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Wolverine
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Creation & Design

Wolverine was created by Roy Thomas, Len Wein, and John Romita Sr. He was initially conceived as a Canadian superhero with animalistic traits.

Early Years

Wolverine first appeared as a foe to the Hulk before becoming a member of the X-Men, where he gained popularity and depth as a character.

Character Development

Over the years, Wolverine has evolved from a lone wolf to a key member of the X-Men, grappling with his violent nature and seeking redemption.

Cultural Reception

Wolverine is one of Marvel's most popular characters, known for his complex personality and moral ambiguity.

Cultural Legacy

Wolverine has left a lasting legacy in the comic book world and popular culture. Beyond his critical role in the X-Men narratives, his stories have influenced numerous other media, including animated series, video games, and a successful spin-off solo film series. His blend of rugged toughness and vulnerability has set a standard for anti-heroes in modern storytelling.

Character Details

Real Name:
James Howlett / Logan
Aliases:
Weapon X, Logan, The Best There Is at What He Does
Species:
Mutant
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
X-Men, Alpha Flight, X-Force
Abilities:
Regenerative Healing Factor, Enhanced Senses, Superhuman Strength, Adamantium Claws
Equipment:
Adamantium Skeleton, Various Weaponry
Weight:
300lbs
Height:
5' 3"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
black
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Avengers, The #66

Marvel ⋅ 1969

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Avengers, The #66
 
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$160

Key Facts

First mention of Adamantium

1st appearance of Ultron-6

1st appearance of Myron MacLain, the scientist who invented Adamantium

FOOM Magazine #2

Marvel ⋅ 1973

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FOOM Magazine #2
 
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$40
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$120
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$400

Key Facts

Prototype of Wolverine, published 1.5 years prior to Wolverine's first appearance

Andy Olsen, a comic fan, created an original character concept of The Wolverine who had regenerative abilities, a metal exoskeleton and was the product of experimentation

There is some question as to whether the Wolverine briefly introduced in Hulk #180 was inspired by this concept though Andy Olsen was never credited or compensated

Incredible Hulk #180

Marvel ⋅ 1974

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Incredible Hulk #180
 
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Key Facts

1st cameo appearance of Wolverine

2nd appearance of Wendigo

Marvel Value Stamp Series A #67 - Cyclops

⚠️ Debatable Firsts: this issue, by far, is the most debated "cameo versus full" book and likely the main reason "cameo" became such a significant yet loosely defined term in comic book collecting

Theoretically, The Incredible Hulk #180 being labeled "cameo" of Wolverine was due to an oversight by Overstreet (see additional images)

In the 1980/1981 edition of Overstreet, Hulk#181 is labeled - 1st app of Wolverine and Hulk#180 is without a descriptor, commanding the same value as issues #151 - #176

In the 1981/1982 Overstreet, the description had been amended to read #180 - 1st app. Wolverine but mislabeled #181 and #182 - Wolverine cameo

Finally, in 1982/1983, Overstreet labeled Hulk #180 - 1st app. Wolverine (cameo) and #181 - Wolverine app. #182 - Wolverine cameo

In recent years, Marvel has taken a stance on Hulk #180 as the first appearance of Wolverine, wanting to eliminate the term "cameo" altogether, presumably to avoid this exact debate

But in years past, official Marvel guidebooks and trading cards would often trade-off which issue was given the coveted 1st (full) appearance designation (see additional images)

Incredible Hulk #181

Marvel ⋅ 1974

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Incredible Hulk #181
 
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Key Facts

1st full appearance of Wolverine, final page cameo in issue #180

Marvel Value Stamp Series A #54 - Shanna the She-Devil

Daredevil #115

Marvel ⋅ 1974

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Daredevil #115
 
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Key Facts

Includes an advertisement for Incredible Hulk #181

⚠ Misconception: many claim that Wolverine is first seen in an advertisement for The Incredible Hulk #181 printed in Thor #229 and Daredevil #115. These issues did not go on sale prior to the publication of Incredible Hulk #181. Comic Reader #109 reports the on-sale date of Thor #229 as August 6, 1974. The on-sale date of The Incredible Hulk #181 was July 30, 1974 which was the same day Daredevil #115 went on sale. Regardless, Wolverine was officially first seen in print briefly (cameo) in The Incredible Hulk #180 (July 2, 1974). Advertisements and preview excerpts are not considered official first appearances

