While Ultimate X-Men was one of the keystone titles of the new Ultimate Universe, few famous Mutant characters have made an appearance. Indeed, after one year, the new setting has seemed oddly empty of established X-Men, apart from those serving The Maker. That will change with Ultimate Wolverine #3, which will introduce this world’s versions of Kitty Pryde and Gambit.
Written by Christopher Condon, with art by Alessandro Cappuccio, Ultimate Wolverine #3 will set the Winter Soldier on two members of The Opposition; Gambit and Kitty Pryde. A loose confederation of humans and Mutants, The Opposition was introduced in Ultimate Universe: One Year In.
Reportedly, The Opposition was successful in resisting The Maker’s efforts at world domination in Eurasia. That changed with the capture and conversion of one Opposition asset, the man called Logan, now the Winter Soldier. It is unknown what relationship existed between the trio or if they will recognize one another in Ultimate Wolverine #3.
Ultimate Wolverine twists classic X-Men relationships
The use of Kitty Pryde and Gambit as the first classic X-Men to appear in Ultimate Wolverine is an interesting one. Kitty Pryde was one of the first young Mutants Logan mentored while finding his place among the X-Men. While Logan has never been comfortable as a teacher, acting as Kitty’s sensei did help him find peace. Likewise, Logan enjoyed a fairly close friendship with Gambit, who also had a dark past for which he sought redemption. While Gambit was easy-going and Logan a cold loner, the two still bonded over their mutual trauma.
The use of Kitty Pryde is also interesting given the role Colossus plays in the Ultimate Universe. In the new reality, Piotr Rasputin is one of three Mutants who act as The Maker’s agents in Eurasia. This is a major shift from Earth-616, where Kitty Pryde and Colossus were romantically involved as X-Men. It remains to be seen, however, if they have any pre-existing relationship in the reality of Ultimate Wolverine.
Ultimate Wolverine #3 arrives in comic shops everywhere on March 26, 2025.
