Wolverine's Hot Claws May Come from the Phoenix Force

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Avengers #700 by Jason Aaron, Adam Kubert, Matthew Wilson and VC's Cory Petit, on sale now.

Ever since Marvel brought Wolverine back to life in 2017's Marvel Legacy #1, it's been one mystery after another. The matter of Logan's resurrection was quickly overshadowed by his possession of the Space Stone, one of the six cosmic Infinity Stones. Next, Marvel unveiled the "Where's Wolverine?" post-credits scenes in select titles, with the story following Logan's journey through the Marvel Universe as he kept tabs on his fellow comrades and friends.

The Hunt For Wolverine set the stage for Return of Wolverine, with the latter presumably filling the gaps concerning Logan's disappearance from his Adamantium tomb, up to his presence in Marvel Legacy #1. Return of Wolverine also gave Logan a new weapon to his Adamantium arsenal in the form of flaming hot claws. This was an ability Wolverine never displayed before his death, leaving fans to wonder and speculate on how the origin of these strange new powers.

Return of Wolverine writer Charles Soule told CBR "the ‘new’ claws aren’t a big part of the story," meaning fans would have to look elsewhere for a valid explanation. Well, we're happy to report the long wait may have come to an end in the landmark 700th issue of Avengers. Also, if our theory is correct, the fiery hot clues were out in the open just waiting to be deciphered in writer Jason Aaron's Marvel work in the last year.

The Fire Burns Bright

As he's known to do in the past, the trickster god Loki played a role in assembling Earth's Mightiest Heroes to face off against the cosmic space titans called Celestials. The outcome of the battle left the Avengers together once again, and Loki the prisoner of the Final Host off the planet Earth. A backup story in Avengers #700 caught up with Loki as he's being tortured.

Pompous as ever, Loki begins to berate the Celestials for not showing him any gratitude. He takes credit for saving their race and for gifting Midgard their precious Avengers. Loki also says the Celestials are aware of "the war to end all realms" on the horizon, but right when he's about to reveal another key clue he's cut off by none other than Wolverine.

Logan confronting Loki isn't so much of a shock until you factor in Loki's out in the far reaches of space standing on a piece of space debris. Remember, Wolverine no longer has the Space Stone -- he gave it to Black Widow for safekeeping in Infinity Countdown. So exactly how did Wolverine travel to outer space to meet with Loki?

NEXT PAGE: Marvel Gave A Clue To Wolverine's Hot Claws In The Far Future

Did Wolverine Get His New Power From A Cosmic Co-Pilot?

Proving today is full of surprises, Wolverine leaves Loki shocked once again when he shows he can communicate with one of the Celestials. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but cosmic matters of this sort are usually far above your hairy little pay grade," Loki quips. Wolverine says that used to be the case, "But the damned eons do funny things to a man, don't they?"

Now, Wolverine is pretty old, but he's never been eons old. He adds that Earth will need all of its cosmic defense systems for what's to come, and that he made a deal with the Final Host -- he will burn out their infection in exchange for Loki's freedom. The only problem is Logan doesn't plan on holding up his end of the bargain and tells Loki to run when he gives the signal. Suddenly, Wolverine's body is engulfed in the flames of the Phoenix Force.

Fans first saw Wolverine as the Phoenix in Aaron and Mike Del Mundo's Thor #1. The story took place in the far-flung future where the God of Thunder ruled as King Thor. His latest act was resurrecting the dead Earth, drawing the ire of the Wolverine Phoenix. Of course, this led to a fight between the two former teammates and the intervention of a super-powered Doctor Doom.

Since these events took place in the future, it was easy to write it off as one of a hundred possible futures of the Marvel Universe. However, seeing Wolverine "Flame On" in the present-day made us realize his hot claws could come from the Phoenix. It all makes a ton of sense if you think about it -- the same month Marvel promoted Wolverine's new ability to light his Adamantium claws on fire, fans also glimpsed his future as a host for the Phoenix. You can write it off as a coincidence, but you would be overlooking how the majority of the time, comics will give you all the clues you need to solve a puzzle.

For example, another mystery Aaron set up in his years-long Thor run was the identity of the new female Thunder God. Speculation quickly pointed to Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Roz Solomon, a new character co-created by Aaron in Thor: God of Thunder #12. However, Jane Foster was beginning her fight with cancer around the same time and would eventually be revealed as the new Thor.

Let's take a look at what we know for certain -- the origin of Wolverine's hot claws was not going to be revealed in Return of Wolverine. Also, once that series comes to an end, Logan will move on to a 12-part, decades-spanning storyline from Charles Soule and Paulo Siqueira tentatively titled, Wolverine: The Vigil.

Logan died in Death of Wolverine and surprisingly came back to life in Marvel Legacy #1 with no explanation, but somehow came across the Space Stone and gaining hot claws. Then, a future version of Wolverine will bond with the Phoenix to become Old Man Phoenix, and is now with the Phoenix in the current-day. All signs point to hot claws and the Phoenix being one and the same.

We also need to remember the Phoenix is all about being reborn again, and even though Return of Wolverine is following Logan's journey to remembering who he is after his death, it doesn't explain how he was brought back to life. The Phoenix would have to know what evil threat is looming in the background of the Marvel Universe, and may have chosen to revive Wolverine as its champion to help lead the charge. Hopefully, it won't be long until our theory is either confirmed or debunked.

KEEP READING: Return of Wolverine: Is Logan Fighting Back His Own Hulk?