Marvel Value Stamp Series A #35 - Killraven

Thor #229

Marvel ⋅ 1974

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Thor #229
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of the Shade-Thralls, humans who serve the Dweller In Darkness

⚠ Misconception: many claim that Wolverine is first seen in an advertisement for The Incredible Hulk #181 printed in Thor #229 and Daredevil #115. These issues did not go on sale prior to the publication of Incredible Hulk #181. Comic Reader #109 reports the on-sale date of Thor #229 as August 6, 1974. The on-sale date of The Incredible Hulk #181 was July 30, 1974 which was the same day Daredevil #115 went on sale. Regardless, Wolverine was officially first seen in print briefly (cameo) in The Incredible Hulk #180 (July 2, 1974). Advertisements and preview excerpts are not considered official first appearances

Marvel Value Stamp Series A #80 - Ghost Rider

Incredible Hulk #182

Marvel ⋅ 1974

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Incredible Hulk #182
 
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$20
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Key Facts

2nd appearance of Wolverine

Many sources cite this as a cameo appearance of Wolverine and Giant-Size X-Men #1 as a 2nd full appearance

1st appearance of Hammer and Anvil

Giant-Size X-Men #1

Marvel ⋅ 1975

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Giant-Size X-Men #1
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of the new X-Men: Storm (1st), Nightcrawler (1st), Colossus (1st), Thunderbird (1st), Wolverine (3rd)

Many resources label this the 2nd full appearance of Wolverine and The Incredible Hulk #182 a second cameo

1st appearance of Illyana Rasputin as a child, later becomes Magik

Introduction of Krakoa, the Living Island

First use of the sound effect 'snikt' associated with Wolverine's claws

Uncanny X-Men #94

Marvel ⋅ 1975

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Uncanny X-Men #94
 
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Key Facts

2nd team appearance of the X-Men that debuted in Giant-Size X-Men #1

2nd appearance of Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus and Thunderbird

4th appearance of Wolverine

1st appearance of Dragonfly

Some resources refer to this as the 2nd full appearance of Wolverine and Hulk #182 a 2nd cameo appearance

Beginning of Chris Claremont's 16-year consecutive run on the title, ending with Uncanny X-Men #279

First new X-Men story following five years of reprints

Uncanny X-Men #96

Marvel ⋅ 1975

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Uncanny X-Men #96
 
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$40
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$110
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$240

Key Facts

1st appearance of Moira McTaggert, an Omega Level Mutant who retains her memory after death and reincarnation

Debut of Wolverine's berserker rage

1st appearance of Steven Lang, one of the Sentinel program pioneers

1st appearance of Kierrok, a demon created by Chthon

Uncanny X-Men #98

Marvel ⋅ 1976

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Uncanny X-Men #98
 
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$12
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$35
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$145

Key Facts

Unofficial DC crossover of a reporter named Clark Kent who appears over 20 times in Marvel books

Wolverine unmasks for the first time and reveals that his claws are a part of his body, not a part of his gloves as creator Len Wein initially intended

1st cameo appearance of Amanda Sefton, ex-girlfriend of Nightcrawler and former ruler of Limbo, later named Daytripper

Cameo appearance of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee

The Mighty World of Marvel #197

Marvel UK ⋅ 1976

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The Mighty World of Marvel #197
 
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Key Facts

Black and white reprint of The Incredible Hulk #180, the first cameo appearance of Wolverine

Mighty World of Marvel #198

Marvel ⋅ 1976

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Mighty World of Marvel #198
 
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Key Facts

Black and white reprint of the first half of The Incredible Hulk #181

The cover art of this issue features the Hulk's face as it was originally drawn which differs from the originally published U.S. edition

