Wolverine, one of Marvel’s most iconic mutants, is about to undergo a huge transformation as he becomes the Ultimate Universe’s version of the Winter Soldier. At first glance, this change might seem strange, but upon closer inspection, it makes perfect sense—and it’s surprising that it hasn’t happened sooner.
Revealed at New York Comic Con 2024, the Earth-6160 version of Wolverine will take on the role of the Winter Soldier in Ultimate Wolverine, written by Chris Condon and illustrated by Alessandro Cappuccio. This shift marks a stark departure from the Wolverine fans know in the 616 universe, where he is an established hero and key member of the X-Men. However, in this twisted Ultimate Universe, manipulated by the villainous Maker, things are much darker for Wolverine.
While it’s possible that in any other circumstance, Wolverine might have eventually risen as a hero, the Maker’s interference ensures that the mutant’s future is now grim and far from heroic. It’s a fascinating twist that ties into Wolverine’s complex backstory, and it makes complete sense that he would take on this darker role as the Ultimate Winter Soldier.
Wolverine’s Dark Transformation: Becoming the Ultimate Winter Soldier in Marvel’s New Universe!
Marvel’s upcoming Ultimate Wolverine #1 by Chris Condon and Alessandro Cappuccio is set to introduce a chilling new version of Wolverine, one that takes him down a dark and twisted path as the Ultimate Universe’s Winter Soldier. In this reimagined world, Wolverine isn’t the heroic X-Men member fans know and love; instead, he is one of the Maker’s deadliest weapons, created specifically to eliminate anyone who dares challenge his rule over the universe.
This concept draws surprising parallels between Wolverine and the original Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes, making this new iteration of Wolverine seem like a natural evolution. The two characters’ backstories share striking similarities, especially when it comes to being molded into weapons of destruction.
In the 616 universe, Bucky Barnes was the loyal sidekick to Captain America during World War II. After a deadly encounter, he was presumed dead but ultimately survived, only to be captured by Russia. Brainwashed and turned into the Winter Soldier, Bucky became a highly skilled assassin, even taking the life of Wolverine’s wife along the way. His history is dark, and now, Wolverine will experience something eerily similar.
In his earlier years, Logan was a part of several covert operations, including Team X. However, his decision to leave the team in 1968 led to his capture by the Weapon X program, where he was subjected to brutal brainwashing and manipulation. The goal was to strip away Wolverine’s humanity, turning him into a mindless weapon—an idea that came dangerously close to succeeding. Now, this new Wolverine will embody the Winter Soldier’s tormenting history, making his transformation into this dark version even more compelling.
Marvel’s Ultimate Twist: Why Merging Wolverine and the Winter Soldier is Genius
Marvel’s decision to merge the stories of Wolverine and the Winter Soldier in the new Ultimate Universe is nothing short of brilliant. In this alternate reality (Earth-6160), the Winter Soldier as fans know him, Bucky Barnes, no longer exists—he’s already been killed. This opens the door for Wolverine to take on the mantle of the Winter Soldier in a way that makes perfect sense within the twisted world shaped by the Maker.
The Maker’s ultimate goal was to create a weapon capable of regenerating, and Wolverine, with his mutant healing factor, is the ideal candidate for this role. Unlike the original Winter Soldier, who relied on a cybernetic arm, Wolverine’s regenerative abilities make him a far more formidable assassin. As a result, Wolverine becomes an unstoppable force in the Ultimate Universe, and it’s unclear how the Ultimates can ever hope to stop him.
In the original Earth-616 universe, Wolverine is a skilled fighter known for his long lifespan and determination to remain human despite his animalistic nature. However, in this alternate reality, those restraints are gone. The Maker’s brainwashing has stripped Wolverine of his moral compass, turning him into a ruthless tool whose sole purpose is to kill anyone standing in the way of his creator’s plans. This new, darker take on Wolverine offers a fascinating glimpse into what could have happened if he had never escaped the horrors of the Weapon X program.
Wolverine Becomes 6160’s Ultimate Assassin in His Dark New Winter Soldier Role
Wolverine has always been known as a hero, but in the new Ultimate Universe (6160), he never gets the chance to embrace that role. Instead, he’s transformed into a mindless weapon of the Maker, stripped of his humanity and turned into a savage killer who serves only to eliminate the Maker’s enemies. It’s a chilling twist, but one that makes perfect sense considering the similarities between Wolverine’s and the Winter Soldier’s backstories. The idea of merging these two iconic characters is both simple and brilliant—so it’s surprising it didn’t happen sooner.
The adventure begins in Ultimate Wolverine #1, coming January 15th, 2025, from Marvel Comics!
For me is the best I like Wolverine my favorite character