015: Adamantium

Version 3.00, last updated on January 10, 2008

Logan receiving adamantium
Barry Windsor-Smith, Marvel Comics Presents #73

Captain America #303 (Mar 1985) – “Double Dare”
Writer: Michael Carlin; Penciler: Paul Neary; Inker: Dennis Janke
Doctor Myron MacLain (erroneously named MacLean in this issue) explains that during World War II, he accidentally created a vibranium alloy for Captain America’s shield and was never able to duplicate its indestructible nature. The closest he came was when he invented adamantium, a virtually unbreakable metal.

Daredevil #196 (Jul 1983) – “Enemies”
Writer: Denny O’Neil; Breakdowns: Larry Hama; Artist: Klaus Janson
Wolverine tells Daredevil that he was given a tip from the CIA that a group from Japan was trying to kidnap Daredevil’s arch-nemesis, Bullseye. “The Japanese might be connected with the people who gave me my adamantium bones – an’ they may not.”

Alpha Flight #34 (May 1986) – “Honor”
Writer: Bill Mantlo; Artist: Sal Buscema; Finisher: Gerry Talaoc
Lady Deathstrike, Yuriko, claims that the formula to bond adamantium to bone was invented by her father shortly after World War II in an attempt to create the ultimate Japanese warrior. The formula, however, was stolen by persons unknown, and was eventually used to bond adamantium to Logan’s skeleton during Experiment X.

X-Men Universe: Past, Present and Future #1 (Feb 1999)
Writer: Robert Piotrowsk
In a school paper for Sean Cassidy, Jubilee reports that Department H was responsible for bonding adamantium to Wolverine’s bones. There is, however, no details to back up this assertion.

Wolverine #91 (Jul 1995) – “Path of Stones, Wood of Thorns”
Writer: Larry Hama; Penciler: Duncan Rouleau; Inker; Joe Rubinstein
Professor Xavier and James Hudson theorize that Logan was chosen for Experiment X because his healing ability would allow him to survive the adamantium bonding procedure. They further note that the experiment probably halted a natural evolution within Logan that was turning him, gradually, more savage and bestial.

New X-Men #143 (Aug 2003) – “Assault on Weapon Plus, Part 2 of 4: The World”
Writer:Grant Morrison; Penciler: Chris Bachalo; Inker: Tim Townsend
Fantomax reveals Logan’s healing factor made him an ideal subject for vivisection and false memory grafts.

As has been previously noted, the Marvel Press prose novel, Wolverine: Weapon X by Marc Cerasini, is a modern-day exploration of Barry Windsor-Smith’s Weapon X storyline. Marc Cerasini states in an interview with UnderGroundOnline that, “Mr. Windsor-Smith created the characters who forged Wolverine’s adamantium steel skeleton. I explored the technology behind that transformation, and why it was done.” Due to significant problems with the novel’s chronology, including the deaths of major characters who survived Experiment X in the original Barry Windsor Smith version, I have deemed that Wolverine: Weapon X by Marc Cerasini does not take place within the traditional Marvel continuity. However, for the sake of completeness, I include several new pieces of information concerning Experiment X, published in red.

Wolverine: Weapon X (Nov 2004) – “Chapter Four: The Fugitive”
Novelist: Marc Cerasini
Dr. Abraham B. Cornelius is revealed to be a pioneer in field of nanotechnology and its uses within the human body. After fleeing authorities on charges that he killed his wife and newborn son, Cornelius is recruited by the Professor to employ his nanotechnology in bonding adamantium to human bone without disrupting the natural life-sustaining functions of human marrow and bone.

Wolverine: Weapon X (Nov 2004) – “Chapter Two: The Hive”
Novelist: Marc Cerasini
The Professor notes that Ms. Carol Hines was highly trained by NASA and is proficient in the use of the Reifying Encephalographic Monitor and its associated technology. “With the REM device, mastery of the human mind was within… grasp – no thought would remain secret, no desire hidden. Every hope, dream, fear or rage could now be monitored, controlled, measured, and evaluated. Memories could be erased, personalities altered, false recollections implanted to replace real experience.”

