From 2008 to 2009, Wolverine Files highlighted, in chronological order, iconic Wolverine covers and their homages. Want to start at the beginning? Click here…

After a tremendous run of covers in 1982 and 1983, Wolverine hit a dry spell in 1984 and 1985. So I humbly present the only good Wolverine cover of 1984: Alpha Flight #13 by John Byrne (with inks possibly by Bill Sienkiewicz and/or Al Milgrom).

What’s even sadder is Wolverine’s appearance is only a dream. That said, I do enjoy how John Byrne uses elements within his artwork for editorial purposes, such as the gravestones for all the artists involved in this particular cover…

Next up are two examples of the sort of love that Wolverine was receiving around this time. Note the wonderful depiction of the back of Wolverine’s head…

We continue with examples of the sort of crappy covers Wolverine had to endure when artists did deign to use the front of his mask…

And when the covers weren’t crappy, Wolverine was having his lunch handed to him by Spider-Man and Firestar.

I mean, come on. Firestar?!?

Finally, even when Wolverine did get a little love, such as in the ‘Kitty Pryde and Wolverine’ miniseries, he was saddled with a series of horrendous covers by Allen Milgrom, such as the two below.

Curse you, Allen Milgrom!

Previous Classic Wolverine Cover: Uncanny X-Men #173 | Next: Uncanny X-Men #196

Want to see the Classic Wolverine Covers from the beginning? Start here…

Sorry for the delay on the news this week, but I finally decided it’s high time that I pull out my Wolverine script and run it through the rewrite machine. The good news is that the script for the first issue of my proposed Wolverine miniseries is looking pretty good. The bad news is that no one at Marvel is even aware I exist and said rewrite is eating up all the free time I usually put into this site. So bear with me for the next few weeks as I bang away on the script on the oft chance that someone at Marvel ever wants to take a look at it…

FOX is airing three clips from ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ over three nights to create an extended super clip. Above is the first clip, below is the second, and third airs tonight. JoeBlo has more details…

In more ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ Movie and Video Game News…
–Marvel.com: Four New Movie Photos…
–Newsarama: ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ Video Game Hands-On…
–ComingSoon: ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ Toy Gallery…

‘Wolverine and the X-Men’ News…
–Newsarama: Steve Blum — Wolverine for Life…
–Marvel.com: Episode 5 Preview or Watch Full Episode…
–Marvel.com: Play ‘Wolverine MRD Escape’…

Wolverine Comic Book News…
–IGN: New Avengers #50 Preview (2/25/09 release)…
–ComicBookResources: Advance Solicitations for May 2009 include Wolverine appearances in Cable #14, Wolverine #73 and #74, Wolverine: First Class #15 by Peter David, Wolverine Noir #2, Wolverine: Origins #36 (still with Daken), Wolverine: Weapon X #2, Uncanny X-Men #510, X-Force #15 and X-Men Forever Alpha (phew!)…

Probable Wolverine Appearances in stores on 2/18/09…
–Dark Avengers #2 (preview): Daken as Dark Wolverine…
–Marvel Adventures The Avengers #33 (preview): Savage Land…
–X-Men Legacy #216 (preview): Cover appearance at the very least…

Wolverine appeared in five titles this past week (February 11, 2009) and I also include a review of the hard-to-find Wolverine/Power Pack #4 from the previous week…

And don’t forget the excellent ‘Wolverine and the X-Men’ animated series continues with new episodes every Friday night on NickToons!

Now on with the reviews…

Wolverine: Manifest Destiny #4 (preview)
“The Way of the Black Dragon”
Writer: Jason Aaron
Penciler: Stephen Segovia & Paco Diaz Luque
Inker: Noah Salonga & Paco Diaz Luque

I really like Jason Aaron.

I like how he builds up a story. I like his humor. And I especially like his research.

But this is his second consecutive “big finale” that has failed to live up to the promise of that wonderful buildup.

That said, it does boast a genuinely surprise ending that sets the stage for ‘Wolverine: Weapon X’…

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X-Men Origins: Sabretooth #1 (preview)
Writers: Kieron Dillon
Artist: Dan Panosian

This is not what I was expecting.

This is less an origin that a series of vignettes than try to tell a story, but in the end is simply a series of vignettes.

And from a chronologist’s perspective, this gives a better view into the Sabretooth-Wolverine conflict, but pointedly ignores Jeph Loeb’s chronology-busting first meeting between Logan and Creed in Japan.

It is a must-read for Wolverine fans, but again, when I finished, I was left shaking my head at the point of even publishing this collection of vignettes. I mean, is it too much to ask for us to get back to telling good stories that actually have a point and, perhaps more importantly, an ending?

Eternals #8 (preview)
“Manifest Destiny, Part Two”
Writers: Charles & Daniel Knauf
Artists: Eric Nguyen & Sara Pichelli

Wolverine fights an Eternal.

Why? I’m still not really sure…

X-Infernus #3 (preview)
“What You Wish For”
Writers: C.B. Cebulski
Penciler: Guiseppe Camunculi
Inker: Jesse Delperdang

“These aren’t the demons we’re looking for…”

With that line, you know you’re in for a lot of fun.