Uncanny X-Men #100

Marvel ⋅ 1976

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Uncanny X-Men #100
 
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Key Facts

Classic battle of the original X-Men vs the new X-Men

First use of the phrase 'Fastball Special' when Colossus launches Wolverine at an enemy

Uncanny X-Men #103

Marvel ⋅ 1977

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Uncanny X-Men #103
 
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Key Facts

Wolverine's first name revealed to be 'Logan'

1st cameo appearance of D'Ken Neramani

Iron Fist #14

Marvel ⋅ 1977

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Iron Fist #14
 
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Key Facts

1st full appearance and cover of Sabretooth, a mutant who becomes the primary nemesis of Wolverine

Uncanny X-Men #107

Marvel ⋅ 1977

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Uncanny X-Men #107
 
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$18
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$180

Key Facts

1st full team appearance of the Starjammers: Corsair, Ch'od, Hepzibah, Astra and Raza

Debut of Wolverine's Fang costume

1st team appearance of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard

1st appearance of the M'Krann Crystal

1st appearance of Gladiator, leader of the Imperial Guard

1st full appearance of D'Ken Neramani, a Shi’ar royal

Uncanny X-Men #116

Marvel ⋅ 1978

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Uncanny X-Men #116
 
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Key Facts

Introduction of Wolverine's healing power though it is only hinted at

First time it is implied that Wolverine took a life of an enemy

Uncanny X-Men #118

Marvel ⋅ 1979

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Uncanny X-Men #118
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Mariko Yashida, Wolverine's now-deceased fiance

Uncanny X-Men #118

Whitman ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1979

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Uncanny X-Men #118
 
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Key Facts

Whitman edition, identified by a blank UPC box

Marvel Comic #335

Marvel UK ⋅ 1979

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Marvel Comic #335
 
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Key Facts

First solo story featuring Logan

Uncanny X-Men #129

Marvel ⋅ 1980

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Uncanny X-Men #129
 
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$280

Key Facts

The Dark Phoenix Saga Part 1

1st appearance of Kitty Pryde

1st appearance of Emma Frost, the White Queen

1st cameo team appearance of The Hellfire Club, in shadows

Uncanny X-Men #133

Marvel ⋅ 1980

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Uncanny X-Men #133
 
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Key Facts

The Dark Phoenix Saga Part 5

First solo Wolverine cover

Wolverine’s healing power previously hinted at in X-Men #116 is confirmed in this issue

Uncanny X-Men #139

Marvel ⋅ 1980

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Uncanny X-Men #139
 
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Key Facts

Debut of new brown and tan Wolverine costume

Kitty Pryde joins the X-Men as Sprite

1st appearance of Heather Hudson, later becomes the Guardian, then Vindicator

Uncanny X-Men #142

Marvel ⋅ 1981

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Uncanny X-Men #142
 
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Key Facts

"Days of Future Past" part 2

Death of Wolverine, Colossus and Storm in an alternate reality

Retitled from ‘X-Men’ to ‘Uncanny X-Men’ - officially, in the indicia copyright section

What If…? #31

Marvel ⋅ 1982

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What If…? #31
 
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Key Facts

What if..."Wolverine had Killed Hulk"

Wolverine #1

Marvel ⋅ 1982

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Wolverine #1
 
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$12
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Key Facts

First solo Wolverine title

1st cameo appearance of Yukio

First use of the phrase, 'I'm the best there is at what I do'

Wolverine #2

Marvel ⋅ 1982

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Wolverine #2
 
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Key Facts

1st full appearance of Yukio, a skilled fighter and ally of Logan

Wolverine #3

Marvel ⋅ 1982

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Wolverine #3
 
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Key Facts

Issue #3 of the first Wolverine solo series

Wolverine #4

Marvel ⋅ 1982

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Wolverine #4
 
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$4
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$45

Key Facts

Final issue of the first Wolverine solo series

Daredevil #196

Marvel ⋅ 1983

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Daredevil #196
 
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Key Facts

First meeting and team-up of Daredevil and Wolverine

1st appearance of Lord Dark Wind, a scientist who invented the process of adamantium bonding to bone

There are 5 types of adamantium in the mainstream Marvel universe:

