolverine lies in witnessing familiar characters in unique scenarios and understanding their altered lives. Since this version of Wolverine is distinct from his previous incarnation, it significantly alters his surroundings, including how his relationships unfold. From the initial issue itself, we see hints of this when he confronts Nightcrawler and Mystique, who are acquainted with him from his past. As the storyline progresses, characters such as Gambit, Black Widow, and Kitty Pryde make their entrance. Their background connections with Wolverine remain a mystery, providing a rich canvas for Chris Condon and subsequent writers to explore, defining how the cherished relationships between Wolverine and other characters from the 616 universe adapt in this new 6160 setting.

6) The Mixture of the Weapon X and the Winter Soldier Programs Changes Both

Some readers are criticizing the comic book series “Ultimate Wolverine” for resembling “Weapon X,” but this criticism falls flat if one has read the entire series. In truth, the storyline could have been successful by simply transferring the Weapon X program from the main Marvel universe. However, since the narrative was set in Russia, a place where mutants were sent following the Maker’s takeover in the main universe, Condon combined elements of Weapon X and the Winter Soldier program. This fusion resulted in adamantium bonding and memory manipulation from Weapon X, along with mind control and hibernation traits from the Winter Soldier. Furthermore, the Eurasian Republic supersoldier program offered Condon an opportunity to create unique adaptations of both these programs, resulting in a distinctive storyline.

5) The Eurasian Republic Is Extremely Interesting

One standout aspect of the revamped Ultimate Universe is its intricate world-construction. The Maker reshaped reality according to his likeness, devising a structure that bolstered his authority while eradicating any potential threats. He introduced the Maker’s Council and transformed the world in the process. This new universe presents a stark contrast to the 616 universe, and one intriguing component is the Eurasian Republic. This nation-state houses mutants (alongside Ni Ho Kuni, which represents Japan), and Ultimate Wolverine delves into its mysteries. The Eurasian Republic is governed by Colossus, Magik, and Omega Red, but their power is challenged by the Opposition. There’s a wealth of material to uncover in this region of the new Ultimate Universe, with Ultimate Wolverine providing glimpses into fresh perspectives on familiar characters. In contrast, contemporary X-Men titles struggle with a lack of innovative concepts, and the Eurasian Republic offers readers an opportunity to rediscover classic personalities in novel ways.

4) A Whole New History of Wolverine

For those well-versed in Wolverine lore, they’re familiar with James Howlett’s story – the frail boy whose life took a dramatic turn when his mutant abilities manifested during an attempted murder by his biological father and what he believed to be his adoptive father. Escaping into the Canadian wilderness with his friend Rose, Wolverine embarked on a series of adventures. He fought in wars, crossed paths with Sabretooth, was captured by Weapon X, and so forth. Yet, there’s much we don’t know about Ultimate Wolverine. Did he visit Madripoor? Was he acquainted with Romulus or even Captain America? What was his experience within the Opposition? Who is this version of Wolverine, and what has shaped his world?

The story of Ultimate Wolverine could offer a fresh take on the character’s history, an intriguing prospect for any Wolverine enthusiast.

3) The Question of the Phoenix

We still have much to discover about the Eurasian Republic, but we’ve managed to glean some significant insights into their population management strategies. For instance, in the character Wolverine, they employed various tactics to maintain him as their assassin, and in ‘Ultimate Wolverine’ #3, a chilling revelation was made – they held Jean Grey captive, with her possessing the Phoenix Force. The Phoenix Force is a crucial aspect of the X-Men lore, and it appears that the monstrous rulers of Earth-6160 now have control over this powerful entity. This development adds a thrilling dimension to the storyline, leaving us eager to find out what happens next. Will Opposition manage to rescue Jean? Will the Eurasians learn to manipulate her power against them? Could Jean be the key to defeating the Maker, or will Colossus, Magik, and Omega Red attempt to harness her power for their own gain? This intriguing plot twist seems destined to become a significant part of the story.

2) A Different Look at the X-Men

I’m quite fond of “Ultimate X-Men”. It offers a unique, horror comic-book twist on the X-Men universe, making it a welcome change from the “From the Ashes” X-Men series. On the other hand, I’m also eager for a more conventional X-Men team, which is what “Ultimate Wolverine” seems to be delivering. In the first issue alone, we were introduced to Nightcrawler and Mystique. Subsequently, Gambit and Kitty Pryde made their appearance in the second issue. The fifth and sixth issues brought Sabretooth, Artie, Leech, and Beast into the mix. “Ultimate Wolverine” offers a fresh take on these familiar characters that is distinct from the X-Men books, yet more akin to what one typically associates with the X-Men. The villainous group, The Opposition, even sports an “X” as their symbol, so it’ll be intriguing to follow their journey in the coming months.

1) Ultimate Wolverine Treads Familiar Ground Without Slavishly Following the Same Trail

Currently, I’m not as fond of the current Wolverine series as I once was. While Saladin Ahmed and Martin Coccolo’s Wolverine had an intriguing premise initially, it seems to have devolved into typical Marvel storytelling. The new ideas are overshadowed by rehashes, suggesting that Ahmed is attempting to emulate the style of Larry Hama from the ’90s. However, he falls short of capturing the poetic ronin essence that Hama brought to Wolverine. In contrast, Ultimate Wolverine is traversing familiar ground but doing so in a more effective manner. The storytelling and character development in Ultimate Wolverine are stronger, which makes it feel less repetitive compared to the current Wolverine series, which can seem stale due to its lack of originality.

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2025-08-03 22:12