Wolverine’s Most Underrated Nemesis Returns After 10 Years

Warning: contains spoilers for Wolverine #6 The enigmatic figure of Romulus, one of Wolverine’s most polarizing yet often overlooked adversaries, makes a dramatic comeback in the latest issue of Marvel’s comics. As the narrative unfolds in Wolverine #6, Logan delves into the dark mysteries surrounding Adamantine, a sentient, godlike metal intent on annihilating all adamantium on Earth. It is during this tumultuous period that Romulus emerges as the new operative for Adamantine, marking a significant turning point in the storyline.

Romulus’s potential as a formidable foe for Wolverine was largely squandered when his elaborate machinations failed to materialize as anticipated. This left the character languishing in the Raft prison, underappreciated, ever since his last major appearance in Wolverine #313 way back in 2010.

Although Romulus made a fleeting appearance during Logan’s time-hopping escapades in X Lives of Wolverine, Wolverine #6 represents the character’s first significant re-entry into the contemporary Marvel narrative since his last imprisonment nearly 15 years ago. Writer Saladin Ahmed and artist Martin Coccolo deliver a much-anticipated update on this intriguing character.

The Anticipation of Romulus’ Schemes Did Not Live Up to Reality

Can Marvel Get This Ancient Supervillain Right This Time?

Romulus Fights Wolverine in Marvel Comics

Romulus first captivated audiences with his shadowy presence prior to his formal introduction in 2007’s Wolverine #55, generating significant fan excitement around his eventual backstory. While he is not technically a mutant, Romulus embodies the classic supervillain archetype, frequently seen in Wolverine’s extensive rogues’ gallery. With an ability to manipulate circumstances from behind the scenes, this centuries-old figure has allegedly masterminded significant historical events, such as the founding of Rome, while fixating on Wolverine’s lineage.

His calculated involvement in Logan’s life includes pivotal moments like the orchestration of Logan’s birth, his memory suppression, and the adamantium bonding. Not to mention, Romulus orchestrated the assassination of Wolverine’s wife, Itsu, by the Winter Soldier and subsequently abducted her unborn child, Daken. His efforts to train Daken as a villain led to a tragic climax, forcing Logan to confront and kill his son. While these developments paint Romulus as a deeply villainous character, the clarity of his true motives has remained a muddled source of confusion and disappointment for fans.

Romulus May Just Be a Pawn for the Adamantine

Has the Puppeteer Become the Puppet?

Wolverine #5 cover Logan gold Adamantine

Romulus, whose character draws inspiration from the myth of “Romulus and Remus, ”was recently reintroduced but raises questions about his effectiveness. After spending years imprisoned, has he truly returned with a purpose? As noted by a colleague at Screen Rant, despite Romulus’s past strategic prowess, it often felt as though he was playing “4D chess with no endgame.”Now, Marvel has a prime opportunity to reshape Romulus into a villain with meaningful objectives rather than a mere antagonist preying on Wolverine’s life.

Regrettably, Romulus might find himself relegated to the status of a mere pawn, as the overarching threat now seems to be the Adamantine. This ancient metal has begun to influence characters in the Marvel universe, prospectively possessing figures such as Lady Deathstrike and Cyber. While Romulus’s return in Wolverine #6 suggests he has not been affected by Adamantine’s corrosive influence—evidenced by his lack of the glowing yellow eyes seen in other possessed characters—it is apparent that he is acting at the behest of this ancient entity. This diminishes his complexity, transforming him into a character motivated by revenge rather than the intricate machinations we once expected from a being of his caliber.

Marvel has had multiple chances to revitalize Romulus since his last chronological appearance almost 15 years ago. The hope remains that Romulus can step into the light as a multi-faceted antagonist capable of challenging Wolverine on a grand scale, emerging from his background as a brilliant strategist and a brutal threat to Logan’s existence.

Wolverine #6 from Marvel Comics is currently available in stores.

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