10 Wolverine Stories Perfect for MCU Fans

In the exciting crossover film “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Hugh Jackman once again dons the claws as everyone’s favorite mutant, reaffirming his status as the longest-serving superhero actor and delivering top-notch Wolverine performances that fans have been eagerly anticipating. With the Marvel Cinematic Universe buzzing about this iconic character, avid MCU followers are in luck! They can dive into nearly five decades of captivating Wolverine comic books to uncover some of the finest stories ever written for this remarkable character.

Delving into comics, particularly those featuring Wolverine, can sometimes be a challenge. However, fear not, as this collection is here to guide you! These ten captivating Wolverine tales are essential for Marvel Cinematic Universe enthusiasts. They offer fresh perspectives on the character and rank among the finest Wolverine stories ever told.

Weapon X-Men

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they’re quite fond of tales about multiple universes, and the duo of Deadpool and Wolverine have showcased various iterations of these characters. For MCU enthusiasts who yearn for a narrative that unites Wolverines from across the multiverse, the comic book series “Weapon X-Men“, penned by Christos Gage and illustrated by Yildray Cinar, promises to satisfy that craving. This epic story assembles five distinct versions of Wolverine who journey through different dimensions in an attempt to halt the nearly all-powerful villain Onslaught.

This story is thrilling, ranking among the top multiverse tales of the past ten years. But what truly resonates with MCU enthusiasts is its comprehensive exploration of each Wolverine character. The book delves deeply into their backgrounds, addressing any lingering questions fans might have and embarking on intriguing journeys with each one. “Weapon X-Men” is an ideal read for fans seeking a fresh perspective on Wolverine and manages to excel in virtually every aspect.

Weapon X (1995)

In both Weapon X-Men and Deadpool & Wolverine, one of the most remarkable multiverse versions of Wolverine is showcased – this is the one-handed Wolverine from the hit X-Men series The Age of Apocalypse, known as Weapon X. The comic book series Weapon X (issues 1-4), penned by Larry Hama and Adam Kubert, unfolds in a different universe where Professor X was previously killed and Apocalypse seized control. The narrative commences with Logan and Jean Grey working for the Human High Council, engaging in battles against Apocalypse’s forces. When Logan offers to lead the Human armada into North America for a nuclear strike, Jean departs, leaving Logan to find a way to bypass Apocalypse’s defenses on his own.

Weapon X” stands out as one of the top miniseries in “The Age of Apocalypse” series. It offers an engaging narrative, featuring a unique portrayal of Wolverine. Many fans have pondered over the identity of the one-handed Wolverine seen in “Deadpool & Wolverine”, and this comic book provides his most compelling storyline. Hama is renowned as one of the greatest Wolverine writers, and this won’t be the last time he graces our list. His writing skills are evident here, even when crafting a story for a Wolverine from an entirely different universe.

Old Man Logan

For enthusiasts of Deadpool and Wolverine, particularly Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine, the comic series titled “Old Man Logan,” penned by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven, holds a recognizable ring. The character of Old Man Logan shares some similarities with this narrative, serving as one of the multiverse’s Wolverines that Deadpool attempted to enlist. In essence, “Old Man Logan” is loosely inspired by this tale.

The comic unfolds in a future where Marvel’s villains have triumphed. The once-vigilant Wolverine, now known as Old Man Logan, leads a peaceful life tending to a farm within the Hulk’s domain. Saddled with debt to the Hulk Gang, he is approached by Hawkeye for a protective services gig. This opportunity promises to help him clear his debts. Together, they embark on a brutal journey across the United States, an adventure that will etch itself deeply into readers’ memories.

One compelling rendition of this could be: “Old Man Logan stands out as one of the finest dystopian future tales. It’s a gritty and brutal narrative with a midpoint twist that will leave readers astonished. This exceptional work in Wolverine literature flawlessly encapsulates the character’s essence. Although the writing is exceptional, it might very well be Mark Millar’s best contribution to Marvel Comics – yet it’s the artwork that truly elevates it. Steve McNiven was exceptional in this comic, his visual storytelling effectively conveying the atmosphere of this dystopian horror-filled world.

