Ever since he first appeared in Wolverine in the final "teaser" panel of the comic issue The Incredible Hulk #180, Wolverine's status as one of Marvel's elites has been unquestionable. Even though he is primarily one of the X-Men, the character has been a member of every major Marvel team at some point. He is also among the few X-Men members to be featured in almost every live-action story about the group. His latest team-up in the form of Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters this week.
Deadpool & Wolverine
3.5/5
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
- Release Date
- July 26, 2024
Wolverine is equally adored in the animated arena. The character is always at the heart of every X-Men tale and tends to engineer the resolution. Besides that, he frequently appears as a guest in animated movies and shows about other Marvel heroes.
For fans who have heard enough servings of Hugh Jackman's live-action Wolverine, here is what to watch, starting from the least to the most recommendable.
15 Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers (2014)
Iron Man is his usual innovative self in Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers. With the help of Japan's Dr. Nozomu Akatsuki, he invents the Digital Identity Securement Kit (DISK) devices for capturing and imprisoning villains. However, the sly Loki shows up, steals the DISKs, and uses them to free various villains. He then traps various heroes using the same device. Consequently, Nozomu's sons team up with the Avengers to retrieve the devices and prevent the world from falling into chaos.
Sensing Danger
Although he only appears briefly, Wolverine is more forward-thinking than everyone else. It is he who is initially skeptical about the DISKs, believing they might be used against the heroes. And when Loki and his gang overwhelm everyone, Wolverine steps up by defeating Sabretooth and turning the tide in favor of the Avengers.
Overall, the show’s Japan setting makes it a unique Marvel project, but the overabundance of fight scenes creates a monotony that would have been easily avoided by thcikening the character arcs.
14 Lego Marvel Avengers: Code Red (2023)
The Avengers just want to have a good time in LEGO Marvel Avengers: Code Red. They assemble to clink champagne glasses after their latest victory, only to learn that Black Widow’s father, Red Guardian, has disappeared. The mystery is linked to The Collector, who has begun collecting superhero Legos, starting with the easiest target. To have a greater chance of defeating him, they recruit Wolverine.
A Nod to the MCU and Comics
LEGO Marvel Avengers: Code Red is a fun production with plenty of MCU-inspired aesthetics, including two Captain Americas, one modeled after Anthony Mackle’s live-action version and the other modeled after the Chris Evans version.
There are a few great comic homages too, including Wolverine and Hulk fighting a pack of Wendigos, which is taken straight out of Incredible Hulk #180, where the two heroes do the same. Sadly, the X-Man does little to justify his call-up. He mostly stays on the sidelines, leaving mutant fans frustrated.
13 The Super Hero Squad Show (2009 – 2011)
Based on the Marvel Super Hero Squad action figure line from Hasbro, The Super Hero Squad Show follows the Avengers as they prevent various villains from ascending to power and ruining global democracy. In Season 1, they try to stop Doctor Doom from acquiring the Infinity Sword’s unlimited reality-bending power, while in Season 2, they try to stop Thanos from getting his hands on the Infinity Stones.
Comedy Galore
As a self-aware satire of the Marvel universe, The Super Hero Squad Show excels through comedy. There are various cartoonish tweaks to the characters, including Hulk being a generally jovial hero with “annoying anger issues,” and him transforming into a hilarious version of himself in each episode after picking the Infinity Fractal. The most memorable versions are a disco Hulk (a parody of John Travolta’s character in Pulp Fiction), and a Hulked-out Wolverine.
Unfortunately, only Hulk gets to be the cool character. Wolverine is hardly funny and rarely showcases his wide range of unique powers. Besides that, the cramming of numerous characters into each episode prevents proper character development for everyone else.
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12 Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H (2013 – 2015)
Hulk and his fellow gamma-powered heroes are desperate in Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. The public thinks of them as monsters, so they agree to participate in a reality show where cameras follow them around. The team consisting of Hulk, She-Hulk, Red Hulk, Skaar, and A-Bomb thus spends its days dealing with various threats. At some point, the members meet Wolverine while vacationing in Canada.
Visual Gags and Vignettes
The reality show format enables the show to pack in plenty of humor. There are plenty of jokes and slapstick moments, with the characters even calling each other out for acting for the cameras. The fourth wall-breaking moments are abundant too, but they eventually become redundant and soil the show’s dramatic quality. The version of Wolverine seen here isn’t fun either. He is stripped of everything that makes him a great character and is only depicted as unfriendly and temperamental.
