Welcome, X-Fans, to another uncanny edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT!
Our friend Logan… there’s still so much we don’t know about his long, long, oh-so-long life. But soon, we’re going to learn a lot more about what Marvel’s referring to as “one of the darkest chapters of Wolverine’s history” in the pages of Wolverine: Origin III – The Dark Age. Kicking off on December 16, 2026, this isn’t your everyday Wolverine limited series—it reunites Logan with the writer who revealed his origin: Paul Jenkins!
Fortunately for you, X-Fans, Paul was willing to make his X-Men Monday debut to shed new light on his follow-up to Origin, his feelings about that iconic story 25 years later, collaborating with artist and cover artist CAFU and Wesley Burt, respectively, and much more. Let’s see what he has to say.
AIPT: Welcome to X-Men Monday, Paul! Before we dig intoWolverine: Origin III – The Dark Age, I’d like to go back toOrigin. In comics, a character’s background can be malleable—never immune to big or small changes. Yet, 25 years later, what you, Andy Kubert, and your collaborators created is still in place. How do you feel aboutOriginwhen you reflect on it all these years later?
Paul Jenkins: That’s a complicated question in some ways. Working with Andy Kubert and Richard Isanove was an amazing experience. The book looked unlike any other when it first arrived on shelves. And the entire event was pretty overwhelming at times. Some people argued Wolverine’s origin should never be told, while others were really receptive to the work. In the end, I am proud that we told the story I wanted to tell. We made it less about mutant powers and more about why Logan became the person he is today.
However, I don’t think any creator worth their salt is content with anything they make. We are never finished, as the saying goes; we are only willing to abandon it when we finally publish the work. I wish it had been eight issues, as the last three got a little dense.
The thing I am most proud of? The solution to Logan’s memory loss; that he underwent a traumatic event and his healing factor kicked in on his mind. That was a cool solution.
AIPT: You just alluded to this, but X-Fan Ethan says the choice to reveal Logan’s origin in the firstOriginwas very controversial among fans 25 years ago—and still is today—so, why have you decided to continue this story?
Paul: I have had this story—or a version of it—in place for the last 25 years. This is a story I always wanted to tell, and it would have been my “sequel,” I suppose. I’m hopeful people will see it for what it is: A further exploration of Wolverine’s psychology. However, there are a few differences this time. Let’s just say I think readers will be pleased with the twists and turns of the story.
It’s most important that a story like this be foundational, and not additive. The firstOriginwas foundational because even though it showed where Logan came from, it was largely about a child discovering the world as a violent and difficult place. I believe our new story is equally foundational. It sets up the person and situations that lead to the events of Weapon X, and it will examine the difficult things Logan endures to be primed for that later ordeal.
AIPT: Let’s go further. For those who are learning about Wolverine: Origin III – The Dark Age for the first time, what else can they expect to find in the pages of this limited series?
Paul: It’s set against an interesting backdrop of the 1950s, where there was a burgeoning civil rights movement; where there were new beginnings for the world, yet years-old scars from the horror of World War II; where McCarthyism and anti-communist fervor swept America. We will come upon a version of Logan that we haven’t seen before: one who may have found his place in the world. And we’re going to show how this guy—who might have stayed happy and content—gets pulled into a situation that he cannot escape from. I will say, I think readers are going to hate the main antagonist of this story… but I don’t want to give too much away.
AIPT: X-Fan Anderson says you did an exceptional job with Sentry, Hulk, and most recently Captain Marvel—exploring the psychology of these characters has become your strong point. Do you intend to add something more, like gore, in this approach to Wolverine, where we would have a story with elements that made you stand out in comics, but also something very violent, more visceral? What can you share?
Paul: I’d say, yes, it’s going to be quite a lot more troubling. More visceral images, more gore… it’s not a secret for us right now that Logan is going to undergo probably the worst ordeal of his entire life during this series. My work tends to center around the “why,” or the psychology of it all. That will remain… but the visual imagery and the sheer violence of this book will (hopefully) be quite memorable.
AIPT: Let’s talk about that title. Why “The Dark Age,” Paul? Based on what Marvel’s shared so far—with mentions of “tranquility” and “newfound happiness”—things don’t sound so bad for Logan. So just how dark should we expect this story to get?
Paul: Yeah… it’s going to be a rough ride. Without giving too much away, this story will deal with betrayal and coercion. The betrayal aspect will be especially difficult. Something’s going to happen in issue #5 that will help us understand why Logan lost his memory again, and how this would all lead eventually to his immersion in the Weapon X tank. The event planned for issue #5 is brutal.
AIPT: X-Fan Wolverine_12 thanks you for taking the time to answer some questions and is curious to learn whether we’ll see some familiar faces in this series.
Paul: As a matter of fact, we will. But I can’t tell you any of them yet because that would be a spoiler too far.
AIPT: Let’s talk about the artwork readers will encounter. How is it collaborating with CAFU? And X-Fan HrisCassan (I see what you did there, whoever you are) asked that we please convey to you that the cover artist for this limited series,WesleyBurt, is sublime and deserves his flowers.
Paul: CAFU has done amazing work, as has our colorist, Frank D’Armata. I think you’ll get a great look at CAFU’s incredibly expressive style of art in this series. The work looks so consistently great. I feel very lucky indeed to have such a wonderful artist on the book. Frank has done such a brilliant job of enhancing the work. And Wesley Burt’s cover for #1… wow. I love that image so much because it tells a story by itself. I think readers are going to be hugely excited for the series.
AIPT: You’ve obviously spent a lot of time thinking about Logan, so X-Fan Toby is curious: What’s one aspect of Wolverine’s character you wish would be delved into more? And is there anything you’d add/change to his character?
Paul: That’s a great question. I suppose I would say that I am doing a little of what I wanted in this series. I have always wondered about this character, “What would he be like if his life was not so tempestuous? Who would he be if you simply allowed him to exist without all the trauma?” I don’t need to add anything, I suppose. He’s such an interesting, well-rounded character that I think changing him too much might seem jarring.
AIPT: Finally, X-Fan Hudson wonders if you’ll write any more stories from Logan’s past afterWolverine: Origin III – The Dark Age.
Paul: You know… it’s possible, I would say. There are ways for the character to go—to fill in more of the gaps between the time period we are showing and the events of Weapon X. For more, you’d have to ask Marvel. 😉
AIPT: We will indeed. But on that note, Paul, thanks for stopping by X-Men Monday!
Remember, X-Fans, Wolverine: Origin III – The Dark Age #1 goes on sale December 16, 2026. Here’s an eXclusive look at a few of CAFU’s panels.
And here’s an eXclusive look at what’s coming up
WOLVERINE: ORIGIN III – THE DARK AGE #2 (OF 5)
HAPPY DAYS!
On the other side of two World Wars and tragic loss, LOGAN has found…happiness?! The most unexpected chapter of Logan’s life unfolds, as could only be told by ORIGIN writer Paul Jenkins.
Until next time, X-Fans, stay eXceptional!
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