Wolverine Exchanges Iconic Power for New Golden Claws

Recent developments in the X-Men universe have introduced a troubling twist for Wolverine. In Volume 8 of his series, a new menace emerges, one that threatens to undermine one of Logan’s most trusted powers. Marvel is delving into a storyline that challenges the very essence of a character who has long been a fan favorite.

Wolverine’s Adamantine Claws and the Loss of Telepathic Resistance

The Enigmatic Adamantine Metal Seeks to ‘Purify’ Wolverine’s Claws

Constrictor and Lady Deathstrike attack Wolverine

In the fifth issue of “Wolverine,”crafted by Saladin Ahmed and illustrated by Martín Cóccolo, an ancient and mythical metal known as Adamantine begins to take control of Wolverine’s abilities. This substance, a golden metal reputed to have inspired the creation of adamantium, was first awakened during a confrontation with Cypher in issue #1. Now, it is on a mission to purge adamantium from those it inhabits, believing it to be a false manifestation. Adamantine hunts down individuals merged with adamantium, exerting complete dominance over them.

Fortunately, Wolverine’s ally, the Wendigo, is currently preventing him from succumbing to this overwhelming influence.

In the broader context of Marvel lore, Adamantine has a rich history. It is known for forging legendary artifacts, such as Hercules’ mace and the gates of the Underworld, both crafted by the divine blacksmith Hephaestus.

Adamantine’s Influence: More Than Just Wolverine

Wolverine’s Notorious Foes Also Under Its Spell

Lady Deathstrike infected with Adamantine

Wolverine’s adversaries—Cypher, Constrictor, and Lady Deathstrike—are already under the sway of Adamantine, their powers amplified by its unbreakable properties. Each of these skilled foes poses a significant threat, capable of easily infecting Wolverine should they get the chance. Thankfully, he is not navigating this perilous terrain alone.

Logan has recently taken a young protégé named Leonard under his wing, who has also been transformed by the curse of the Wendigo. Now a formidable monster, Leonard has the strength to go toe-to-toe with even the Hulk. The latest preview indicates that he leaps to Wolverine’s defense, potentially affording Logan a temporary escape from Adamantine’s control.

As Wolverine grapples with this pressing threat, his son Akihiro is facing his own unique challenge—one that has gifted him with extraordinary powers.

While Wolverine may have previously wielded adamantium claws, this is an unprecedented scenario within the main Marvel continuity. The alternate universe Wolverine known as Captain James Howlett had claws infused with Adamantine from Hercules’ mace, capable of absorbing Cyclops’ optic blasts without the burden of possession.

A Family Affair: New Claws All Around

Akihiro’s Transformation into Hellverine

While Logan is defending against his Adamantine threat, his son Akihiro has embraced a dark transformation of his own. After a fatal encounter with Sabretooth in 2024, Akihiro was resurrected through the powers of a demon called the Bagra-ghul—a fiery entity with an intricate relationship to both Wolverine and Ghost Rider.

This resurrection has morphed Akihiro into Hellverine—an incarnation reminiscent of Ghost Rider, endowed with Hellfire-infused claws. The transformation resurrects him, imbues him with enhanced abilities such as sensing malevolence, yet it also complicates his existence by merging his consciousness with that of a demon. The ongoing “Hellverine”series by Benjamin Percy and Raffaele Ienco traces Akihiro’s quest for redemption and aid from Doctor Strange, drawing a parallel to Wolverine’s struggles.

The Underlying Motivation Behind the Attack on Wolverine’s Claws

A Deeper Connection to Akihiro’s Hellverine Transformation

There is a profound reason behind Wolverine and Akihiro’s simultaneous battles against possession, particularly as it pertains to their claws. Wolverine’s adamantium was forcibly implanted by the Weapon X program, designed to transform him into an ultimate weapon—a process that inflicted severe trauma and stripped him of his humanity. The recurring theme of adversaries exerting control over Wolverine’s willpower has long resonated in his narrative.

The relentless pursuit of Logan by Adamantine highlights his inability to escape the shadow of his traumatic past, while Akihiro’s possession by the Bagra-ghul illustrates the ongoing legacy of Wolverine’s enemies. Tracing back to before his birth, Akihiro has always been pursued due to his lineage, with the Bagra-ghul targeting him because of its tumultuous history with Logan. Both father and son struggle with painful echoes of their past traumas, facing the specter of domination laid by others.

Wolverine’s claws have always been a source of anguish, but the introduction of Adamantine poses an unprecedented threat—one that transcends his telepathic defenses and seeks to commandeer his body and abilities.

Source & Images