After a week of shocking Marvel news e.g. a female Thor and a new African-American Captain America, this one will perhaps take the cake.
Two months ago, there were rumours that Marvel’s seminal X-Men character, Wolverine aka Logan, who was first introduced in November 1974, will be killed off. As you all may already know, Logan is a mutant who possesses animal-like sense and reflexes, extraordinary regenerative capabilities, a set of claws and skeleton laced with adamantium (an indestructible metal). Oh, yes, a nasty temper too.
The rumour about Wolverine’s death started because Marvel Comics writer Charles Soule has dropped hints in interviews and at comic convention panels that, “Yes, he is really dying” and Marvel has even talked about follow-up that will hit after.
Wolverine. Dying. Sad but true. And as much as that comes as a shock to us, we can’t help but wonder, how..exactly? And when?
Wolverine will be killed off in an upcoming 4-part Marvel limited series. Appropriately titled, “Death of Wolverine”, it will centre around a story purporting to kill off one of the publisher’s most popular and prominent characters. The story will start on 3rd September and will end in the same month. The series will be written by head writer Charles Soule (of course) and drawn by Steve McNiven.
According to Marvel executive editor Michael (Mike) Marts:
For a long time, no matter who Wolverine was battling, he’s been the eternal victor. He almost always comes out on top. Now he finally comes up against an adversary that he cannot win against, he cannot fight. What does that mean for this character who’s been around for hundred years?
This site, on the other hand, believes that “The Death of Wolverine” is a marketing ploy and a calculated decision to sell more books as there’s a high chance that Marvel would just resurrect him later ala “The Resurrection of Wolverine”.
But this other site debunked that and confirmed that fans will get a chance to see how Wolverine’s absence affects those around him in a 7-part follow-up series titled, “Death of Wolverine: The Logan Legacy”. Charles Soule will lead a talented array of writers and artists to delve into the hole left in the lives by some of the people who know him best – even if most of them are his enemies.
Hence, in “The Logan Legacy”, we will see how Sabretooth, Mystique, Lady Deathstrike, Daken X-23 are affected by Wolverine’s death and what they do in response to finding out.
Oh, so no resurrection then? Will this affect the film series e.g. “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009) and “The Wolverine” (2013)? What do you guys think? Sound off in the comments!
Meanwhile, here’s a preview of what’s to come in “The Death of Wolverine”:
And also, a sneak peek at this other Marvel awesomeness – “Avengers: Age of Ultron“. Because, how can we forget?