The Untold Secrets of Wolverine’s Bone Claw Era in X-Men ’97!

by

1997’s X-Men ’97 was an enormous success, transporting fans back to the thrilling days of X-Men comics in the ’90s. What was surprising was how closely the series would follow the old-school X-Men comic books, with many viewers taken aback when it adapted the iconic storyline Fatal Attractions. This momentous occasion saw Magneto ripping out Wolverine’s adamantium, a pivotal event that significantly altered Wolverine’s invincible image and set the stage for the emergence of Onslaught. Consequently, Wolverine discovered his claws were bone, causing him to leave the X-Men and spend six years (from 1993 to 1999) without the defining metal that had been integral to his character.

Among the intriguing periods in Wolverine’s life, the ‘Bone Claw Era’ stands out as particularly captivating. While it had its share of highs and lows, it is primarily characterized by extraordinary tales that are well worth telling. Given the wealth of compelling X-Men stories suitable for adaptation in X-Men ’97, the Bone Claw Era of Wolverine should undoubtedly be considered among them. This era offers a unique perspective on Wolverine, revealing facets of his character that have not been previously explored. By incorporating these elements, X-Men ’97 could potentially chart a course for its future storylines.

The Bone Claw Years Led Wolverine to Savage Places

In August 1993, during X-Men (Vol. 2) #25, Wolverine shed his adamantium skeleton. However, it wasn’t until Wolverine (Vol. 2) #75 that readers learned about his bone claws. Wolverine wouldn’t regain his adamantium until October 1999 in Wolverine (Vol. 2) #145, marking three distinct periods of Wolverine with bone claws. The first phase spanned from Wolverine (Vol. 2) #75 to #90. Over these fifteen issues, Wolverine battled Lady Deathstrike, Roughhouse, Bloodscream, Cyber, Deadpool, and ultimately Sabretooth. This era found Wolverine traversing the globe independently, grappling with his losses, and striving to demonstrate that he was still unmatched in his skills.

Read moreHunt: Showdown Permanently Gets Cheaper, but With a Catch

The second phase spanned from Wolverine (Vol. 2) #91 to #119, often referred to as his “feral years.” During this time, Wolverne rejoined the X-Men and discovered that his adamantium had been inhibiting his mutation, preventing him from turning into an animal. As the adamantium was shed, Wolverine began to revert both mentally and physically. To protect his friends from potential berserker attacks, he lived away from the X-Mansion. In Wolverine (Vol. 2) #100, he fully transformed into a feral state, adopting a more beastly appearance and requiring Elektra’s help to regain his humanity. Issue #119 signified the end of this era as it marked the conclusion of Larry Hama’s long-term tenure on the book. The third phase extended from Wolverine (Vol. 2) #120 to #145, during which Wolverine learned to manage his mutation and accept the changes in his identity. This phase included stints by former Uncanny X-Men writer Chris Claremont, a compelling storyline by Warren Ellis, a confrontation with the Wendigo, and Erik Larsen taking over the book, eventually leading to the restoration of his adamantium.

Wolverine is often seen as an indestructible warrior, due to his extraordinary healing abilities and unyielding adamantium skeleton that allows him to engage in battles fearlessly. However, the ‘Bone Claw’ storyline questions this image. Since losing his adamantium, Wolverine must adapt his combat style, which provides an intriguing twist for readers as they witness a vulnerable and scared Wolverine. This new portrayal adds depth to the character by humanizing him, showing that he isn’t invincible but can still be hurt badly.

In this interpretation, the “feral phase” intensifies the fundamental struggle in Wolverine’s story: man versus beast. Despite accepting his recent limitations, discovering that his powers are causing him to transform into the adversary he’s spent a lifetime battling creates gripping comic book tales. Issues #91-100 rank among the finest Wolverine has ever produced, as our hero struggles tirelessly to preserve his humanity. The climax finds Wolverine achieving a measure of success; he learns to cope with his mutation and life without adamantium, but readers are repeatedly shown how frail he is. Sabretooth and the Wendigo overpower him; he’s compelled into a union with Viper, and even gets cast into outer space, where he confronts an unlikely adversary – the last villain one would anticipate encountering Wolverine against.

Read moreDeadpool & Wolverine Director Reveals What Part of Making Sequel Was Most Fun

As a true-blue cinephile who’s deeply rooted in the X-Men universe, I must say that all three phases share an exceptional knack for spinning compelling tales about everyone’s favorite mutant, Wolverine. For those of us who’ve grown up with the animated series from ’97, we’re accustomed to witnessing Logan as the indomitable force that can take on any adversary and emerge victorious. However, this bone claw era offers a refreshing twist, allowing us to delve deeper into Wolverine’s character, giving him a more human touch – an irony considering much of this phase revolves around his struggle to hold onto his humanity. Yet, even at his most feral, he remains the hero we know and love, continually battling to reclaim his identity as the man he truly is.

The Bone Claw Years Are Peak Wolverine

Readers of Marvel Comics generally have a negative view towards the Bone Claw Era due to its feral phase, which many find comical since its animalistic look was first presented in Wolverine (Vol. 2) #100. It’s accurate to say that Marvel made a mistake here, as they quickly wanted a more human-like Wolverine again, and thus, the storyline just seemed to conclude abruptly, using explanations like holographic image inducer and rough typography. However, there are also several positive aspects to this era in the comics.

It’s fantastic that Larry Hama penned most of the Bone Claw Era, as he is one of the greatest writers to delve into Wolverine’s internal struggles. During this period, Hama produced some outstanding Wolverine issues, which will leave X-Men ’97 fans amazed at their quality. The artwork during this time is also exceptional, featuring two of the best Wolverine artists ever – Adam Kubert and Leinil Yu. Their collaborations resulted in some stunning books. Additionally, many of Wolverine’s most memorable battles took place during this era, with his encounters against Sabretooth in issues #90 and #126 standing out for their intensity and brutality.

Read moreDespicable Me 4 Holds Box Office Lead, Longlegs Stuns

In the finale of season one of X-Men ’97, Wolverine hit rock bottom, leaving viewers curious about where the series might head next. Reading through the Bone Claw years could offer some insight into potential storylines for X-Men ’97. More crucially, it will provide fans with a fresh perspective and deepened admiration for Wolverine, demonstrating why he truly deserves his reputation as the best in his field.

You can jump into Wolverine’s Bone Claw Era at Marvel.

Read More

2025-01-30 22:13