Classic X-Men Villain Returns In Weapon X

Marvel Comics are fast approaching their latest mini-event after months of Hulk- and Wolverine-related teases regarding something called “Batch H.”

The first image hinted at a Hulk specimen in a vat, complete with claws, being experimented on in a fashion similar to Weapon X. The latest issues of Totally Awesome Hulk and the newly launched Weapon X series — both written by Greg Pak — have been building toward a storyline where the monstrous creation would be unleashed, called “Weapons Of Mutant Destruction.”

Now we know who the villain is pulling the strings of Amadeus Cho, Old Man Logan, Domino, and the rest, but before we get there let’s recap the events of Weapon X thus far.

Issue #4 by Pak, Greg Land, Jay Leisten, Frank D’Armata, and Joe Caramagna begins with Cho briefing the covert ops team of mutants about a testing facility fronting as an oil rig. Members Warpath and Lady Deathstrike were recently captured, so the group is ready to rescue their allies.

But when they get there, they’re met by a squadron of cyborgs designed only for killing mutants.

Super Mutant Hulk Squad

Logan, Domino, Sabretooth, and Hulk manage to fight their way through the deadly cyborgs and rescue their teammates. Sabretooth also shoots Hulk in the face a few times in a successful attempt to make him mad, unlocking that inner rage in the younger Hulk.

Hulk tears through the rig’s lower levels while the Weapon X crew find their teammates. But when Lady Deathstrike is released, she immediately approaches the scientists who experimented on her. She attempts to exact her revenge before the Hulk stops her.

But just as the Hulk attempts to appeal to the scientists’ consciences and get them to reveal who is pulling the strings, the evil forces initiate a detonation, causing the platform to explode.

The heroes survive, but everyone else perishes in the blast. As they stand surrounded by blazing fire, they affirm their intentions to bring the mysterious villain to justice before he can unleash his monstrosities on their friends and loved ones.

But meanwhile, the mechanical carrier gull with a sample of Hulk’s DNA reaches its destination…

Mutant Loves, Man Kills

Where none other than William Stryker awaits.

The villain has been killed and resurrected numerous times throughout his history in the X-Men comics.

The latest iteration of the character perished in this comic’s predecessor, the 2005 series X-Force in which Archangel cut him in half with his metallic wings.

It remains to be seen how the character was revived, but I’m sure we’ll learn more in the coming weeks as “Weapons Of Mutant Destruction” kicks off in earnest with its Alpha issue, before crossing over in Weapon X #5-6 and Totally Awesome Hulk #20-22.

Weapon X #4 is available in stores and online now.

WEAPONS OF MUTANT DESTRUCTION SYNOPSIS:

For years, the Weapon X Program has engineered the deadliest mutant killers on planet Earth, until they mysteriously vanished. Now, the Weapon X program is back, and it’s deadlier than ever, and it isn’t to use mutants for their lethal ends. Under the leadership of its mysterious new director, Weapon X has a new mission – exterminate all mutants! The key to achieving their master plan? Amadeus Cho, the Totally Awesome Hulk! What is the sinister secret of Weapon X’s mysterious new “Batch-H” experiment?

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