Wolverine a Reader's Perspective Part 9

THE WOLVERINE!

Art by John Byrne


Chronological Wolverine facts as revealed to the reader part 9

Continuing our journey to understand the Wolverine character as was revealed to the reader issue by issue, and 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!

Jan 1979
THE UNCANNY X-MEN 117
Writers: Chris Claremont and John Byrne
Penciller: John Byrne



The X-Men escape the Savage Land and Antarctica by sea and are rounding Cape Horn in the Drake Passage in a small craft.



Apparently Wolverine has been around Cape Horn in mid-winter, how or when we do not know.

They are rescued by the Japanese ship the Jinguchi Maru and transported to Japan.

Feb 1979
THE UNCANNY X-MEN 118
Writers: Chris Claremont and John Byrne
Penciller: John Byrne



When they arrive in Japan the port city of Agarashima is ablaze with fires started by an earthquake. The X-Men make their way ashore helping rescue teams as they head towards Shiro Yoshida the Sunfire's ancestral manor to seek help from the former X-Man in returning home.



Wolverine knows Japanese.



As they reach the manor Wolverine says he has seen less men and guns around Fort Knox. Whether or not that is factual or hyperbole is unknown. Wolverine is able to detect where the main house is through the fog due to his heightened senses. They receive less than a warm welcome. Eventually their help is accepted against whatever or whoever is threatening Japan. I get a kick out of Cyclops being frustrated without an interpreter because Wolverine took off for some alone time.





Wolverine was in Japan as a "punk kid". This is his first time meeting Mariko Yashida.



Mariko praises Wolverine's Japanese and he reveals he had good teachers. Logan shows a completely different side to himself than we are used to. He is seeking solace for Jean's death and solitude in the garden which the Japanese use for contemplation and meditation. He is gentle with Mariko and apologizes for startling her. He is obviously interested in her and already is open to friendship. Logan is taken by her beauty. He believes he missed his chance to tell Jean his real name because of her presumed death*, he is not about to make that mistake again. He begins to say his name and is interrupted by an earthquake.

*See Uncanny X-Men 114 in Wolverine a Reader's Perspective Part 8 - NLogan



In addition to the earthquake the X-Men find themselves under attack by assailants wearing Mandroid Armor.



Wolverine is concerned about his friend Colossus in the midst of the battle.



Wolverine gets a little payback and trashes one of the Mandroids.

Mar 1979
THE UNCANNY X-MEN 119
Writers: Chris Claremont and John Byrne
Penciller: John Byrne





The X-Men are celebrating Christmas together this time waiting for Banshee to get home from the hospital to surprise him. Apparently Wolverine now celebrates Christmas or at least is now comfortable around his friends. Logan wants to follow up with Mariko, he promises Ororo he will behave himself. His comportment is drastically different from his usual self and Ororo notices it.

Wolverine has turned a new chapter in his life, no longer the consummate loner he has found friends even a surrogate family of sorts. Will he find love?

We will find out, tune in next time true believer.