For more than two decades, Marvel has committed to fleshing out theWolverinecharacter. Wolverine’s first comic appearance came in 1974, but it was in the late 90s into the 2000s that he would sustain his most expansive character lore. In the coming years, comic books likeOriginsandWolverine: Originswould change the character forever, defining everything fans know about him for years to come.
The most important moments for Wolverinehappen to have been published within this last 26-year stretch of time. Beyond just revealing tidbits about the once-amnesiac Logan’s backstory and canonizing his birth name as James Howlett, the comics would continue to develop the character by developing a recurring supporting cast for him. Previously, most of his stories centered around Wolverine being a member of the X-Men, but by introducing a bevy of characters connected to him, Marvel has helped prolong his longevity through these characters.Here are ten of the best Wolverine characters introduced since 1999.
10Akihiro: The Son of Wolverine
First Appearance:Wolverine Origins#5 by Daniel Way, Steve Dillon, Avalon Dan Kemp, and VC’s Randy Gentile
Akihiro, better known as Daken, is the son of Wolverine.In recent years, Marvel has put notable effort into expanding Wolverine’s personal legacy by giving him a family of his own. Much like DC’s Bat-Family, Wolverine’s growing circle of descendants and clones has become a defining part of his story. Akihiro is a key figure in this group, born during the 1940s to Wolverine and his wife Itsu. Tragically, their time as a family was cut short when the Winter Soldier murdered Itsu in an attempt to manipulate Wolverine, setting Akihiro on a dark and complicated path.
Akihiro adopts the Daken codename as a means of reclaiming the word that was once used as a slur against him during his childhood.
Given that Itsu was killed late in her pregnancy,the baby (Akihiro) still survived and was adopted by a mutant warlord named Romulus. Today, much like his father, Akihiro has died and returned from the dead on more than one occasion. He now sportsa new costume and permanent redesign.
9Laura Kinney: X-23
First Appearance: Season 3, Episode 11,“X-23"ofX-Men: Evolution
What separates Laura Kinney from most characters introduced in Marvel lore is that before making her first appearance in Earth-616, she actually debuted on television. The popularity of her character inX-Men: Evolutioninspired Marvel to introduce a version of X-23 that best suited the reality of their universe. Much like on the show,Laura is a clone of Wolverine created by The Facility, an organization spun off from the same Weapon Plus project that gave Logan his Adamantium for Weapon X. In addition to Wolverine, Laura shared DNA with her geneticist, Sarah Kinney.
In time, Logan would help Laura unlearn her assassin behaviors and help her become the compassionate hero she is today. In turn, she sees him as a surrogate father to the point she’sadopted his mantle as the All-New Wolverine.
8Honey Badger: The Youngest Clone of Laura Kinney
First Appearance:All-New Wolverine#2 by Tom Taylor, David López, David Navarrot, Nathan Fairbairn, and VC’s Cory Petit
This is the point in this article where readers get to learn about the more obscure members of Wolverine’s family, but nonetheless take after his violent tendencies. One of the most deceptively aggressive members of Wolverine’s family is codenamed Honey Badger.Honey Badger, formerly known as Scout, is the youngest clone of Laura Kinney to be created by Alchemax Genetics.All of these clones were created to become bodyguards, but they all suffered a great deal of torture and abuse to perfect them. Gabrielle"Gabby"Kinney’s story is no different.
After Laura helped her escape and enact revenge, Scout embarked on a new path to being a superhero.Her potential as a hero could prime her to one daybecome the next Wolverine, but the child still has a long way to go. The Wolverine family’s signature rambunctious aggression is hidden underneath Scout’s surprising amount of optimism and naivety despite her upbringing.
7Jonathan the Unstoppable: A Literal Wolverine
First Appearance:All-New Wolverine#7 by Tom Taylor, Marcio Takara, Marcio Takara, Jordan Boyd, and Cory Petit
Perhaps the most surprising addition to the Wolverine family has been a literal wolverine.Jonathan the Unstoppable is the pet wolverine of Honey Badger.While theadorable creature does honor Wolverine’s namesake, Unstoppable is merely a nickname for Jonathan. He isn’t some evolved wolverine or a mutant animal, but rather a simple mammal. Still, though, without any notable abilities, Jonathan earns his keep by not only matching his handler’s ferocity whenever possible, but by being the cutest and cuddliest member of the pack.
His unstoppable moniker was gifted to him when the Wolverine family’s home was burglarized, and in the attempt, Jonathan was shot. Logan, Gabrielle, and Laura dispose of the burglars promptly, but miraculously, Jonathan survives, hardly injured. Without powers, he has the natural resilience of a wolverine, and that’s enough to deem him Unstoppable.
6Raze Darkhölme: The Son of Wolverine & Mystique
First Appearance:X-Men: Battle of the Atom#1 by Brian Michael Bendis, Frank Cho, Stuart Immonen, Wade von Grawbadger, Marte Gracia, and Joe Caramagna
On Earth-616, Marvel’s main continuity,Mystique is one of Wolverine’s most despised enemies. However, in the alternate reality of Earth-13729, their relationship takes a far more complex turn. In this universe,Mystique and Wolverine have a son named Raze Darkhölme, who is also the half-brother of Charles Xavier II, Mystique’s child with Professor X. Raze inherits powers from both of his parents, including Wolverine’s claws and Mystique’s shapeshifting abilities. For reasons that remain unknown, Raze ultimately uses his shapeshifting to murder Mystique and assume her identity.