Enemy of the State

In a previous turn, Mark Millar didn’t introduce Wolverine for the first time through Old Man Logan. Instead, this author had already worked on the character, collaborating with artist John Romita Jr. in the year-long action series called Enemy of the State. Within this storyline, Wolverine is tricked into traveling to Japan by the Gorgon, leader of the powerful ninja clan The Hand. The Gorgon then murders Wolverine and brings him back to life, using his mind to manipulate the hero into joining Hydra. As a result, the controlled Wolverine becomes a lethal weapon for both terrorist groups, engaging in battles against the superhero community.

Originally, “Enemy of the State” was initially released as two separate six-issue series – the first being titled “Enemy of the State” and the second “Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.” This structure should give you a sense of the story’s progression. These 12 issues are brimming with thrilling action sequences, underscoring why Wolverine is such a powerful character within the Marvel Universe. This tale is nothing short of exhilarating and sure to captivate fans of the MCU who enjoyed the action-packed Wolverine scenes in “Deadpool & Wolverine.

The Shiva Scenario

The events of Wolverine’s life due to the Weapon X program have significantly impacted him, and the storyline “The Shiva Scenario” explores the manipulations made to his mind as a result. This narrative unfolds in issues #48-50 of “Wolverine” (Vol. 2), penned by Larry Hama and Marc Silvestri. In this tale, Wolverine embarks on a quest to uncover hidden memories. With the assistance of Professor X and Jean Grey, he discovers cryptic hints about where Weapon X had surgically altered his mind. Upon delving deeper, he encounters Shiva, a robot designed to annihilate Weapon X subjects who probe too far into their memory enhancements. This revelation sets the stage for a thrilling showdown against a mechanical adversary engineered to eliminate individuals like Wolverine.

1991 saw the emergence of this captivating tale, coinciding with the release of popular comics like “X-Men” Volume 2 #1 and “X-Force” #1. For many ’90s fans, it marked the beginning of a series of Wolverine stories, skillfully reeling readers in. It’s an exhilarating narrative that underscored the complexity of Wolverine as a character, establishing his bonds with his X-Men comrades, and concluded with a thrilling climax. Remarkably, it ties in with another Wolverine story on this list, delving even further into his backstory.

Weapon X (1991)

Back in the early ’90s, I was a regular reader of X-Men comics, where Wolverine made his monthly appearances, as well as his own solo series and the anthology book Marvel Comics Presents. In 1991, Barry Windsor Smith, a talented writer and artist, took over the Wolverine feature in Marvel Comics Presents, providing us with the gripping storyline Weapon X. This epic ran from issues #72 to #84 of the anthology book. The story revolved around the heads of Weapon X, the organization responsible for the adamantium bonding process on a man known as Logan. However, something goes awry during this procedure, and Logan manages to break free, leaving a trail of bloodshed through the ranks of Weapon X.

This second tale on the list is named “Weapon X,” and it’s considered one of the most significant Wolverine stories ever told. In 1991, fans were eagerly awaiting information about Wolverine’s origin, and this story provided a piece of that puzzle. Artist John Byrne, who’s renowned in the comic world for his exceptional skills, certainly poured his best efforts into crafting this tale. The comic served as inspiration for the Weapon X scenes in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” and “X-Men: Apocalypse,” making it a must-read for anyone interested in the character’s backstory.

Not Dead Yet

Wolverine: Still Alive,” written by Warren Ellis and Leinil Yu, unfolds during the era of Wolverine’s indestructible claws and bone structure. This period is filled with thrilling narratives, where Wolverine must adapt to combat without his unyielding claws and skeleton. This element is significant in “Still Alive,” as a former black ops colleague, the Gweilo – a renowned assassin, targets Wolverine once more. The Gweilo is one of the planet’s top assassins, skilled at designing lethal traps for his victims. However, the Gweilo’s intel on Wolverine might be slightly outdated, as he intends to eliminate a version of Wolverine with an unbreakable skeleton.

In this tale, we find another stellar example of high-octane storytelling featuring Wolverine. He endures relentless attacks from the Gweilo, battling for survival until he can strike at the assassin. This narrative displays Wolverine at his grittiest and most ingenious, making it an ideal choice for Marvel Cinematic Universe aficionados eager to witness the character pushed beyond familiar limits on the silver screen. It’s a precious gem from the era of his bone claws.

