Best Wolverine Comics

Back in 1974, Wolverine made his first comic book appearance in The Incredible Hulk before joining the X-Men, and then went on to star in his own self-titled comic book series in the early 80s. But with almost five decades of appearances, how do you decide which are the best Wolverine comics to read?

The team at Quality Comix has your back - take a look through our top 20 Wolverine comics to see if you can find your new favorite issue!

 

1. Wolverine (Vol. 1) #1

Key Comic Facts
Issue #1 of Wolverine Vol. 1 is called “I'm Wolverine”. It has a cover date of September 1982. It was written by Chris Claremont, with pencil by Frank Miller and ink by Josef Rubinstein. It was edited by Louise Jones. It is considered that every other Wolverine story lives in the shadow of this one, since it was worked on by two of the best artists in the industry at the peak of their time, delivering an amazing story that defined the Silver Age of Comics.

What’s the story?
James Howlett, after adopting the name “Logan”, is cursed with a berserker fury, earning the nickname Wolverine. We see him struggling to save the woman he loves from an abusive marriage, while also struggling to prove that he’s more than just a mindless animal.

What’s it worth?
The top quality book of Wolverine #1 is a mint-condition 10.0 graded copy, valued at $14,000 as of April 2010, after decreasing its $15,535 value from back in 2009. However, the top price belongs to a 9.9 rated copy, valued at $17,000 in October 2021, after being valued at just $2,760 in 2019. The lowest recorded price for this issue at an auction is $25 for a 2.0 graded copy, sold in January 2012 for the first and only time.

 

2. Old Man Logan (Vol. 1) #1

Key Comic Facts
Issue #1 of Old Man Logan Vol. 1 is simply called “1st story”. It has a cover date of July 2015. It was written by Brian Michael Bendis, with pencil and ink by Andrea Sorrentino. It was edited by Mike Marts. This story develops in a world where the bad guys won a long time ago and Logan now lives retired on a farm.

What’s the story?
Wolverine and a blind Hawkeye join forces to deliver a secret package, having to fight some crazy foes on their mission.

What’s it worth?
Only top rating copies of Old Man Logan #1 have been sold at auction, with a top price of $100 for a 9.8 rated book sold in November 2021. It was valued at $50 in 2020. The lowest price is $13 for an 8.0 graded copy sold in June 2017. This copy has been sold only once at auction.

 

3. All-New Wolverine (Vol. 1) #13

Key Comic Facts
Issue #13 of All-New Wolverine Vol. 1 is called “Enemy Of The State II”. It has a cover date of December 2016. It was written by Tom Taylor, with pencil by Nik Virella and ink by Scott Hanna. It was edited by Tom Brevoort. This issue helped the fans consider Laura Kinney a good Wolverine, even though there’s some criticism towards the series featuring her as the hero. The writers successfully evolved the character formerly known as X-23 into a fully fledged member of the Marvel universe.

What’s the story?
Kimura, Laura’s former handler when she was an assassin, reemerges into her life, making Laura confront all the horrors from her time working as a killer. She must decide whether she is able to live with herself and become a true Wolverine, or whether she’ll succumb to her past.

What’s it worth?
Only a bunch of 9.8 copies of All-New Wolverine #13 have been sold at auction. The one with the highest price was sold in April 2022 for $158, after increasing its $118 price from three months earlier. The lowest price belongs to a copy sold for $20 in April 2020 for the first and only time.

 

4. Wolverine: The Jungle Adventure (Vol. 1) #1

Key Comic Facts
Issue #1 of Wolverine: The Jungle Adventure Vol. 1 is called “The Jungle Adventure”. It has a cover date of February 1990. It was written by Walter Simonson, with pencil by Mike Mignola and ink by Bob Wiacek. It was edited by Bob Harras. It is said that Mike Mignola was approached to draw an annual issue of Wolverine and he specifically asked for Walter Simonson to write it, resulting in one of the greatest Wolverine stories in the comics.

What’s the story?
Wolverine lost his lighter in Savage Land, the part of Antarctica where there’s dinosaurs, so he goes to find it and becomes the leader of a local tribe after the men are amazed at Wolverine's physical skills.

