Deadpool & Wolverine was a massive success last summer, bringing together two of Marvel’s most beloved anti-heroes in a chaotic, hilarious, and action-packed adventure. With Hugh Jackman returning to the role of Wolverine, fans eagerly anticipated a proper reunion of Jackman and Ryan Reynolds, who first appeared together as their respective characters in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Reynolds appeared as the infamous Merc with a Mouth, but as a version many felt was inaccurate to his comic counterpart. It wasn’t until 2016 that Reynolds started a movement with his much more popular Deadpool films, with an accurate Deadpool suit and plenty of quips and fourth wall breaking to fill its runtime.
Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine has spanned over two decades, cementing him as the definitive version of the character, with Wolverine costumes often going for a Hugh Jackman look rather than something akin to the comics. But Deadpool & Wolverine isn’t just about revisiting an old favorite—it’s about expanding the Marvel multiverse. As the film dives into alternate realities, audiences get a glimpse of different versions of Wolverine from across the Marvel canon. The multiverse provides the perfect opportunity to explore the countless variants of the character that have appeared in comics and beyond. From the grizzled veteran of Old Man Logan to the spy persona of Patch, each version brings a unique twist to Wolverine’s iconic story.
This article delves into the most fascinating and memorable versions of Wolverine, tracing his evolution from his first appearance to his most recent incarnations. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the comics or a moviegoer intrigued by Jackman’s portrayal, these alternate Wolverines offer new insights into one of Marvel’s most complex and enduring heroes.
Uncanny X-Men Wolverine
Wolverine made his first appearance in The Incredible Hulk #180 (1974), with his first full appearance in The Incredible Hulk #181, where he fought the Hulk in an epic battle that introduced him as a fierce, relentless fighter. He soon joined the X-Men in Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975), marking his debut as a team member and cementing his role in Uncanny X-Men. This version of Wolverine is characterized by his rebellious attitude, gruff demeanor, and complicated relationships with Jean Grey and Cyclops, contributing to his status as one of Marvel’s most complex and beloved heroes.
One of his most iconic looks during this era is the yellow and brown suit, which first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #139 (1980). Designed by John Byrne, this costume was a departure from his earlier yellow and blue design, featuring a more rugged, earthy color scheme that matched his animalistic nature. The mask’s distinctive “ears” and the streamlined silhouette gave him a fierce, predatory appearance. This suit became synonymous with Wolverine throughout his adventures in Uncanny X-Men during the 1980s and remains one of his most recognizable looks.
A standout moment for this version of Wolverine is his rematch with the Hulk in The Incredible Hulk #340 (1988), written by Peter David and illustrated by Todd McFarlane. In this issue, Wolverine, wearing his yellow and brown suit, faces off against the Hulk, who is in his gray “Joe Fixit” form. The clash is brutal and intense, showcasing Wolverine’s tenacity and ferocity as he battles the Hulk to a standstill. The cover of this issue, featuring Wolverine’s claws reflecting Hulk’s face, is iconic and remains one of the most celebrated comic book covers of all time.
Age of Apocalypse Wolverine
The Age of Apocalypse version of Wolverine, known as Weapon X, debuted in 1995 as part of the Age of Apocalypse crossover event in Marvel Comics. This storyline ran through multiple X-Men-related titles, with the first appearance of Weapon X specifically occurring in Weapon X #1 (March 1995). The event created an alternate reality where Charles Xavier’s death led to Apocalypse’s ascension, resulting in a dramatically different version of Wolverine, marked by his missing hand and his role as a fierce, hardened warrior in a world ruled by chaos. His outfit is a rugged, makeshift combination of leather and armor, often adorned with bandages and tactical gear that reflect his status as a hardened survivor in a world ravaged by war.
Weapon X’s story in Age of Apocalypse revolves around his role as a key figure in the human resistance against Apocalypse’s tyranny. Initially, he is more ferocious and aggressive, driven by a deep sense of loss and a determination to bring down Apocalypse’s regime. Throughout the series, his relationship with Jean Grey becomes central to his character, adding a layer of emotional complexity to his otherwise savage demeanor. Weapon X eventually joins forces with other resistance fighters to confront Apocalypse, culminating in intense battles that test his loyalty and strength. This version of Wolverine is more relentless and brutal, embodying the raw, untamed spirit of survival in a darker, alternate reality where every fight is a struggle for existence.
Old Man Logan
Old Man Logan presents a version of Wolverine set in a dystopian future where the world is divided among supervillains, and most superheroes have been defeated or killed. Debuting in Wolverine #66 in 2008, this grizzled version of Logan is significantly older, with gray hair, a deeply lined face, and a worn-out demeanor. He no longer goes by Wolverine, having retired his claws and adopted a pacifist lifestyle following a tragic event where he was tricked into slaughtering his fellow X-Men. Wearing simple, rugged clothing—a tattered trench coat over a shirt and jeans—Old Man Logan lives a quiet life as a farmer in the barren wastelands, haunted by his past actions and determined never to use his claws again.
His story begins when a desperate Logan reluctantly agrees to accompany a blind Hawkeye on a cross-country mission to deliver a mysterious package, hoping to earn enough money to pay off a debt to the Hulk Gang, who control his territory. Along their journey, Logan is forced to confront the horrors of this bleak future and his own demons, as they encounter various threats, including other aged or villainous versions of familiar Marvel characters. As events unfold, Logan’s resolve is tested, ultimately leading to a moment of reckoning where he is compelled to unleash his claws once more, reclaiming his identity as Wolverine to fight for what’s left of justice in a broken world. This version of Wolverine is marked by a blend of tragic remorse and hardened determination, making him one of the most compelling and nuanced takes on the character.
