Ultimate Wolverine Assembles Its Suicide Squad (And There’s an Avenger on the Team)

by

In the latest chapter of Marvel’s expanding Ultimate Universe, a select team composed of X-Men members and an Avenger undertake a perilous journey in ‘Ultimate Wolverine‘. This fresh series has kept fans on their toes with unexpected plots. Initially, Logan found himself serving as the Winter Soldier, a tool for the malevolent Eurasian Republic, led by Magik, Colossus, and Omega Red. Brainwashed, Wolverine was compelled to track down and eliminate his long-standing allies in the Resistance. However, the brainwashing has been successfully broken, restoring Logan to his friends’ side. Now, it’s time to counterattack against the villains, so Marvel assembles Strike Team X for the battle ahead.

In a new development, Marvel unveiled an advance look at issue #8 of Ultimate Wolverine, penned by Chris Condon, Alessandro Cappuccio, Bryan Valenza, and VC’s Cory Petit. The story kicks off on Zmiinyi Island, nestled in the Black Sea, within the southwestern Eurasian Republic. Abigail Brand navigates a vessel carrying Sabretooth, Black Widow, Beast, Gambit, Kitty Pryde, and Wolverine. She alerts them that they’re venturing into hostile lands, a setting where this exceptional team usually excels. Abigail refers to them as Strike Team X, reminiscent of Task Force X, the moniker given to the Suicide Squad in the DC Universe by Amanda Waller. While all are characters typically linked with the X-Men, Black Widow is the only one present who isn’t usually associated with the X-Men team.

Marvel’s Task Force X Is an X-Men Hit Squad

In a sense, the opposition could be likened to the X-Men, albeit without using that name. For instance, there’s an ongoing comic titled “Ultimate X-Men” focusing on the younger mutants. Meanwhile, “Ultimate Wolverine” is where you’ll find popular X-characters like Logan, Kitty, Gambit, and Beast. We’ve also encountered Nightcrawler, Mystique (killed by Wolverine during his tenure as the Winter Soldier), along with Jean Grey, who is being held captive by the Eurasian Republic. This malevolent group has also been responsible for the deaths of Charles Xavier and Magneto. Black Widow was initially one of their weapons, but she managed to break free from their control and now fights alongside them.





It’s logical for Black Widow to side with the opposition due to her Russian background, considering Magik, Colossus, and Omega Red originate from what used to be the Soviet Union. The Ultimate Universe version of the Red Room may still exist, but it’s likely controlled by the Maker’s council members. Similar to Wolverine, Black Widow was manipulated into committing evil deeds, but now she’s free and seeking retribution.

Directorate X within the Eurasian Republic is exploiting mutants as weapons, with Wolverine serving as a prominent demonstration of their work. The mind of the once mentor and founder of the X-Men, Charles Xavier, is now all that remains, and it’s being utilized to keep Jean Grey in an unconscious-like condition. However, tonight, the Resistance aims to take action against their oppressors by liberating imprisoned mutants.

As a dedicated moviegoer, I’d put it like this:

My favorite crew, Strike Team X, moves swiftly and powerfully, with Gambit effortlessly tearing down a fence using his electrifying playing cards. Next, he employs his unique mutant abilities to disarm a series of landmines. This team seems more than capable of handling whatever Directorate X throws their way. But the hint for Ultimate Wolverine #8 suggests an epic confrontation with Ultimate Angel is brewing. Could Angel be another mind-controlled puppet? The truth unfolds later this week.

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/ultimate-wolverine-old-friends-reunion-opposition-problems-marvel/embed/#

Read More

2025-08-04 22:10