It seems that Wolverine and X-Force writer Benjamin Percy just confirmed that building conflict between Wolverine and Beast is coming to a head in Wolverine #26, set to release this October. Beast has been crossing lines in bolder and bolder ways throughout Percy’s X-Force series, inevitably leading one of the X-Men’s most iconic hot heads to push back.
The extent of Beast’s nefarious activities were exposed last year during the Hellfire Gala. Fellow X-Force members learned that Beast was using the Terra Verdan ambassadors to create a mass surveillance network. Although Hank believed that he was acting for good, the revelation of this created rifts between Beast and other mutants. Even prior to the Hellfire Gala, the absence of oversight left the X-Force director using any means necessary to protect Krakoa. The pattern of these actions not only created sympathy for Hank for being so overprotective, but also gave readers an insight into why he may be perceived as making evil decisions.
In an interview with comicbook.com, Percy spoke about how “Beast has been up to no good” and implied that readers do not fully know the extent of Beast’s actions. As Percy pointed out, “Hank believes he is doing what’s right for mutantkind, so when Logan pushes back against him, there will be consequences.” With Wolverine # 26 wrapping up some loose ends and opening up others, this could be a good place for new readers to jump in.
The hype for this showdown between Beast and Wolverine has been building for years now. All the way back in Astonishing X-Men, Joss Whedon teased a fight between the two mutants during the Gifted storyline. Although that fight between Beast and Wolverine was broken up before it could really blow up, it still left fans with the hopes of someday seeing a Beast vs. Wolverine showdown. Rather than allowing the fight to break out in a heated moment, as Whedon teased, Percy has spent most of his time on the X-Force and Wolverine books, carefully creating this conflict.
More and more, Hank has embraced an “ends justify the means” mentality when it comes to safeguarding mutant interests. As a founding member of the X-Men, Beast has undoubtedly seen his share of trauma. However, this does not excuse his authoritarian – near evil – plans to protect to Krakoa. These actions, combined with Logan’s notorious short temper should lead to an explosive confrontation. X-Force fans won’t have to wait much longer to see the slow burning showdown between Beast and Wolverine.
Wolverine #26 releases October 26, 2022.
