Wolverine’s rise to comic book fame is largely thanks to the 1980s. When he first appeared in The Incredible Hulk in 1974, few would have predicted he’d become more popular than iconic heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and even the Hulk himself, or DC’s legendary characters. However, the 1980s dramatically transformed Logan, creating a stark contrast between the character at the beginning and end of the decade. It was this decade that truly shaped Wolverine into the star he is known as today.
Thinking about Wolverine’s exciting adventures throughout the 1980s, certain moments stand out as particularly important. These five key events shaped his character and ultimately helped him become the popular hero he is known as today.
5) Wolverine (Vol. 2) #10
Wolverine has been featured in many great comic books, and one standout issue is Wolverine (Vol. 2) #10, created by Chris Claremont, John Buscema, and Bill Sienkiewicz. This story jumps between the present and the past, focusing on Wolverine’s birthday and revealing the first encounter between Logan and his longtime rival, Victor Creed. It was a major moment for the character, giving readers a glimpse into his life in 19th-century Canada. Fans had long been eager to learn more about Wolverine’s backstory, and this issue delivered. The fight between Wolverine and Creed, beautifully illustrated by Buscema and Sienkiewicz, is considered one of the most exciting battles the character has ever been in.
4) First Fight with Sabretooth
Wolverine is famous for his intense battles, and his fights with Sabretooth are among the most memorable. Their rivalry is considered one of Marvel’s greatest, and it all began in Uncanny X-Men #212-213. During the “Mutant Massacre” storyline, Sabretooth, as part of the Marauders, tracked an injured Psylocke back to the X-Mansion, with Wolverine close behind. This led to the first on-page fight between Logan and Victor, a pivotal moment in Marvel history that significantly impacted Wolverine’s future. Notably, issue #213 features artwork by Alan Davis, an artist who later became known for his exceptional work on Wolverine comics like Wolverine: Bloodlust and as the primary artist on Wolverine (Vol. 5) #1-13.
3) Wolverine (Vol. 2) #1
As a huge comic fan, I remember when Wolverine really blew up in the ’80s, and it all came together with the first issue of his own ongoing series, Wolverine (Vol. 2) #1, back in 1988. Chris Claremont, who basically defined the Uncanny X-Men run, and artist John Buscema teamed up for most of the first ten issues, and it was a game-changer. This series really dug into Logan’s backstory, introducing us to places like Madripoor and starting a storyline that brought the Murasama Blade into his world. Honestly, this one issue sparked 38 years of regular solo adventures for the guy – it completely transformed his place in comics!
2) Wolverine and Mariko Yashida’s Wedding
Wolverine and Mariko Yashida first connected in 1979’s X-Men #118, and their relationship had a profound effect on him. It ultimately led to a heartbreaking event in his life. In Uncanny X-Men #172, the couple invited the X-Men to Japan for their wedding, but the ceremony was sabotaged by villains like Viper, Silver Samurai, and Mastermind. Mastermind used his powers to force Mariko to call off the wedding, a devastating moment that deeply impacted Wolverine and shaped his character for years afterward.
1) Wolverine (Vol. 1) #1-4
Wolverine’s popularity grew throughout the late 70s and into the 80s, and a key moment for the character arrived in 1982. Writer Chris Claremont and artist Frank Miller collaborated on Wolverine (Vol. 1) #1-4, giving the mutant his first solo adventure. The story followed Wolverine as he traveled to Japan to rescue his girlfriend, Mariko, from her abusive husband – a man chosen by her father, who was a powerful Yakuza boss. This series isn’t only considered one of the greatest Wolverine stories ever told, but also one of the best Marvel series of the 1980s. Its success led to more solo adventures for the character in miniseries, one-shot issues, and within Uncanny X-Men. This miniseries is largely responsible for making Wolverine the star he is today.
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2026-01-20 03:10