So far, Ultimate Wolverine has been a slow-burn journey of Logan piecing himself back together, trying to be more than just a weapon. We have seen him battle his inner demons, suit up, and start to take charge again. The Maker is still out there looming, but issue #8 isn’t waiting around. This chapter cranks up the momentum with a brutal mission, major character deaths, and a reimagined Archangel who’s about as far from angelic as you can get.
Ultimate Wolverine #8 is a terrifying new take on Archangel, but it’s also Logan’s power-up episode. The issue kicks off with Logan suiting up, literally and figuratively. The Winter Soldier armor he’s been wearing? It’s time to make it his own. Thanks to Chris Condon’s razor-sharp internal narration, you are right there in Logan’s head as he takes his first real step towards being himself again. But there’s no time to get comfortable. Abigail Brand assembles a mutant rescue team including Beast, Gambit, Black Widow, Red Guardian, and Kitty Pryde, and their mission quickly turns into a bloodbath.
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What they find isn’t just another villain; it’s Archangel, and this version is a visual gut-punch. Think “angel of death” but stripped of all mercy, descending on Wolverine’s squad with a cold, surgical brutality. From the first panel of Logan adjusting to his suit to the horror-movie energy when Archangel shows up, Ultimate Wolverine #8 refuses to let go. The art by Alessandro Cappuccio, with colors by Bryan Valenza, does more than just look good. It feels like you’re being hit. The way Archangel is framed in the shadows, the speed and finality of his kills, it’s haunting.
And you can’t help but notice how Logan, our once mindless berserker, starts to show flashes of control even in the chaos. He’s still got the rage, but it’s focused, sharpened. That’s growth. That’s satisfying to watch.
Gambit steals a few scenes too, and not just by tossing cards. His power set gets a creative stretch here (yes, he’s erasing flesh, still gross, still awesome). But while the action is relentless, it does come at a price: the supporting cast feels more like an ensemble of bodies rather than fleshed-out characters. It’s Wolverine’s show, through and through. And honestly? That’s fine. This is his comeback arc, after all.
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Ultimate Wolverine #8 nails what it sets out to do. It’s a heavy-hitting, character-driven chapter where the action isn’t just there to look cool (though it absolutely does), it’s there to reflect where Logan’s at mentally. Archangel’s debut is pure nightmare fuel, and Cappuccio’s art ensures you feel every bit of it. The only downside? The rest of the team gets pushed into the background emotionally. But given how much this issue advances Logan’s arc, it’s a fair trade-off.
‘Ultimate Wolverine’ #8 Review: The Claw and the Angel
Ultimate Wolverine #8 nails what it sets out to do. It’s a heavy-hitting, character-driven chapter where the action isn’t just there to look cool (though it absolutely does), it’s there to reflect where Logan’s at mentally. Archangel’s debut is pure nightmare fuel, and Cappuccio’s art ensures you feel every bit of it. The only downside? The rest of the team gets pushed into the background emotionally. But given how much this issue advances Logan’s arc, it’s a fair trade-off.
