History ComicBook / WeaponX1991

[[quoteright:322:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/weapon_x.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:322:Become the animal.]]

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It tells the story of the "Experiment X", a military SuperSoldier project who capture and experiment on a recently discharged veteran-turned-drifter named Logan. Told from the perspective of the scientists overseeing Logan's unwilling transformation from anonymous loner to unstoppable killing machine, later designated "Weapon X". And yes, this is a Horror story.

* AchievementsInIgnorance: The project chose Logan because he wouldn't missed and because his military file showed he had remarkably stamina. They did not know he was a mutant with a powerful HealingFactor, [[WolverineClaws Claws]], and SuperSenses. The AnonymousBenefactor of the project ''did'' know, however, but chose not to inform the staff or the Professor. It's left ambiguous whether Logan would have even survived the bonding process without his healing.

* TheAlcoholic: Logan was not a well man ''before'' being kidnapped. His military discharge report cites "self-destructive behaviors...resulting from chronic alcohol abuse". He's later seen mixing whiskey and pills.
* AnArmAndALeg: During his escape rampage, Logan attacks the Professor, and slices off his right hand. The Professor manages to escape, but Logan follows and eventually cuts off the other hand for good measure, before killing him.[[spoiler: Except he doesn't. The escape and rampage is all a simulation by Experiment X to see how Logan faces off against armed humans.]]
* AndIMustScream: Logan is subjected to horrific experiments, and goes in and out of awareness throughout due to being drugged out of his mind. He does end up screaming about how much pain he is in on multiple occasions.

* BodyHorror: The series is full of it. Logan is injected with liquid metal, has his arms cut open to the bone, he tears apart a pack of wolves, and later has his body covered in nuclear waste. We are also treated to several shots of his claws gruesomely tearing through the skin of his hands. Later, the project installs ports in this hands to keep the claws from cutting him every time they emerge, adding even more to the body horror.

** The special properties and history of Adamantium are not gone into. In this story it just seems to be a very strong alloy.
** Logan's claws seem to be made entirely of metal here, and are an accidental product of the initial bonding process mistakenly pumping too much metal into his forearms and wrists. Somehow. It's later established that Logan had bone claws all along, and the process just bound the metal to them like it did to all his other bones. Apparently, the project never bothered to give their subject an x-ray before injecting him with metal.

** The idea that the "X" in "Weapon X" being anything other than an codename is not mentioned. A later story would retcon the "X" actually being the Roman Numeral "10", with Logan being the tenth test subject of the project, dating all the way back to ComicBook/CaptainAmerica being the first, or "Weapon I".
* FanDisservice: Logan is naked throughout most of the story. However, it's used to show his vulnerability and how the project has dehumanized him, and is never played for titillation.

* GoneHorriblyRight: The virtual simulation that allows Logan to massacre the staff. It is designed to hone his current animalistic mindset into a more focused and deliberate method. The trauma and catharsis of the simulation actually allows Logan to wake up in the real world and escape.
* HuntingTheMostDangerousGame: After successfully forcing Logan to fight and behead a grizzly bear, the Professor decides that he should upgrade to test to killing humans.

* InstantSedation: Subverted. Logan goes down quickly when tasered in the parking lot. When the assailants try to drag him out the car, he punches one, showing it ''wasn't'' instant after all. They end up beating him senseless with the butt of a pistol.

* ManipulativeBastard: The Professor, at one point, coerces a newly hired lab tech into a Logan, just after he has woken up from the process and popped his newly metal claws. The Professor does this just to see what would happen. Needless to say, Logan immediately kills the tech.

* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Logan. Twice in fact. First in a virtual simulation to see how he would fair against armed resistance. The second occurs when he finally manages to at least half-way wakeup from the experiment, Logan goes into a frenzy, killing at least some of the staff and finally escaping.
* SuperSoldier: The purpose of Experiment X is implied to be trying to create one, but the focus is more on Logan's ability to kill rather any other military application.

