In this review of Ultimate Wolverine #7, free from the grasps of the Eurasian Republic, Logan reflects on his past acts as their Winter Soldier.
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE #7
Writer: Chris Condon
Art and Main Cover: ALESSANDRO CAPPUCCIO (A/C)
Variant Covers: FABRIZIO DE TOMMASO, LUCIO PARRILLO
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: July 2, 2025
This review contains spoilers
Chris Condon and Alessandro Cappuccio’s Ultimate Wolverine thus far has been a surprisingly nuanced and atmospheric book. Ultimate Wolverine #7’s deep-dive into the psyche of the brainwashed Wolverine was deeply affecting while also being action packed. This month’s issue is unfortunately more subdued, but there’s still plenty to enjoy. If you like seeing bad guy’s being bad, this book finally delivers on evil Rasputin activity.
Ultimate Wolverine #7 opens after Logan’s deprogramming at the end of last issue. The Ex-Winter soldier contemplates his violent actions as a sleeper agent to Kitty, who reassures that that was never who he really was. Meanwhile, Dr. Provovich is in full cover-up mode trying to find out what happened to her perfect killing machine. Just before she can come up with a plan to retrieve her asset, Omega Red infiltrates her office, killing her assistant, before dragging the doctor to Magik. Illyana is to bring her before the Eurasian council, but before that they enter a portal to Limbo.
Back in the Opposition underground, Kitty explains that One (David Haller) has been keeping the location of their base secure, before the pair bump into Victor Creed. Logan and Creed squabble, Logan partially blaming Victor for himself being mind controlled for as long as he was and for not killing him when he had the chance. Kitty breaks them up.
At the same time, Magik tortures Dr. Provovich for her insubordination and trying to cover up their lost asset. As Provovich is threatened to be drawn-and-quartered by demons, she offers one last shot of wiping out the opposition. Magik acquiesces and frees her…for now. Back at the Opposition, their leader Mikhail Rasputin (black sheep brother to Magik and Colossus) describes their current outlook and how despite their recent losses, the presence of Logan back on the good guys gives them an advantage. Abigail Brand briefs the group on their next mission: infiltrate Snake Island (a mutant internment camp) in pairs in order to stop any upcoming mutant experimentation. Logan is officially given the codename “Wolverine” by his comrades.
Back in the Eurasian council, Dr. Provovich is brought before Colossus by his subordinates, in order to explain her plan to stop the Opposition. To be continued! As the book ends before her plan can be revealed.
Condon spends most of Ultimate Wolverine #7 building up Logan’s interpersonal relationships within the Opposition. It’s interesting to see which mutant characters are currently in Eurasia and contrast them with the re-imagined characters appearing in the rest of the “Ultimate” line. While it’s fun to catch up with these alternate versions of fan favourites like Abigail Brand, and it’s cute to see Condon reference Chris Claremont’s original plans for Kitty and Gambit, it is a lot of gabbing for not a lot of action. The rivalry between Sabretooth and Wolverine feels childish and is brushed off so quickly it might as well have never happened.
Ultimate Wolverine #7 being mostly talking heads does not complement Cappucio’s skills as an atmospheric artist either. The bulk of the book takes place in tunnels and warehouses, which are hard for anyone to make look dynamic. What Cappucio does excel at are the Directorate X segments of the book. Cappucio draws a disturbing yet gorgeous rendition of Limbo. Dr. Prostovich’s torture at the hands of sinewy demons is disgustingly well-rendered and chocked full of terror. Magik has never looked more evil. His Colossus too is as sinister as ever atop his Bronze-Eagled throne.
While I’m less enthused by the plotting in Ultimate Wolverine #7, it’s understandable to give these characters some space to breathe in what has been a pretty action-heavy series. Cappucio hasn’t lost a step, even if the script doesn’t play to his strengths. Condon is still at least giving us a reason to hate the bad guys, as they’re willing to be despicable even to themselves. While not as exciting as what’s come before, the outlook on this title is still looking good, as we supposedly enter the final days of this version of the “Ultimate” universe.
