Wolverine is one of the most popular members of the X-Men and has been able to transcend comics into popular culture. By starring in countless video games, animated series, and films, he has become one of Marvel’s most recognisable characters.
Looking to read some of the best Wolverine comics? Check out these 12 picks that include a great mix of key issues, fan favourites, and critically acclaimed stories that will scratch your Wolverine itch.
Enjoy!
And Now… the Wolverine!
Written by Len Wein. Art by Herb Trimpe.
Before Wolverine was part of the X-Men, he excited readers in the pages of Incredible Hulk. It all begins when Hulk takes a trip to Canada and finds himself in a rematch with the Wendigo. Wolverine, an agent for the Canadian government, is sent in to stop the pair.
We’re treated to a three-way battle between Wolverine, The Hulk, and the Wendigo. It’s the comic book equivalent of a Triple Threat Match in professional wrestling. Sides are switched multiple times – much to Hulk’s confusion – as each competitor tries to take advantage of the chaos. What makes this fight extra exciting is Herb Trimpe’s high-energy art, which makes every smash and slash feel impactful.
Issues: Incredible Hulk #180-181 [These issues have been reprinted as facsimile editions.]
Collected edition: ‘Incredible Hulk Masterworks Volume 10’ or ‘Incredible Hulk Epic Collection: And Now… the Wolverine’ or ‘X-Men Epic Collection: It’s Always Darkest Before The Dawn’
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Origin
Written by Paul Jenkins. Art by Andy Kubert.
Wolverine’s origin had been a mystery for decades. However, that all changed with this 2001 miniseries. Set in 19th-century British Columbia, Origin details Wolverine’s early days and the events that shaped him into the man he is today. This happens to include how his mutant powers manifested and the consequences of it.
A special mention needs to go out to Richard Isanove, whose colour work is ahead of its time. While many contemporaries tried to use all the bells and whistles with digital colouring and ended up making a mess of it, Isanove uses colour to tell a rich story with a rich range of colours that reflect tone.
Issues: Origin #1-6
Collected edition: ‘Wolverine: Origin’ or ‘Wolverine Epic Collection: Blood Debt’
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BONUS PICK: This miniseries received a sequel in 2014 called Origin II.
Wolverine
Written by Chris Claremont. Art by Frank Miller.
It was inevitable that Wolverine would receive his own comic book series based on his popularity. Fans’ wishes were granted in 1982 when Uncanny X-Men scribe Chris Claremont and Frank Miller (red-hot for his work on Daredevil) teamed up for a four-part miniseries.
Set in Japan, this tale operates more like a samurai story, with Claremont juxtaposing Wolverine against Japan’s culture of honour. He takes on ninjas and organised crime to win the hand of the woman he loves. But in doing so, he’ll question if he’s worthy of the woman he is trying to reach.
Frank Miller elevates the action to the next level with his strong storytelling abilities. Miller frames each panel to capture maximum impact while laying out the page so that they flow into each other. As a result, the action is exciting, fast-paced, and fierce.
Issues: Wolverine (1982 series) #1-4
Collected edition: Wolverine by Claremont & Miller
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BONUS PICK: While Wolverine (1982 series) has a conclusion, it sets up for the next Wolverine-centric story. Check out Uncanny X-Men #172-173 to see where things go next.
Logan
Written by Brian K Vaughan. Art by Eduardo Risso and Dean White.
For the longest time, Wolverine’s past was a mystery to both the readers and himself. With the conclusion of House of M, his clouded past became clear and opened the door for Marvel to tell stories based on his long history.
Logan is one of the best stories mining Wolverine’s past, exploring love, loss, revenge, and the cruelty of man. Told through dual narratives, we see Wolverine return to Japan to settle an old score while also getting glimpses of his time in World War II.
Eduardo Risso’s high-contrast style combines with Dean White’s painterly colours to make a visually appealing comic. Together, they portray a range of emotions and moods that take the comic to the next level.
Issues: Logan #1-3
Collected edition: Wolverine: Logan
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Weapon X
Written and art by Barry Windsor-Smith.
Since his introduction in the late 70s, Wolverine’s past was a complete mystery. That’s until 1991 when Marvel pulled back the curtain to reveal details about his adamantium claws and animal rage. The story recounts Wolverine’s time in the Weapon X program, the procedure that fused the adamantium to his bones, and what happened afterwards.
The interesting thing about this classic is the majority of it is told through the perspective of Weapon X’s scientists – the same people who abducted and dehumanised him. As a result, it becomes a survival horror, with a rage-filled Wolverine looking for revenge.
Weapon X is now a cornerstone story for the Marvel Universe. It has been revisited in many stories for Wolverine, Deadpool, Captain America, and others.
Issues: Marvel Comics Presents #72-84
Trade Paperback: Wolverine: Weapon X
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Enemy of the State
Written by Mark Millar. Art by John Romita Jr.
Wolverine is kidnapped and brainwashed by Hydra, The Hand, and a mutant cult to become the world’s most dangerous weapon. Under their control, he goes on a rampage, cutting his way through friends and foes without considering the consequences. Can S.H.I.E.L.D., the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four stop him before it is too late?
