Meet Wolverine

Joy Fleishhacker -- School Library Journal, 5/6/2009

“SNIKT.” It’s time for movie fans to find out more about the feral mutant with retractable razor-sharp claws, astonishing regenerative powers, and ferocious fighting skills, a tough-talking loner who constantly struggles to control his animal nature and embrace his humanity. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (PG-13), a prequel to 20th Century Fox’s X-Men movie trilogy based on the Marvel Comics characters, premiered in theaters on May 1, 2009. Hugh Jackman reprises his role as Logan, taking the enigmatic outsider through the twists and turns of his mysterious, complex, and often traumatic past. Beginning years before Wolverine’s association with the X-Men, the film focuses on his relationship with Victor Creed—later known as Sabretooth (Liev Schreiber), his early career, and the infamous Weapon X program. Teens can sample the action and the movie’s mystique at the official Web site, as various characters introduce themselves with snappy catch phrases. An “Activate Powers” icon turns the mouse into a screen-slashing claw complete with Wolverine-style sound effects. Other features include trailers, a “Time Warriors” game, and a “Build Your Own Weapon X” option for Facebook and Myspace.

Wolverine: Origins

Created by writer Len Wein, art director John Romita Sr., and first drawn for publication by Herb Trimpe, Wolverine made his debut in the Marvel Universe in Incredible Hulk #181 (November 1974). Soon after, he was drafted onto the X-Men team, which was being revamped for a new series, Giant-Size X-Men (Marvel, May 1975). Placed in the hands of various writers and artists through the years, the character has continued to evolve, remaining an X-Men mainstay and also starring in several solo series. Logan’s shadowy past makes him irresistibly mysterious, while his continued inner battle to resist his animal nature (and end up like his nemesis, Sabretooth) makes him intriguingly—and appealingly—human.

Wolverine Books

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is sure to win new fans for this hirsute hero and his super-human colleagues. Movie goers will want to know more about the details of Logan’s back story and will be equally curious about his X-Men adventures, and comic book aficionados will be inspired to revisit their favorite publications. Consider enhancing your graphic novel collection with some of these must-have titles starring Wolverine.

Wolverine: The Ultimate Guide

Matthew K. Manning’s Wolverine: Inside the World of the Living Weapon, from DK, provides a comprehensive and thoroughly researched look at this Marvel Universe powerhouse. Profusely illustrated with stunning comic book artwork, the lively text introduces Wolverine’s powers and abilities; explores the details of his intricately plotted life story; regales significant adventures and career highpoints; and provides the scoop on his various team affiliations, notorious enemies, and romantic liaisons. In addition to tracing Wolverine’s development as an individual and hero, the book also covers his publication history, highlighting key comic books issues. The clearly reproduced visuals are magnificent and give readers a taste of the varied styles used by different artists to depict the character. A fine choice for browsing, this handsome volume also serves as a helpful reference tool for those interested in investigating the specifics of Wolverine’s world (Gr 8 Up).

Wolverine for Middle Graders

Renowned YA author Barry Lyga presents a fresh look at the X-Men in Wolverine: Worst Day Ever, Marvel’s first book of prose fiction for young readers. Eric, 13, a newcomer to Xavier’s School for Gifted Students, narrates the tale in a series of fast-reading blog entries. Possessing “the world’s most useless mutant super-power” (his special ability is that no one notices him), Eric wanders the school in frustrated solitude. However, an unexpected friendship with Wolverine—another loner—soon has Eric rethinking his perceptions about his own abilities and place in the world. Full-color spot artwork from Marvel comic books is sprinkled throughout, adding extra appeal for graphic novel fans and reluctant readers (Gr 5-9). You might also want to check out Marvel’s Wolverine: Tales of Weapon X, a colorfully illustrated easy-to-circulate collection of Wolverine comics that are appropriate for a wide range of ages (Gr 3-7). Click here for more information and for other titles for younger readers

Del Rey has recently launched Wolverine: Prodigal Son, a new shonen manga series written by Antony Johnston with art by Wilson Tortosa. Though the book is licensed from Marvel and retains many familiar aspects of the character (the claws, the healing power, the brooding personality), it “reimagines” Wolverine as a different person with a different history. Here Logan is cast as a 14-year-old rebel, a talented fighter who is testing the boundaries of the martial arts school in the Canadian wilderness where he mysteriously arrived six years before—the only home he can remember. His first trip into the wider world results in adventure and danger, a taste of the secrets that cloud his past, and a cliff-hanger ending. The graphic novel’s straight-talking dialog (with some strong language) and dynamic illustrations work in sync to re-create the character, manga-style. Fans of the movies and comic books will appreciate this original take on the young anti-hero (Gr 7 Up).