What’s it worth?
The top price for Wolverine: The Jungle Adventure #1 is $1,300, paid for a 9.9 graded copy sold in October 2021. The same book was valued at just $100 back in 2008. The lowest price for a copy of this issue is $23 which belongs to a 9.6 rated book sold in May 2022 - a decrease from its $38 value from a few months earlier.

 

5. X-Men (Vol. 1) #133

Key Comic Facts
Issue #133 of X-Men Vol. 1 is called “Wolverine: Alone!”. It has a cover date of May 1980. It was written by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, with pencil by John Byrne and ink by Terry Austin. It was edited by Jim Salicrup. While in the present we’re used to seeing Logan slice enemies every issue, readers in 1980 weren’t used to it. This is the first issue featuring Wolverine going full berserker, and it defined a crucial moment in the X-Men comics history.

What’s the story?
The X-Men get trapped in the Hellfire Club and nobody can help them except for Wolverine, who slices and dices his way to rescuing the rest of the heroes and saving the day.

What’s it worth?
The mint-condition copy of X-Men #133 is a 9.8 rated book, valued at $1,804 in June 2022. In its previous sale in 2013, it was valued at $280. A 6.0 graded copy was sold in March 2022 for $82; while a 3.0 book was valued at just $6 when it was sold back in February 2008. Both of these copies have only been sold once.

 

6. Marvel Comics Presents (Vol. 1) #73

Key Comic Facts
Issue #73 of Marvel Comics Presents Vol. 1 is called “Weapon X: Chapter One”. It has a cover date of March 1991. It was written, penciled and inked by Barry Windsor-Smith. It was edited by Terry Kavanagh. “Weapon X” tells the famous story of how Wolverine got his claws, which has been explored in three different movies. It’s the canon origin story of the hero.

What’s the story?
A group of shady government scientists led by William Stryker attempt to create the perfect weapon. After finding Logan, they realize he’s the perfect subject for their test. They inject adamantium into his body, creating a beast that escapes and leaves a bloody trail behind.

What’s it worth?
Only top-rated copies of Marvel Comics Presents #73 have been sold at auction. The book with the highest rating has a 9.8 grading, valued at $106 in June 2022; a decrease from its 2021 value of $263. The lowest rating copy sold at auction is an 8.0 graded book, valued at $25 as of April 2022, when it was sold for the first and only time.

 

7. Wolverine (Vol. 2) #17

Key Comic Facts
Issue #17 of Wolverine Vol. 2 is called “Basics!”. It has a cover date of November 1989. It was written by Archie Goodwin, with pencil by John Byrne and ink by Klaus Janson and Al Williamson. It was edited by Bob Harras. This one is considered a pretty crazy story considering Wolverine fights a Nazi ghost cyborg, but it’s still amazing and a highly loved Wolverine story to this day.

What’s the story?
Wolverine is hanging out in the island nation of Madripoor when he finds Nazi drug cartels operating. Then, he decides to invade another island nation nearby to overthrow the Nazi government there.

What’s it worth?
A 9.8 rated copy of Wolverine #17 holds the highest price recorded for this issue at an auction, being valued at $800 as of March 2022, which is double its value from the previous year. The lowest price for this issue is $26, paid in May 2022 for a 6.5 graded copy.

 

8. Wolverine: Snikt! (Vol. 1) #1

Key Comic Facts
Issue #1 of Wolverine: Snikt! Vol. 1 is simply called “Snikt!: Part One”. It has a cover date of July 2003. It was written, penciled and inked by Tsutomu Nihei. It was edited by C.B. Cebulski. The manga boom in the early 2000s had Marvel heading into that world, mostly without much success. But Wolverine: Snikt! told a wildly different Wolverine story, with a fluidity and eye for action that few comics ever match, and it’s highly regarded to this day.

What’s the story?
We follow Wolverine as he gets sent to the future to fight biomechanical zombie robots. They can only be destroyed by attacking their glowing red weak spot with adamantium, which causes the maximum damage to them. It’s a manga story, with extreme Japanese art influence, but it’s told in a beautiful way and manages to present Wolverine in a totally different light.

