The 10 Best Wolverine Comics of All Time

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Wolverine has the high-end of being the only X-Men character to regularly hold down a solo comic title considering that his continuous debuted in 1988 With a frustrating assault of stories, it can be hard to understand where to start Simply like Logan, anytime he runs throughout a teenage lady, I am ready to be your gruff coach with a heart of gold through the raving seas of Wolverine due to the fact that I have actually assembled the 10 best Wolverine stories of all time.

Now, you will not concur with every pick; however, trust the master. There are some renowned classics in here, some contemporary favorites, and some stories where Wolverine battles a sentient stack of drugs. This is deliberate. Each odd arc, each painful Ronin’s tale, and each bloody team-up highlight various elements of Wolverine and you need to comprehend the entire story of Wolverine to genuinely value him. You can check out the origins of Wolverine and how his story unfolds with the help of a comic book price guide that has an extensive list of all available comic books and graphic novels.

Wolverine # 1-4 (1982)

Wolverine leaps at the viewer, claws out, on the cover of Wolverine #2, Marvel Comics (1982).
Image: Frank Miller, Josef Rubinstein/Marvel Comics.

By Chris Claremont and Frank Miller

During the early 1980s, Chris Claremont and Frank Miller were at the top of their game in the world of comics. Claremont had recently penned two influential storylines, “The Dark Phoenix Saga” and “Days of Future Past,” for the Incredible X-Men series. Meanwhile, Miller was wrapping up his game-changing run on Daredevil, having just handed off art duties for the book. These two industry giants would team up to create Wolverine, a character that would go on to become one of the most popular in comics.

Wolverine is a mini-series that perfectly blends Claremont’s emphasis on emotional depth and love for dramatic storytelling with Miller’s skillful action sequences and passion for drawing ninjas. The story follows Wolverine as he fights to save the woman he loves from a violent marriage while also proving that he is more than just a savage beast. Through his journey, Logan must discover honor, inner peace, and a purpose for his life.

Prepare to be blown away by the action-packed scenes and introspective soliloquies in one of the greatest Wolverine tales ever told! The protagonist faces an incredible challenge as he takes on a large number of ninjas in combat, but with Miller’s expert crafting, you’ll be on the edge of your seat throughout the entire story. Some fans even say it surpasses The Dark Knight Returns! Claremont’s writing style is simply masterful. He knows when to let the artist take the reins and when to delve deep into Wolverine’s psyche. These two industry powerhouses come together to create a gripping narrative that sets the standard for every Wolverine tale that follows. It’s no wonder he’s one of the most significant characters in comic book history since the Silver Age.

Believe us when we say it’s phenomenal! And if you’re a fan, don’t miss the direct sequel in Incredible X-Men #172-173, which delivers a heart-wrenching conclusion with all of Marvel’s beloved mutants.

Weapon X (Marvel Comics Provides #72-84)

Stuck full with tubes and wires, Wolverine lies suspended in sickly green science goop on the cover of Marvel Comics Presents #73, Marvel Comics (1991).
Image: Barry Windsor-Smith/Marvel Comics.

By Barry Windsor-Smith

The X-Men franchise has always revolved around Wolverine, but his past was shrouded in mystery until 1991. Artist Barry Windsor-Smith revealed the story of how Wolverine got his claws in a bi-weekly anthology series called Marvel Comics Presents. Though the beats of the story have been shown in three separate movies, what may surprise readers is how slow and reflective the story actually is. Windsor-Smith’s main goal in the comic is to set a mood and manipulate the reader’s response, building tension like a slasher movie.

Wolverine is portrayed as a monster, a dangerous weapon unleashed by shady government researchers who could never control him. In Weapon X, Logan is constantly fighting to contain his ruthless nature. We don’t need to know more about his history than this. He was a dangerous man transformed into a lethal weapon, but now he’s trying to be better. All readers need to know is how far he’s come.

If you enjoyed the story, check out Incredible X-Men #205, another spectacular Barry Windsor-Smith Wolverine tale where he takes down robots in the snow. You can see a direct line from the art in that issue to Weapon X.