* StrappedToAnOperatingTable: The project does not bother to anesthetize Logan during any of the multiple operations they force him to undergo. The Professor claims that his healing factor will fight off any attempt, but they don't even try. He ends up waking several times, and is clearly in agony.
* UncertainDoom: Logan, having finally woken up from the brain washing, attacks the Project X compound and breaks into the lab holding Hines, Cornelius, and the Professor. He is next seen escaping into the snow of the Canadian wilderness. The fate of his tormentors is not shown.

* WeNeedADistraction: Combined with YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness. The Professor tosses his employee Carol Hines into the base of the facility's nuclear reactor, in order to lure Logan underneath it and kill him with the nuclear waste. [[spoiler: Subverted when it turns out it was all just a simulation, and he never injured Carol.]]

The first installment of the Weapon X series, starting within the pages of the larger ''ComicBook/MarvelComicsPresents'', and covering issues 72-84. Written and drawn by [[Creator/BarryWindsorSmith Barry Windsor-Smith]], it was the first comic arc to attempt to give a partial origin story of ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}, specifically the nightmarish non-consensual experiments that led to his Adamantium skeleton and identity amnesia. In terms of its lingering effects through the entire Franchise/XMen franchise, it is one of the ''most'' important story arcs, and inspired multiple films and episodes of television.

The first installment of the Weapon X series, starting within the pages of the larger ''ComicBook/MarvelComicsPresents'', and covering issues 72-84. Written and drawn by [[Creator/BarryWindsorSmith Barry Windsor-Smith]], it was the first comic arc to attempt to give a partial origin story of Franchise/{{Wolverine}}, specifically the nightmarish non-consensual experiments that led to his Adamantium skeleton and identity amnesia. In terms of its lingering effects through the entire Franchise/XMen franchise, it is one of the ''most'' important story arcs, and inspired multiple films and episodes of television.

* RedHerring: The unnamed "Professor" leading the project is a thin bald white man, and is introduced with his glasses refracting the words in the report he is reading, from "Experiment X" into "x men". This would readers to naturally assume that he is [[ComicBook/ProfessorX Charles Xavier]], with the ShockingSwerve that Logan's mentor was behind his torture all along. He's actually a different character entirely, who in this series has NoNameGiven. A later comic revealed he was using the alias of "Professor Andre Thorton", with his real name being "Trett Hudson".

The first installment of the Weapon X series, starting within the pages of the larger ''ComicBook/MarvelComicsPresents'', and covering issues 72-84. Written and drawn by [[Creator/BarryWindsorSmith Barry Windsor-Smith]], it was the first comic arc to attempt to give a partial origin story of Franchise/{{Wolverine}}, specifically the nightmarish non-consensual experiments that led to his Adamantium skeleton and identity amnesia. In terms of its lingering effects through the entire Franchise/XMen franchise, it is one of the ''most'' important story arcs, and inspired multiple films and episodes of television. It has also rece

* UncertainDoom: Logan, having finally woken up from the brain washing, attacks the Project X compound and breaks into the lab holding Hines, Cornelius, and the Professor. He is next seen escaping into the snow of the Canadian wilderness.

* BodyHorror: The series is full of it. Logan is injected with liquid metal, has his arms cut open to the bone, he tears apart a pack of wolves, and later has his body covered in nuclear waste. We are also treated to several shots of his claws gruesomely tearing through the skin of his hands.

* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Logan. Twice in fact. First in a virtual simulation to see how he would fair against armed resistance. The second occurs when he finally manages to at least half-way wakeup from the experiment, Logan goes into a frenzy, massacring every staff member he possibly can.

* WeNeedADistraction: Combined with YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness. The Professor tosses his employee Carol Hines into the base of the facility's nuclear reactor, in order to lure Logan underneath it and kill him with the nuclear waste. [[Spoiler: Subverted when it turns out it was all just a simulation, and he never injured Carol.]]

* AllJustADream: [[Spoiler: After coming to some of his senses late in the experiment, Logan proceeds to go on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge, massacring as much of the staff as possible as he tries to make his way towards the Professor. Eventually, he seems to kill ''everyone'' in the facility. However, it turns out this is all an elaborate virtual simulation to test out how Logan would fair against the heavily armed security forces, and he never actually escaped.]]

* AnArmAndALeg: During his escape rampage, Logan attacks the Professor, and slices off his right hand. The Professor manages to escape, but Logan follows and eventually cuts off the other hand for good measure, before killing him.[[Spoiler: Except he doesn't. The escape and rampage is all a simulation by Experiment X to see how Logan faces off against armed humans.]]

* AnArmAndALeg: During his escape rampage, Logan attacks the Professor, and slices off his right hand. [[Spoiler: Except he doesn't. The escape and rampage is all a simulation by Experiment X to see how Logan faces off against armed humans.]]

* MysteriousBenefactor: ''Someone'' powerful is backing the project, but only the Professor is aware of it, and only speaks to the figure by phone. None of the other staff seem to be aware of their existence. [[Spoiler: In a simulation, the figure releases Logan to attack the staff, and the Professor begs to be spared from his rampage after [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness outliving his usefullness]]]].

* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Experiment X wanted to turn Logan into an ImplaccableMan. They succeeded all too well.

* MysteriousBenefactor: ''Someone'' powerful is backing the project, but only the Professor is aware of it, and only speaks to the figure by phone. None of the other staff seem to be aware of their existence. [[Spoiler: In a simulation, the figure releases Logan to attack the staff, and the Professor begs to be spared from his rampage after [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefullness outliving his usefullness]]]].

* WeNeedADistraction: Combined with YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefullness. The Professor tosses his employee Carol Hines into the base of the facility's nuclear reactor, in order to lure Logan underneath it and kill him with the nuclear waste. [[Spoiler: Subverted when it turns out it was all just a simulation, and he never injured Carol.]]

* AllJustADream: [[Spoiler: After coming to some of his senses late in the experiment, Logan proceeds to go on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge, massacring as much of the staff as possible as he tries to make his way towards the Professor. However, it turns out this is all an elaborate virtual simulation to test out how Logan would fair against the heavily armed security forces, and he never actually escaped.]]

* WasOnceAMan: Name dropped by Dr. Cornelius after getting a good look at what they have turned Logan into.

* TheAlcoholic: Logan was not a well man ''before'' being kidnapped. His military discharge report cites "self-destructive behaviors...resulting from chronic alcohol abuse". He's later seen mixing whiskey and pills.

* RedScare: Cornelius sarcastically wonders if Logan is being trained to "protect us from the Commies or someththing".

* ForTheEvulz: The Professor at one point [[TheSadist pours hot coffee onto Logan's face]], knowing that, due to the mind control, he literally cannot react to the pain of it burning him.

* ForTheEvulz: The Professor takes pleasure in pouring hot coffee onto Logan's face, knowing that, due to the mind control, he literally cannot react to the pain of it burning him.

* ItsAllAboutMe: The Professor, hands down. He takes personal offense after Logan tries to attack him, and later makes it clear that Logan is ''his'' alone.

* ForTheEvils: The Professor takes pleasure in pouring hot coffee onto Logan's face, knowing that, due to the mind control, he literally cannot react to the pain of it burning him.

* StrappedToTheOperatingTable: The project does not bother to anesthetize Logan during any of the multiple operations they force him to undergo. The Professor claims that his healing factor will fight off any attempt, but they don't even try. He ends up waking several times, and is clearly in agony.

* SuperSolder: The purpose of Experiment X is implied to be trying to create one, but the focus is more on Logan's ability to kill rather any other military application.

* AndIMustScream: Logan is subjected to horrific experiments, and goes in and out of awareness throughout due to being drugged out of his mind.