What’s it worth?
There’s only one recorded auction sale for Wolverine: Snikt! #1. It’s a 9.8 copy, valued at $25 in August 2016, after increasing its 2011 value of $15.

 

9. Wolverine (Vol. 2) #35

Key Comic Facts
Issue #35 of Wolverine Vol. 2 is called “Blood and Claws Part 1: Blood, Sand and Claws!”. It has a cover date of January 1991. It was written by Larry Hama, with pencil by Marc Silvestri and ink by Dan Green. It was edited by Bob Harras. This stage of the series is considered pretty fast-paced and action-packed, and even though Volume 2 is known to have some filler, almost boring issues, there are also some really amazing ones.

What’s the story?
We follow Wolverine and Puck, a Canadian superhero, as they get attacked by Lady Deathstrike. Next, they end up traveling back in time to fight in the Spanish Civil War with Ernest Hemmingway, while Deathstrike’s partners create a robot version of Wolverine and prepare some C4 plastic explosives to take him out when he gets back from the past.

What’s it worth?
Only top rating copies of Wolverine Vol. 2 #35 have been sold at auction. The one with the highest rating of them all is a 9.8 graded book, valued at $1,550 as of October 2021. Just a couple of months before that, it was valued at $1,011. The lowest quality book ever sold at auction is an 8.0 rated copy, valued at $11 as of May 2022, after decreasing its $21 value from 2021.

 

10. Wolverine and The X-Men (Vol. 1) #42

Key Comic Facts
Issue #42 of Wolverine and The X-Men Vol. 1 is simply called “1st Story”. It has a cover date of April 2014. It was written by Jason Aaron, with pencil and ink by Nick Bradshaw, Pepe Larraz, Ramón Pérez, Shawn Crystal, Steven Sanders, Nuno Alves and Chris Bachaloand. It was edited by C.B. Cebulski. Different to other Wolverine comics, this issue features Logan actually getting some peace. The writers had been beating him up for a long time and so in this release, we actually see him resting.

What’s the story?
After realizing he’s not the same man any more, Logan opts for an easy life, even spending a whole day without having to pop out his claws.

What’s it worth?
There are no recorded sales for any issues of Wolverine and The X-Men #42.

 

11. Wolverine (Vol. 3) #20

Key Comic Facts
Issue #20 of Wolverine Vol. 3 is called “Enemy of the State: Part 1”. It has a cover date of December 2004. It was written by Mark Millar, with pencil by John Romita Jr. and ink by Klaus Janson and Al Williamson. It was edited by Axel Alonso. Mark Millar also worked on some issues of Old Man Wolverine, but this story takes the award as one of the greatest ever written by Millar.

What’s the story?
A demon ninja cult known only as The Hand has Logan under control and makes him fight some heroes of the Marvel Universe. Most of them aren’t a match for an even more enraged Wolverine.

What’s it worth?
There are no recorded sales for any issues of Wolverine #20.

 

12. Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #298

Key Comic Facts
Issue #298 of Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1 is called “...For the Children!”. It has a cover date of March 1993. It was written by Scott Lobdell, with pencil by Brandon Peterson and ink by Al Milgrom. It was edited by Bob Harras. This story features the famous scene of Magneto ripping the adamantium out of Wolverine’s body, which is now in every fan’s imaginarium as it makes sense for Magneto to use the metal in Logan’s body to subdue him. But at the time, it came as a shock.

What’s the story?
The Acolytes decide to attack a school bus full of mutant children, and Logan and company must rush to save the kids, even though it means a great deal of pain for some of our favorite mutants.

What’s it worth?
Only a bunch of top-grading copies of Uncanny X-Men #298 have been sold at auction, with the highest price being $75 for a 9.8 graded copy sold in July 2022. In 2021, the same book sold for $25. The lowest price belongs to an 8.5 graded copy, valued at only $1 as of November 2011.

 

13. Incredible Hulk (Vol. 1) #340

Key Comic Facts
Issue #340 of Incredible Hulk Vol. 1 is called “Vicious Circle”. It has a cover date of February 1988. It was written by Peter David, with pencil and ink by Todd McFarlane. It was edited by Bob Harras. This issue answers one particular question that was asked when Wolverine made his debut in the comics: who would win in a fight between Hulk and Wolverine?