Old Guy Logan

Old Man Logan pops his claws, in a collage of characters and events from the Old Man Logan miniseries, on the cover of Wolverine #66, Marvel Comics (2008).
Image: Steve McNiven, Dexter Vines, and Morry Hollowell/Marvel Comics.

By Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

From the first 2 entries, it might seem like Wolverine is all about dark and violent stories that delve into the human condition. However, it’s important to remember that Wolverine’s defining trait is that he always has six knives on him, which is a bit silly. Old Man Logan is the tale of two AARP members journeying through a Marvel Universe that has gone awry.

Years prior, the villains emerged victorious and the heroes were vanquished. Logan retired to a farm, swearing off using his claws again. But circumstances arise that force him to team up with a blind Hawkeye, and together they venture eastward to deliver a secret package. Along the way, they encounter hillbilly Hulks, Venom T-Rexes, and a vengeful child wearing an Ant-Man helmet that they shouldn’t mess with. It’s a story with a strong emotional core that never forgets its pulp roots.

Steve McNiven’s artistry is a masterclass, while Mark Millar reminds readers of his skill in crafting exaggerated popcorn comics. Not everything in this book has aged gracefully (looking at you, Ashley Barton), but if you’re looking for a beautiful blend of catharsis and absurdity, then this comic is a great choice. It features Wolverine beheading President Red Skull with Captain America’s shield and then zooming back to California in stolen Iron Man armor.

If you enjoyed it, Gerry Duggan and Andy MacDonald’s latest series, Wolverine: Infinity Watch, takes the concept of Wolverine on a Marvel journey and elevates it to a cosmic scale. It shouldn’t work, but somehow it all comes together.

Wolverine #17-23 (Drug)

Wolverine snarls at the viewer with his claws out on the cover of Wolverine #17, Marvel Comics (1989).
Image: John Byrne/Marvel Comics.

By Archie Goodwin & John Byrne

I recently read a comic called Wolverine Classic, Vol. 4, and I have to say, it’s a wild ride. It features Wolverine battling a Nazi ghost cyborg and a sentient drug, which may sound like rubbish, but the story is actually really well done. The comic is set during a time when Wolverine was hiding his identity with an eyepatch, and he finds himself caught up in an adventure involving a Nazi-backed drug cartel in the island nation of Madripoor. Later, he travels to the Central American country of Tierra Verde to help overthrow their fascist, drug-running president and his Nazi ally. The narrative is driven by its own audacity and the artwork is stunning.

One of the most interesting aspects of the comic is a bio-weapon called Spore, which was created to kill the Eternals. Spore gets turned into a drug that turns people into drug beasts. He’s eventually defeated by a mutant nun, which is just one example of the comic’s craziness.

If you’re interested in reading more comics like this, I recommend checking out Wolverine: In The Flesh, a self-insert fanfic written by Chris Cosentino, the winner of Top Chef Masters, where he solves meat-related crimes with Wolverine.

All-New Wolverine: Enemy Of The State II

Laura Kinney/X-23 looks horrified at her own bloodied claws, on the cover of All-New Wolverine #13, Marvel Comics (2016).
Image: David Lopez/Marvel Comics.

By Tom Taylor, Nik Virella and Djibril Morissette-Phan

Laura Kinney’s portrayal as Wolverine has been questioned by some individuals, but they are mistaken. Author Tom Taylor’s approach to All-New Wolverine was groundbreaking, as he transformed the character formerly known as X-23 from a closed-off, brooding killer into a three-dimensional member of the Marvel universe. He gave her a family, compelled her to move beyond her traumatic past, and charted out an authentic future for her.

In Enemy Of The State II, Taylor, along with artists Nik Virella and Djibril Morissette-Phan, brought to light all the demons in Laura’s closet, confronting her with the horrors she faced in her earliest appearances. Like Logan, Laura cannot escape the guilt of her past as an assassin. The reappearance of her ruthless handler, Kimura, and the threat of losing control compels Laura to push everyone away.

But she is not alone. She is never alone. A supporting cast of characters from all corners of the 616 comes to her aid.