And this issue does not disappoint as Wolverine really gets to cut loose…

Avengers/Invaders #8 (preview)
“Cry D’Sparye”
Plot: Alex Ross & Jim Krueger; Script: Jim Krueger
Pencils: Steve Sadowski & Patrick Berkenkotter

I’ll say the same thing I’ve said for the previous seven issues of this series. Why is Wolverine in this? Once again he merely stands in the background without a single line of dialogue…

Wolverine and Power Pack #4 (preview)
“Alex Power: Master Ninja”
Writer: Marc Sumerak
Artist: Gurihiru

Finally tracked down a copy of this issue from last week and it’s actually a pretty good story for what it is. But don’t think I’m going to be shedding any tears now that this miniseries is over…

What do you think? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments below OR join in on the fun in the Wolverine Files Forums…

From 2008 to 2009, Wolverine Files highlighted, in chronological order, iconic Wolverine covers and their homages. Want to start at the beginning? Click here…

Uncanny X-Men #173 by Paul Smith continued a remarkable run of tremendous Wolverine covers in 1982 and 1983. Unfortunately, as will be seen next week, this cover also marked the end of that remarkable run…

Next up is an unused cover sketch by Paul Smith for Uncanny X-Men #173 that, for the life of me, I can’t remember where it is from. If anyone knows the owner of this particular piece, please let me know so I can get official approval for its use…

In the issue itself, we finally return to Logan’s impending marriage to Mariko. Unfortunately, Jason Wyngarde as Mastermind brainwashes Mariko into calling off the wedding during the ceremony. When Logan asks for an explanation, Mariko responds with the classic line that cuts Logan deeper than any blade could, “Because gaijin, you are not worthy.”

The final panel poignantly shows Logan’s response…

And finally, the little known 1992 cover to X-Men Classic #77 with a neat role reversal of Rogue and Wolverine by Adam Hughes, who may be best known, as Wikipedia puts it, for “his voluptuous, pinup-style female characters.”

Previous Classic Wolverine Cover: Uncanny X-Men #172 | Next: Alpha Flight #13

Want to see the Classic Wolverine Covers from the beginning? Start here…

A lot of great Wolverine news broke this weekend at the New York Comic Con, so make sure, if you haven’t already, to check out Saturday’s Wolverine News…

Marvel released a bunch of updates on their NYCC announcements…
–X-Force: Sex and Violence…
–Dark Wolverine…
–Old Man Logan Giant-Sized…
–Ultimate Requiems…
-As well as Astonishing Tales #3: Wolverine/Punisher Digital Comic Exclusive

More CBR coverage of NYCC…
–Marvel Animation Panel…
–Aron Coleite on ‘Ultimate X-Men: Requiem’…
–Marvel and Activision Video Game Panel…

More Newsarama coverage…
–Marvel Animation Panel…
–Christopher Yost of ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’…

And, finally, probable Wolverine appearances coming out February 11, 2009…
–Avengers/Invaders #8 (preview): Will Wolverine ever get the spotlight?
–Eternals #8 (preview): Wolverine makes the cover…
–Wolverine: Manifest Destiny #4 (preview): Finally…
–X-Infernus #3 (preview): “These aren’t the demons we’re looking for…”
–X-Men Origins: Sabretooth #1 (preview): The origin of Sabretooth…

I continue to make good progress on the the updates, this time launching new versions of two more chapters…

–022: The Flight
–023: The Best There Is

And if you haven’t already, check out our growing Wolverine Forums…

Enjoy!

From New York Comic Con comes tons of news from the X-Men Panel…
–ComicBook Resources: X-Men panel overview with pictures…
–Newsarama: X-Men panel overview with pictures…
–IGN: X-Men panel overview with pictures…

Specifically, Dark Wolverine news…
–IGN: Wolverine goes Daken… er Dark…
–Newsarama: Way and Liu on Dark Wolverine…
–IGN: Dark transition for Wolverine…

Old Man Logan news…
–IGN: ‘Old Man Logan’ gets special…
–Newsarama: Interview with Mark Millar Part 1 and Part 2…
–ComicBookResources: Millar and McNiven expand the ‘Old Man Logan’ finale…
–IGN: Mark Millar on future of ‘Old Man Logan’…

X-Men Forever news…
–Newsarama: Claremont and the X-Men, with a twist…
–IGN: Claremont’s X-Men are Forever…
–ComicBookResources: Back to the future with ‘X-Men Forever’…

X-Force news…
–IGN: X-Force gets some sex appeal…
–Newsarama: Yost and Kyle on X-Force…

Video Game news…
–ComicBookResources: ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ video game preview…
–ComicBookResources: Activision releases ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ screenshots…

Wolverine appeared in six titles this week (February 4, 2009) if you include the reprint of ‘Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk’ #1. I am also reviewing three appearances from previous weeks that I missed (thanks to everyone for letting me know).

And don’t forget the excellent ‘Wolverine and the X-Men’ animated series continues on NickToons — new episode tonight at 8pm!

