Ahead of 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*, Marvel has a new Winter Soldier coming in January as confirmed at New York Comic-Con earlier this week.
Marvel’s Ultimate Universe saw a soft reboot in 2023, reworking the alternate universe concept that had been a staple of Ultimate Marvel comics from 2000 until 2015. The dynamic team of Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch kicked off this new era with “Ultimate Invasion,” marking a fresh chapter in the Multiverse saga. Now, readers can enjoy current ongoing titles such as “Ultimate Spider-Man,” “Ultimate Black Panther,” “Ultimate X-Men,” and “The Ultimates.”
Introduction of Ultimate Wolverine
Marvel Comics has announced the introduction of “Ultimate Wolverine,” a story expected to reveal that Wolverine will take over the mantle of the Winter Soldier, effectively replacing Bucky Barnes in the newly reimagined Ultimate Universe. This new iteration was revealed during Marvel’s “Next Big Thing” panel at New York Comic Con.
The creative team behind this series comprises Chris Condon, renowned for his work on “That Texas Blood”, and Alessandro Cappuccio, who has illustrated “Moon Knight.” Their collaboration sets a promising tone for the new storyline. The anticipated release date for “Ultimate Wolverine #1” has been confirmed for January 15, 2025.
“When Wil Moss called me and asked me if I wanted to take on this title, I jumped at the chance and immediately had an idea of what to do with it,” said writer Chris Condon via Marvel.com. “I’m bringing my essence of storytelling from That Texas Blood to the Marvel Universe with Wolverine, looking back at what came before and bringing us something new.”
Nature of the Ultimate Universe
The Ultimate Universe is renowned for its approach to recontextualizing beloved Marvel characters. The narrative presents Wolverine as an unwilling agent of The Maker, the villain orchestrating control over this new universe. His character is intended to reflect a more dangerous and lethal version of the popular mutant.
The Maker’s influence permeates the stories set in the Ultimate Universe, where his council, comprising figures such as Magik, Colossus, and Omega Red, positions Wolverine as their most lethal asset. This alteration challenges traditional perceptions of Wolverine’s character and opens new pathways for storytelling.
The Role and Identity of Ultimate Wolverine
Wolverine will be portrayed as a mind-controlled agent, drawing parallels with Bucky Barnes’ journey as the Winter Soldier. This narrative echo reflects the common theme of manipulation underlying each character’s backstory, emphasizing how external forces can dramatically alter one’s identity.
Speculation surrounds the true identity of Ultimate Wolverine, with hints suggesting that this version may not even be Logan himself. Early implications point toward the possibility of a character existing behind the mask that diverges from the classic Wolverine persona. This mystery adds depth to the storyline, prompting fans to question who—and what—”Ultimate Wolverine” truly represents.
Implications for the Marvel Universe
This shift fosters an opportunity for character evolution within the Ultimate framework, where familiar characters can undergo significant development without disrupting established storylines in the main Marvel continuity. Fans can anticipate how the reimagined Wolverine, now designated as the Winter Soldier, navigates this complex narrative while remaining true to the explosive nature of the character’s history.
As the release date approaches, the potential for a fresh Wolverine saga, intertwined with the familiar legacy of Bucky Barnes, holds promise for longstanding and new audiences alike.
Bucky Barnes in the MCU
James Howlett, better known as Logan or Wolverine, has officially entered the MCU, with Hugh Jackman returning to his iconic role from the Fox-era X-Men films. In Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), Logan teams up with Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) to tackle an existential threat, marking Marvel Studios’ bold entry into R-rated storytelling under Disney’s banner.
While many fans expected Sebastian Stan to appear in Julius Onah’s Captain America: Brave New World due to his deep ties to the Captain America mythos, it appears Bucky Barnes may be sitting this one out—unless, of course, recent rumors turn out to be true.
Still, fans of Stan’s Winter Soldier can look forward to his return in Thunderbolts*, where he’s set to join what Disney calls “the MCU’s least anticipated band of misfits” as they embark on a dangerous mission.
Deadpool & Wolverine was a massive success, crossing the billion-dollar mark and dethroning Joker (2019) and Oppenheimer (2023) as the highest-grossing R-rated film ever. Despite this commercial triumph, a sequel has yet to be greenlit. However, with Phase Five charging ahead towards Brave New World (2025) and the upcoming Thunderbolts*, a follow-up seems inevitable.
How do you feel about Wolverine becoming the new Winter Soldier?