Patch
The Patch version of Wolverine debuted in Marvel Comics Presents #1 (1988) and became a central figure in his solo series Wolverine #1 (1988). In this incarnation, Wolverine adopts the alias “Patch” while residing in the crime-ridden city of Madripoor, a fictional Southeast Asian island known for its lawlessness and corruption. To conceal his identity, Logan wears a white tuxedo with a black eye patch over his left eye, creating a sophisticated yet mysterious look. Unlike his usual feral appearance, Patch exudes a suave, street-smart demeanor, blending into Madripoor’s underworld as a shadowy figure navigating the criminal underbelly.
Patch operates primarily in the Lowtown district, using his skills as a fighter and his enhanced senses to maintain order in a place ruled by crime lords and mercenaries. Although he tries to keep a low profile, his distinctive physicality and gruff attitude often lead others to suspect his true identity as Wolverine. Nevertheless, Patch’s involvement in Madripoor’s complex political landscape allows him to fight for justice on his own terms, away from the X-Men and their global responsibilities. This setting gives him a unique, noir-inspired narrative, emphasizing espionage, intrigue, and gritty street-level action.
This version of Wolverine explores a different side of his character, focusing on his intelligence, resourcefulness, and moral ambiguity as he navigates a morally gray world. In Madripoor, Patch frequently allies with influential figures like Tyger Tiger, the ruler of Lowtown, and faces off against villains like the crimelord Roche and the ruthless Hand ninjas. The Patch persona allows Wolverine to embrace his lone-wolf nature while retaining his heroic instincts, solidifying his role as both a protector of the innocent and an enforcer of his own brand of justice.
Crucified Wolverine
Uncanny X-Men Vol 1 #251 (1989) features one of the most haunting and iconic covers in Wolverine’s history, drawn by Marc Silvestri. The cover depicts Wolverine crucified on a large metal X, symbolically echoing religious imagery of crucifixion while starkly placing him in the context of his suffering as an X-Man. His arms are outstretched, his body battered and bloodied, with his head slumped forward in defeat. His costume is torn and tattered, exposing his bruised, muscular frame, emphasizing his vulnerability despite his usual indestructibility. This powerful image captures Wolverine’s status as a martyr for his team and his role as a resilient warrior who endures unimaginable pain.
Inside the issue, Wolverine is captured by the Reavers, a band of cybernetic mercenaries led by Donald Pierce, who seek vengeance against him and the X-Men. The Reavers torture Wolverine, nailing him to the metal X as a form of public execution in their desert stronghold. This brutal act is meant to break his spirit, but it instead showcases his unyielding determination and resilience. During his crucifixion, Wolverine endures both physical agony and psychological torment, haunted by hallucinations of his past failures and regrets.
His salvation comes from Jubilee, a young mutant who had been secretly following him. Despite her inexperience, Jubilee helps free Wolverine, marking the beginning of their long-lasting mentor-student relationship. The issue is a pivotal moment in Wolverine’s journey, highlighting his role as a protector even in his darkest hour. The imagery of his crucifixion became one of the most memorable and symbolic moments in X-Men history, emphasizing his suffering and sacrifice as a hero who bears the weight of his past while continuing to fight for his future.
Comic-Accurate Height Wolverine
This hilarious variant shows Logan as his purported height in the comics, standing at a strong, intimidating 5 foot and 3 inches. While fans and filmmakers alike aspire to see their film adaptations of comic book characters be as 1:1 as possible to honor the character’s origins, some things just don’t need to be a exact recreation, as seen with this variant being a little less intimidating with his small stature.
The Cavillrine
Perhaps the fan favorite cameo from the entire movie was practically a fan casting dream come true, with Henry Cavill dawning the mutton chops and cigar for a quick scene. Cavill had gained worldwide recognition for playing Superman for the DCEU, but prior to this MCU film’s release, the DCEU had essentially been scrapped and was starting anew, leaving Henry to unfortunately hang the cape up. The cameo had fans in a fervor seeing him in an MCU film, with Cavill having even a larger build and frame than Jackman, wilder hair, and fixing up a big motorcycle, as Deadpool quips “We’ll treat you so much better than those ********* down the street!”
Fox’s X-Men Franchise Wolverine
While all the Logans we see in the movie are not from the Fox films specifically, we do technically see his adamantium skeleton at the beginning, so why not include all those other looks here as a bonus?
In X-Men (2000) and X2 (2003), he dons a black leather jumpsuit, a tactical and streamlined uniform that matches the team’s coordinated style. Outside of missions, he often wears a rugged leather jacket, a staple of his casual, rebellious look. This jacket reappears in various films, such as X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), where his look is rougher, reflecting his raw, untamed nature. In The Wolverine (2013), his style shifts to a sleek black suit, matching the film’s darker, more introspective tone. By Logan (2017), his appearance is drastically changed; his hair is grayer, his beard is thicker, and his clothing is more worn and subdued, signaling his age, weariness, and the end of his long journey. With his final sacrifice at the end of Logan, it seemed a fitting, dramatic end to the character and Jackman’s portrayal. But clearly, there was still more life left in the claws.
The Worst Wolverine
So we arrive at our main Logan for the MCU, who just so happens to be the worst one in the entire multiverse of Wolverines. A hopeless drunk, he failed to save his X-Men team and drowned his sorrows in a bottle, finding himself now anything but heroic, and traumatized by the loss of his friends. It is Deadpool’s persistence, and incapability to die from multiple stabs and slashes, that convinces Wolverine to help him save his world, and gives him a new found “friend” and desire to keep going and live life.
It also gave audiences their long-awaited look at a comic accurate Wolverine suit, complete with the iconic yellow and blue design, and even the mask, something only teased before in previous films and was hidden even from the trailers for the film. With it finally making its appearance in live action, it was everything fans had hoped for.
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