Hellverine (comic book)

Hellverine
The cover to Hellverine #1 (2024), art by Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer and Marte Gracia.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
Schedule	Monthly
Format	Limited series
Genre	Superhero
Publication date	May – August 2024
No. of issues	4
Main character(s)	Wolverine, Akihiro
Creative team
Written by	Benjamin Percy
Artist(s)	Julius Ohta
Letterer(s)	Travis Lanham
Colorist(s)	Frank D'Armata
Editor(s)	Drew Baumgartner Mark Basso

Hellverine is a four-issue comic book limited series written by Benjamin Percy and drawn by Julius Ohta, published by Marvel Comics in 2024 and starring Wolverine and his son Akihiro.

The title refers to the name of a demon-possessed Wolverine that previously appeared during the "Ghost Rider/Wolverine: Weapons of Vengeance" crossover.

Publication history

In the summer of 2023, the comic books Wolverine vol. 7 and Ghost Rider vol. 10, both written by Ben Percy, had a crossover named "Ghost Rider/Wolverine: Weapons of Vengeance." This crossover introduced the demon Bagra-ghul who would then go on to possess Wolverine and become the "Hellverine."

In February 2024, it was announced that there would be a Hellverine four-issue mini-series, also to be written by Ben Percy, with art by Julius Ohta. Per Percy: "Readers really responded to the killer concept of Logan with a flaming skull and flaming claws on a flaming motorcycle, which is as heavy metal as it gets." The demon Bagra-ghul returned, but this time it was not possessing Logan, but rather his son, Akihiro.

In August 2024, it was announced that there would be a Hellverine ongoing series spin-off, also written by Ben Percy, with art by Raffaele Ienco, which would launch in December 2024. According to Percy, "People started seeking out that first appearance issue. Marvel Legends rolled out a Hellverine toy. I was asked to do a mini-series. The mini-series sold well enough that I was then asked to do an ongoing. It feels something like a Cosmic Ghost Rider moment in terms of energy, trajectory. So thank you, fans and retailers. This is awesome. Hopefully, Hellverine will be a colorful part of the Marvel canon in the years to come."

Plot synopsis

When the Hellverine reappears, Logan realizes that he needs to track it down and find out who the demon is now possessing, since it's not him. Meanwhile, Project Hellfire has been taken over by General Harms, who tasks them with the creation of a group of Hellish super soldiers called the Destroyers from the bodies of a group of dead soldiers. When the Destroyers awaken, however, they immediately start killing people, until they are confronted and stopped by the Hellverine. As they fight, Logan appears and recognizes the person underneath: his own son Akihiro, who died during "Sabretooth War."

It turns out that the demon Bagra-ghul resurrected Akihiro at his gravesite in the North Pole, having been influenced by Logan's belief in honor and altruism. As the Hellverine, Akihiro and Bagra-ghul go after the Destroyers, while General Harms plots to corrupt the United States Government with the Destroyers connection to Hell. Lieutenant Colonel Leon Townsend, meanwhile, recognizes the Destroyers as his former army mates and decides to investigate. Wolverine, told about the Destroyers by General Harm, manages to find one at their former home and kills them, while Akiriho, still amnesiac, goes after the rest.

Townsend confronts General Harms and asks to be modified along with the rest of his team, while Akihiro searches for them. Harms talks to the US Secretary of Defense about Project Hellfire until they are attacked by the Destroyers and one of them kills her. The Hellverine arrives and manages to stop one of the Destroyers, but he is then shot by General Harms using a holy water bullet. Logan arrives to find his son on the ground and, thinking it will help him, takes the demon Bagra-ghul back into his body, but this leaves Akihiro a desiccated corpse.

Dr Spivey of Project Hellfire modifies Townsend with the same technology as the Destroyers, while Logan returns Bagra-ghul to Akihiro's boy, bringing him back to life and restoring his memories. He tells Logan that he has to see this through. General Harms gets Spivey to bring the Secretary of Defense back to life using the same technology as well, but Akihiro and Logan track her down and kill her before she can do more evil. Townsend gets the rest of the Destroyers to stand down. The Hellverine, Logan, Townsend, and the rest of the Destroyers confront General Harms, who has been corrupted by Mephisto due to his long, bloody history of killing for the US war machine. They destroy Harms and Akihirio decides that Townsend should take over Project Hellfire, since he understands how dangerous it is. Akihiro and Logan then leave, while Akihiro telling him he'll "catch him down the road."

Collected editions

The mini-series will be collected into a trade paperback:

• Hellverine: Resurrection (112 pages, January 2025, ISBN 9781302959982)

Reception

AIPT.com gave the first issue an 8.5 out of 10 and stated, "The biggest selling point is the blend of action and horror. This issue does not skimp on gore or adult themes while offering a cool yet haunting flaming Wolverine. Given how hard Percy and Co have gone with grotesque visuals, you know this series won’t disappoint. The blend of action and horror is quite good." They gave the second issue a 9.5 out of 10 and said, "Hellverine melds superheroes and horror perfectly with grisly sights and delightful monstrous creations." They gave the third issue an 8.5 out of ten and said it was a "another shockingly good horror fest."

ComicBook.com stated, "It’s still goofy in how the story addresses occult-based government cover-up, cannibalistic aristocracies, twisted priests and undead soldiers infused with Hell-based energy (the DOOM franchise would like a word…) with complete seriousness. But artist Julius Ohta has an absolute blast bringing it all to life in his artwork. The biggest beneficiaries are Hellverine himself and the aforementioned undead soldiers, who look like the answer to the question, 'What if Jigsaw designed a team of Cenobites?'"

Comic-Watch.com gave the second issue a 7.9 out of 10 and stated, "Hellverine is much more than an excuse to bring back a flaming Wolverine. The first issue introduced a multi-layered plot that gave Logan multiple reasons to be involved. Hellverine #2 elevates the series by connecting the plot emotionally to the various characters involved, especially Logan. The result is an even more engrossing story–one that still features a flaming Wolverine." They gave the third issue an 8.1 out of 10 and stated, "Hellverine's visual intensity remains the series' key selling point. But the narrative impresses more and more with each issue."