Wolverine

Background

Character Origins

Wolverine A.K.A. Logan, A.K.A James Howlett is a mutant with a checkered and uncertain path. He spends his days wandering the world looking for answers as to why he has amnesia and flashbacks to the procedure that gave him his adamantium claws/skeleton. He plays a central role in all of his major live action films.

Wolverine is almost always portrayed as having a dark past where he was a ruthless mercenary. As a member of the X-Men, he frequently forms a love triangle with Jean Grey and Cyclops (he like Jean). He also acts as a mentor to a younger female member of the X-Men, though the specific character changes between Kitty Pryde, Jubilee, and Rogue.

Creation

Wolverine originally appeared in a Hulk comic as an antagonist to the giant green monster. He later became a recurring member in X-Men comics, where he gained huge popularity.

Spider-man and his Amazing Friends (1981-1983)

Link

Wolverine appears in the TV show Spider-man and his Amazing Friends as part of the X-Men. He is a minor character and is rarely integral to the plot.

Pryde of the X-Men (1989)

Link

Pryde of the X-Men was a pilot episode that, while aired several times of television, was never picked up for a show. Wolverine is important in the pilot and is played by Neil Ross, who voiced Wolverine in Spider-man and his Amazing Friends (a show that is believed to exist in the same universe as Pryde of the X-Men). Due to a misunderstanding of the script by Ross and Director Stu Rosen, Wolverine has an Australian accent.

X-Men (1992-1997)

Link

Wolverine is a main character on X-Men (as a member of the X-Men). The show was a hit and is the longest running TV program based on a Marvel comic.

Spider-man (1994-1998)

Link

After the extraordinary success of X-Men, Marvel and Fox decided to make a Spider-man TV show. This proved to be a huge success as well and lasted for several years. Wolverine appears in a few episodes along with other members of the X-Men and is voiced by Cathal J. Dodd, who also voiced him in X-Men, implying that the two shows exist in the same universe (other similarities corroborate this theory).

X-Men (2000 Movie)

Link

After years of trying, Marvel was able to get the X-Men to the big screen (thanks to producer Avi Arad, who later did the same thing to Spider-man). Wolverine is the primary protagonist of the film, which chronicles his journey from savage loner to a loyal member of the super-hero team. His reasons for attaching to the X-Men are similar to those in the comic--an attraction to Jean Grey and a big brother relationship with a young female X-Men. However, in the film Wolverine's special relationship is with Rogue, while in the comics it is with Kitty Pryde.

Wolverine was nearly played by recent Oscar winner Russell Crowe, but was changed at the last minute to the mostly unknown Hugh Jackman.

The movie was generally well reviewed (almost all the critics praised Jackman's performance) and was a humongous box office hit. There have been several sequels, prequels, and spin-offs; the film is also credited, along with Spider-man, as triggering the incredible popularity of super-hero films in the early 21st century.

X-Men: Evolution (2000-2003)

Link

In 2000, X-Men TV rights now belonged with Warner Bros., which decided to reboot the franchise. Though the film rights were owned by 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros borrowed several elements from the film series, including making Wolverine look like Hugh Jackman. Wolverine appeared in virtually all of the episodes The series lasted several years, ending at just about the same time a sequel to the X-Men film was released.

X2: X-Men United (2003 Movie)

Link

In X2, a sequel to X-Men, Wolverine once again remains the primary protagonist, and is once again played by Hugh Jackman. The film delves into Wolverine's dark past working for the secret government program Weapon X. It was even more financially and critically successful than its predecessor.

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006 Movie)

Link

The Last Stand, a direct sequel to X2: X-Men United, came to sequels three years after its predecessor, despite a troubled production. The film once again centered around Wolverine, who takes on the mantle of head of the team after Cyclops dies and Jean Grey goes mad. Wolverine was once again played by Hugh Jackman.

The film received a less warm response from critics and fans, but became a humongous hit. 20th Century Fox felt that they didn't want to rush to make a sequel and instead decided to expand the franchise with prequels.

Wolverine and the X-Men (2009)

Link

With TV rights now given to Nickelodean, a sort-of prequel/sort-of reboot of X-Men: Evolution was created. This series was very similar to the film series in terms of costumes, character personalities, appearances, and Wolverine's relationship to Rogue. Wolverine was made the centerpiece of the series, which had a far darker tone than that of its predecessors.

