7 Best First Issues of Wolverine Comics, Ranked

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Wolverine rose to become a hugely popular Marvel character, starting with his development in the Uncanny X-Men comics in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He first starred in his own limited series in 1982 – a series still considered a Marvel classic – but it wasn’t until seven years later that he got a regularly published solo title. He’s had a consistently running solo comic ever since (even during the period from 2014-2019 when Logan was presumed dead, spin-offs like Old Man Logan and All-New Wolverine continued his story). His comics consistently sell well and are a cornerstone of the X-Men line, attracting many of the most talented creators in the industry, all building on the strength of those initial, groundbreaking issues.

The first issue of a comic book is crucial – it needs to grab readers and make them want more. Fortunately, the character known as ‘the Canucklehead’ has consistently delivered strong first issues, and these seven stand out as the very best.

7) Weapon X #1

The “Age of Apocalypse” is a famous Marvel storyline, often praised as one of the best explorations of the multiverse. However, when you look closely at the individual miniseries, it’s not quite as exceptional as many fans believe. While there are some strong entries, Weapon X, created by Larry Hama and Adam Kubert, truly stands out. It immediately grabs your attention with a fantastic action sequence and then develops a compelling story from there. The combination of skillful writing and stunning artwork makes the first issue particularly memorable.

6) Wolverine (Vol. 4) #1

As a huge Wolverine fan, I have to say Jason Aaron really gets this character. He started writing Logan back in the third volume of Wolverine, but 2010 was when he truly shined. That year, the whole X-Men line was revamped, and Aaron launched a new Wolverine series with issue #1, illustrated by Renato Guedes. This issue started what’s become one of my favorite storylines, “Wolverine Goes to Hell,” which really sets up the Red Right Hand saga. Honestly, it feels like the absolute best version of Logan, thrown into the depths of hell trying to solve a mystery. And with Jae Lee’s incredible cover art, it’s just a perfect comic book experience from start to finish.

5) Wolverine (Vol. 5) #1

As a huge Wolverine fan, I still think about the storyline where he lost his healing factor – it was devastating! It all started in Wolverine (Vol. 5) #1, by Paul Cornell and Alan Davis, and honestly, it’s a brilliant issue. Logan gets thrown into what seems like a simple hostage situation, but it quickly escalates into something that threatens everything. Cornell really gets Logan, but Alan Davis is the true star here. He’s an incredible artist, and his Wolverine is always fantastic. This issue is visually stunning – a real treat for the eyes that pulls you in immediately. It’s a seriously underrated gem, and I wish more people would revisit it!

4) Wolverine (Vol. 7) #1

While the Krakoa era revolutionized Marvel’s X-Men in 2019, Wolverine didn’t receive his own solo comic series until 2020. The first issue of Wolverine (Vol. 7), written by Benjamin Percy with art by Adam Kubert and Viktor Bogdanovic, immediately impressed fans with two compelling stories. The first is a violent and shocking mission where Logan and X-Force try to stop thieves stealing flowers from the mutant nation of Krakoa. The second sends Logan to France, where he becomes involved with a vampire hunter connected to the Catholic church. Percy’s writing perfectly captured the essence of Wolverine, and Kubert and Bogdanovic’s artwork was outstanding. This issue launched what many consider to be one of the best Wolverine series ever, and it’s a flawless start.

3) Wolverine (Vol. 3) #1

The comic book series Wolverine (Vol. 2) was a big hit, running from 1989 to 2003. When Marvel wanted to tell more realistic and mature stories, they moved the character to the popular ‘Marvel Knights’ imprint. They chose Greg Rucka and Darick Robertson to relaunch the series as Wolverine (Vol. 3) #1. This new direction gave Logan a fresh start, moving him out of the Xavier Institute and into an apartment, where he quickly finds himself protecting his neighbors from a dangerous gang. Rucka and Robertson worked brilliantly together, and this issue marked the beginning of a fantastic new chapter for the character.

2) Wolverine (Vol. 1) #1

Wolverine’s early adventures include a fantastic first solo story where he travels to Japan to rescue his fiancée from her dangerous father, a Yakuza boss. He endures a brutal fight in this initial issue, which is considered a perfect example of a Wolverine comic. The creative team behind it – Chris Claremont, who greatly shaped the character, and legendary writer/artist Frank Miller – were at their peak. This story established the benchmark for all future Wolverine #1 issues, and has only been surpassed once.

1) Wolverine (Vol. 2) #1

Wolverine, Vol. 2, #1 launched the character’s longest-running comic book series. Penned by the writer most associated with Wolverine, Chris Claremont, and illustrated by Marvel icon John Buscema, the first issue features a fantastic action sequence and begins the story of Logan’s quest for the Muramasa Blade—a powerful, magical sword that would become a key part of his history. This issue is a standout classic, created by two legendary figures in the industry, and is considered by many to be one of the best Wolverine stories ever told.

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2026-03-27 01:14