Wolverine: Origins #25
Wolverine: Origins #25 serves as the climactic payoff to the 'The Deep End' arc, delivering the narrative pivot in which Wolverine's elaborate scheme — using the Winter Soldier to hire Deadpool as unwitting bait — is finally revealed, forcing Daken into the open and setting up the father-son dynamic that would drive the remainder of the series. As the final issue drawn by series artist Steve Dillon, who penciled every chapter from #1 through #25, it marks the close of a distinct creative chapter for the title. Marvel used the milestone 25th-issue occasion to bundle a complete reprint of New Mutants #98 — Deadpool's first-ever appearance — making the issue a two-for-one document of the Merc with a Mouth's history precisely at the moment he and Wolverine shared their most elaborate clash to date. The convergence of Wolverine, Deadpool, Daken, and the Winter Soldier in a single resolution made this one of the most character-dense issues in the run, cementing Daken's status as an organic, genuinely threatening new presence in the Wolverine mythos rather than a disposable one-arc villain.
In "The Deep End Conclusion," the brutal showdown between Wolverine, his son Daken, and the ever-irritating Deadpool reaches its climax in a rain-soaked, high-stakes battle. Written by Daniel Way and brought to life with gritty precision by Steve Dillon, this pivotal issue sees Wolverine wake from the water only to face the full fury of his son—just as the Winter Soldier delivers a decisive, game-changing shot. The cover by Simone Bianchi and Andrea Silvestri captures the moment with haunting intensity.
In "The Deep End Conclusion," Wolverine finds himself caught in a brutal clash between his son Daken and the relentless Deadpool, who’s eager to settle the score. As the fight spills into the water, a shocking twist unfolds when the Winter Soldier intervenes—firing a carbonadium bullet that disables Daken’s healing factor, revealing Wolverine’s carefully laid plan.
In "The Beginning of the End Part One," Gideon’s brutal plan unfolds as he orchestrates the murder of Sunspot’s father, shattering the young mutant’s world. With Cable under attack by Deadpool—sent by Mr. Tolliver—and Domino stepping in to stop the mercenary, the surviving New Mutants must regroup amid escalating danger. As tensions rise and secrets surface, Sunspot confronts the devastating truth of his father’s death, while Rictor makes a fateful decision to pursue Wolfsbane in Genosha.
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We Buy Collections ▸History
The series was conceived by writer Daniel Way as a direct continuation of the post-House of M status quo, in which Wolverine's restored memories opened the door to long-buried secrets — most consequentially, the existence of a son. Way collaborated with artist Steve Dillon from the very first issue, and the two built the 'Deep End' arc (issues #21–25) as a multi-character chess game involving Deadpool, the Winter Soldier, and Daken, with issue #25 serving as Dillon's curtain call on the title before Mike Deodato Jr. took over with issue #28. Joe Quesada served as Editor-in-Chief throughout the run, and the 25th-issue milestone prompted Marvel to expand the page count and include the New Mutants #98 reprint as a celebratory bonus.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Story: 'The Deep End,' Part 5 of 5 — the conclusion of the five-part arc running through Wolverine: Origins #21–25, written by Daniel Way and penciled by Steve Dillon.
- Plot resolution: It is revealed that Wolverine secretly arranged for the Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes) to hire Deadpool, using the contract on Logan's life as a trap to draw Daken out of hiding.
- Key story beat: The Winter Soldier shoots Daken in the head with a carbonadium bullet — a material specifically chosen to slow a mutant healing factor — rendering him unconscious but alive, allowing Wolverine to take custody of his son.
- Steve Dillon's final issue: Dillon penciled Wolverine: Origins from issue #1 through issue #25, making this his last chapter on the series before a new art team took over.
- Milestone bonus reprint: To celebrate the series' 25th issue, Marvel included a complete reprint of New Mutants #98 — Deadpool's first appearance — plotted and penciled by Rob Liefeld and scripted by Fabian Nicieza.
- Cover: By Simone Bianchi (with Simone Peruzzi on cover colors); Bianchi provided covers for the series while Dillon handled interior art.
- Characters appearing: Wolverine (James Howlett), Deadpool (Wade Wilson), Daken (Akihiro), the Winter Soldier (James Buchanan Barnes), with minor appearances by Black Widow (Natalia Romanova) and Emma Frost.
- Collected edition: This issue was later reprinted in the Deadpool vs. Wolverine TPB #1.
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Reprints
↩ Reprints The New Mutants #98 (1991)
Reprinted in Wolverine #183 (2009), Deadpool by Daniel Way: The Complete Collection #1 (2013), True Believers: Deadpool Origins #1 (2016), Wolverine vs. Deadpool #[nn] (2017), Wolverine by Daniel Way: The Complete Collection #3 (2017), Deadpool by Daniel Way Omnibus #1 (2018), The All Killer No Filler Deadpool Collection #27 (2018), Deadpool vs. Wolverine #[nn] (2024), Deadpool Modern Era Epic Collection #1 (2025)
Key issues in Wolverine: Origins
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