This is a captivating story that puts a unique spin on Wolverine’s traditional elements, such as Madripoor, loss of control, and GUARD action. It culminates in one of the most powerful moments of catharsis ever depicted in comic book pages. Enemy Of The State II marks the end of one chapter in Laura’s life and cements her as the true Wolverine.

If you enjoy it: The entire Tom Taylor run on All-New Wolverine is worth exploring, particularly the opening arc “The Four Sisters,” which introduces Gabby, the breakout character of 2016.

Wolverine: Snikt!

Wolverine looks over his shoulder at the viewer, wearing dog tags and a leather jacket with the X-Men symbol on the shoulder, on the cover of Wolverine: Snikt! #3, Marvel Comics (2003).
Image: Tsutomu Nihei/Marvel Comics.

By Tsutomu Nihei

In the early 2000s, the manga trend caused Marvel Comics to produce some speculative work. Although most of it was mediocre, there was a hidden gem among those efforts: Wolverine: Snikt! Unlike other books that merely imitated the manga style, Wolverine: Snikt! was created by Mangaka Tsutomu Nihei, best known for Blame! and Knights of Sidonia. Nihei’s unique approach resulted in a vastly different Wolverine story, with an incredible fluidity and eye for action that few comics could match.

At its core, Wolverine: Snikt! has a relatively simple premise. Wolverine is sent to the future to battle biomechanical zombie robots that can only be destroyed by attacking their glowing red weak point with adamantium for maximum damage. This plot serves as a backdrop for Wolverine to slice his way through stunning splash pages of monsters straight out of Shōnen Jump. This is not a criticism.

Wolverine: Snikt! is a spectacular comic. The action is non-stop and the story has a sense of scale that rivals the best kaiju tales. Despite Wolverine’s small stature, he faces overwhelming odds and his victories are hard-earned. This is a standout work from Nihei and an example of the kind of innovative storytelling that more comics should strive for.

If you enjoy Wolverine: Snikt!, you might also like Sam Keith’s cool arc “Blood Hungry” from Marvel Comics Provides #85-92. It is another fever dream of a story born from a unique creative vision, with stunning action sequences to match.

Wolverine: The Jungle Adventure

Wolverine an Apocalypse battle as some cavemen look on on the cover of Wolverine: The Jungle Adventure, Marvel Comics (1990).
Image: Mike Mignola/Marvel Comics.

By Mike Mignola and Walt Simonson

When asked to draw another Wolverine Yearly, Mike Mignola suggested making it about Wolverine traveling to the Savage Land and becoming king of the cavemen, with Walt Simonson writing the story. They took up the challenge and thus were born Wolverine: The Jungle Adventure. At the time, Simonson had just concluded his successful superhero comic run in The Mighty Thor, while Mignola was yet to create Hellboy. The collaboration of these two legends, with Wolverine battling dinosaurs, resulted in an unforgettable tale.

Wolverine journeys to the Savage Land, the part of Antarctica where dinosaurs still roam, in search of his lost lighter. He quickly becomes the leader of the People of Fire, who are impressed by his fighting skills and his ability to defeat their chief in hand-to-hand combat and take down a T-Rex from the inside out. He also battles a mysterious robot named Armageddon, whose motives are unclear.

While the plot is entertaining, the real standout feature is Mignola’s moody and geometric art style. Mike’s unique style is unmatched, and it’s a delight to see him drawing Wolverine. The whole team behind this book clearly had a lot of fun creating a pulpy adventure that will leave you with a smile on your face.

If you enjoyed this book, check out Wolverine: Rahne of Terra, which is another high fantasy adventure by Andy Kubert about knights and castles.

Wolverine Vol. 2 #35–46 (Blood And Claws)

Wolverine calmly fires an enormous chain gun while puffing on a huge cigar on the cover of Wolverine #36, Marvel Comics (1988).
Image: Marc Silvestri, Joe Rubinstein/Marvel Comics.

By Larry Hama and Mark Silvestri

Larry Hama is known for his unique approach to plotting, often only planning “two or three pages at most” ahead of the current page he is working on. This method has had mixed results, sometimes resulting in nonsensical writing and other times resulting in brilliant pieces of art. Hama wrote Wolverine for much of the 90s, and when his method worked, it really worked. One such success was his eleven-issue arc with artist Mark Silvestri, which showcased Hama’s wild creativity and Rube-Goldbergian logic.