Wolverine: Weapon X (Nov 2004) – “Chapter Eleven: Prey”
Novelist: Marc Cerasini
Over the course of six weeks, Logan is subjected to chemical treatments by a Dr. Hendry that increases his muscle mass by a third and reduces his body fat by more than a third.

Marvel Comics #73 (1991) – “Weapon X: Chapter One”
Writer/Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith
Transported to the Experiment X facility, Logan is shaved from head to toe, hooked up to a multitude of medical devices and submerged within medicinal liquids. With the use of numerous implants and feeding tubes, Dr. Cornelius, at the request of the Professor, begins injecting adamantium into Logan bonding this virtually unbreakable metal to his very bones. When Carol Hines realizes that Logan shows neither scarring from numerous gunshots wounds nor any abrasions from his earlier fight, Dr. Cornelius comes to the conclusion that Logan is a mutant with miraculous healing abilities, a trait that causes more adamantium to bond within Logan’s system that originally planned.

House of M #8 (Dec 2005)
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciler: Olivier Coipel; Inker: John Dell, Scott Hanna & Tim Townsend

After the reality-changing events of “House of M” come to a close, Logan finds that he remembers his entire past.

House of M #2 (Aug 2005)
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis; Penciler: Olivier Coipel; Inker: Tim Townsend
Logan remembers being submerged in the medicinal liquids at the Experiment X facilities.

House of M #3 (Sep 2005)
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis; Penciler: Olivier Coipel; Inker: Tim Townsend
Logan has a specific recollection of being submerged in the medicinal liquids at the Experiment X facilities where Dr. Cornelius asks Hines about Logan’s medical profile and history.

Wolverine (Vol. 2) #48 (Jan 2007) – “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”
Writer: Marc Guggenheim; Penciler: Humberto Ramos; Inker: Carlos Cuevas
Wolverine remembers enduring extreme pain while floating in the isolation tank of Experiment X.

Wolverine: The End #1 (Jan 2004)
Writer: Paul Jenkins; Penciler: Castellini; Inker: Mounts
In the far future, Logan remembers the Weapon X experimentation as doctors comment that he will have no memory of the procedure. Logan vividly remembers as well that he is referred to as Logan when the experiment begins. Because this is a tale from the future, there is no way to ensure these events will happen, so any references to Logan’s past are suspect.

Marvel Comics #74 (1991) – “Weapon X: Chapter Two”
Writer/Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith
As the adamantium bonding process wraps up, the Professor contacts his mysterious superiors and complains that he was not informed that Logan was a mutant with superhuman power to regenerate damaged tissue.

Weapon X: First Class #1 (Jan 2009) – “Don’t Look Back in Anger”
Writer: Marc Sumerak; Artist: Mark Robinson
In a story that takes place in 1981, Professor Charles Xavier helps Wolverine to remember his past. After a series of memory flashes, Wolverine confronts a memory of floating in an isolation tank at Experiment X.

Weapon X: First Class #2 (Feb 2009) – “Bad to the Bone”
Writer: Marc Sumerak; Artist: Mark Robinson
Continuing from 1981, Wolverine witnesses memories of receiving his adamantium skeleton, specifically the Professor returning to the lab at the behest of Dr. Cornelius to see the completion of the adamantium bonding process. The Professor again leaves as the isolation tank is drained, while Dr. Cornelius and Carol Hines discuss the nature of Logan’s recuperative powers. With the tank empty, Logan comes to and attacks the lab workers who quickly subdue him. Dr. Cornelius advises Hines not to mention the disturbance for the Professor is not one to tolerate mistakes. Later, Carol Hines returns to leave a plate of food for Logan and bursts into tears at his inhumane treatment.

Logan gets adamantium claws
Barry Windsor-Smith, Marvel Comics Presents #74

Marvel Comics #74 (1991) – “Weapon X: Chapter Two”
Writer/Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith
In the recovery room, Logan unwittingly “pops” claws from the backs of his hands, three retractable nine-inch adamantium knives housed within each of his forearms. The Professor coaxes a new Experiment X worker to check on Logan, resulting in a confrontation that sees the worker cut to ribbons within seconds from Logan’s razor-sharp claws.

