Welcome, X-Fans, to another uncanny edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT!
Move over, Jimmy Hudson, there’s an all-new, all-different Ultimate Wolverine — and he may be the most lethal version of Logan we’ve ever seen. This Wolverine is the Maker’s ultimate weapon — the Winter Soldier.
As is the case with the rest of Marvel’s revamped Ultimate Universe, hype is off the charts and readers have questions. Fortunately, Ultimate Wolverine writer Chris Condon was able to drop into X-Men Monday ahead of Ultimate Wolverine #1‘s debut on January 15, 2025. Let’s see what he can share while the Maker’s still locked away.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: Welcome to X-Men Monday, Chris! Before we dig into Ultimate Wolverine, as this is an X-Men column, I was wondering if you could share your first X-Men eXperience?
Chris Condon: Oh, geez. My first X-citing X-Men X-perience would probably be watching the animated show back in the ’90s. No! Wait! There was a VHS tape of the original X-Men pilot called Pryde of the X-Men that had a completely different earworm title song. I loved that one when I was a kid. That could’ve been my first X-posure to the X-Men. Okay, okay… I’ll cut that out now. But yes, probably the animated stuff first, then the trading cards, toys, and ultimately, the comics. I remember being fascinated with the Jack Kirby and Stan Lee iteration of the X-Men when I discovered that at 10 or 11. It was worlds apart from the Gold and Blue teams era and I loved how malleable these heroes were across time.
AIPT: Onto Ultimate Wolverine! X-Fans Andres Galindo, Ben Reilly, and Owen wanted to know how the opportunity to write the next great Ultimate series came about.
Chris: I was in the right place at the right time. I happened to get an email from Wil Moss, the editor of the Ultimate Universe of books, and he asked if I wanted to hop on the phone to chat. I knew Wil’s work and said sure, thinking I might get tossed a bone here or there. Maybe a fill-in issue. Boy, was I wrong. Wil asked me if I was interested in Wolverine — specifically Ultimate Wolverine — and I, of course, jumped at the chance. What an honor it’s been to be given this chance.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: Amazing. Now, X-Fan Danny said control, awareness of that control, and a willingness to break free of it seem to be major aspects of the Ultimate Universe so far. Given Wolverine as a character has shared much of that thematic material since inception, how do you approach his place in this new universe without it becoming derivative of other takes on the character?
Chris: I think the DNA is the same, but I think approaching him as our Winter Soldier opens up a whole new universe of possibilities.
AIPT: Well, speaking of — X-Fans L Ramsden and Wolverine12 wanted to know how you decided to combine Wolverine with the Winter Soldier. Did something specific inspire that decision?
Chris: Yeah, the fact that we already had mutants running the Eurasian Republic influenced that decision. It seemed like a no-brainer to me!
AIPT: Another perfect segue. X-Fan Kenneth Adams was wondering what you’re most excited to explore in the Eurasian Republic of the Ultimate Universe.
Chris: I’m excited to build out what this place is and how it operates. Why are mutants here, what is life like here, how do people rebel against a tyrannical government when that government consists of Magik, Omega Red, and Colossus, etc?
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: X-Fan Russell said part of the fun of the Ultimate Universe is recontextualizing classic Marvel characters in ways that speak to a lot of our present-day fears, hopes, threats, and so on. With Ultimate Wolverine, what core themes are you interested in exploring? Will you be drawing on any real-world history for inspiration similar to what Deniz Camp has been doing in his Ultimates series?
Chris: In some ways yes, in others no. Jacob Phillips and I did a very similar thing in The Enfield Gang Massacre. You study the history, you know the history, but in the end, you’re making up your own thing because this is all fantasy, right? Regarding core themes: identity and survival.
AIPT: Based on what we saw in Ultimate Universe: One Year In, in addition to Colossus, Magik, and Omega Red, Dr. Alonya Prostovich seems to be a major force in Ultimate Wolverine’s life. What can you share about this character?
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Chris: She’s sort of a mirror universe version of the Professor who turned poor Logan into Weapon X. She’s headstrong and cocky but she can get away with it because she has the brains to back her up.
AIPT: X-Fan James said we’ve seen that Ultimate Wolverine will encounter new versions of Mystique and Nightcrawler. And we know Ultimate Gambit and Kitty Pryde will be part of the Opposition. (And then there’s an “omega-level telepath” mentioned in Ultimate Universe: One Year In.) What’s it been like reinterpreting classic X-characters and how are you going about their ultimate reinventions?
Chris: It’s very fun! I love it. I love getting a chance to put a unique spin on these characters. I hope some of these new interpretations are quite shocking.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: On the art front, everything we’ve seen so far has been breathtaking. What’s it like collaborating with artist Alessandro Cappuccio on Ultimate Wolverine?
Chris: A dream. He’s the best. I am incredibly fortunate to be able to write for him.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: Finally, from the outside looking in, the revitalized Ultimate Universe seems to be bringing out the best in creators and really resonating with readers. As the latest writer to join the party, what is it about the current setup — in your opinion — that’s so conducive to making great comics?
Chris: Wil Moss and Marvel are letting us do what we want. It’s that simple. They’re not standing over us, dictating that we do this or that a certain way. They’re letting us make unique decisions for these wonderfully unique characters.
AIPT: The best way to create — love to hear that. But on that note, Chris, thanks for stopping by X-Men Monday! Remember, X-Fans, Ultimate Wolverine #1 goes on sale January 15, 2025.
That’s too far off, isn’t it? Well, since it’s Christmas week, here are six eXclusive preview pages for you to pore over — our gift to you! (Thank you, Marvel!)
Ultimate Wolverine #1
Writer: Chris Condon
Artist: Alessandro Cappuccio
Inker: Alessandro Cappuccio
Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Editor: Wil Moss
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Damn. Is it January 15 yet?
Anyway, in the next X-Men Monday, it’s our last edition of 2024, featuring the results of our reader survey, commentary on the winners from Conductor of X Tom Brevoort and — well, you’ll have to read it to see who else makes an appearance!
Until next time, X-Fans, stay exceptional and happy holidays!
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