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Wolverine: Weapon X Gallery Edition

Collects Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #72-84, Uncanny X-Men (1981) #205, material from Wolverine (1988) #166.

WEAPON X is the character-defining origin of the man known only as Logan. Written, illustrated and colored by auteur creator and master storyteller Barry Windsor-Smith, it is undeniably one of the greatest Wolverine stories ever told. After being taken hostage by an experimental Canadian military science outfit, Logan is transformed into Weapon X, an unstoppable killing machine with an indestructible Adamantium skeleton and razor-sharp claws. But Weapon X cannot be contained by his captors — and trapped in their lab with the monster they have made, they will face his feral wrath! It’s a psychedelic horror story in the mold of Frankenstein, newly restored from original art and print sources!

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 12, 2022

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About the author

Barry Windsor-Smith

489 books157 followers
Barry Windsor-Smith (born Barry Smith) is a British comic book illustrator and painter whose best known work has been produced in the United States. He is known for his work on Marvel Comics' Conan the Barbarian from 1970 to 1973, and for his work on Wolverine – particularly the original Weapon X story arc.

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5 stars
184 (58%)
4 stars
99 (31%)
3 stars
26 (8%)
2 stars
4 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Donovan.
737 reviews109 followers
September 24, 2016


"A creature of such power—shaken by his own shadow! Driven by fear—of himself!"

Hands down probably the best Wolverine Story, and the origin of his Adamantium! Part Wolverine's diary, part medical procedural, part horror and psychological thriller. If you've ever wondered what happened to Wolverine at Weapon X, this is the book.

There are obvious ties to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and themes of “human versus monster” and “dehumanization.” This is a soulful biography meets Wolverine slasher, but so much deeper than just that.

In addition to his fantastic and fast paced writing, Barry Windsor Smith's artwork is incredible and highly detailed. I'm shocked the Comics Code Authority approved this with how violent and graphic it is. True science-fiction horror.

If you're a Wolverine fan, this is a must read and must own.

"I am a man! And you—are the animal!"

A Brief Note on the Gallery Edition

Holy shit this thing is huge! The same size as a DC Absolute, I believe, and it’s a blessing for BWS’s incredible artwork. The paper is double thick, there’s tons of extras. Buy this!
Profile Image for Dan.
3,278 reviews10.9k followers
April 14, 2022
Wolverine: Weapon X - Gallery Edition is an oversized hardcover collecting material from Marvel Comics Presents #72-84, Wolverine #166, and Uncanny X-Men #205.

Welcome to the Barry Windsor-Smith Wolverine show! I've long heard people hype the Weapon X storyline in Marvel Comics Presents but only managed to read one installment when it was coming out. When I saw this solicited, I decided to take the plunge.

Except for an unused Weapon X cover by Sam Kieth, Barry Windsor-Smith draws everything in this. On Weapon X, he even does the coloring and some of the lettering as well. Frank Tieri wrote the Wolverine #166 story and Chris Claremont did the Uncanny X-Men story.

Now that the credits are over, boy howdy this was a spectacle. In Weapon X, Barry Windsor-Smith tells a dark story from Wolverine's origins, his creation in the Weapon X program. It's story of torture and bloodshed and it's drawn in exquisite detail. BWS draws every hair, every medical device, every catheter, every wire. I cannot fathom the amount of time poured into these pages. I just read Monsters a few weeks ago and this still impresses the shit out of me. There was a part near the end I wasn't exactly clear on but the rest was dynamite.

The other stories are good too. One is a flashback to the Weapon X days and the other is an X-Men story that gives us a taste of what BWS will later do in Weapon X. Both feature BWS pulling out all the stops. My hands want to claw up just thinking about doing hours of linework on the pages.

The oversized format of this edition shows all the painstaking details in full glory. I'm not even really a Wolverine fan but I loved this. It makes me want to dig out the handful of Larry Hama-Marc Silverstri Wolverines I have in one of my totes in the basement.

