Wolverine a Reader's Perspective Part 12

THE WOLVERINE!

Art by John Byrne


Chronological Wolverine facts as revealed to the reader part XII

Continuing our journey to understand the Wolverine character as was revealed to the reader issue to issue, month to month through his publication history. So from a reader's point of view here is Logan's history, who he was, and how and when we learned it!

Sept 1979
THE UNCANNY X-MEN 125
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciller: John Byrne





We find the X-Men in the Danger Room once again except this time Wolverine is not just looking out for his own interests. He is genuinely a team player now. Compare his reaction to Nightcrawler laughing at him with his previous murderous rage and lethal attack in nearly the exact same situation in X-Men 96 (below). He has mellowed towards his teammates and friends considerably.



Oct 1979
UNCANNY X-MEN 126
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciller: John Byrne





Wolverine's senses are so keen that he is able to track a person in a car. Bloodhounds would have a very difficult time doing that.



After Proteus fails to possess Wolverine's body we find out the reason why is that Wolverine's skeleton is made of Adamantium and metal is anathema to Mutant X. Three million dollars in 1979 would be worth $10,481,166.91 dollars today (as of the time I wrote this article) for about a 3.44% value of annual inflation! Now we know why Wolverine's bones are unbreakable, they are made from the strongest (fictional) metal there is.



For Wolverine, whose senses are so sharp that he defines his reality by them, when Proteus used his power to turn the physical laws of nature on their head and distort reality, warps all sense of stability for Wolverine and completely incapacitates him. We have seen it before in Marvel Team-Up starring Spider-Man and the X-Men 1 when he eviscerates Yama Dharma only to find instead of being disemboweled his victim had space and stars within him*. We also saw it to some degree when Dark Professor X makes him see illusions that some of his senses know are lies but his eyes tell him otherwise. The real Professor X helps him know the truth and trust his instincts in X-Men 106*. Powerful Illusions alone are not enough the distortions have to be real and his senses know what they are telling him that reality has been warped to make Wolverine truly vulnerable.

See Wolverine a Reader's Perspective Parts IV and V -NLogan



Wolverine and Nightcrawler given a reprieve from Proteus' attack look to Storm as she faces him alone. Wolverine knowing they cannot help anchors himself and Nightcrawler down.

Nov 1979
THE UNCANNY X-MEN 127
Writers: Chris Claremont and John Byrne
Penciller: John Byrne





Wolverine is paralyzed by fear.



Kurt Wagner the Nightcrawler becomes terrified at the thought of Wolverine, whom he has gone into battle with against dangerous foes and even faced the possibility of death multiple times, showing fear. Wolverine is afraid of no man, and yet he is shaken to his core by the awesome reality warping power of Proteus and completely unable to act.



Proteus flees and after the initial battle, Wolverine is trying to lick his wounds and recover while the rest of the X-Men try to pull themselves together. Shaken as he is it is nothing a little hot cocoa and Cyclops infuriating him can't shake him out of.



Cyclops initiates a battle between himself and Wolverine. Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Storm seeing the real danger of provoking Wolverine attempt to stop it. Jean telepathically knowing what Cyclops is doing doesn't interfere. Cyclops knows his only chance is to keep Wolverine off balance by varying his attacks continually and keeping him so angry and confused about what is happening he doesn't think about his own tactics only reacting animalistically. Cyclops widens the battle to include Nightcrawler and Storm but quickly surrenders after having tested the mettle of each.



For some reason this impresses Wolverine and he is big enough, despite his short stature, to admit when he was wrong. I personally didn't like this bit of story-telling but there it is. From now on Cyclops and Wolverine have more of a grudging respect for each other.

Dec 1979
THE UNCANNY X-MEN 128
Writers: Chris Claremont and John Byrne





Proteus begins attacking Edinburgh and the X-Men are quick to defend the local denizens having split up, the team rescuing several citizens.



Unable to act last issue in defense of Storm as he was paralyzed by fear, Wolverine seeing her in immediate danger of death is able to master his fear enough to move in and save her, sacrificing himself if need be.



Wolverine turns his back on the enemy completely vulnerable out of concern for Storm.



We find out that Logan is over Jean as he tells Proteus he "loved" her in the past tense.



Colossus faces Proteus and their battle erupts into a huge lightshow visible for miles. Wolverine is worried his friend is dead.



He is overjoyed that he is not.

Very soon true believers we will face the saga of the Dark Phoenix! Until next time, bub!