11 X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men (1989)
X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men revolves around Kitty Pryde, aka, Shadow Cat. Thanks to her ability to phase through solid mattter, she is recruited by the X-Men, and begins training with the rest of the team at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. As she is learning the ropes, the X-Men are forced to deal with a new threat posed by the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, led by Magneto.
Great Action, but Shallow Characterization
For an ‘80s production, X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men has impressive animation quality, but its melodramatic tone prevents it from being as solid as the source material. The film also avoids topics like racism and isolation, yet Kitty Pryde had to deal with such challenges in the comics. Additionally, she is mostly more of a damsel-in-distress than a hero. Thankfully, Wolverine has plenty of great fight sequences, making him the standout character once again.
10 Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Maximum Overload (2013)
Loki proves to be a headache yet again in Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Maximum Overload. As the Avengers are transporting tons of captured villains on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Hellcarrier, the Asgardian native shows up and frees them. A major brawl then breaks out, with each hero not only fighting for survival but also working hard to ensure no escaped hero moves out of sight.
Total Mayhem and Endless Comical Moments
Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Maximum Overload is one of the few great Marvel animated projects that would still work well as a live-action MCU film. The version of the Avengers seen here is formidable, thanks to the inclusion of Wolverine who is ever happy to take on multiple villains at once.
There is the usual MCU brand of humor too. At one point, Venom gets flattened into a bunch of newspapers and Spider-Man is forced to walk a long distance home after running out of web fluid. Additionally, there is plenty of fan-service as characters like J. Jonah Jameson and Stan Lee all make appearances.
9 Hulk vs. Wolverine (2009)
"My name is Wolverine. I'm the best there is at what I do, but what I do isn't very nice." That's Wolverine's first line in Hulk vs. Wolverine, a movie that sees him hunt down the big green lad for alleged infrastructure destruction crimes. As soon as Wolverine learns that Hulk has gone on another rage-inspired rampage and destroyed another town, he tracks him down. However, capturing him proves to be quite a Herculian task.
Endless Carnage
There is plenty of fighting in Hulk vs. Wolverine, complete with fun dialogue, hence preventing the animated production from riding the cliche route. So violent is the movie that no details are glossed over. Among other things, fans are shown Wolverine's claws sinking into Hulk's green flesh, inch by inch. Even better is a final Rocky III-inspired shot that prevents fans from knowing who won the fight.
8 Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981 - 1983)
Primarily made for younger audiences, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends introduces viewers to a more extroverted version of Peter Parker who goes wherever his friends go. Unable to cope without Bobby Drake and Angelica Jones, he lives with them at Aunt May’s home and solves crimes with them. The trio goes by the name "Spider-Friends."
Plenty of Standard Teen Fun
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends’ legacy has remained firm over the years, something that can be credited to its goofy villains, arty-crafty visuals, relatable plots, and poetic intros by creator Stan Lee. Many iconic Marvel characters make guest appearances, including Wolverine, who shows up when Firestar and Iceman attend an X-Men reunion. The party gets crashed by Juggernaut, resulting in a wild brawl where adamantium claws sink through cakes.
7 Black Panther (2010)
A relatively short series comprising only six episodes, Black Panther mainly dwells on court intrigue. T’Challa is met with swift opposition after inheriting the throne, following the assassination of his father T'Chaka. Unbeknownst to him, Klaw (his father’s killer) is partnering with Juggernaut, Batroc the Leaper, the Vatican Black Knight, and the Russian Radioactive Man to stage a coup.
Pretty Chaos
Black Panther’s comic-inspired animation distinguishes it from the rest, making it delicious to the eyes. Away from the visuals, the quagmire at hand feels big enough to justify the arrival of other Avengers. Wolverine and other X-Men members show up, not out of loyalty to T’Challa, but to help Storm because this is her home. Wolverine doesn’t do much here, but he is useful whenever needed, proving himself an effective substitute character.
6 Ultimate Spider-Man (2012 - 2017)
Ultimate Spider-Man features a version of the webslinger who is still new to the superhero business. One year into his crime-saving life, he is still finding it hard to strike a proper work-life balance. Noticing the boy's predicament, Nick Fury steps up, offering to train him to become "The Ultimate Spider-Man." Part of the process involves working with four other teen superheroes: White Tiger, Nova, Iron Fist, and Power Man.
