It's good to be Wolverine
Word Balloons #1232: In his 50th anniversary year, the character is as popular as ever
Wolverine is having a moment.
From a billion-dollar movie to a top-selling comic, it’s a good year to be the diminutive Canadian X-Man.
Hugh Jackman returned to the role he originated in 2000’s “X-Men” for “Deadpool and Wolverine,” which so far is the #2 film of 2024 and has passed a billion dollars in global box office.
Meanwhile, though comics sales data is tricky at best to come by these days, the reports from the ComicHub sales system reported that “Uncanny X-Men” #1, featuring Wolverine as a team member, was August’s top title.
Writer Gail Simone enthused about the success on Facebook:
“Thank you to all the fantastic retailers and incredible readers for making UNCANNY X-MEN #1 the NUMBER ONE SELLING BOOK in both units and dollar sales for august!” Simone wrote.
“There were a BUNCH of heavy hitters this month, I did not think we would take the #1 slot! So excited and grateful to all of you!”
Simone thanked Annnalise Bissa, Martin Biro, colorist Matthew Williams, and editor Tom Brevoort for their efforts.
“But most of all, to my ridiculously talented and wonderful collaborator and artistic genius, David Marquez!” Simone continued. “One of the best in the business AND JUST A JOY TO WORK WITH! A happy day, you all!”
Meanwhile, those wanting to see Wolverine cut loose on his own have multiple options.
On sale now is “Wolverine: Revenge” #1, by Jonathan Hickman and Greg Capullo. The series is available in regular and “red-band” versions, the latter containing more violent content.
Jonathan Hickman talked to Polygon about the high-impact action planned for the five-issue miniseries, which appears to be set in its own continuity.
“When we first talked about the project, our number one concern was taking the readers on a high-octane, no-hold-barred Wolverine story that was a proper celebration of both the character and Greg returning to Marvel. And like he said, the bosses cut us loose and the result is an absolutely wild book. Honestly can’t wait for everyone to get to check it out.”
Meanwhile, next Wednesday, Wolverine’s ongoing title returns, from the creative team of writer Saladin Ahmed and artist Martin Cóccolo.
Ahmed told Marvel.com that Wolverine, often called Logan, was the coolest character in comics when he was a kid, and that hasn’t changed much for him.
“Logan is simultaneously a mythic hero, an abused animal, and a man of flesh, blood, and adamantium,” he said. “Our story is about what happens when these parts of him all pull in opposite directions – and threaten to rip Logan to pieces that won't come back together again.”
From film to comics – and even his appearance on “X-Men ‘97” on Disney+ – the Canadian hero is going all out to make his 50th year one of his most notable.
Matthew Price, matthew@matthewLprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, Oklahoma.