Wolverine: Weapon X - Gallery Edition is a great edition of a masterfully illustrated work. Five out of five stars.
Profile Image for Sophia.
3,328 reviews398 followers
March 18, 2026
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
This is one of the stories I couldn’t wait to read when I started my ‘Comics Through the Years’ journey.

It’s one that I was familiar with but I love seeing the original stories and spotting what was translated into different media and what they changed to fit the narrative they wanted to tell at the time.

The story is wild, at times confusing in the right ways and the art is excellent.

The biggest shock to me is that Logan did not volunteer for this experiment!

And my lingering question is do we learn who the Professor was working for??

Highly recommended for any Wolverine fan.
Profile Image for Dimitris Papastergiou.
2,682 reviews91 followers
June 22, 2025
Is the Gallery Edition worth buying? YES! Is it worth buying if you already own Weapon X in another format? YES! Should you buy a second copy of it just in case? YES!

On my third read, Weapon X still holds up as a masterpiece. This isn’t just essential for Wolverine fans—it’s a must-read for anyone who appreciates comics beyond just the superhero genre. The art alone is a visual triumph, with every page packed with stunning detail. It’s truly a feast for the eyes, and I’d love to see a black-and-white version as well—just inks and pain.

The story is tragic, intense, and emotionally powerful. It explores Logan’s transformation, the trauma of the experiments, the brainwashing, and the birth of the animal within. It’s easily one of the best Wolverine stories ever told—possibly my number one, though I’d need to revisit a few others to be sure. Either way, it’s solidly in the top three for sure.

Highly recommended for X-Men fans and comic readers of all kinds!

Appreciate Barry Windsor-Smith's art in all its glory. Amazing!
Profile Image for Dimitris.
9 reviews
May 19, 2022
If you're a fan, this is the best edition thus far. The detailed art looks way better in this oversized format and the somewhat muted colors work better that the previous tpb editions. Lots of extras as well, all by Barry Windsor Smith and a few black n white art pages along with variant covers etc. It's a complete package. I would have liked a little thicker paper stock but that's nitpicking. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Shazne.
170 reviews
March 23, 2023
An Absolute Masterpiece in format, art and writing. No better ways to experience this piece of art.
Profile Image for Ari Lola.
144 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2024
Wolverine my new traumatized tragic muse. This was terribly sad and horrific, I loved it.
Profile Image for Andrij Zip.
73 reviews5 followers
July 19, 2025
The Gallery Edition of Wolverine: Weapon X is the ultimate way to enjoy Barry Windsor-Smith's visionary art and classic Wolverine tale. Presented on oversized, thick, matte paper with wonderful color reproduction, this premium and massive hardcover edition is more of a cinematic experience than a read. It also includes The Uncanny X-Men #205 “Wounded Wolf” - a Wolverine focused issue featuring some amazing art by BWS - along with several other extras. The Gallery Edition is out of print so if you find it online or out in the wild, snap it up immediately. An absolute must-have for any fan of Windsor-Smith, Wolverine, or Marvel.
Profile Image for Jack Leddington.
21 reviews
November 29, 2022
A classic Barry Windsor-Smith story. This is the origin of Wolverine and his introduction and escape from the dreaded Weapon X program! It's a must read for Wolverine fans, with amazing art in tow. It's gory, violent, and beautiful - better than the other TPBs I've seen. The splash pages and absolutely primal style which has changed the way I see Wolverine forever is definitely worthy of some respect. Give this a read!
Profile Image for Krzysztof Grabowski.
1,886 reviews8 followers
September 3, 2024
Tytuł z grona najważniejszych klasyków Marvela, który się co prawda widocznie zestarzał, a mimo to nadal dostarcza czystą rozgrywkę, stanowiąc kamień milowy w budowie charakteru Wolverine'a.

I kreską, która pachnie naftaliną, a jednak nadal jest piorunująca. Może nie aspektem wizualnym, ale niepokojącymi szczegółami. Rosomak napakowany kablami wygląda odpowiednio sugestywnie.

