Wolverine is gearing up for the milestone 400th issue of his comic, and a powerhouse artist is ing the celebration. Eisner Award-winning writer and artist Daniel Warren Johnson will be contributing a story to Wolverine #400, and from the looks of it, he’s giving Logan an epic samurai-inspired makeover.

... Daniel Warren Johnson is one of the most exciting comic book creators working today.

Daniel Warren Johnson shared a look at his Wolverine #400 story, posting to Instagram with the caption, “You’re not ready.” The artwork scene shows Logan clad in samurai armor, with a demonic faceplate covering his mouth. The post has amassed thousands of likes, making it clear fans are loving the new look.

Coupled with two other stories by the regular Wolverine creative team of Saladin Ahmed and Martín Cóccolo, Daniel Warren Johnson’s “A Tale of the Wolverine” ten-page story should round out the 64-page oversized anniversary issue in grand fashion.

Wolverine #400 Promises an Epic Samurai Tale From Daniel Warren Johnson

Main Cover by Martín Cóccolo for Wolverine #400 (2025)

The brief look at Johnson’s story hints at a number of intriguing possibilities. Given the setting, fans might assume that Johnson’s story is outside of continuity, perhaps even set during feudal Japan. Even better, the black-and-white artwork recalls the likes of Akira Kurosawa, making it interesting to see whether Johnson’s finished pages will appear in full color or retain the chiaroscuro look. Of course, a samurai-styled take on Wolverine is nothing new for fans, but the true selling point here is Daniel Warren Johnson, one of the most exciting comic book creators working today.

Johnson established himself as a talent to watch with early creator-owned efforts like Extremity and Murder Falcon, before gaining wider recognition through mainstream superhero work on Wonder Woman: Dead Earth for DC and Beta Ray Bill for Marvel. He received further acclaim with his Image Comics wrestling series Do A Powerbomb in 2022 but has perhaps achieved his greatest success yet with his revamp of the Transformers series as part of Skybound’s Energon Universe line. Johnson earned his first Eisner Awards for his work on Transformers, which has been a smash success both critically and commercially.

Daniel Warren Johnson: One of the Most Thrilling Creators in Comics Today

Johnson Killed It With Deadpool, We Can't-Wait to See What He Does With Wolverine

Even though his story in Wolverine #400 is only ten pages, Johnson has proven himself highly competent in delivering fiction in shorter bursts. His contribution to Deadpool: Black, White & Blood, “Pool of Death,” is one of the best Deadpool stories of all time despite its short length, so there is ample reason for fans to be excited about what Daniel Warren Johnson has in store for them when Wolverine #400 releases in April of this year. Whether the samurai setting results in an out-of-continuity tale or not, it’s thrilling to see an artist and writer of Daniel Warren Johnson’s caliber working on Wolverine.

Wolverine #400 is available April 16th from Marvel Comics.

Source: Daniel Warren Johnson (Instagram)