Welcome, X-fans, to another incredible edition of X-Men on Monday at AIPT!
Over here, Jimmy Hudson, there’s an all-new, all-different Ultimate Wolverine – and he may be the deadliest version of Logan we’ve ever seen. This Wolverine is Maker’s ultimate weapon, the Winter Soldier.
As with the rest of Marvel’s revamped Ultimate Universe, the hype has been substandard and readers are left with questions. Fortunately, Ultimate Wolverine writer Chris Condon was able to join the X-Men on Monday ahead of the debut of Ultimate Wolverine #1 on January 15, 2025. While the Maker is still locked up, let’s see what he can share.
Provided by Marvel Comics
AIPT: Welcome to X-Men Monday, Chris! Before we dig into Ultimate Wolverine, since this is an X-Men column, I thought you’d share your first X-Men experience.
Chris Condon: Oh, yeah. My first X-Men X experience was probably watching a 90’s animated show. no! hang on! There was a VHS tape of the original X-Men pilot, “Pryde of the X-Men,” which featured a completely different Earworm title song. I loved that when I was a kid. That might have been my first X-pose into the X-Men. I know, I know…I’ll wrap it up now. But yes, it will probably first be animated works, then trading cards, toys, and eventually comics. I remember being fascinated by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee’s X-Men series when I was 10 or 11 years old. It’s much different than the days of Gold and Blue Teams, and I loved how timeless and flexible these heroes were.
AIPT: To the ultimate Wolverine! X-Fans Andres Galindo, Ben Reilly, and Owen wanted to know how they got the chance to write the next great Ultimate series.
Chris: I was in the right place at the right time. By chance, I received an email from Will Moss, the editor of Ultimate Universe of Books, asking if I’d like to chat on the phone. Knowing Will’s work, I said sure, thinking I might be thrown a bone here and there. It’s probably an embedding issue. Hey, was I wrong? Will asked me if I was interested in Wolverine, specifically Ultimate Wolverine. And of course I jumped at the chance. I am truly honored to have been given this opportunity.
Provided by Marvel Comics
AIPT: That’s amazing. Now, X-Fan Danny said that control, the awareness of that control, and the willingness to break free from it seems to be a major aspect of the Ultimate Universe so far. Given that Wolverine as a character shares many of its themes from the beginning, how do you approach his place in this new world without becoming derivative of other interpretations of the character?
Chris: I think the DNA is the same, but I think being closer to him as the Winter Soldier opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
AIPT: Well, speaking of which, L Ramsden from X Fans and Wolverine 12 wanted to know how they decided to pair Wolverine and the Winter Soldier together. Did something special prompt that decision?
Chris: Yeah, the fact that mutants were already running the Eurasian Republic influenced that decision. It seemed like a no-brainer to me.
AIPT: Another perfect sequel. X-Fan Kenneth Adams wondered what he’d be most excited to explore in the Ultimate Space Eurasian Republic.
Chris: I’m excited to build out what this place is and how it operates. Why are the mutants here, what is life like here, and how do people rebel against the government when it’s made up of Magic, Omega Red, Colossus, etc. ?
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AIPT: X-Fan Russell said part of the fun of the Ultimate Universe is recontextualizing classic Marvel characters in a way that speaks to many of the fears, hopes, and threats of modern times. What core themes do you hope to explore in Ultimate Wolverine? Look to real-world history for inspiration similar to what Deniz Camp does with the Ultimate series. Are you planning to?
Chris: In some ways yes, but in some ways no. Jacob Phillips and I did something very similar with the Enfield Gang Massacre. You study history, you know history, but at the end of the day, this is all fantasy, so you’re making up your own stuff, right? Core themes: about identity and survival.
AIPT: From what we saw in Ultimate Universe: One Year In, it appears that in addition to Colossus, Magic, and Omega Red, Dr. Alonia Prostovich has a lot of power in Ultimate Wolverine’s life. What can you share about this character?
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Chris: She’s like a mirror world version of the Professor who turned poor Logan into Weapon X. She’s stubborn and brash, but she gets away with it because she has the brains to back her up.
AIPT: X-fan James said he’s been watching Ultimate Wolverine encounter new versions of Mystique and Nightcrawler. And we know that Ultimate Gambit and Kitty Pryde will be joining the opposition. (And then there’s the “Omega-level telepath” mentioned in Ultimate Universe: One Year In.) What was it like reinterpreting the classic How do you go about reinventing the ?
Chris: It’s so much fun! I love it. I love getting the chance to put a unique spin on these characters. I hope some of these new interpretations are quite shocking.
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AIPT: In terms of art, everything we’ve seen so far has been breathtaking. What was it like collaborating with artist Alessandro Cappuccio on “Wolverine”?
Chris: It’s a dream. he’s the best I’m really lucky to be able to write for him.
Provided by Marvel Comics
AIPT: Finally, from the outside looking in, a revitalized Ultimate Universe seems to be pushing the best of its creators and resonating with readers. As the newest writer to join the party, why do you think the current system is so conducive to making great comics?
Chris: Will Moss and Marvel are letting us do what we want. It’s that simple. They are not standing over us and telling us to do this or that in a certain way. They let us make our own decisions with these wonderfully unique characters.
AIPT: The best way to create — I’m so glad to hear that. But on that note, Chris, thanks for stopping by Monday for X-Men! X-fans, please remember that Ultimate Wolverine #1 will be released on January 15, 2025.
That’s too far. Well, since it’s Christmas week, here are six exclusive preview pages for you to peruse. This is a gift from us. (Thank you, Marvel!)
Ultimate Wolverine #1
Screenplay: Chris Condon
Artist: Alessandro Capcio
Inker: Alessandro Capcio
Colorist: Brian Valenza
Written by: Cory Petit of VC
Editor: Will Moss
Provided by Marvel Comics
Provided by Marvel Comics
Provided by Marvel Comics
Provided by Marvel Comics
Provided by Marvel Comics
Provided by Marvel Comics
Provided by Marvel Comics
Fuck. Is it already January 15th?
Anyway, next X-MEN Monday is the last issue of 2024, with the results of our reader survey, commentary from Tom Brevoort, director of X, about the winners, and to find out who else is out there. must read. will appear!
Until next time, X fans, have a wonderful holiday!