In a world where the X-Men are fractured almost beyond repair, Raze initially joins their ranks, hoping to restore the world to what it was before his father’s death. However, when that proves impossible,a disillusioned Xavier II teams up with Raze to form their own Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.Together, they set their sights on Earth-616, determined to wipe out humanity.
5Dog Logan: Wolverine’s Brother
First Appearance:Wolverine: The Origin#1 by Paul Jenkins, Bill Jemas, Joe Quesada, Andy Kubert, Richard Isanove, John Roshell, and Saida Temofonte
Much can be said about the found family that Wolverine has adopted along his journey, but readers can’t overlook the actual family he has from his origins as a Howlett.One of the more prominent members of his family is Wolverine’s brother, Dog Logan.Their biological father was Thomas Logan, a groundskeeper for the Howlett estate, who had an affair with James' mother and his employer’s wife, Elizabeth Howlett. The drunkard dished out much of his alcohol-driven frustrations on his son, whom he treated so poorly that he’d nickname him Dog.
James’ powers first manifested during a drunken rampage led by Thomas and Dog on the Howlett estate, which left several people dead. In the chaos, James killed Thomas and left Dog permanently scarred.Years later, through the use of time travel, Dog would return to hunt Wolverine, seeking revenge for the past.
4Solem: The Wannabe Wolverine Love Interest
First Appearance:Wolverine#6 by Benjamin Percy, Viktor Bogdanović, Matt Wilson, and Cory Petit
Solem is a powerful mutant from Arakko whose power has nothing to do with physical strength. If ever forced into a fist fight with Logan, there is no question that Logan would leave him down for the count in no time, but Wolverine would have to get his hands on the Arakkan first. That’s easier said than done whenSolem is impervious to Wolverine’s strikes. Solem was born with Adamantium coursing through his veins. As a result, Logan’s best asset, his Adamantium claws, are useless against him.
This instantly makes Solem Wolverine’s most formidable opponent to date, as the typical hack-and-slash method won’t put a dent in him. He’s also Wolverine’s most fascinating enemy, as adesire to be Wolverine’s love interestadds new layers to their dynamic that aren’t usually there with Wolverine’s antagonists.
3Ultimate Wolverine: The Winter Soldier
First Appearance:Ultimate Universe: One Year In#1 by Deniz Camp, Jonas Scharf, Mattia Iacono, and VC’s Travis Lanham
Not to be confused with the Wolverine from Earth-1610, the original Ultimate Universe, the Wolverine of Earth-6160 is a complete reimagining.This version revamps Marvel’s iconic mutant by combining him with the Winter Soldier, creating a bold new take on both characters.
This Wolverine’s horrifying origin storydetails James Howlett as the product of Eurasian experiments that would wipe his memory, turning him into the Eurasian Republic’s capable and willing Winter Soldier assassin. It’s been rumored that these experiments crafted him from the carcasses of dead soldiers. True or not, little remains known about this version of Wolverine. As an amnesiac weapon of destruction, he represents one of the most feral and unhinged interpretations of the character.
To learn more about this variant, pick up Marvel’s newUltimate Wolverineseries, currently four issues deep, by Christopher Condon and Alessandro Cappuccio.
2Jeffrey Bannister: Wolverine’s CIA BFF
First Appearance:Wolverine#1 by Benjamin Percy, Adam Kubert, Frank Martin, and Cory Petit
As a man who is approximately 140 years old, it should be no surprise that Wolverine has friends in high places.One of his highest-ranking best friends happens to work for the CIA in the form of Agent Jeffrey Bannister.Upon aligning himself with Logan, the Baltimore agent soon found himself finding a kinship with Logan, expressing genuine concern when Wolverine would go on dangerous missions in between giving each other necessary intel. Despite being a part of the Central Intelligence Agency, Jeff is surprisingly down-to-earth for an official.
The two first met by collaborating on cracking the Flower Cartel that was peddling drugs made from Krakoan petals. They’d continue making use of each other afterward. Jeff quickly became asignificant and consistent supporting character for Wolverine.
1Gorgon: Former Wolverine, Current Badass
First Appearance:Wolverine#20 by Mark Millar, John Romita Jr., Klaus Janson, Paul Mounts, and Rus Wooton
The only Marvel character to truly give Logan a run for his moneyas the deadliest Wolverineis none other than Tomi Shishido. Otherwise known as Gorgon, Tomi had a brief stint as Wolverine when Norman Osborn recruited him for his Dark Avengers team. Wolverine’s classic name and costume came with Tomi’s inclusion. It was an incredibly brief run in the suit, but notable for justhow vicious he was as Wolverine.
He’s since become accustomed to the name Gorgon, but hasn’t lost the vicious nature that makes him so notable. What essentially makes the mutant samurai so dangerous are his ninja skills, along with his power to petrify with his eyes, like Medusa. His prowess has earned the swordsman high-ranking titles in both The Hand and Hydra. Tomi and Logan might never be on the same page, but respectively beingWolverineforever bonds them, even if begrudgingly so.
