The X-Men relaunch is coming to an end, bringing with it the Dawn of X--the next age of Marvel's mutant universe. Now fans can rest easy knowing that a brand new Wolverine series will be launching as part of the line-up, giving Logan a job much bigger than just one of the X-Men.
Only days remain until Powers of X #6 brings the relaunch to its end, setting a new status quo for the Mutants of the Marvel Universe. That means the stage is set for Jonathan Hickman's new line-up of X-Men books, and Logan's new mission was finally confirmed as part of Marvel's "Dawn of X" panel at New York Comic Con. Including the series' new writer Benjamin Percy, making the long-awaited leap from Wolverine podcast to his own new series.
The new Wolverine #1 will arrive in February 2020, beginning Logan's new assignment as a protector of the new mutant nation of Krakoa. According to the official Marvel press release, that means defending Krakoa "from the humans who would exploit its extraordinary resources." After the first wave of new X-Men books and teams give assignments to the Marauders, X-Force, and more, it will be Benjamin Percy and Adam Kubert kicking off the next wave with Wolverine #1. Percy's version of the grizzled hero will already be known to listeners of the two Wolverine podcasts for which Percy provided scripts. And lest anyone fear taking Wolverine "into the criminal underworld" is designed to be as controversial as the overall X-Men relaunch, we'll let Percy himself preach his love for Logan:
We all have that character. The one we love more than any other. The one we treasure in books and movies and maybe memorialize with a T-shirt or tattoo. The one we relate to as a cracked-mirror version of ourselves. For me -- as a growly, grumpy, hairy, smelly, muscled, flannel-clad, whiskey-swilling loner who lives in the woods of the frozen north -- it's Logan. And though this might sound corny, it also feels right to say that writing Wolverine is a dream come true, a childhood fantasy realized. No kidding, bub.
The first cover art for Wolverine #1 is a reminder that Adam Kubert is more than a little familiar with the furry fighter, giving longtime fans one more reason to get excited for this new February relaunch. But there is sure to be much speculation over just where Wolverine will fit within the new X-Men hierarchy and power structure. The carefully selected council of Krakoa's leaders have made Cyclops their highest-ranking military leader, and even left Wolverine out of their top captains (understandable).
So with seemingly free rein to seek out threats and 'deal with them,' Fans of Wolverine may have a return to his classic days to look forward to. And of course, explaining how Wolverine gets his adamantium back, judging by the metallic, non-bone claws extending from his claws in Kubert's cover art.
Wolverine #1 will arrive in physical and digital comic shops in February 2020.