Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Wolverine Annual #1! The MCU’s Infinity Saga was truly something special for Marvel fans everywhere, as it was a well-crafted story interwoven between every superhero’s film franchise in the MCU at that time, all for an ultimate payoff that didn’t disappoint – but there was one A-list Marvel Comics character who didn’t get to participate: Wolverine. However, Marvel Comics is remedying that in a big way, as Wolverine battles the Infinity Stones in one story the MCU never got to show.

In a release from Marvel announcing the upcoming Infinity Watch Annuals, it’s revealed that one of the comics included is Wolverine Annual #1 by Ezra Claytan Daniels, Yildiray Çinar, and Sara Pichelli. These particular Annual comics (which include Wolverine Annual, Ms. Marvel Annual, and The Incredible Hulk Annual) will act as parts 4, 5, and 6 of Marvel Comics’ new Infinity Watch storyline. That means these heroes – including and especially Wolverine – won’t just be getting a random solo-comic adventure for their 2024 Annual, they’ll be facing the full-might of the sentient Infinity Stones.

“Infinity Watch” Part Five! Wolverine vs. Infinity Watch, and the whole world hangs in the balance! Logan’s efforts to rescue a community from destruction are upended when the new Infinity Watch crashes into town! The claws come out to protect the innocents, but can even adamantium withstand the raw power of the Infinity Stones? The best there is must summon the best he’s got to survive! PLUS: Derek Landy and Sara Pichelli bring Nick Fury’s investigation to a head as he closes in on the Death Stone bearer!

While the exact circumstances surrounding this storyline remain a mystery – i.e., why Wolverine is protecting this particular community, and how that means the entire universe hangs in the balance – the little information that fans are given about does confirm one thing: it’s certain to be a fun, action-packed adventure worthy of Wolverine’s A-list status.

How Is Wolverine FIGHTING The Infinity Stones?

Infinity Wars: Infinity #1 by Gerry Duggan and Mark Bagley

In Wolverine Annual #1, Logan won’t be wielding the Infinity Stones, he’ll be fighting them. That’s a pretty confusing plot-point for fans who are more familiar with the Infinity Stones from the MCU than in the comics. However, the answer is actually quite simple: Adam Warlock used the Stones to make the Stones sentient, allowing them to bond with life forms all across the universe and form their own Infinity Watch.

The Infinity Stones gaining sentience never happened in the MCU, meaning Wolverine won’t just be making up for the fact that he missed out on the live-action Infinity Saga with this new comic, he’ll be charting all-new territory by tangling with the Stones in a way the MCU heroes never did. And, interestingly enough, this won’t even be the first time Wolverine played a major role in the Infinity Stones’ mythos.

Wolverine Annual #1 Won’t Be the First Time Logan Has Tangled with the Infinity Stones

Wolverine: Infinity Watch by Gerry Duggan and Andy MacDonald

Wolverine may not have participated in the MCU’s Infinity Saga, but that doesn’t mean he’s a stranger to the cosmic artifacts in Marvel Comics. In fact, Loki even reached out to Wolverine in the Marvel Comics miniseries Wolverine: Infinity Watch to assist in a mission regarding the Stones that decided the fate of the entire universe – and Wolverine proved himself up to the challenge. Now, fans will have to wait and see if he can do the same thing twice, as Wolverine will be facing the unparalleled power of the Infinity Stones once more in this upcoming comic.

With the level of experience Wolverine is getting encountering/facing-off against the full might of the Infinity Stones, it’s a shame that the MCU wasn’t able to include him in the Infinity Saga, as he would undoubtedly have been a major asset to the Avengers. However, if MCU fans want to see Wolverine tangle with the Infinity Stones, all they’ll have to do is turn to the comics – and they won’t be disappointed.

Wolverine Annual #1 by Marvel Comics is available August 14, 2024.

Source: Marvel