The show was a hit, but only lasted one season due to difficulties regarding funding and TV rights.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009 Movie)

Link

Hoping to launch a spin-off series involving Wolverine, introduce more Marvel characters, and continue the X-Men franchise without a sequel, Fox created a a prequel to X-Men centered around Wolverine.

The Super-Hero Squad Show (2009-2011)

Link

This semi-parody, very light, humorous Cartoon Netweork show featuring almost the entirety of the Marvel Universe ran for two seasons before being cancelled due so-so viewing and Marvel's desire to try new shows. A gruff version of Wolverine appeared in most of the episodes voiced by his Wolverine and the X-Men voice actor Steve Blum. Like all the characters in The Super-Hero Squad Show, Wolverine had very cartoon-like features including a bulbous head and stubby limbs.

Black Panther (2010)

Link

This BET mini-series was in fact a motion comic even though it aired on television. Wolverine, voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson, appeared in a small role as a member of the X-Men, which allied with Black Panther and his nation of Wakanda.

Iron Man (2010-2011)

Link

In the first series in a G4 continuity of the Marvel Universe (called Marvel Anime), Wolverine, voiced by Milo Ventimiglia, appeared in a minor role as a member of the X-Men.

Wolverine (2011)

Link

The second Marvel Anime show was the first TV solo for Wolverine. Wolverine was shown going to Japan and battling terrorists and ninjas; the version was similar to Wolverine and the X-Men's Logan except that the character was less of a team player. For the most part he wore street clothes, not a super-hero costume. It is unclear what the future of the Marvel anime universe is and whether or not a new season will be ordered.

X-Men (2011)

Link

The incarnation of Wolverine shown in Marvel Anime's Wolverine showed up again here, though this time as part of an ensemble X-Men cast.It is unclear what the future of the Marvel anime universe is and whether or not a new season will be ordered.

Blade (2011)

Link

Wolverine has a small role in the Marvel Anime Blade show as a member of the X-Men.

The Avenger's: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (2010-2012)

Link

Steve Blum once again voiced Wolverine in this well-reviewed Disney XD show that may have been in the same continuity as Wolverine and the X-Men. Wolverine only had minor roles, but fit his Wolverine and the X-Men incarnation. In addition to being seen with other X-Men members, he showed up in a flashback fighting alongside Captain America in World War II before he lost his memories. The show was put on hiatus and rechristened as Avengers Assemble in 2012, but this new incarnation has not yet featured the iconic mutant.

Ultimate Spider-man (2012)

Link

It is likely that this show is in the same continuity as Wolverine and the X-Men and Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. In any event, Wolverine, who appears as a member of the X-Men, is the exact same. The character is still voiced by Steve Blum.

Major Plots

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

In "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," we are given the background of Wolverine. After a quick montage of him fighting throughout the years with his "brother" Victor Creed (Sabertooth.) After a misunderstanding in Vietnam, they are approached by Major William Stryker about joining the Weapon X program, a secret government agency filled with various mutants and meta-humans. After a mission in Africa, Wolverine decides he has had enough and leaves the group.

Living in Canada with his girlfriend, Kayla Silverfox, and working as a logger, all is well until Stryker returns wanting him to come back after Sabertooth goes AWOL and begins killing everyone in the program. Wolverine later finds Silverfox murdered by Sabertooth and decides to go back to Weapon-X and hunt Sabertooth down. Stryker uses his ties to give Wolverine his adamantium skeleton as a way to make him a fericer killer. Wolverine also receives new dog tags with the name "Wolverine" stamped on them. Stryker reneges on his deal and tries to have Wolverine's mind wiped Wolverine refuses and escapes.

While on the run, Logan relocates some of his remaining comrades and begins to look for Stryker's base known as "The Island". This leads him to the mutant, Gambit who escaped from the base. Logan convinces Gambit to take him to Stryker's base. While there, he learns that Silverfox is really alive and tricked him to save her sister while Creed wants Logan, so that he can also get the adamantium skeleton. Stryker betrays them all and unleashes Weapon X, which is Wade Wilson only modified with different mutant powers and is referred to as "Deadpool."

Logan and Creed team up to take out Weapon X and after a long battle, seemingly kill him. Creed runs off vowing to fight another day. Logan goes to find Stryker but finds a dying Silverfox and is then shot by Stryker in the head by an adamantium bullet that causes Wolverine's amnesia. Wolverine, with no memory, runs away from the scene after Gambit finds him.

