Warning: Contains spoilers for Hellverine #5!

The most demonic version of the X-Men ever has just been teased, and the team has been redesigned with all-new costumes inspired by the sinister supernatural forces of the Marvel Universe. As Wolverine’s son goes up against Mephisto in his solo Hellverine series, the hero has been shown a glimpse of what Marvel’s diverse lineup of mutants would look like as an entire team of Ghost Riders.

Hellverine #5 – written by Benjamin Percy, with art by Raffaele Ienco – sees Akihiro finally in a showdown against Mephisto, a fight that’s been building since the beginning of the series. The devilish villain reveals his horrifying grand plans for the universe’s mutants, which involve the X-Men being remade in his diabolical image.

Hellverine #5 by Percy and Ienco - Mephisto’s X-Men with spiky costumes featuring heroes like Wolverine, Storm, more

Mephisto’s vision sees him assemble a powerful lineup of mutants, giving each of them a heavy metal fashion makeover; the way Mephisto sees it, if he’s able to control Marvel’s mutants, he can use their unique abilities and superiority over humans to help him finally rule the world.

Mephisto Reveals His "X-Men From Hell," Complete with Wicked New Costumes

Hellverine #5 – Written by Benjamin Percy; Art By Raffaele Ienco; Color By Bryant Valenza; Lettering By VC’s Travis Lanham

While Mephisto’s dark and demonic hero redesigns only exist in his vision of a potential future, they’re a grim reminder of what Akihiro is fighting to stop, and why his new role as the Hellverine is so important; the hellish X-Men lineup fittingly consists of thirteen mutants, with some of the franchise’s most iconic or powerful heroes envisioned under Mephisto’s control. Terrifyingly, even Omega-level mutants like Storm and Phoenix aren’t immune to the demonic takeover Mephisto has planned. In the supernatural villain’s twisted fantasy, the mutant heroes get freaky leather costumes, some adorned with spikes, skulls, chains, and devilish horns.

Wolverine with Hellverine behind him.
Related
Wolverine Goes to Hell: Believe It or Not, Logan Has a Long History With the Underworld

Wolverine has a long history with the forces of darkness, fought his fair share of demons, and visited hell more times than most Marvel heroes.

The X-Men have traded in their colorful costumes for black leather suits in the past, most famously in the movies. But in this version of the team, all they’re missing are flaming skulls to look like they’re doing full Ghost Rider cosplay. As those with the X-Gene have been officially made the target of Mephisto and are threatened with becoming his minions, Akihiro’s Hellverine has actually stepped up as mutantkind’s own version of Ghost Rider. As Hellverine #5 unfolds, trying to thwart Mephisto’s malevolent plans for mutants helps Akihiro finally take control of the demon within, temporarily defeating the villains.

The X-Men’s "Goth Makeover" Is Fun, But Marvel Is Reaching A Limit On Satanic Superheroes

Marvel Keeps Debuting New Heroes from Hell

new hell hulk hellverine cover art 2

Akihiro was able to shut down the hellish operation after Mephisto revealed a glimpse of the demon-ified X-Men, which is a relief since so many heroes seem to be getting a Hell-inspired twist. The X-Men from Hell are well realized as a concept, but there are enough demonic versions of classic heroes running around the Marvel Universe right now. Daredevil: Unleash Hell is about to pit the Woman Without Fear against Hellektra, and Hellverine #5 officially introduces the all-new Hell Hulk to Earth-616. The beast will be Akihiro’s next challenge, creating a new take on the classic Wolverine vs Hulk match-up.

The X-Men appear to make a seriously threatening group of demonically possessed agents for Marvel’s devilish supervillain, but Hellverine ensures that their evil makeover will remain in Mephisto’s mind for now.

The Hell Hulk may still be on the horizon, but Mephisto’s plans for the X-Men weren’t able to come to fruition with Hellverine there to discover his own potential and stop them. However, with the limitless potential of Marvel’s multiverse, perhaps there is another world out there where the demon assembled his malevolent band of mutants, actually giving them those slightly goth costumes and taking control of the world. The X-Men appear to make a seriously threatening group of demonically possessed agents for Marvel’s devilish supervillain, but Hellverine ensures that their evil makeover will remain in Mephisto’s mind for now.

Hellverine #5 is available now from Marvel Comics!