Wolverine #175 (Jun 2002) – “The Logan Files: Conclusion”
Writer: Frank Tieri; Penciler: Sean Chen; Inker: Norm Rapmund
While fighting Sabretooth in the long abandoned Experiment X complex, Logan remembers emotions the first time he used his adamantium claws, the blood and the carnage.

Marvel Comics #75 (1991) – “Weapon X: Chapter Three”
Writer/Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith
After killing the young worker, Logan bursts through a window to attack Dr. Cornelius and several of his personnel. But with his life support systems torn away, Logan collapses in a heap at their feet. As Cornelius recovers from shock, the Professor discusses the nature of mutants and explains how the Experiment X program was developed to turn Logan from a “…determinedly violent individual pummeling his way through a purposeless life…” into the “…most formidable tactical weapon ever conceived.”

Wolverine (Vol. 2) #54 (Jul 2007) – “Wake the Dead”
Writer: Barry Jeph Loeb; Artist: Simone Bianchi
Logan is returned to the isolation tank as the Professor reviews his vital signs. Sabretooth watches and taps on the glass of the tank, agitating Logan within. A mysterious figure, revealed as Romulus, chides Sabretooth and expounds on the revolutionary nature of this genetic experiment, revealing in the process that this experiment would not exist without him. As he turns to leave, he orders the Professor to wipe Logan’s memories of these events.

Wolverine: The End #3 (Jun 2004)
Writer: Paul Jenkins; Penciler: Claudio Castellini; Inker: Paul Mounts
We return to the far future, as Logan again remembers the Weapon X experimentation. The Professor comments to a visiting General that Logan will have no memory of the experiment and then orders Hines to pop Logan’s claws. Because this is a tale from the future, there is no way to ensure these events will happen, so any references to Logan’s past are suspect.

X-Men #132 (Apr 1980) – “And Hellfire Is Their Name”
Plotter: Chris Claremont & John Byrne; Scripter: Chris Claremont
Penciler: John Byrne; Inker: Terry Austin

Wolverine tells Harry Leland of the Hellfire Club that he almost became a cyborg himself. This is probably a reference to his Experiment X experiences.

<<< Previous: Weapon X Origins | Next: Memory Implants >>>

0 0 votes
Article Rating

8 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
15 years ago

I hate how the Adamantium became less and less rare in the Marvel Comic Universe. Now everyone and their mother has Adamantium weapons and spare parts. What happened to the fact that it was extremely hard to come by? Remember when Logan had to remain without Adamantium because no one could find the stuff?

Todd
13 years ago

when did he get it put back in his body,after Magneto ripped it out?or did it ever happen?

13 years ago

Hi this site of your blog was very helpful for me. But it was difficult to find it with yahoo. Maybe you should improve it with seo plugins for wordpress like headspace.

Dbo
13 years ago

the first pic,are those spikes coming out of him and what are they?i have had an old wolverine trading card that has him basically naked except for those wires and mechanical boxes and lotsa of spikes coming out of him and could never figure out what they were,i always thought they were spikes of adamantium due to his body trying to reject it or somethin,please help!

Dbo
13 years ago

by the way this site rocks!!!!i just found it,totally awesome

PDA
13 years ago

I have also wondered about the spike imagery both in Barry Windsor Smith’s “Weapon X” during Logan’s testing phase, and again in Silvestri’s “Dreams of Gore” where these same spikes appear in Logan’s memories of Weapon X experimentation and other clandestine activities. Other than perhaps a representation of fragmented thought, what are the spikes? What do they signify?

Geoff
13 years ago

I think that the spikes are to represent the inner pain of having something seriously painful done, that you wouldn’t be able to see visually.

PDA
13 years ago

Thank you for your comment. It’s kind of what I thought and makes visual sense in that light, but I had never seen anyone address this issue.

8
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x