The story follows Wolverine and Puck, a small Canadian superhero, as they are attacked by Girl Deathstrike and end up traveling back in time to the Spanish Civil War with Ernest Hemmingway. To take out Wolverine, Deathstrike’s allies create a robotic version of him and a child made of C4 explosives. And that’s only the halfway point. Hama and Silvestri deliver an action-packed story that can only be told in the world of comics. Hama’s storytelling is fast-paced, as slowing down would mean disaster. But that’s not a bad thing—it’s a thrilling and enjoyable ride.

If you enjoyed this story, Hama’s next significant work is The Shiva Circumstance, which applies the same logic to Wolverine’s mysterious past and implanted memories, turning a writing technique into a stylistic expression of the character’s confusion.

Incredible X-Men #133

“Question is,” Wolverine gleefully asks a frightened Hellfire Club guard,
Image: Chris Claremont, John Byrne/Marvel Comics.

By Chris Claremont & John Byrne

I want to make it clear that Incredible X-Men #133 is just one chapter in the legendary and most prominent X-Men story of all time. However, this issue does not include the popular panel where Wolverine proudly boasts, “Okay, suckers, you’re taken your best shot! Now it’s my turn!” Instead, this issue showcases Wolverine’s vengeance against the Hellfire Club’s foot soldiers, solidifying his place in comic book history.

Chris Claremont had been writing Incredible X-Men for five years, and although there were great moments, Wolverine had not yet fully developed as a character. Claremont even considered removing him in the second issue, but ultimately decided to write off Thunderbird instead. Despite Claremont and partner Dave Cockrum considering writing Wolverine out of the book, the Canadian artist John Byrne was fascinated by having a character from his homeland and pushed for Logan’s development. This led to deeper exploration of Wolverine as a character.

Fast forward to Incredible X-Men #133, where the X-Men are captured by the Hellfire Club, and Wolverine is their only hope for salvation. While modern readers are accustomed to seeing Wolverine slicing and dicing villains, this was not common in 1980. Any killings Wolverine had committed were off-screen or implied until this issue, where he is finally unleashed and forever changes the comic book landscape.

If you enjoyed this issue, I recommend reading Incredible X-Men #139-140, a two-parter that follows the “Dark Phoenix Saga” and continues to develop the legendary character of Wolverine.

Wolverine & The X-Men #42

Wolverine realizes happily that he went a whole day without popping his claws once, in Wolverine & The X-Men #42, Marvel Comics (2014).
Image: Jason Aaron, Chris Bachalo/Marvel Comics.

By Jason Aaron, Nick Bradshaw, Pepe Larraz, Ramón Pérez, Shawn Crystal, Steven Sanders, Nuno Alves, & Chris Bachalo

We’ve had a lot of fun discussing Wolverine’s wild and violent actions for the past twenty pages, but that’s not what Logan truly desires. All he wants is to relax with a beer and watch his favorite hockey team play. At the conclusion of Jason Aaron’s Wolverine & The X-Men series, Logan finally gets the peaceful life he’s been searching for.

Author Jason Aaron has put Wolverine through the wringer since 2008, even sending him to hell and having him unknowingly kill his own children. But through it all, Aaron has managed to break down the character and rebuild him as an instructor and mentor to young minds at the Jean Grey School. It may not seem like it should work, but it does. Logan finally has a purpose beyond violence and chaos, and he’s finally happy.

Wolverine & The X-Men #42 jump back and forth between graduation day at the school and twenty-five years in the future, where Wolverine must come to terms with the fact that his new life is coming to an end and he may be outdated. It’s a beautiful comic that encapsulates everything Jason Aaron has been trying to say about the character for the past six years. In the end, Wolverine wakes up the next morning, realizes he went an entire day without popping his claws, and remarks to himself, “A whole day. I went a whole damn day without doing that once. Heh. Ain’t that something?”

If you enjoy this, you might also like Wolverine: Weapon X #16, another touching tale by Jason Aaron about Wolverine’s complicated relationship with faith and his late best friend Nightcrawler.

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