There’s not a whole lot to dissect yet in Ultimate Wolverine, but one thing is clear: it’s an engaging and fun ride. The series takes some of the best elements from Wolverine’s lore in the main Marvel Universe and spins them into the fresh and unpredictable landscape of the Ultimate Universe, where anything can happen. While the familiar amnesia trope is at play, this time Wolverine – known as the Winter Soldier – is thrown directly into the chaos of the Eurasian Republic conflict, an intense backdrop that involves familiar X-Men characters in a darker, more perilous setting.

Ultimate Wolverine #3 introduces us to a few recognizable faces—Remy LeBeau, Kate Pryde, and Natasha Romanova—who are all fighting to survive in the harsh Russian wilderness. This gritty, high-stakes environment stands in stark contrast to the more lighthearted and occasionally humorous tone of Ultimate X-Men by Peach Momoko. Instead, this story takes readers down a more violent and grim vibe that longtime Wolverine fans will appreciate.

Although we know Wolverine’s amnesia (or conditioning) never lasts in the long run, this issue is where we begin to see active characters from his past entering the fray, setting the stage for the eventual return of his memories, and his true self. If this Logan is anything like his main universe counterpart, it’s only a matter of time before he regains some, if not all, of his past, which will undoubtedly spell trouble for those like Colossus, Magik, and Omega Red who have been using him for their own purposes.

Ultimately, Ultimate Wolverine #3 delivers another strong chapter in a series that’s doing a lot to expand the mutant mythos within the Ultimate Universe. By introducing beloved characters in dynamic new ways, it has the potential to become one of the standout books in the line. If it keeps up the momentum, I can easily see Ultimate Wolverine becoming one of my favorite ongoing series in this alternate universe.