X-Men

Wolverine eventually winds up in a bar cage fighting and beating every challenger. It is here that he meets fellow mutant, Rogue who he agrees to take on as a hitchhiker. While on the road, they are attacked by Sabertooth who is now working for Magneto. Wolverine is incapacitated by Sabertooth and is rescued by Storm and Cyclops who are working with Charles Xavier(Professor X) as his X-Men.

Professor X briefs Wolverine on the situation and offers to help him restore memories after they figure out why Magneto attacked him. It is there that he meets Jean Grey and the rest of the X-Men.

After an incident at the school, Rogue decides to leave the school and Wolverine goes after her. Magneto attacks again and it is revealed that Rouge, not Wolverine was the target. Magneto successfully captures Rogue and plans to use her in his plan.

The X-Men and Wolverine figure out Magneto's plan to turn the world's leaders into mutants via a machine he has built that Rogue would power using the Magneto's mutant ability to control metal, this process would kill Rogue however. The X-Men decide to go after them and infiltrate the Statue of Liberty and do battle with the Brotherhood and rescue Rogue. They are too late though because the machine has already started, so Wolverine touches Rouge and gives her his healing factor to help save her. This incapacitates and nearly kills Wolverine. After he comes to again, Professor X makes good on his promise and gives him the location of a derelict base near Alkali Lake.

X-2: X-Men United

Wolverine leaves for the base at Alkali Lake and only finds an empty military base. He returns to the mansion in hopes of Professor X finding more information about his past. Professor X persuades Logan to stay and "babysit" while some of the other X-Men are out on assignment.

During his babysitting duty, the mansion is attacked by a strike team which starts capturing the school's students. Wolverine takes out multiple enemies before finding Rogue, Iceman and Pyro. William Stryker also returns, only Logan has no memory of him. Iceman creates a barrier that allows them to escape. While on the run, they go to Iceman's family house in order to regroup and try to contact the other X-Men.

Bobby's brother, though was not as excepting of having a mutant brother went and quietly called the police, claiming the mutants have taken the family hostage. Pyro escalates the situation by attacking the police and Logan is shot in the head by an officer. The X-Jet with Jean and Storm arrive and pick them up, and they once again are on the run.

Eventually, they all meet up with Magneto, who joins their side in an assault against Stryker's base inside of the dam near Alkali Lake. While assaulting the base, Wolverine is attacked by Yuriko, A.K.A. Lady Deathstike. He ends the battle though by injecting her with hot, liquid adamantium. While escaping the base, Wolverine chains Stryker to a tree leaving him to die when the dam bursts. Jean Grey sacrifices herself in order to give the rest of the X-Men a chance to escape. This deeply hurts Wolverine and Cyclops as they both have been vying for her love. He later goes with the X-Men to see the President and warn him that both humans and mutants need to work together to avert an impending war between the two sides.

X-Men: The Last Stand

Logan hangs around the Xavier's school, keeping an eye on the students and helping out. Eventually Professor X senses a disturbance at Alkali lake where Scott had previously been. When they arrive, they find floating rocks, Cyclops' sunglasses and Jean Grey alive and unconscious.

Returning with Jean, Professor X informs them that Jean, in the previous film, had tapped into her true potential and became an entity known as "Phoenix." Wolverine is at first infuriated with Professor X seeing this control as the same style of mind erasing he suffered. When Jean wakes up though, he realizes that this "Phoenix" Jean is not the women he loved and rejects her.

Jean soon escapes and goes to her home, where she first met Professor X. When the X-Men arrive, they find Magneto and his group also trying to get Jean and have her join their side. She becomes angry and begins to destroy the house and seemingly kills Professor X. With the Professor gone along with Jean and Cyclops, Wolverine and Storm regroup and try to stop Magneto's plan.

With a new group of X-Men, the team goes to Alcatraz attempting to defeat Magneto and his mutant army. In the ensuing battle, the team is able to stab Magneto with several "cure" darts that take away his mutant powers. Jean though reappears angry and once again begins to destroy everything. Wolverine slowly walks up to her using his healing factor to stop her from disintegrating him. When he gets close enough he reluctantly stabs her and ends it all.

He returns to the mansion with the rest of the X-Men burying Jean, Cyclops and Professor X.

Personality and Traits

Wolverine doesn't always think things through. This is due to his mutant ability which allows him to heal almost instantlyl and can't really be hurt or brought down for any length of time.

He has adamantium claws and keen senses that also help him when he has to fight back.