Logan zostaje uprowadzony do placówki badawczej, gdzie zostaje poddany nieludzkim eksperymentom, a wszystko że względu na jego czynnik gojący. W jego ciało wtłoczone zostaje adamentium, co czyni go de facto niezniszczalnym. Ale na tym jego rola się nie kończy, bo "twórcy" widząc uzyskany efekt, próbują go wykorzystać dalej, niejako odczłowieczając bohatera.

Ma być bronią doskonałą, ale zostaje niedoceniony, bo nadal posiada resztki swojej jaźni. A kara za to będzie wielka, zresztą nawet początkowi entuzjaści komiksów z pewnością mieli jakiś kontakt z tym niesamowitym originem. Na deser mamy tu też zeszyt z pierwszym pojawieniem się Lady Deathstrike. Cóż nerdy by chcieli więcej?

Egmont postanowił wydać omawiany album w serii Marvel Limited, więc dla chętnych mamy tu do czynienia z wersją kolekcjonerską. Większy format, lepszy papier. Miałem już do czynienia bodajże z Eternals czy Doctorem Strange'm w tym wydaniu. Coś pięknego i wartego każdej złotówki.
343 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2024
Wolverine – Weapon X Gallery Edition (2022) de Barry Windsord Smith, calificación 3.5/5 estrellas.

Coleccióna Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #72-84, Uncanny X-Men (1981) #205 y material de Wolverine (1988) #166.

Tiene buen arte de Barry Windsord Smith qué inunda con muchos dialogos repetitivos qué al principio fueron tontos.

El origen de Wolverine según John Byrne qué el popularizo a Wolverine desde Uncanny X-Men #121 donde Logan se entregó a Alpha Flight y también Uncanny X-Men #133 "Wolverine: Alone!", en el Fanfic de John Byrne X-Men Elsewhen a Logan le cambian sus huesos qué no se regeneran y que fueron rotos en un accidente de una estampida, por largos años los huesos de Logan fueron cambiados por adamantium en un hospital para veteranos de la guerras por el gobierno de Canadá.

Wolverine Weapon X parece por momentos una trama de Película de terror basada en una pesadilla de una persecución, Professor no era realmente una amenaza, Dr Cornelius y Hines no merecían morir.

También cuenta con Uncanny X-Men #205 con Chris Claremont, otra historia con Katie Powers, donde Wolverine enfrenta a Lady deathstrike.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lance OmeN.
13 reviews
August 23, 2026
'Wolverine: Weapon X' is a 15 Issue Collection of the Origin Story of 'Weapon X', which tells us the capturing of Wolverine by a Secret Agency, then the Experiments that follow. The Agency is run by Scientists and Heavily Guarded by a Militia. Wolverine is trapped on this Private Base and used as a Lab Rat. Here, Wolverine is Controlled by Computers and infused with Adamantium in an Experiment to Brainwash Him and Create a Super-Soldier.

They force Him into a series of Trials, by fighting him against Wild Animals and Gangs of Armed Soldiers. It is Really Good.

It was nice to Read some of the backstory of Wolverine, which most of it I already knew, but hadn't had the chance to see for myself. Definitely a Bucket-List read for me.I love Comic Books from the 80's and 90's. I feel like there was the perfect balance of detail and etch, it looks tougher, the stuff is just full of re-innovation and eye candy.

Gotta Love It.100%.
Profile Image for Marcos_e.e.
373 reviews1 follower
October 14, 2023
Nota 9,75.
"Eu não vou poder gritar, suplicar ou resistir.
Porque tá dentro de mim."

