It’s Time To Celebrate The Wolverine Comics
Read Time:4 Minute, 57 Second
Updated 11/12/2024: Deadpool & Wolverine was released in July 2024 – check out our full review here or the spoiler-free version here!
Just when we thought we had seen the last of Weapon X on the big screen in Hugh Jackman’s swan song Logan (2017), Wolverine is coming back. The Deadpool & Wolverine movie is just around the corner and we at ThyGeekdom feel it’s the perfect time to take a trip down memory lane. We’re revisiting Wolverine’s rich comic book history; a history that deserves to be remembered and celebrated.
Created by Len Wein, Roy Thomas, and John Romita Sr., Wolverine’s first comic book appearance was in The Incredible Hulk #180 in 1974. A mutant with powerful healing abilities, enhanced senses and physicality, and a skeleton reinforced with the unbreakable metal adamantium, he joined the X-Men comic series in 1975 and quickly became a favorite among fans.
Wolverine’s antihero archetype resonated with many readers in the years following the Vietnam War. He was a loner, prone to berserker rages, and willing to do whatever it took to defeat his enemies. His superior fighting skills, mysterious origins, and unique retractable and lethal claws made him a valuable and fascinating addition to the X-Men. At the same time, his feelings for Jean Grey created tension within the group, particularly with Jean’s boyfriend, Scott Summers (Cyclops). Wolverine’s first solo comic was released in 1982 and he is the only X-Men character with a consistent solo title since then.
50 years on from his debut, Wolverine’s comic book stories are rich, complex, and numerous. Many depict the harsh bleakness of his violent life, especially his horrifying and heart-breaking past. Readers first learned how Logan got his claws in Weapon X (1988). Created by writer and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, it tells his story in aching detail and doesn’t spare readers the true horror of what Logan went through. It’s widely regarded as one of the best Wolverine comics of all time.
Wolverine: Old Man Logan (2008) is another fan favorite that consistently earns a spot in the top-ranked Wolverine comics. Created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven, it’s a dark and action-packed tale that takes place in a post-apocalyptic future. The villains have won and only a few heroes have survived. After years in retirement, Wolverine joins a blind Hawkeye on a dangerous journey across a wasteland, seeking redemption and revenge. The story explores Wolverine’s resilience and the toll a long life of violence and hardship has taken on him.
Deadpool and Wolverine are at the front of many fans’ minds with the approach of the eagerly-anticipated movie. The two had their first significant interaction in the 1994 comic, Wolverine #88, which, predictably, ended in a fight. Over the years, Deadpool and Wolverine have fought in many stories and teamed up in many more. Their personalities are wildly different and frequently clash, but their similar origins make them an interesting combination.
Regardless of whether they are friends or enemies at any given time, the two are known for their verbal and physical sparring. Deadpool’s flippant humor and unconventional methods don’t suit the gruff and no-nonsense Wolverine, making for consistently enjoyable reading. The 2024 Deadpool & Wolverine movie isn’t based on any specific comic, which leaves more room for creators to play around with the characters and story. We know little about the plot so far, although there is speculation that Deadpool has been sent to recruit Logan to help him save his universe. The movie is coming to theaters on July 26, 2024.
That’s not all that we have to look forward to from Wolverine. In honor of his 50th anniversary, Marvel Comics is relaunching Wolverine’s solo comic franchise with an all-new series. The title is part of the X-Men: From the Ashes series and will be helmed by writer Saladin Ahmed and artist Martín Cóccolo. In the comic, Wolverine has turned his back on humans and mutants alike and is living in the Canadian wilderness. We don’t know what enemies he will face but Marvel has teased that Wolverine #1 will include the “key first appearance” of a new villain and “a major addition to the lore of Wolverine.” The issue will be published in September 2024 and it’s safe to say that fans are excited.
50 years after his first appearance, Wolverine remains one of the most compelling and complex superheroes. His story has been told in comics, video games, movies, and television series, and we’re not even close to seeing the end of it. There is a timelessness to his struggles and his desire to redeem himself that continues to resonate with fans. Whatever new challenges he faces, we know he’ll face them with his customary grit and determination. After all, he’s the best at what he does, but what he does best isn’t very nice.
So, that’s a look at the character and what’s coming next, but let’s hear more about Logan from you. Which of Wolverine’s comic storylines is your favorite? What do you like most about the dynamic between Deadpool and Wolverine? What are your predictions and hopes for the new Wolverine comic series? Tell us your thoughts and more in the comments section below. And don’t forget to sign up to our email list to get Finds of the Week and our free newsletter, PopPulse Digest, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article contains links to external sellers and affiliate marketing. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying sales.