What’s the story?
On a recon mission carried out by the X-Men, they stumble upon the Hulk. Logan and Bruce Banner have a brawl, which ends when Clay separates them and Hulk flees after punching Wolverine into the snow.

What’s it worth?
The top price for Incredible Hulk #340 is $3,901, paid in July 2022 for a 9.8 rated copy. A few months earlier, it was valued at $4,000. A 5.5 graded book signed by Todd McFarlane had a price of $375 as of May 2022, and a 3.0 rated book was sold in February 2016 for just $17. Both of these issues were sold only once at auction.

 

14. Wolverine (Vol. 2) #10

Key Comic Facts
Issue #10 of Wolverine Vol. 2 is called “24 Hours”. It has a cover date of August 1989. It was written by Chris Claremont, with pencil by John Buscema and ink by Bill Sienkiewicz. It was edited by Bob Harras. This issue features a classic Wolverine story and it introduces his main foe: Sabretooth.

What’s the story?
It’s Logan’s birthday, and he remembers how Sabretooth raped and murdered his girlfriend Silverfox as a way to get to him in the past. Sabretooth hunts for Logan every year on his birthday, and this birthday is no exception. As present-day Wolverine investigates a nearby crime, he recalls his last face-off with Victor, which Sabretooth won easily.

What’s it worth?
Only mid to high quality copies of Wolverine Vol. 2 #10 have been sold at auction, with the highest grading belonging to a 9.9 book, valued at $1,125 as of August 2005. The lowest graded copy ever sold at auction is a 4.5 book, bought in April 2018 for a price of $80 - a huge increase from its 2010 value of just $4.

 

15. Wolverine: The Origin (Vol. 1) #1

Key Comic Facts
Issue #1 of Wolverine: The Origin Vol. 1 is called “The Hill”. It has a cover date of November 2001. It was written by Paul Jenkins, Bill Jemas and Joe Quesada, with pencil and ink by Andy Kubert. It was edited by Mike Marts. At the time this series was released, Marvel didn’t have the rights to make a movie about Wolverine, so they released this Volume to tell the story before it was told by the upcoming Fox movie. It’s regarded as the least accomplished story on this list, but its importance to the character's history is undeniable.

What’s the story?
The issue sets the story decades ago, when two boys are growing up together, one wealthy and one not so much. But one of them is destined to become the Wolverine.

What’s it worth?
The mint-condition copy of Wolverine: The Origin #1 is a 10.0 graded book, valued at $785 as of March 2017, after decreasing in value from $1,136 in a 2013 sale. Since the issue wasn’t released that long ago, the lowest quality book ever auctioned is a 7.0 rated copy, valued at $13 as of August 2014.

 

16. Kitty Pryde and Wolverine (Vol. 1) #1

Key Comic Facts
Issue #1 of Kitty Pryde and Wolverine Vol. 1 is called “Lies”. It has a cover date of November 1984. It was written by Chris Claremont, with pencil and ink by Allen Milgrom. It was edited by Louise Jones. This issue explores the softer side of Wolverine, as he is used to taking younger characters and mentoring them. In this case, it’s Kitty Pryde, a young mutant girl.

What’s the story?
After breaking up with Colossus, Kitty goes to Chicago to stay with her father, only to find out he’s in trouble with some Japanese businessmen. After finding out that her father is actually laundering money for criminals, she confronts him and then Kitty and Wolverine go on a mission to find out the whole truth to help Kitty’s father.

What’s it worth?
The highest price for a copy of Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #1 at an auction is $90, paid for a 9.6 graded book with a Canadian Variant Cover in June 2020. The lowest price for this issue belongs to a 7.5 rated book, sold in January 2021 for $15.

 

17. Wolverine (Vol. 2) #48

Key Comic Facts
Issue #48 of Wolverine Vol. 2 is called “The Shiva Scenario Part 1: Dreams of Gore, Phase 1”. It has a cover date of November 1991. It was written by Larry Hama, with pencil by Marc Silvestri and ink by Dan Green. It was edited by Bob Harras. Although Chris Claremont is considered one of the main writers for the series and grew the character of Wolverine, the Hama-Silvestri creative run is considered to be what made the hero who he is today.

