Marvel has announced a major change to Wolverine lore coming this May, as the X-Men’s unkillable brawler battles a literal god and potentially learns a huge secret about his origin.
Wolverine’s Next Fight Is “a Century in the Making”
Recently released solicit information for Wolverine #20 (Saladin Ahmed and Martín Cóccolo) promises a seismic clash with major consequences. The story appears to be the latest in the saga of Wolverine’s battle against Adamantine – a sentient, mythological metal that inspired his own adamantium. The issue’s summary reads:
SAVAGE CHAMPION! The shocking events of last issue culminate in a showdown over a century in the making. Who or what are the SAVAGE CHAMPIONS? Sharpen your claws for the fight of WOLVERINE’s life…and a twist that’ll have ramifications for Wolverine books going forward!
In recent comics, Adamantine has awoken from an eons-old slumber and begun possessing all those who are fused with adamantium. The clash has included many of Wolverine’s biggest villains, and will see him tangle with Hercules (who wields an adamantine mace) in issue #19.
However, the biggest threat has been Romulus – an ancient villain who is attempting to achieve godhood by bonding with Adamantine.
Indeed, the reference to “over a century” suggests Romulus will be the heart of the issue’s reveal.
Our Take on Wolverine’s Big New Lore Change
In prior comics, it was revealed that Romulus is behind much of Logan’s backstory. An ancient mutant with animalistic powers, Romulus considers all ‘feral’ mutants his subjects, and had a hand in Weapon X experimenting on Logan. It’s likely that the “Savage Champions” will tie into Romulus’ lore, and may flesh out the shared mutant powers of characters like Wolverine, Sabretooth, Wildchild and more.
This volume of Wolverine began by teasing the return of Logan’s mother. While that was revealed to be an illusion, the tease does make it seem likely that this huge reveal will relate in some way to Wolverine’s family and Romulus’ links to it.
As Wolverine tangles with a god of metal and an enemy so old he founded Rome, it’s clear that Marvel has huge plans for the character going forward. Wolverine‘s understanding of his past, his family and perhaps even his powers is about to change forever.
Wolverine #20 is coming May 13 from Marvel Comics.
- Created By
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Roy Thomas, Len Wein, John Romita Sr.
- First Appearance
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The Incredible Hulk (2023)
- Alias
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James “Logan” Howlett
- Alliance
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X-Men, Avengers, Canadian Army, OSS/CIA, Avengers Unity Squad, Alpha Flight, New Avengers, New Fantastic Four, Savage Avengers, Weapon X, X-Force
- Race
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Human-Mutant