Wolverine (Vol. 2) #90

Over the course of many battles, Wolverine’s arch-nemesis, Sabretooth, has been his most formidable foe. Comic book enthusiasts can delve into numerous epic encounters between these two characters. The following two fights are particularly noteworthy. One such confrontation is depicted in Wolverine (Vol. 2) #90, written by Larry Hama and illustrated by Adam Kubert. This battle takes place during the ‘bone claw’ era. Wolverine, having left the X-Mansion due to his concern about losing his adamantium making him a liability, returns to find Sabretooth imprisoned there. Initially resisting the urge to eliminate his sworn enemy, Wolverine changes his mind when he realizes that Sabretooth is attempting an escape. The ensuing fight between the two is intense and unpredictable, culminating in a conclusion that no one could have foreseen.

In this comic, there are some spectacularly expansive pages that make the narrative feel grand and epic. Each page is top-notch. Hama has penned numerous battles between Wolverine and Sabretooth, and in this particular issue, he skillfully portrays their intense animosity towards each other. Kubert, a legendary artist for Wolverine, offers readers an intense, physical confrontation between the two characters, his artwork beautifully encapsulating their animosity and brutality. This fight between Wolverine and Sabretooth is one that Marvel Cinematic Universe fans should not miss out on. If it weren’t for the next entry on this list, it could easily be hailed as the best Wolverine/Sabretooth story.

Wolverine (Vol. 2) #10

In the tenth issue of volume 2 of “Wolverine,” penned by Chris Claremont, John Buscema, and Bill Sienkiewicz, it’s often hailed as the most remarkable standalone “Wolverine” comic book. The narrative unfolds on Wolverine’s birthday, set in the island of Madripoor, where he attempts to keep a low profile. As the tale unfurls, we learn through flashbacks that this particular birthday holds a significant trauma for him, dating back to his past. Upon returning from a fishing trip, he encounters the gruesome scene of his girlfriend Silver Fox being brutally murdered in their cabin, with the scent of Sabretooth lingering around. This tragic discovery propels him towards town, where he confronts Sabretooth and learns a harsh lesson. Despite his efforts to avoid trouble, his longstanding adversary continues to stalk him in the present moment.

In volume 2, issue 10 of Wolverine, we delve into a crucial aspect of Wolverine’s history penned by a renowned Wolverine writer, Chris Claremont. During his tenure on Uncanny X-Men, Claremont significantly boosted Wolverine’s popularity, and this tale is one of his best works featuring the character. John Buscema, a seasoned Marvel artist, worked on this issue along with Bill Sienkiewicz, resulting in pencil work that carries a unique charm. This story is captivating, tightly written, and offers fans everything they’d expect from a comic. It sheds light on Wolverine’s beginnings and the origin of his feud with Sabretooth, making it essential reading for any Marvel Cinematic Universe enthusiast.

Wolverine (Vol. 1) #1-4

In the late ’70s and early ’80s, Wolverine rose to fame due to his role in the Uncanny X-Men. It wasn’t long before he landed his own standalone series, which debuted in 1982. The first four issues of Wolverine (Vol. 1), written by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, found Wolverine journeying to Japan to aid the woman he loved, Mariko Yashida. Her father, a powerful Yakuza boss named Shingen, had forced her into an unwanted marriage with one of his underlings. Wolverine intervened, only to be severely beaten by Shingen in their initial encounter. The rest of the story follows Wolverine as he partners with the skilled ninja Yukio, learning to strategize his fights just in time for a rematch against Shingen.

For devoted followers of the Wolverine film series, this tale might seem somewhat reminiscent – parts of it were inspired by The Wolverine. Nevertheless, the original comic far surpasses it. Claremont shines at his best – not many writers can craft stories as beautifully as early ’80s Claremont – and collaborating with legendary artist Frank Miller on illustrations only enhances his work. Moreover, Miller delivers some of his finest artwork, perfectly portraying the man and warrior that is Wolverine. MCU fans should immerse themselves in Wolverine’s journey through Japan, as this tale is unrivaled among all Wolverine stories set in Japan.

These Wolverine comics are available from Marvel.

2025-01-11 01:10