X-23: DEADLY REGENESIS Comic Book Brings Back Kimura And Introduces A Deadly New Villain Called Haymaker

Next month, writer Erica Schultz and artist Edgar Salazar will take comic book fans back to X-23's days as mutantkind's fiercest assassin in X-23: Deadly Regenesis.

Set during the X-Men's fan-favourite Utopia era, the five-issue saga will present an essential adventure in the life of Laura Kinney that sheds new light on her transformative journey into the hero she is today. In addition to going up against an iconic Marvel Comics villain, X-23 will also face off against her bitter foe, Kimura, as well as a brand-new enemy.

Kimura, Laura's sadistic former handler from the Facility, is back with a vengeance to try to break X-23's spirit and, this time, she's recruited a mysterious figure from Laura's past to help her do the job: Haymaker!

A skilled fighter with a personal vendetta against Laura, Haymaker is more than a match for X-23 and will earn their spot as X-23's new archnemesis. After Haymaker (Jordan Gastin) makes their first appearance, readers will learn more about their backstory throughout the series.

In the meantime, you can check out the character for the first time on the newly revealed design variant cover by Marvel's Stormbreaker artist Jan Bazaldua for X-23: Deadly Regenesis #1 and the main series cover by Kalman Andrasofszky for May's X-23: Deadly Regenesis #3.

"I'm really excited to have gotten the opportunity to work with Jan Bazaldua and Edgar Salazar in adding Haymaker to the Marvel Universe," Schultz says. "Between Haymaker (aka Jordan Gastin) and Kimura, Laura's got her work cut out for her in this one."

The first issue of this exciting new chapter in Laura Kinney's history arrives on March 8. As much fun as it is to see Laura serve as one of the Marvel Universe's Wolverines these days, heading back to her time as X-23 promises to deliver the nostalgia so many fans are on the lookout for.

Take a closer look at this new X-23: Deadly Regenesis artwork below.