By Marc Strom
Wolverine's journey into his past continues with WEAPON X: FIRST CLASS #2 on December 3, but this time he's bringing Deadpool along in a solo back-up feature!
Marc Sumerak, the man responsible for writing both stories, brings fans up to speed on what they may have missed in the debut issue:
"At the end of the first issue of the series, Wolverine and Professor Xavier had just gotten their first glimpse at Logan's deeply buried memories of his time at the Weapon X facility," he recaps. "In this second issue, we journey deeper into the heart of Weapon X and find out exactly what they did to Logan during his time there—and how it shaped him into the man he's become."
According to Sumerak, Wolverine won't react very well when he learns what the scientists at Weapon X did to him.
"Of course, who can blame him?" the writer asks. "If a bunch of secret government scientists kidnapped me, put me in a tube full of red goop, coated every one of my bones in unbreakable metal, brainwashed me and trained me to be their ultimate tool
of destruction, I would probably be pretty upset too! So when Logan finally starts to uncover the truth about who did this to him, you can bet his legendary temper is going to flare."
Professor X has accompanied Wolverine as he slashes his way through the memory barriers placed in his head, but the telepath won't be totally prepared for what he'll find.
"If readers think this discovery will be hard on Wolverine, it's going to be even worse for Charles Xavier," Sumerak promises. "Remember, the two heroes are exploring the dark corners of Wolverine's mind together. That means Charles is exceptionally vulnerable to all of the pent up emotion and pain that Logan is experiencing—both now and in his past.
"A rage like Wolvie's can be pretty overwhelming, even for the world's most powerful telepath, so Charles has to tread cautiously to make sure that he isn't consumed by the unbridled fury of his most mysterious student."
As mentioned before, though, Wolverine shares the spotlight this issue with another former member of Weapon X: Deadpool.
"The back-up story takes readers on a warped tour of the Weapon X program, as seen through the eyes of Wade Wilson—everyone's favorite Merc with a Mouth," explains Sumerak. "It's a history lesson chock full of the twisted fun everyone expects from Deadpool!"
Sumerak plans on delving deep into Wilson's history with the program and the long lasting effect it had on his personality.
"Deadpool is a character that has seen both the best and worst that Weapon X has to offer," Sumerak elaborates. "When he joined the program, he was a promising candidate with hopes of a new life and a cure for his terminal illness. When he finally escaped, he was just another failed experiment who was deeply disfigured—both physically and mentally—by his experiences there.
"So getting to take a look back at his tenure at the Weapon X facility not only provides a better idea of who Deadpool is as a character, but also a deeper understanding of Weapon X as a whole. And trust me, the truth can be very ugly..."
The writer tells us that jumping between Wolverine and Deadpool offers up a very interesting—if disturbing—contrast.
"Wolverine's past—especially his time as a part of Weapon X—is extremely dark and disturbing," Sumerak relates. "But writing Deadpool makes Wolvie's life look like a bowl full of puppies! After spending a bit of time in Wade's head, I felt like I needed to take a week-long shower."
Before launching into Deadpool's solo back-up, Sumerak beefed up on many of the Merc's past misadventures, both in and out of Weapon X.
"I re-read a ton of Deadpool issues as prep for this story," he shares. "A lot of info about Wade's time with Weapon X comes from [DEADPOOL ANNUAL 1998], so that one was essential. In terms of the story's overall tone, I went back to some classics. I'm a big fan of the Joe Kelly and Ed McGuinness run that kicked off Deadpool's first ongoing series. Those issues made me laugh 'til I hurt.
"And I gotta say, I've been loving what Daniel Way is doing on the new DEADPOOL series as well!"
Before he left, Sumerak teased that Deadpool won't be the only other member of Weapon X making an appearance in the second issue.
"Not only does this issue give you a deeper look into the Weapon X facility and what happened behind their thick metal doors, but it also includes cameos by some of the program's most distinguished alumni! Seriously, no true X-fan can resist appearances by Maverick, Wraith and...Sluggo?!"
WEAPON X: FIRST CLASS #2 claws its way into stores on December 3. For more Deadpool, check out Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited!
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