Muito bem escrito, desenhado e colorido.
Inspirado muito na cultura Cyberpunk, especialmente Neuromancer e Blade Runner. Além de pegar tbm de Exterminador do Futuro.
Barry Windsor-Smith cria uma história base até hoje referenciada na cultura dos Quadrinhos. Violenta, Científica, Experimental e Psicológica...
Não é perfeita. Tem muita explicação científica que polui um pouco a narrativa.
Os balões de falas dos personagens se confundem diversas vezes. Um furo na história sobre a origem das Garras.
O combate final ser uma simulação tbm é meio golpe baixo.
Mas isso tudo é detalhe comparado aos acertos.
A história definitiva do Wolverine e um dos maiores clássicos da Marvel!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
41 reviews
August 8, 2026
Last night I read this iconic story that derik got me for Christmas, and I must say it was a pretty decent book. The art was spectacular throughout, that was the best part, but I thought the story was kinda meh. It was like 120 pages of Wolverine getting abused. But I guess I can understand why it became an iconic story considering this was the creation of the story of how he got adamantium on his bones.
I also think it is cool to see that every aspect of this book was done by Mr:.windsor-smith, from the writing and art to the coloring and lettering. and I think that brought something interesting to the book that is not seen basically ever in American comics, so that is very cool, overall even tho it's not my favorite l understand why it's beloved and iconic
Profile Image for George Milne.
7 reviews
March 4, 2026
Weapon X is my first MARVEL comic. This 13 chapter slasher is a brutal and terrifying look at Wolverine, my favourite comic book character. It is beautifully illustrated and gorgeously violent. Though I'm not a huge fan of the ending reveal, the meat of this book's slasher narrative is amazing. The main story here is fantastic and a great look at Logan as the Weapon X.

As for the bonus stuff here, Wounded Wolf (Uncanny X-Men #205) is a fun little story showing the Weapon face off with Lady Deathstrike. And The Hunted: Conclusion (Wolverine #166) is a cool mini flashback detailing Weapon X's ferocity.

Overall, I love this book, and I'll absolutely be reading it again soon.
55 reviews
August 1, 2026
I thought 2 of my friends were reading the same author but it turned out to be 2 different books. Meanwhile, I noticed Barry Winsor-Smith and remembered what a sensation he was for Marvel back in the early 70's. I'm not as big of a Wolverine fan as one of my sons is, but I wanted to check this one out. At first I was kind of thrown off by the two different endings but I read somewhere that it helped with different versions of what happened that have since been in print.
[The graphic novel I read has "Deluxe Edition" on the spine with one excerpt from 2001.]
Profile Image for Crazed8J8.
826 reviews2 followers
July 30, 2026
Dark and gritty, this is the quintessential Weapon X story! BWS does an amazing job on ALL the duties (storytelling, art, even lettering), and this story, although never meant to be a classic, quickly became one.
No suit, no "Bub", not much Logan dialogue, but instead, a dark telling of how Wolverine got infused with adamantium, and why he is so messed up, mentally.
This story doesn't hold back.
A good solid read!
Profile Image for Rob Boylan.
231 reviews9 followers
July 10, 2025
Art is still incredible. Some of the dialogue is still a bit strange. the trim size of the book itself is slightly uncomfortable to read because it's so large, but it really makes the art pop, and the paper has a nice texture to it. I hate glossy paper on comics. I wouldn't change a thing though.
Profile Image for Michael Varela.
2 reviews
May 26, 2026
It almost read just like one of those classic tragic Hollywood horror movies. Like Frankenstein. Wolverine is more of a force of nature in this book than he is a man or an animal. The build up is all worth it for the climax in this one.
Profile Image for Kill Count.
4 reviews
June 2, 2026
It was an entertaining read. I have a soft spot for mutant and/or human-machine hybrid stories. The writing was pretty straight forward. My favorite part was the art. The colors were vibrant and loud and really felt like prime 80s comic eye candy.
Profile Image for Mike A.
61 reviews
Read
April 21, 2022
Good read!

Wolverine Weapon X Gallery edition is deep in depth and art and story would recommend this collection to any diehard fan of Weapon-X!
Profile Image for Clark Kent.
6 reviews
September 30, 2026
Great story from start to finish. From art style to character depth. This one is a definitive masterpiece about the man that’s the best there is at what he does.
Profile Image for Tim Lapetino.
Author 7 books17 followers
May 14, 2022
Absolutely incredible version of Barry Windsor-Smith’s Weapon X miniseries focused on Wolverine. Just an amazing melding of art and writing by BWS. This story has been collected before but this oversized edition is beautiful and comes complete with additional art and stories. Highest recommendation.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews