Marvel's weekly four-issue miniseries "Death of Wolverine" starts and ends in September, with a story purporting to kill off one of the publisher's most popular and prominent characters.

On Thursday, Marvel released a "Mortal Variant" for the first issue, illustrated by veteran artist Ed McGuinness. This "Mortal Variant" was first announced in December 2013, as part of a retailer exchangeability program. Under the program, eligible retailers can exchange unsold copies of this past February's "Wolverine" #1 for the "Mortal Variant" -- with two stripped "Wolverine" #1 covers netting one "Mortal Variant." At the time, the "Mortal Variant" was announced as an alternate cover of "Wolverine" #12; the last issue of the current "Wolverine" series, scheduled for release in August.

"Death of Wolverine" is written by Charles Soule and illustrated by Steve McNiven, with the first issue scheduled for release on Sept. 3.

"Each issue focuses on a different era or 'aspect' of Wolverine's history," Soule told CBR News in April. "So, one issue focuses on the 'Origin'-type vibe, while other issues look at other periods. It's all built around the idea that Wolverine, for once, is truly vulnerable."