Marvel returns to Wolverine's early days with "Origin II" starting in December, and Thursday the publisher revealed the first look at Adam Kubert's interior art from the miniseries, along with word that the first issue will ship with a double-layer acetate cover.

The cover, by Kubert, will feature a background layer and one focused on Wolverine's hand a bloodied claws. Marvel's press release compares it to the covers of 1994 Eisner-winning miniseries "Marvels."

"The first acetate cover I ever saw was on 'Marvels' and it blew my mind," Marvel senior editor Nick Lowe, who oversees the X-Men books, said in the press release. "We're looking to do the same thing with this cover to 'Origin II'."

Perhaps in reference to DC Comics' allocations of their "Villains Month" 3D motion covers, Marvel's statement reads, "In anticipation of this cover's immense popularity, Marvel will have plenty of copies available for retailer orders to appease customer's demands!" The issue is on sale Dec. 24, and is one of only two Marvel books scheduled for release, along with "Avengers #24.NOW."

"Origin II," written by Kieron Gillen and illustrated by Kubert, is a five-issue sequel to the original "Origin" miniseries by Paul Jenkins and Andy Kubert, which ran from 2001 to 2002. The follow-up was announced at this year's Comic-Con International in San Diego, with Gillen telling CBR News, "Basically, I'm doing a weird period novel set in the Marvel Universe, which has enormous importance for Wolverine, and it's as fun as it sounds."

Official Press Release

Marvel Unveils Special Acetate Cover for ORIGIN II #1

Get ready for Marvel's most ambitious cover treatment yet! In celebration of the landmark Origin II series, which unveils the mysterious mutant's storied past, Marvel is giving Origin II #1 the red carpet treatment with a special acetate cover. Gorgeously rendered by superstar artist Adam Kubert, this unique cover features an ominous base layer underneath a second acetate layer of the clawed mutant entering the fray! Click here to see the cover in action on Marvel.com.

"With this year's special December 24th on-sale date, we wanted to give retailers a cover that really popped off the shelves," said Marvel's SVP of Publishing Sales, David Gabriel. "With this acetate treatment and marquee position as one of the only two Marvel Comics on sale that week, we're positive that no reader can miss-or resist - Origin II #1!"

In anticipation of this cover's immense popularity, Marvel will have plenty of copies available for retailer orders to appease customer's demands! Select retailers will receive a cover preview sheet before this item's FOC date, and attendees at Marvel's New York City Comic-Con Retailer Breakfast presentation will receive a free cover preview sheet as well.

"The first acetate cover I ever saw was on Marvels and it blew my mind. We're looking to do the same thing with this cover to Origin II," said X-Men Senior Editor Nick Lowe. "Adam Kubert is a living comic book legend and this cover demonstrates that out of the gate. Top it off with Frank Martin's delicious colors? The rendering, the concept and the surprise that readers will get when they lift the top layer of the cover drives home what a can't-miss event Origin II is."

Set a few years after the events of Origin, Origin II finds James Howlett running with the wolves...until something unexpected brings him back into the world of men! Follow the first "X-Man" as he finds his way back to civilization and falls afoul of someone Sinister, who's just discovering mutantkind and the horrors he can visit on them. Written by comic superstar Kieron Gillen and drawn by industry legend Adam Kubert, Origin II #1 continues the proud tradition of revealing Wolverine's shocking history in the highest quality possible!

ORIGIN II #1 (OCT130650)

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Art & Acetate Cover by ADAM KUBERT

FOC - 11/4/13, ON-SALE - 12/24/13