* {{Dehumanization}}: Logan deliberately has his humanity stripped away, with turn him into a living weapon.

* IdentityAmnesia: Logan admits in the opening narration that he doesn't remember who his mother was. The Weapon X project later erases his ''entire'' life.

* RedHerring: The unnamed "Professor" leading the project is a thin bald white man, leading some readers to assume that he is [[ComicBook/ProfessorX Charles Xavier]]. He's actually a different character entirely. A later series would reveal his that he was operating under the alias of "Professor Andre Thorton", with his real name being "Trett Hudson".

* WasOnceAMan: Name dropped by Dr. Cornelius after getting a good look at what Logan has become.

* {{Dehumanization}}: Logan deliberately has his humanity stripped away, with the scientists doing everything they can to strip away any and all of his humanity and turn him into a living weapon.

* RedHerring: The unnamed "Professor" leading the project is a thin bald white man, leading some readers to assume that he is [[ComicBook/ProfessorX Charles Xavier]]. He's actually a different character entirely. A later series would reveal his that he was operating under the alias of "Professor Andre Thorton", with his real name being "Trett Hudson".

-->''The Professor'': "[[InLoveWithYourCarnage Magnificent]].

The first installment of the Weapon X series, starting within the pages of the larger ''ComicBook/MarvelComicsPresents'', and covering issues 72-84. Written and drawn by [[Creator/BarryWindsorSmith Barry Windsor-Smith]], it was the first comic arc to attempt to give a partial origin story of Franchise/{{Wolverine}}, specifically the nightmarish non-consensual experiments that led to his Adamantium skeleton and identity amnesia. In terms of its lingering effects through the entire Franchise/XMen, it is one of the ''most'' important story arc.

It tells the story of the "Weapon X", a military SuperSoldier project who capture and experiment on a recently discharged veteran-turned-drifter named Logan. Told from the perspective of the scientists overseeing Logan's unwilling transformation from anonymous loner to unstoppable killing machine. And yes, this is a Horror story.

* InstantSedation: Subverted. Logan goes down quickly when tasered in the parking lot. When the assailants try to drag him out the car, he punches one, showing it ''wasn't'' instant after all.

* RedHerring: The unnamed "Professor" leading the project is a thin bald white man, leading some readers to assume that he is [[ComicBook/ProfessorX Charles Xavier]]. He's a different character entirely. A later series would reveal his name to be "Trett Hudson".

* TheAlcoholic: Logan was not a well-man ''before'' being kidnapped. His military discharge report cites "self-destructive behaviors...resulting from chronic alcohol abuse". He's later seen mixing whiskey and pills.

* FiveFiveFive: Cornelius begins the story contacting the professor by one.

* RapidHairGrowth: As part of the intake process, Logan's entire body is shaved. It's visibly growing back 20 minutes later, much to the bewilderment of the scientists.

* PressGanged: Logan is attacked in a parking lot, tranquilized, and brought to the project in the first issue.

It tells the story of the "Weapon X", a military SuperSoldier project who capture and experiment on a drifter named Logan. Told from the perspective of the scientists overseeing Logan's unwilling transformation from anonymous loner to unstoppable killing machine. And yes, this is a Horror story.

* {{Dehumanization}}: Logan deliberately has his humanity stripped away, with the scientists doing everything they can to strip away any and all of his humanity and turn him into a living weapon.

The first installment of the Weapon X series, starting within the pages of the larger ''ComicBook/MarvelComicsPresents''. Written and drawn by [[Creator/BarryWindsorSmith Barry Windsor-Smith]], it was the first comic arc to attempt to give a partial origin story of Franchise/{{Wolverine}}, specifically the nightmarish non-consensual experiments that led to his Adamantium skeleton and identity amnesia. In terms of it's lingering effects through the entire Franchise/XMen, it is one of the ''most'' important story arc.

!!The first volume provides examples of the following tropes: