In the revamped Ultimate Universe, the character known as “Ultimate Wolverine” joined forces with “Ultimate X-Men,” a team that resembles the horror manga version of X-Men. Fans had been eager for a more conventional X-Men storyline, and it appears that “Ultimate Wolverine” is delivering just that. The traditional X-Men elements became evident in “Ultimate Wolverine” #5, where we witnessed a confrontation between Wolverine and Ultimate Sabretooth, with flashbacks to their shared past. Both characters wore an X emblem on their jackets. In “Ultimate Wolverine” #6, the narrative continues as the Opposition retrieves an unconscious Wolverine and attempts to remove the Winter Soldier programming implanted by the Eurasian Republic, with assistance from One. Notably, One is recognized as Legion in Earth-616, marking the introduction of more traditional X-Men characters starting from “Ultimate Wolverine” #6.
From the first issue, readers have caught glimpses of Ultimate Wolverine’s past as he was tasked to eliminate Nightcrawler and Mystique. Both these individuals had a history with Logan, making it startling to witness him brutally attacking them and their associates. As the story progressed, fans anticipated further revelations about Wolverine’s past, and it became clear that more of his Earth-616 allies were still alive. In Ultimate X-Men #6, even more X-Men are introduced, some of whom were well-known to Wolverine on Earth-616, potentially causing issues in the future.
The Rise of Opposition X
In issue #6 of “Ultimate Wolverine”, we delve deep into Wolverine’s mind where One assisted him in overcoming the Eurasian mental conditioning and his inner demons. Afterward, he found himself on an Opposition base. A full-page spread unveiled a host of X-Men from the 616 universe, including Gambit, Sabretooth, Kitty Pryde, Black Widow, Artie, and Leech. There are several unexpected twists, one of which readers have previously been informed about – it’s none other than Red Guardian, who in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is portrayed by David Harbour. His appearance alongside the Opposition is quite chilling. Earlier installments hinted that Alexei, the character behind the Red Guardian persona, was an agent of the Eurasian Republic. It’ll be intriguing to observe how writer Chris Condon incorporates this into the storyline in future issues. Red Guardian has been a character whose prime years had passed before his MCU debut, and this fresh version could offer readers a unique take on the character that significantly differs from both the MCU and 616 versions. The presence of Beast, Forge, and Abigail Brand also adds an exciting layer to the narrative.
In the universe of 616, Wolverine has longstanding friendships with both Forge and Beast. Forge and Wolverine initially crossed paths during Vietnam; their friendship dates back to that time. Beast and Wolverine served together as X-Men, but following the Krakoa era, Beast exhibited a more villainous side. It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Beast has taken on a darker role, as his character in “The Age of Apocalypse” was also malevolent. There are indications that this version of Beast may explore sinister paths.
Beast often loses moral compass when faced with challenging situations and becomes a pragmatist. This behavior has been observed repeatedly throughout his history.
Abigail Brand, the head of S.W.O.R.D., protects Earth from alien threats in 616. She later became Krakoa’s space agency. Her relationship with Beast began in “Astonishing X-Men,” and she eventually collaborated with Orchis against Krakoa. Despite her human upbringing, Brand was raised in space alongside an alien father and a human mother. It’s intriguing to see Brand working with the opposition, much like Beast and Red Guardian, who could also develop more sinister traits.
Forge has shown signs of darkness as well, having been driven mad while attempting to restore mutants after Scarlet Witch depowered them.
The Opposition Might Have Problems in the Future
In an alternate reality known as Earth-6160, the Creator fashioned a realm where he consistently emerged victorious, establishing a government that maintained its grip on power solely for him. The conflict against the Creator’s troops was first depicted in The Ultimates, and it seems like the Ultimate Wolverine is spearheading an offensive against the Eurasian Republic, the Creator’s mutant allies. However, considering the individuals we’ve been introduced to within the Opposition, there’s a possibility that the Opposition could be another tool the Creator is using to manipulate everyone.
In the Opposition, we find four newly added members who each have a history of traversing morally questionable terrains within Earth-616. Red Guardian appears to be a covert agent with hidden allegiances, while Beast and Forge have shown they can succumb to evil in the most dire circumstances. Abigail Brand has previously betrayed mutants, demonstrating an unfavorable disposition towards them. Even One, from Legion of Earth-6160, is a reformed antagonist. The Opposition may encounter significant challenges down the line given these individuals’ past actions.
Ultimate Wolverine #6 is on sale now.
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2025-06-11 04:12