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- Weapon X: The Origin(s)
Barry
Windsor-Smith, Marvel Comics Presents #78.
©
and ™ by Marvel Characters, Inc.
Chris Claremont had his own plans for Wolverine's origin
that Barry Windsor-Smith's ‘Experiment X' saga infringed upon.
As Barry Windsor-Smith relates, "… he was upset that I
had encroached on his territory. Chris had a specific person
whom he was going to, in the far-flung future, have tell the
story of how Logan
became Wolverine,
and this person did it to him." As a result, Barry Windsor-Smith
notes, "We never quite see who the main mover is in this
series. There is another force at work. He's never seen, you
never hear him. I never explain who he is. There are clues as
to who it might be."[1]
X-Men
Declassified (Oct 2000)
Writer:
Karl Bollers; Penciler: Pascual Ferry; Inker: Andy Owens &
Rick Ketcham
In a federal database based on information from the sentinel
Bastion, Kitty Pryde learns that master mutant manipulator Apocalypse
was behind Experiment X. This, however, is considered to be
erroneous, planted by the mutant-hater Bastion.
Marvel
Comics Presents #61 (1990) – “On the Road, Part 8: Instant Karma”
Writer:
Michael Higgens; Penciler: Dave Ross; Inker Dan Day
Doctor Ronald Rankin, father of Calvin Rankin (the mutant
Mimic), seems to imply that he was involved in Experiment X
when he comments to Logan, “I see, Wolverine, that at least
some of my efforts paid off.”
Wolverine
#50 (Jan 1991) – “Dreams of Gore: Phase 3”
Writer:
Larry Hama; Penciler: Marc Silvestri; Inker: Dan Green with
Hilary Barta and Tom Palmer
Logan
states that files from the NSA revealed that the United States
Department of Agriculture, Pest Control Section was set up “20
years ago” as a front for a dirty tricks project, known as Project
X. The CIA
ran it in Canada
through a dummy
group with funding from the Pest Control Section. Professor
Xavier later learns from the reams of data supplied by the NSA
that the purpose of the Weapon X Program was to create a pool
of super-soldiers, involving Wolverine, Sabretooth, Mastodon,
Silver Fox, plus three other agents.
Wolverine: Origins #1 (Jun 2006) – “Born in Blood, Part One”
Writer: Daniel Way; Artist Steve Dillon
It is strongly suggested that the Secretary of State of the United States, a black woman very similar to Condoleezza Rice is part of the Weapon X conspiracy.
New
X-Men #129 (Sep 2002) – “Fantomax”
Writer:
Grant Morrison; Artist: Igor Kordey
The mutant criminal Fantomax explains to Charles Xavier
and Jean Grey that Logan
was involved in
Experiment X and dubbed Weapon X, as in Weapon 10. The original
program, a product of the military-industrial complex, dates
back to World War II and involved a thousand experiments on
animals and humans. The program continued as the Weapon Plus
program and eventually created Weapon XIII.
New
X-Men #130 (Oct 2002) – “Weapon Twelve”
Writer:
Grant Morrison; Artist: Igor Kordey
Fantomax further explains Weapon 0 was classified. Weapon
I was a volunteer. “Weapons II through III
were animals…
IV to VI used various ethnic minorities. Then they found the
ideal subjects for the VII
trials onward…
kidnapped mutants, the scum of the earth. Like I said, Weapon
X wasn't a letter, it was a roman numeral. X = ten. Your Mister
Logan? The Wolverine? Only the tenth generation living weapon.
They've gone far beyond that now.” Fantomax is revealed as Weapon
XIII.
New
X-Men #145 (Oct 2003) – “Assault on Weapon Plus, Part 4 of 4:
The Devil”
Writer:
Grant Morrison; Penciler: Chris Bachalo; Inker: Tim Townsend
with Vey & Sowd
Fantomax takes Logan
to the Weapon
Plus facilities where Logan
reads through
the Weapon X database. “…Since the dawn of the mutants, humankind
has searched for ways to match their uncanny powers. The Weapon
Plus Super-Soldier initiative has led the field in human enhancement
technologies. “Displaying a photo of Captain America, the file
continues, “…Weapon I trials still remain the most successful
application of the technology to date, but the quest for the
perfect soldier equipped to win the evolutionary war, goes on…”
Further research yields, “…Use of criminals, psychopaths and
violent mutations in later super-soldier trials yielded some
experimental advances, but no reliable or repeatable procedure…
Attempts to control the aggressive response of subjects using
medications proved unsuccessful and beginning with the Weapon
Ten trials, a radical new behavior modification technique was
devised using false memory implants…” Finally,
Logan
sees a photo of himself with the information, “…Mutant test
subject/'James'/lethal variant genetic anomaly/subject designate:
Weapon ‘X'. First recipient of multiple memory implants…”
Weapon
X #23 (Jul 2004) – “War of the Programs, Part 1: In the Beginning”
Writer:
Frank Tieri; Artist Tom Mandrake
In the closing days of World War II, Nick Fury oversees
the cleanup of a concentration camp liberated by the superhero
group, The Invaders. A civilian by the name of Thornton,
nicknamed the Professor by the troops, is in charge of categorizing
the scientific laboratory. There he discovers the Journal of
Nathan Essex, the master of genetic mutations later known as
Mr. Sinister.
