The original Wolverine may be returning to the Marvel Universe... but he'll arrive just in time for another to die. The approaching return of Logan may mean more to Laura Kinney, aka X-23 than anyone. Not only was she cloned from the hero to begin with, but has since taken up the Wolverine mantle following Logan's death in 2014. Now heading up her own title, All New Wolverine with a young clone-ward of her own, Gabby (aka Honey Badger), the coming events mean that Laura will be returning the Wolverine name.

While we wait for Logan to truly reclaim his role in the Marvel Universe, All New Wolverine is paying homage to Old Man Logan with a new story arc set decades into the future: "Old Woman Logan." The tale begins this week in All New Wolverine #33, launching to Madripoor in the 'not so distant future' where Laura has been chosen as Queen - and Gabby has now taken up the legacy title of Wolverine as an adult.

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However, this isn't just any old alternative future comic story. After an explosive first few pages that see Gabby embracing the attitude (and violence) expected of Wolverine, a rendezvous with Laura changes the tone completely. The New York Chinese food (from way back when they were first a team) flown into Madripoor is the first clue that something is up.

Despite here healing factor, Laura Kinney is dying.

It turns out Laura Kinney develops a degeneration in her genetic code, an unforeseen hiccup from her original cloning process. It doesn't appear that the mistake has been passed on to any other clones, Gabby included, but Laura will succumb in just months. Before she goes, Laura is determined to find one of her other clone sisters (Bellona) and take one last life. One final target whose identity is being kept secret for now.

An "Old Woman Laura" is an interesting choice of storyline for All New Wolverine - not least of all because of the obvious homage to the man who started it all. Things are really coming full circle, as a Wolverine passes on their mantle to their clone and ward, and dies feeling that they have lived their life well. However, it also seems that this might be an alternate future, because the original Wolverine is nowhere to be seen. And there are no hints that he returned or that Laura went back to calling herself X-23.

That's disappointing for fans who aren't into the 'what-if' storytelling, especially when Laura is coming to the end of her Wolverine run. "Old Woman Laura" seems symbolic, more than anything, and while this version of the future is certainly an interesting one, it may not be enough to appease those fans annoyed that she is losing the Wolverine title so soon.

Next: Wolverine Returns, But Replacing X-23 Is Marvel's Mistake

All-New Wolverine #33 is available now from Marvel Comics.