What’s the story?
We follow Wolverine and Jubilee as they search for clues about Logan’s past. Their quest leads them to a secret facility, where Weapon X’s failsafe, Shiva, is waiting patiently to face-off against Wolverine.

What’s it worth?
Only a handful of top-grading Wolverine Vol. 2 #48 copies have been sold at auction, all of them 9.0+ graded books. The highest price belongs to a 9.8 copy, sold in June 2022 for $80. Its price has decreased since 2021, when it was sold for $206. The lowest price is for a 9.0 copy sold in February 2021 for $37, after increasing its 2016 value of just $7.

 

18. Ultimate X-Men (Vol. 1) #41

Key Comic Facts
Issue #41 of Ultimate X-Men Vol. 1 is called “New Mutants (Part II)”. It has a cover date of March 2004. It was written by Brian Michael Bendis, with pencil by David Finch and ink by Art Thibert. It was edited by Ralph Macchio. It is widely known that the Ultimate Universe isn’t filled with great Wolverine stories, but this issue is definitely the exception.

What’s the story?
A young boy develops his mutant powers without him knowing, and he is terrified when his classmates and family burn to a crisp in front of his eyes, with him unable to control his power. Wolverine is sent on a solo mission to find him, and comes across him in some distant caves, where the boy is secluded so he can’t hurt anybody. Logan tells him everything will be ok and that the people he killed will be disguised as a chemical leak. But in fact, his mission is not to find the boy and bring him to the X-Men, and we see him leave the cave alone the next morning.

What’s it worth?
Only four top-rating copies of Ultimate X-Men #41 have been auctioned, with the highest quality book being a 9.9, sold for $44 in May 2004. The lowest quality book is a nice 9.4 copy, valued at $15 as of February 2019. Both issues have only been sold once.

 

19. Wolverine (Vol. 2) #91

Key Comic Facts
Issue #91 of Wolverine Vol. 2 is called “Path of Stones, Wood of Thorns”. It has a cover date of July 1995. It was written by Larry Hama, with pencil by Duncan Rouleau and ink by Joe Rubinstein. It was edited by Bob Harras. Issues #91 to #100 are considered Wolverine bone claws’ peak era, even though that era doesn’t get much credit.

What’s the story?
We see Wolverine struggling with his powers, as some shady forces plot to return the adamantium to his body for their own purposes.

What’s it worth?
A 10.0 graded book of Wolverine #91 was sold for $350 in August 2005, being the highest grading copy ever auctioned. The lowest quality book is a 9.6 copy, valued at $20 as of May 2014. Both copies have only been sold once.

 

20. Wolverine (Vol. 2) #90

Key Comic Facts

Issue #90 of Wolverine Vol. 2 is called “The Dying Game”. It has a cover date of February 1995. It was written by Larry Hama, with pencil by Adam Kubert and ink by Mark Farmer. It was edited by Bob Harras. This issue features the best fight between Wolverine and Sabretooth of all time in the comics, according to the fans.

What’s the story?
Wolverine returns to the X-Mansion after months away, and fights his urge to kill the imprisoned Sabretooth. But after Creed escapes, the decision is made for him, leading to one of the best fights between a hero and his foe in the comics.

What’s it worth?
Only a bunch of mid to top grading Wolverine Vol. 2 #90 copies have been sold at auction, with the highest price belonging to a 9.8 rated copy, sold for $280 in June 2022. However, it was valued at double that price ($560) some months before. The lowest price and rating belong to a 7.5 graded copy, which had a price of $40 as of February 2022.

 

That concludes our list of the best Wolverine comics ever released! We’ve covered the top 20 Wolverine stories written so far, from his origin tale right through to an alternative manga version of one of the world’s favorite X-men, and everything in between! If you’re hungry for more Wolverine facts, hit our resource hub - you’ll find our favorite Wolverine quotes and our ultimate guide to one of the most recognisable mutants in the Marvel universe, plus plenty of other great articles from the team! Here at Quality Comix, we have over 20 years of experience buying and selling vintage comics - so if you need some help, we’re here for you! Check out our current stock of comic books here, or find out what your collection is worth using our handy Comic Book Price Guide.