Ultimate Wolverine #6 – Deprogramming the Winter Soldier

Navigate a scrambled mind in Ultimate Wolverine #6 by Chris Condon, Alex Lin, Bryan Valenza & Cory Petit from Marvel Comics

PREVIOUSLY

Beginning with the ‘Ultimate Universe One Year in‘ One-Shot, Chris Condon has taken it upon himself to expand the Earth-6160. Specifically, the Eurasian Republic ruled by the Rasputins aka Magik, Colossus and Red Omega. Through their deployment of the Winter Soldier, we have seen what this country looks like.

More importantly, we have seen how the Rasputins rule the nation and its people. Notably cold, dismissive and oppressive with an iron fist. If there ever was a world with a Soviet Union ruled by ill intended mutants, it would look like this for sure.

THE WINTER SOLDIER

Wolverine is re-imagined in this universe. Just like everyone else. In summary, we have a James Howlet who survived the Weapon X program. But he is a brainwashed Winter Soldier. A killing machine that follows orders blindly. Previously, there’s been crumbs revealing who was. Although with the more information we’re given, the more questions arise.

THE OPPOSITION

Where there’s oppression, there’s always resistance. In fact, the resistance of this oppression has a name and bunch of familiar faces. So far, we’ve seen Gambit, Kitty Pryde, Nightcrawler, Mystique, Gambit, Black Widow and finally Sabretooth. Recently, the Rasputins deployed the Winter Soldier to attack more members of said opposition. During this mission, he encountered one Victor Creed aka Sabretooth. Finally, someone had a heart to heart with the Winter Soldier. Even if he wasn’t all there.

*SPOILERS FOR ISSUE #6*

FROM SOLICITATION:

“Reunion with the opposition? Guest artist Alex Lins (Namor) takes Wolverine on a psychedelic journey through his mind as familiar and unfamiliar faces of the Opposition try to untangle Logan’s Winter Soldier programming!”

ULTIMATE INTERVENTION

Issue #6 is a much-welcomed piece of the puzzle so to speak. After a hard-fought battle, the Opposition took the Winter Soldier with them. At this undisclosed location, they went through the mind of this brainwashed assassin. Hence, we’re taking for a ride in the mind of the empty vessel that is the Wolverine.

The art perfectly illustrates the prison that is his mind. Inherently empty, quiet and lonely. While he was guided through his own mind, we see his mind space is not completely empty.

THE MAKER’S VOICE

When navigating this prison, we see the image of The Maker. The one responsible for the conditions of this world. Yet, a more familiar faces for the Winter Soldier are those of the Rasputins. For they are personally responsible for capturing Logan.

Followed by submitting him through the Weapon X experiment. Finally, they are responsible for brain washing him into this mindless killing machine. Worst part is, they have used him to hunt his own people.

REBOOTING A MIND

Finally, after an incredible journey, the Wolverine regained his mind. It was quite the battle. Even with the help of a very powerful mutant it was quite the task. The Wolverine had to literally fight his way out of his prison mind.

In the end, when he regained consciousness, the Opposition was there. Suited up and ready for a fight. Contrary to their biggest fears, they did not have to fight their friend when he woke up.

HOW ABOUT THE ART?

Without a doubt Alex Lins’ pencils in this issue subverted all expectations created from reading issue #5. If you thought his fight scenes in the previous issue were great, just know he outdid himself on issue #6.  I can’t imagine any other visual depiction of Wolverine’s consciousness after laying my eyes on Lins’s take.

Also, the coloring by Valenza is the constant of this series. Although the main artist change, the series hold that cold aesthetic vibe. Which matches the Eurasian Republic’s geographic location and its dire environment.

OVERALL GRADE 10/10

At first, you are as confused as Wolverine. The voice guiding and even counseling the mindless Winter Soldier speaks in broken English. Everything sounds ominous but in a familiar way. Once it’s revealed who is the voice is and what they are doing to help Wolverine, it all becomes clear.

I appreciated the imagery of the mental battle by Wolverine to escape the prison of his mind and finally regain his true self. Moreover, the message by Chris Condon of friends and comrades helping each other through mental health struggles. Simply put, the Opposition is more than an army of survivors. Instead, is a fraternity of mutants who look out for each other.

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