Wolverine and the X-Men Team: Graphic Novels for Grades 8 and Up

Collecting comic book issues into attractive trade paperbacks, these offerings relate Wolverine’s adventures with his favorite compatriots. Written by Marc Sumerak and illustrated with slick, fraught-with-action artwork, Wolverine: First Class (Marvel, 2008) is set during the early days of the X-Men academy, as Professor X pairs new-recruit Kitty Pryde with the more experienced Logan, an association that ends up benefiting both mentor and student.

Written by Joss Whedon with spectacular artwork by John Cassaday, Astonishing X-Men (Marvel, 2004-2008) has loads of teen appeal. With Professor Xavier away on sabbatical, Cyclops and a morally reformed Emma Frost are running the academy with Wolverine and Kitty Pryde, among others, serving as faculty... while also saving the world and all mutant-kind from destruction. Told with rapier-sharp wit and zinging one-liners, and illustrated with sleek and sophisticated visuals, the action is fast and furious, and, well, astonishingly entertaining.

The Essential Wolverine: Graphic Novels for Grades 10 and Up

Originally published in single-issue format and recently re-issued as graphic novels with elegant new covers, these volumes delineate defining moments in Wolverine’s personal history. Be forewarned, the storytelling is superb, but the mature themes, strong language, and graphic violence make these books most appropriate for an older audience. Shrouded in mystery for years, Logan’s early life is revealed in Paul Jenkins’s Wolverine: Origin (Marvel, 2001), illustrated by Andy Kubert and Richard Isanove. This dramatic tale introduces young James Howlett, recounting a childhood haunted by illness and family tragedy, the traumatic experience that triggers the first eruption of his claws, his reinvention of himself as Logan and early life on the run, and the heartbreaking act that drives him into the wilderness. The descriptive, jewel-toned digital paintings and epic-scale plot give the book a Dickensian quality, while the breathless action keeps readers riveted.

Wolverine: Weapon X (1991), written and illustrated by Barry Windsor-Smith, describes how Logan is abducted and made the subject of a scientific process (the infamous bonding of adamantium, an indestructible metal, to his skeleton and claws) intended to strip away his humanity and transform him into the ultimate killing machine. Garishly bright color combinations (and lots of splattered blood) reflect the harrowing intensity of this saga. Wolverine re-issues the character’s first solo series (1982), as Logan travels to Japan to see his girlfriend, Mariko, and soon finds himself surrounded by enemies and embroiled in danger. Pairing Chris Claremont’s multi-layered characterization with Frank Miller’s startlingly crisp, shadow-infused artwork, this collaboration redefined the essence of Wolverine.

For a booktalk starter, check out for National Public Radio’s list of Ten Jobs Not Right For Wolverine.

Pub Info

MANNING, Matthew K. Wolverine: Inside the World of the Living Weapon. DK. 2009. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-4547-2.

LYGA, Barry. Wolverine: Worst Day Ever. Marvel, dist. by Diamond Book Distributors. 2009. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-3757-3

Wolverine: Tales of Weapon X. Marvel, dist. by Diamond Book Distributors. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-0-7851-3936-2.

JOHNSTON, Antony. Wolverine: Prodigal Son, Vol. 1. illus. by Wilson Tortosa. Del Rey. 2009. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-0-345-50516-3.

VAN LENTE, Fred. Wolverine: First Class: The Rookie. illus. by Andrea DiVito & Salva Espin. 2008. pap. ISBN 978-0-7851-3316-2.

_____. Wolverine: First Class: Wolverine-By-Night. illus. by Francis Portela, Hugo Petrus, & Scott Koblish. 2009. pap. ISBN 978-0-7851-3534-0.

Ea vol: Marvel, dist. by Diamond Book Distributors. pap. $12.99.

WHEDON, Joss. Astonishing X-Men: Gifted (Vol. 1). 2004. pap. $14.99. ISBN 0-7851-1531-5.

_____. Astonishing X-Men: Dangerous (Vol. 2). 2005. pap. $14.99. ISBN 0-7851-1677-X.

_____. Astonishing X-Men: Torn (Vol .3). 2007. pap. $14.99. ISBN 0-7851-1759-8.

_____. Astonishing X-Men: Unstoppable (Vol. 4). 2008. pap. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-2254-8.

Ea vol: illus. by John Cassaday. Marvel, dist. by Diamond Book Distributors.

 JENKINS, Paul. Wolverine: Origin. illus. by Andy Kubert & Richard Isanove. pap. ISBN 978-0-7851-3727-6.

WINDSOR-SMITH,Barry. Wolverine: Weapon X. illus. by author. pap. ISBN 978-0-7851-3726-9.

CLAREMONT, Chris. Wolverine. illus. by Frank Miller. pap. ISBN 978-0-7851-3724-5.