The Intimidating Friend
Boosted by excellent voice-work, Ultimate Spider-Man thrives through creative dialogue and simple plots. It's because of the very dialogue, that Wolverine's appearance ends up being memorable. Arriving in New York to deal with civilians mind-controlled by the villain, Mesmero, he instead spends time shading Spider-Man and flirting with Mary Jane. Furthermore, there is a fun subplot involving Wolverine and Spider-Man swapping bodies.
5 X-Men: Evolution (2000 - 2003)
Taking a page from the early X-Men comics, X-Men: Evolution places the spotlight on younger versions of the mutants as they learn how to use their powers for the greater good. Aiding them are the capable Storm and Wolverine. At the same time, Professor X competes with the diabolic Mystique to recruit new mutants to their respective teams.
Molding Tomorrow's Heroes
Modeled after a military drill sergeant, Wolverine shines above everyone else by serving as both a father figure and a ruthless trainer. The mutants nickname him the "Gruff Uncle," but he cares less about the labels. His focus remains razor-sharp, ensuring everyone becomes the best version of themselves. Whenever the focus isn't on Wolverine, the show entertains viewers through fit pop culture references, wild twists and moving friendship arcs.
4 Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994 - 1998)
Years after it ended, Spider-Man: The Animated Series remains a must-see show for every Marvel fan, featuring a Spider-Man who is struggling to juggle his superhero duties and life as a college student at Empire State University. Apart from that, Peter has a chaotic dating life that leaves him torn between Felicia Hardy and Mary Jane Watson and a wonderful friendship with Harry Osborn.
A Game-Changer
Spider-Man: The Animated Series proves that Spidey didn't have to be dumbed down for the kids. It's the first ever show to introduce the Spider-verse concept, and the first to feature weighty themes. Most importantly, there is room for guests, so Wolverine and the X-Men show up via the Season 2 crossover episode, "The Mutant Agenda."
Logan is in fine form during his first meetup with Spidey, pinning him down immediately and promising to turn him into a "shish kabob" if he made the wrong move. The two never quite agree for the remainder of the episode, so fisticuffs eventually prevail. As expected, no one plays fair. Spidey keeps dodging around while Wolverine keeps swinging his claws.
3 Wolverine and the X-Men (2009)
In Wolverine and the X-Men, the group takes the pop-band trajectory by disbanding. Storm moves back to Africa, Cyclops isolates himself and Xavier disappears. Everyone is initially okay with the time apart until the Mutant Response Division begins capturing superheroes. Alarmed, Wolverine makes a case for reassembling the group, but not everyone buys into the idea.
Logan the Boss
From action sequences to puns, Wolverine and the X-Men has the usual Marvel spices, but it impresses more as a commentary about leadership. Wolverine has a hard time getting everyone on the same page in each episode, yet he never tires.
For staunch comic fans, the series is euphoric as it introduces at least three new characters from the pages, each making life more difficult for Wolverine. 15 years later, this is still considered one of the promising Marvel shows that ended too soon.
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2 The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (2010 - 2012)
In the first season of The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes a prison break at a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility causes Iron Man, the Hulk, Black Panther, Captain America, Thor, Ant-Man, the Wasp, and Hawkeye to team up and form The Avengers. In Season 2, they are joined by Ms. Marvel and Vision as they take on Doctor Doom and Red Skill. Spider-Man, Wolverine, and the Guardians of the Galaxy also make guest appearances.
Faithful to the Source Material
Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is comic-accurate, and action-packed, making it ideal for both younger fans and older ones. It also has one of the catchiest theme songs in the Marvel landscape. Besides that, it still offers solid character development, despite packing in hundreds of characters. Wolverine doesn’t exactly stand out from the crowd, but he proves a perfect team player during his cameo appearance.
1 X-Men: The Animated Series/X-Men '97 (1992 - present)
The original X-Men: The Animated Series chronicles the adventures of the popular mutant team while X-Men '97 picks up where the ‘90s show ended. In the revival, Professor Xavier has gone to space to be treated by the alien Shi'ar Empire, leaving the X-Men to keep up their fight on their own. A twist soon emerges, revealing that all of Xavier’s creations are now willed to the villainous Magneto.
Blending the Old with the New
From group camaraderie to extended confrontations, the main show captures all good things about the comics, while the revival brilliantly blends vintage 2D animation with modern themes to create a show that appeals to both old and new viewers. Here, Wolverine feels more human because of the telenovela style that shows him struggling with his feelings for Jean Grey. Additionally, he gets critically injured at some point, leaving him on a long road to recovery like normal people.
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