Wolverine has been around since the 1970s, first showing up in The Incredible Hulk #180 back in 1974. Created by Len Wein and drawn by John Romita Sr., he started as this mysterious Canadian with bone claws who could heal from almost anything. Over time, writers dug into his past—his real name is James Howlett, born in the late 1800s in Canada. He grew up thinking one man was his dad, only to discover the groundskeeper was his biological father. When that truth came out violently, his mutant powers kicked in, claws popped out, and his life went downhill from there. He took the name Logan, wandered a lot, fought in wars, got tangled with samurai stuff in Japan, and eventually ended up with the X-Men.
The character really took off thanks to Chris Claremont and John Byrne in the late ’70s Uncanny X-Men run. They made him more than just a tough guy—he had layers, a temper that could flip to berserker rage, loyalty to his friends, and a ton of buried pain. His skeleton got coated in adamantium during the Weapon X experiments, turning him into a living weapon. That healing factor means he ages super slowly, so he’s been around for over a century, surviving stuff that would kill anyone else. He’s short—about 5’3″—which adds to his scrappy underdog vibe, and he’s got this animalistic side that makes him unpredictable.
When it comes to different versions of Wolverine, some stand out way more than others. Here’s my ranking of the best ones, mixing comics, movies, and a few standout variants. I focused on what feels true to the core of the character: that mix of rage, honor, regret, and reluctant heroism.
1. Classic Earth-616 Wolverine (Main Comics Universe)
This is the original, the one that set the template. From his debut through decades of stories like Enemy of the State, Weapon X, and his solo runs, he’s the gruff loner who joins teams but never quite fits. He loves cigars, beer, and calling people “bub.” His history includes everything from samurai training with Ogun to losing his adamantium temporarily and getting it back. No other version captures the full depth—his immortality is a curse, he’s outlived everyone he cares about, and he still fights for what’s right. If you’re reading comics, this is Wolverine at his peak.
2. Logan from the 2017 Movie (Logan Film)
Hugh Jackman’s final solo turn as Wolverine is tough to beat. The film takes inspiration from Old Man Logan comics but makes it its own heartbreaking story. An aging Logan, his healing failing, takes care of a dying Professor X and protects a young clone, Laura (X-23). It’s violent, emotional, and feels like a Western send-off. Jackman nails the exhaustion and the quiet moments of tenderness. Unlike earlier films where he was mostly angry and shirtless, this one shows what immortality really costs. It’s widely seen as the best Wolverine movie, and it gave the character a proper, earned ending—at least for that universe.
3. Old Man Logan (Comics Variant)
Mark Millar’s story from 2008-2009 is brutal. In a future where villains won, Wolverine is broken. The Hulk family killed most of the X-Men, and he blames himself for not stopping it. He loses his healing factor temporarily, gets tricked into killing his friends, and spends years as a pacifist hauling cargo. When he finally snaps back, the violence is raw. It’s dark, but it digs deep into his guilt and rage. The movie Logan borrowed heavily from this, which is why it’s so powerful. This version shows Wolverine when hope is gone, yet he still fights.
4. X-Men: The Animated Series Wolverine (1990s and ’97 Revival)
If you grew up in the ’90s, this is probably the Wolverine in your head. Voiced by Cal Dodd, he had that perfect growl, the yellow-and-blue suit (mostly), and lines like “I’m the best there is at what I do.” The show captured his sarcasm, loyalty to the team, and constant clashes with Cyclops. Episodes explored his past without overexplaining, and the ’97 revival brought it back perfectly. It’s the most iconic animated take—fun, heroic, and true to the comics without being too serious.
5. Ultimate Wolverine (Earth-1610)
From Mark Millar’s Ultimate X-Men, this version starts as a straight-up assassin sent by Magneto to kill the X-Men. He’s colder, more ruthless, with longer hair and a mean streak. He ends up sticking around, but his origins feel grittier—no romantic samurai stuff, just a weaponized mutant. The Ultimate line rebooted characters for a modern audience, and this Wolverine fit right in—less quippy, more lethal. He lasted a long time in fans’ minds because he felt dangerous in a fresh way.
6. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Jackman came back after saying he was done, and it worked. This variant is a broken-down version from his timeline, drinking too much, full of regret. But teaming up with Deadpool brings out the humor and heart. We get nods to comics-accurate looks, like the yellow suit, and it feels like a love letter to the character. It’s not as deep as Logan, but it’s fun and shows he can still carry a movie with charm and claws.
7. Age of Apocalypse Weapon X / Weapon Omega
In the ’90s Age of Apocalypse event, Wolverine (called Weapon X) works for Magneto after Apocalypse takes over. He loses a hand but keeps fighting, marries Jean Grey in that timeline, and later becomes Weapon Omega—amped up by Celestials into something god-like. It’s a twisted, powerful take where he’s more villainous but still tragic. Shows how far he can fall in a different world.
These are the ones that stick with me most. Honorable mentions go to Vampire Wolverine from What If…? stories—he’s a king of vampires in one timeline—and Patch, the undercover version with the eyepatch from his Japan days. Wolverine works so well because he’s adaptable: hero, anti-hero, monster, old man. But at his best, he’s that guy who keeps getting back up, no matter how much it hurts.
The character has been in dozens of comics, animated shows, games, and those Fox movies that made him a household name. Hugh Jackman played him across 10+ films, from the first X-Men in 2000 to Deadpool & Wolverine. Even when the scripts weren’t great (looking at you, Origins), Jackman’s commitment kept it watchable. In comics, writers like Claremont, Millar, Jason Aaron, and others keep finding new angles.
Wolverine’s appeal is simple: he’s tough, but he’s hurting. He’s immortal, but lonely. He pushes people away, but he cares too much. Whether in yellow spandex, a bloody tank top, or samurai robes, the best versions remind us why he’s endured for 50 years. He’s not perfect, but he’s real. And that’s what makes him the best there is.
DC Fanboy! Superman is the greatest comic book character of all time. Favorite movies are Man of Steel, Goonies, Back To the Future