Marvel
Comics #72 (1991) – “Weapon X: Prologue”
Writer/Artist:
Barry Windsor-Smith
As Logan makes plans to go to the Yukon, a mysterious
Professor hires Dr. Abraham Cornelius, an American doctor on
the run from the FBI for illegal medical procedures, and Carol
Hines, a NASA clerk, to help run the “Experiment X” program
in Canada.
Marvel
Comics #73 (1991) – “Weapon X: Chapter One”
Writer/Artist:
Barry Windsor-Smith
On his way to the Yukon,
Logan,
driving his Lotus 7, stops at a rural bar for drinks. On his
way out, Logan
is ambushed by
three agents from Experiment X.
Weapon
X #23 (Jul 2004) – “War of the Programs, Part 1: In the Beginning”
Writer:
Frank Tieri; Artist Tom Mandrake
As the fight continues, the Professor, Dr. Cornelius
and Carol Hines observe from a distance. The Professor claims
that Logan will be the perfect candidate because he is a mutant.
It is clear that much research has been done on Logan as the
Professor has a file with the name, James Howlett, Logan's true
identity. It is further noted that the Professor toiled on previous
Weapon Plus programs and that Weapon X is his chance to finally
run his own program, presumably based on the work of Nathan
Essex. As the Professor returns to the Experiment X facilities,
there is a flare-up between the base guard (Private Malcolm
Colcord later to become the head of the modern Weapon X program)
and Dr. Cornelius' assistant John Sublime (later to become the
head of the modern Weapons Plus program).
Wolverine:
The End #4 (Aug 2004)
Writer:
Paul Jenkins; Artist: Claudio Castellini
One hundred years in the future, John Howlett, the brother of
Logan, claims to have been the initial Weapon X. "They
explained to me that there had been an injustice, that I had
been betrayed. That they were the only ones I could trust. They
referred to me simply as 'X." When I was well enough, they
began the tests and questions: What did I see and feel? How
had I come by these abilities? I accepted it all and I began
to evolve. And then, one day, they asked me one question too
many. And so I left the program." Since John's abilities
include becoming insubstantial, it is easy to understand how
he could leave so easily. But since this is a futuristic tale
and there is no evidence that these events happened, we cannot
rely upon this recollection. If these events did happen, it
would help to explain why James Howlett (Logan) was selected
for Experiment X.
Marvel
Comics #73 (1991) – “Weapon X: Chapter One”
Writer/Artist:
Barry Windsor-Smith
Back at the bar, Logan
puts up a good
fight, but is finally brought down by several doses of thorazine
from a stun gun and a dislocated jaw.
Wolverine
#48 (Nov 1991) – “Dreams of Gore: Phase One”
Writer:
Larry Hama; Penciler: Marc Silvestri; Inker: Dan Green
When Logan
comes across his
Lotus 7 in the Alberta,
Canada
location of Experiment X, he remembers being attacked and knocked
out by three agents from Experiment X.
Wolverine
#76 (Dec 1993) – “Northern Dreams”
Scripter:
Larry Hama; Penciler: Tomm Coker; Inker: Al Milgrom
Logan
has a dream of being a secret agent with a Lotus Seven and a
Colt 1911A1, and being shot by three agents of Experiment X.
Maverick
#1 (Jan 1997) – “The Sword Sung on a Barren Heath
Writer:
Larry Hama; Artist: Wilfred Santiago
John Wraith confirms that the Lotus Seven was Logan's
car.
Barry
Windsor-Smith, Marvel Comics Presents #73.
©
and ™ by Marvel Characters, Inc.
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[1]
Will Murray, “Secrets of Weapon X,"
Comics Scene #18. |