Proto - Captain America's shield is made of this kind

Primary - the kind that's bonded to Wolverine's skeleton

Secondary - an adamantium/steel alloy

Beta - a version of True adamantium that changes on a molecular level when grafted to bone

Adamantine - an adamantium/gold alloy

Uncanny X-Men #181

Marvel ⋅ 1984

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Uncanny X-Men #181
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Amiko, the foster daughter of Wolverine

Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #1

Marvel ⋅ 1984

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Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #1
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Ogun, a telepath who at one time mentored Wolverine

Alpha Flight #33

Marvel ⋅ 1986

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Alpha Flight #33
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Yuriko Oyama as Lady Deathstrike, in costume - previously introduced in Daredevil #197

Alpha Flight #34

Marvel ⋅ 1986

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Alpha Flight #34
 
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Key Facts

Origin of Lord Dark Wind, the father of the adamantium bonding process

Uncanny X-Men #207

Marvel ⋅ 1986

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Uncanny X-Men #207
 
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Key Facts

Cover art by John Romita Jr.

Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1

Marvel ⋅ 1986

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Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1
 
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Key Facts

First U.S. reprint of The Incredible Hulk #180 and #181

18-pages reprinted from The Incredible Hulk #180

18-pages reprinted from The Incredible Hulk #181

6-pages reprinted from Marvel Comics #335 (U.K. publication) - Hercules versus Wolverine

Uncanny X-Men #212

Marvel ⋅ 1986

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Uncanny X-Men #212
 
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Key Facts

First battle of Wolverine versus Sabretooth

📖 Reading Order: Mutant Massacre Part 6

Alpha Flight #53

Marvel ⋅ 1987

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Alpha Flight #53
 
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Key Facts

First published cover art by Jim Lee at Marvel Comics

Incredible Hulk #340

Marvel ⋅ 1988

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Incredible Hulk #340
 
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$275

Key Facts

Iconic cover art by Todd McFarlane

Wolverine #1

Marvel ⋅ 1988

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Wolverine #1
 
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Key Facts

Premiere issue of Wolverine's first ongoing solo series

Debut of black Wolverine costume

Punisher War Journal #6

Marvel ⋅ 1989

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Punisher War Journal #6
 
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Key Facts

First battle of Punisher vs Wolverine

Wolverine #8

Marvel ⋅ 1989

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Wolverine #8
 
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Key Facts

Iconic cover art by John Buscema featuring Wolverine and the Hulk as his Joe Fixit persona

Back cover art by Rob Liefeld featuring Wolverine

Punisher War Journal #7

Marvel ⋅ 1989

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Punisher War Journal #7
 
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Key Facts

First team-up of Punisher and Wolverine

Wolverine #10

Marvel ⋅ 1989

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Wolverine #10
 
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Key Facts

First time Sabretooth appears in a Wolverine title

1st appearance of Silver Fox, a Native American woman who had a romantic relationship with Logan

Wolverine The Jungle Adventure

Marvel ⋅ 1990

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Wolverine The Jungle Adventure
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Erista, the son of Wolverine and Gahck, a tribeswoman of The Savage Land

Wolverine is unaware of Erista's existence

Wolverine #27

Marvel ⋅ 1990

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Wolverine #27
 
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Key Facts

Iconic cover art by Jim Lee

What If...? #16

Marvel ⋅ 1990

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What If...? #16
 
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$12

Key Facts

First battle of Wolverine vs Conan

Uncanny X-Men #268

Marvel ⋅ 1990

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Uncanny X-Men #268
 
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Key Facts

Iconic cover art by Jim Lee

Revealed that Wolverine, Black Widow and Captain America knew one another in World War II

Origin of the first meeting between Captain America and Wolverine

Amazing Heroes #188

Fantagraphics ⋅ 1991

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Amazing Heroes #188
 
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Key Facts

8-page interview with Barry Windsor-Smith, the storyteller behind Wolverine's origin, specifically, the origin of his adamantium claws and the Weapon X program

Pre-release marketing of the Infinity Gauntlet event in an article titled 'Marvel's 1991 Projects'

Cover art by Sam Kieth

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