Wolverine is, and has been, for many years, Marvel’s most popular character. Spider Man is up there with him, and maybe one or two others, but really it’s Wolverine’s house. It would be interesting to see what Wolverine’s popularity would be like if Marvel hadn’t tried their damndest to run him into the ground and destroy him with overexposure. If they’d kept him mysterious, making guest appearances here and there, maybe with his own title, but otherwise not a permanent member of any super group–even the X-Men. Let’s face it, it’s not in his nature to be a member of a group. The X-Men attachment worked because Professor X was helping him work through some of his personal demons, so he stuck around. But Wolverine as an Avenger? No. Any writer who scripts Wolverine into a group is writing him out of character.
Of course, it’s the publisher’s fault, he who makes the demands of the writers.
Marvel EIC: “I need a six-issue series of Avengers where we introduce Wolverine as a permanent member!”
Writer: “But–don’t you think that’s inconsistent with his character, to join the Avengers?”
Marvel EIC: “Doesn’t matter! Avengers sales have been down for years. Wolverine’s our most popular character, we put him in Avengers and we’re giving the fans more Wolverine while at the same time bringing back the Avengers! It’s a win-win!!!”
Writer: “I’ll have to write this totally against his character…”
Marvel EIC (sounding more and more like J. Jonah Jameson): “Just make it work! What do we pay you for! Write Wolverine into the Avengers! Now get out of my office, I’ve got to talk to (writer B) about making the Fantastic Four the Fantastic Five with Wolverine as the fifth member! It’s a WIN-WIN!!!”
And if you think that conversation hasn’t happened, you haven’t been keeping up with Marvel. Wolverine’s origin never needed to be told. He doesn’t need to guest star in every single comic Marvel publishes. He’d have been dark, enigmatic… dangerous. He still is, to a degree, because when Len Wein created him some of those attributes were ingrained into his fiber. They are what he is. Despite Marvel’s atrocious mishandling of their number one character.
To see what I mean in more stark contrast, take a look at the “New Avengers.” It’s a comic I’ve never read, now would I want to. The reason for that is simple. It is comprised of a host of popular characters who do not belong on teams. Captain America belongs on a team, it’s in his nature to lead. Iron Man too. But Spider Man, Daredevil and Wolverine? Not on your life. Those guys are loners by nature.
Wolverine [OVEREXPOSED]
Of course, it’s the publisher’s fault, he who makes the demands of the writers.
Marvel EIC: “I need a six-issue series of Avengers where we introduce Wolverine as a permanent member!”
Writer: “But–don’t you think that’s inconsistent with his character, to join the Avengers?”
Marvel EIC: “Doesn’t matter! Avengers sales have been down for years. Wolverine’s our most popular character, we put him in Avengers and we’re giving the fans more Wolverine while at the same time bringing back the Avengers! It’s a win-win!!!”
Writer: “I’ll have to write this totally against his character…”
Marvel EIC (sounding more and more like J. Jonah Jameson): “Just make it work! What do we pay you for! Write Wolverine into the Avengers! Now get out of my office, I’ve got to talk to (writer B) about making the Fantastic Four the Fantastic Five with Wolverine as the fifth member! It’s a WIN-WIN!!!”
And if you think that conversation hasn’t happened, you haven’t been keeping up with Marvel. Wolverine’s origin never needed to be told. He doesn’t need to guest star in every single comic Marvel publishes. He’d have been dark, enigmatic… dangerous. He still is, to a degree, because when Len Wein created him some of those attributes were ingrained into his fiber. They are what he is. Despite Marvel’s atrocious mishandling of their number one character.
To see what I mean in more stark contrast, take a look at the “New Avengers.” It’s a comic I’ve never read, now would I want to. The reason for that is simple. It is comprised of a host of popular characters who do not belong on teams. Captain America belongs on a team, it’s in his nature to lead. Iron Man too. But Spider Man, Daredevil and Wolverine? Not on your life. Those guys are loners by nature.