Enemy of the State is told on an international scale and is jam-packed with dozens of heroes and villains. Each issue outdoes the previous, offering plenty of surprises and tense action. But within these big moments, there’s still time for smaller character beats that explore the consequences of everything that’s going on.
If you’re looking for a story told on a massive scale and not afraid to be outrageous then you’ve got to read this.
Issues: Wolverine (2003 series) #20-31
Collected edition: Wolverine: Enemy of the State – The Complete Edition
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The Brotherhood
Written by Greg Rucka. Art by Darick Robertson.
Wolverine goes on a quest to avenge the murder of a young girl who reached out for his help. Finding her cryptic diary, he’s led on a path of illegal gun sellers, crooked law enforcement, and cults.
Brotherhood is the first story of the 2003 relaunch and feels much more grounded than other Wolverine stories. Instead of fighting Sabretooth or some muscle-bound villain, he’s facing real-world evils. As a result, he becomes a defender for those who can’t help themselves.
Artist Darick Robertson knocks it out of the park this story. He renders the savage and wild fury of Wolverine and does a great job of showing readers how he feels.
Issues: Wolverine (2003 series) #1-6
Collected edition: Wolverine by Greg Rucka Ultimate Collection
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24 Hours
Written by Chris Claremont. Art by John Buscema and Bill Sienkiewicz.
Sabretooth is Wolverine’s greatest enemy and rival, with a bloodied feud going back decades. In this flashback story, we get glimpses into one of their earliest fights.
The issue explores Logan and Sabretooth’s relationship, showing the events that led to their longtime feud. What makes this extra interesting is that we see an inexperienced Wolverine still learning his capabilities. He is certainly not the best at what he does at this point.
24 Hours looks fantastic. Buscema dishes up strong storytelling with energetic action. Bill Sienkiewicz’s dirty inks add viciousness to the action and a grittiness to the underbelly of Madripoor.
Issues: Wolverine (1988 series) #10
Collected edition: Wolverine Epic Collection: Madripoor Nights
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Coyote Crossing
Written by Greg Rucka. Art by Leo Fernandez.
After discovering a human trafficking operation gone wrong, Wolverine goes south of the border to avenge their deaths. In true Wolverine fashion, he hacks and slashes his way through Mexico until he finds the person in charge of the entire operation. In a great twist, he may not be able to stop gang leaders without breaking his moral code.
Coyote Crossing covers many themes over five issues, including human trafficking, the desperation of those in dire situations, and even a well-placed metaphor for the abortion debate. Through these themes, we get an insight into Wolverine’s moral code and the choices he has to make when faced with hard decisions.
Issues: Wolverine (2003 series) #7-11
Collected edition: Wolverine by Greg Rucka Ultimate Collection
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Vicious Circle
Written by Peter David. Art by Todd McFarlane.
The X-Men run into the Hulk in a nasty blizzard in this done-in-one tale full of strong action and character moments. Through this chance encounter, Wolverine finally gets a rematch with The Hulk. The result is vicious, with plenty of damage done on both sides.
While this could’ve easily been a mere fight issue (with incredible art by a young Todd McFarlane), the comic has plenty of character exploration. We see a conflicted Wolverine who doesn’t know if he should be a proper hero or give in to his animal instincts.
Issues: Incredible Hulk #340
Collected edition: ‘Wolverine vs. the Marvel Universe’ or ‘Incredible Hulk Epic Collection: Ground Zero’
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Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Adam Kubert.
Spider-Man and Wolverine are not the best of friends. Even though they’re on the Avengers together, Wolverine tolerates Spidey at best. But when they’re stuck on a wild time-travelling adventure – full of dinosaurs, cowboys, robots, moon-sized villains, and even their past selves – they might just kill each other. Or it could be a team-up for the ages.
Apart from being a crazy adventure, Astonishing Spider-Man and Wolverine excels in the small character moments. It explores the rocky relationship between the two heroes and progresses it with moments that strike the right balance between emotional and humourous.
If you’re looking for a bombastic story packed with crazy ideas, then this is the story you’ll want to read.
Issues: Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #1-6
Collected edition: Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine
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Old Man Logan
Written by Mark Millar. Art by Steve McNiven.
Old Man Logan is an alternate-future tale where the villains have taken over America. 50 years have passed, and Wolverine, one of the few remaining heroes, has become a pacifist. He’d rather be a farmer and raise a family than pop his claws ever again. That all changes when he’s forced to go on a cross-country trip infested by villains.
The comic has an anything-goes attitude, full of bombast. There’s Venom dinosaurs, hillbilly Hulks, and plenty of big action. Millar’s scripts give McNiven plenty of real estate to draw the wild ideas in incredible detail. Every wrinkle and hair is rendered, with character expressions that tell volumes without saying a word.
Issues: Wolverine (2003 series) #66-72 and Giant-Size Wolverine: Old Man Logan
Collected edition: Wolverine: Old Man Logan
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BONUS: The Old Man Logan interpretation of the character has returned multiple times. You can find out more about them in the Old Man Logan reading order guide.
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