Wolverine Volume 1

It is common knowledge that Wolverine is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing factor that allows him to recover from virtually any wound, disease or toxin at an accelerated rate. The healing factor also slows down his aging process, enabling him to live beyond a normal human lifespan. This powerful healing factor enabled the supersoldier program Weapon X to bond the near indestructible metal alloy adamantium to his skeleton and claws without killing him, making him a most formidable weapon. He is most often depicted as a member of the X-Men. The character first appeared in (November 1974) and was created by writer Len Wein and Marvel art director John Romita Sr., who designed the character, and was first drawn for publication by Herb Trimpe. Wolverine was typical of the many tough anti-authority anti-heroes that emerged in American popular culture after the Vietnam War; his willingness to use deadly force and his brooding nature became standard characteristics for comic book anti-heroes by the end of the 1980s. The character's growing popularity led to a solo, four-issue limited series by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, his very first, now known in library terms as . This Volume 1.

After the hugely successful 4-issue limited series of Wolverine (Vol. 1, September - December 1982) and its follow-up the six-issue by writer Chris Claremont and Al Milgrom (November 1984 - April 1985), Marvel launched an ongoing solo book written by Claremont with art by John Buscema in November 1988. It ran for 189 issues, until June 2003, issue #189 being the second of the two-part story arc "Good Cop, Bad Cop." Strictly speaking, this is Wolverine's first ongoing solo series, and in fact the publication details of the 189 comic books in this series state V1 (for Volume 1). Many comic book databases, however, reckon the landmark eponymous Wolverine limited series above-mentioned (and posted just previous to this) as the first volume. I'm going with this latter classification. Aside from the 189 individual issues, this compilation also includes the 6 Annuals published from 1995 through 2001 as well as two extras (issues #-1 and #0.5).

Following the 189-issue run of Wolverine Volume 2, Marvel published a new ongoing solo series, with the now official library designation . In Wolverine Vol. 3 issues #73 and #74 the character of Daken, Wolverine's son, and who first appeared in the other co-ongoing Wolverine solo series, (March 2007), was eased into the storyline. After issue #74, was released (September 23, 2009), and it served as the finale of sorts to the title because by issue #75 the title was changed to , where the focus shifted to Daken--aka "Dark Wolverine"--as a cross-over series to Marvel's storyline. Aside from there were two other Annuals published during Wolverine Volume 3's first 74 issues. All are included in this compilation.

Everything you ever wanted to know about one of the most popular members of the outlaw band of mutants known as the X-Men. The Feral and ferocious Wolverine. The facts about the people, places and things that have affected this mysterious, yet popular mutant's life. This is supposed to be a 3-volume set, but it seems volume three never got to be published as an individual issue; instead, it and the previous two volumes in the set together with the special one-shot were collected and published as the 224-page trade paperback on October 14 2009 (ISBN: 0785142401; Release date September 30 2009). It so happens that I have previously posted the one-shot here at Avaxhome. A must for every Wolverine fan.

This ongoing title in library terms is currently the 4th volume in Marvel's main Wolverine series. It was introduced by a free direct edition issue entitled that served to bring wayward Wolverine readers and fans and new ones up-to-date with the then current state of Wolverine continuity. With only one other ongoing Wolverine title in you might expect Marvel to quickly get its act together; but sadly, there is a blind groping feel to both. Here's to hoping Marvel can find the proper light switch, asap. Includes Wolverine #5.1. All high-quality Minutemen scans, but not for kids.