Now on with the reviews for Wolverine…

X-Men vs. Hulk #1 (preview)
“The Making of a Man…”
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Jheremy Raapack; Inker: Larry Welch

An interesting story by Chris Claremont that takes place between ‘Uncanny X-Men’ #167 and 168, wherein Wolverine sets up a challenge for Colossus — to fight the Hulk.

The artwork by Jheremy Raapack is, at times, most uneven, as is the story.

Nothing horrible, mind you. Just not sure why it was even produced…

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Astonishing Tales #1 (preview)
“Madripoor Mix-Up”
Writers: C. B. Cebulski
Penciler: Kenneth Rocafort

Initially presented by Marvel Digital Comics, this eight-page Wolverine/Punisher team-up (Wolverine has seemingly forgiving the Punisher for an earlier run-in) sets up a story arc with Madame Hydra and Predator X.

The art is smashing, but the story reeks of way too much posing and grandstanding….

X-Men Noir #3 (preview)
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Dennis Calero

Took a reread of the all three issues for me to make heads or tails of this story.

But much like ‘100 Bullets’, it’s definitely worth the time.

Even if all the characters do look the same, again much like ‘100 Bullets’…

Wolverine and Power Pack #4 (preview)
“Alex Power: Master Ninja”
Writers: Marc Sumerak
Artist: Gurihiru

Thankfully the final issue of this miniseries, for like the first three, this one sold out at my store before I could get a copy…

Age of Sentry #5 (preview)
“Saved by the Wail”
Writers: Paul Tobin
Penciler: Bill Galvan; Inker: Terry Pallot

Indescribably stupid cameo can be found on page three of the preview — panel one…

Aside from the aforementioned  ‘Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk’ #1 reprint (the new cover is merely a reverse reprint of the two-page spread within), I do have three Wolverine appearances I missed from previous weeks…

Amazing Spider-Man Extra #2 (preview)
“Birthday Boy”
Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Paolo Rivera

Surprisingly good Wolverine/Spider-Man story, especially since it’s buried in the back of a second-tier Spider-Man comic.

I’m a Wolverine fanatic and even I didn’t know about it until Comusiv pointed it out to me.

Really strong appearance. Do yourself a favor and hunt down a copy….

X-Men Worlds Apart #4 (preview)
Writer: Christopher Yost
Penciler: Diogenes Neves; Inker: Ed Tadeo

Single panel cameo. Ugh.

Eternals #7 (preview)
“Manifest Destiny, Part One”
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Dennis Calero

Final page cameo setting up for the X-Men crossover in Eternals #8…

What do you think? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments below OR join in on the fun in the Wolverine Files Forums…

From 2008 to 2009, Wolverine Files highlighted, in chronological order, iconic Wolverine covers and their homages. Want to start at the beginning? Click here…

In 1982, we read the ‘Wolverine’ limited series.

By 1983, we endured THREE agonizing months without Wolverine to make sure the continuity fit just right within ‘Uncanny X-Men’.

And all summer long of that same year, we discussed the prospect of Wolverine actually getting married.

So when Uncanny X-Men #172 finally hit the stands (and remember we didn’t have advanced previews of the covers back then), every Wolverine fan gave a cheer…

A truly mesmerizing cover by Paul Smith capturing the last panel of Wolverine (Limited Series) #4 and showing the wonderfully lined face of Logan…

Next up is a bit of an X-Men history lesson.

While Logan was in Japan as chronicled in his limited series, Ms. Marvel villain Rogue was accepted as a member of the X-Men. And remember, it was Rogue who was responsible for stealing away the memories from Carol Danvers, Logan’s close friend. So believe me when I say that the teaming up of Wolverine and Rogue in final panels of Uncanny X-Men #172 by Chris Claremont, Paul Smith, and Bob Wiacek came as a bit of a shock…

And finally, the little known 1992 cover to X-Men Classic #76 by Adam Hughes, who may be best known, as Wikipedia puts it, for “his voluptuous, pinup-style female characters.” In fact, you can see his style sneaking through on Viper, upper right on the cover. As for the additional faux-title for the issue, Altar-cations, my fellow punsters will rejoice!

Previous Classic Wolverine Cover: Wolverine #4 (limited series) | Next: Uncanny X-Men #173

Want to see the Classic Wolverine Covers from the beginning? Start here…

Let me start by stating that I genuinely enjoy and appreciate any and all comments you all leave on these posts. It’s a little daunting at times to publish a chronology and a blog without hearing from the readers. So even if it’s just to say, “hey!” please do leave a note. And don’t forget to check out our growing Wolverine Forums!

Back to update, I am getting closer to finishing up the overhaul of the Chronology, making some minor changes to the existing chapters by adding…
–Uncanny X-Men #251 to 008: Ogun…
–Wolverine: Origins #30 to 010: Landau, Luckman and Lake (and Jasmine Falls)…
–Wolverine: First Class #5 to 019: The Hudsons…
–Marvel Comics Presents #1 moves to 007: The Thirties…

And finally, I’ve updated and launched new versions of…
–020: License to Kill
–021: Department H and Weapon X

So check them out and let us know what you think!