Marvel has just teased a major upgrade for Wolverine, as the publisher makes a significant change to the character's lore by introducing a new variation on adamantium, along with sleek new gold claws for the mutant hero. As Marvel introduces "adamantine," the latest new paradigm for Logan takes an even more dramatic step forward.

The cover for Wolverine #5 – written by Saladin Ahmed, with art by Martín Cóccolo – shows off the stunning new look for the deadly hero’s claws. Yet while the visual is evocative, and fan anticipation to witness the gold claws in action is already palpable, the grander implications of an update to adamantium are also worth considering.

Notably, the synopsis for the issue asks “who or what is adamantine,” suggesting the answer may be more complicated than it initially seems, and that it will have a greater resonance in Wolverine’s history than just a redesign.

Logan's New Gold Claws Look Amazing, But They Signify More Than Just A Cool New Look

Wolverine #5 – Written By Saladin Ahmed; Art By Martín Cóccolo; Main Cover By Martín Cóccolo

Naturally, Logan’s gold claws on the cover for Wolverine #5 draws readers’ attention; the change from their usual silver coloration is deliberately meant to jump out at fans, and prompt a dozen questions about what this new look could mean, as well as sparking debate about whether Marvel should experiment with Wolverine’s look, or stick to his classic design. In this sense, the change is already a success. That said, the other details of the cover are equally intriguing, and portent a dramatic turning point for this new Wolverine book.

Wolverine’s gold claw redesign isn’t just “messing with” the hero’s iconic look for the sake of it, but rather will play a pivotal role in the plot.

Wolverine’s claws are not the only thing gold on the cover – his eyes are also depicted as glowing gold, as he stands at attention along with Lady Deathstrike and other Weapon X subjects. The synopsis for the article evokes the sinister government program, and its role in Wolverine’s lore, and teases a dramatic escalation of that aspect of the character’s backstory. In other words, Wolverine’s gold claw redesign isn’t just “messing with” the hero’s iconic look for the sake of it, but rather will play a pivotal role in the plot.

Logan's New Claws Are Part Of A Larger Evolution Of His "Weapon X" Lore

Wolverine #5 – Variant Covers By Dave Bardin, Godtail & David Yardin; Available January 8, 2025 From Marvel Comics

Wolverine #5’s synopsis ties Wolverine’s updated claws to an evolution of everything Marvel fans know about adamantium, the nigh-unbreakable metal bonded to Logan’s skeleton. According to the solicit for the issue:

THE CALL OF THE ADAMANTINE! WEAPON X changed WOLVERINE's life forever when they bonded his claws and skeleton to the unbreakable metal adamantium. THIS IS WORSE. Who or what is the ADAMANTINE?

The bold, all-caps declaration that whatever adamantine turns out to be, it is “WORSE” than adamantium, is a bold proclamation that fans are eager to find out how Marvel follows through on. Of course, even more intriguing is the possibility than “Adamantine” is, in fact, a person, and not an alloy.

Though this certainly could be a misdirect on the publisher’s part, if that is the case, it is another effective one. The appearance of Wolverine’s gold claws on the issue’s covers raised plenty of questions in their own right, but Marvel went even a step beyond that, by teasing a wide swath of possibilities for what Wolverine #5 could hold for the book’s protagonist, and how that could have a lasting impact on Logan’s place in the wider Marvel Universe moving forward.

Making The Case For Why Comic Book Publishers Change Beloved Character's Looks So Often

A Part Of The Industry's Business Model

Character redesigns are an essential part of superhero comics – both because fans love them, and because fans hate them. Think of it as a sort of cycle. When a character, such as Spider-Man, or Wolverine, is synonymous with a certain look, changing that look generates a strong response, and in due time, when the character’s classic look returns, that has a baked-in response as well. In other words, there is a savvy business reason behind the continual shake-up of the status quo.

The difference between “adamatine” being a throwaway plotline, and becoming a vital part of Marvel mythology, will depend on the strength of the story that the current ongoing Wolverine series manages to tell.

Wolverine’s gold claws won’t last forever; all fans can hope is that while they are part of the character’s story, they are impactful – and of course, cool. The difference between “adamatine” being a throwaway plotline, and becoming a vital part of Marvel mythology, will depend on the strength of the story that the current ongoing Wolverine series manages to tell, and for fans of the character, that should be the most exciting reason to pick up the latest issue and find out what happens.

Wolverine #5 will be available January 8, 2025 From Marvel Comics.