Wolverine: Origin Hardcover – January 1, 2013

It's interesting reading many of the reviews already written, both good and bad. It seems a lot of people who liked it didn't have huge expectations and tended to not be big Wolverine fans, whilst the ones who didn't like it were Wolverine fans that expected a more superhero story, related to weapon x and the likes. Well, if you want that stick to the spin off series of comics wolverine origins issues 1-50, which is great also.For me, Wolverine is and always has been my favourite Marvel character ever since I first started getting into Marvel almost 30 years ago. Now, I guess I didn't have any great expectations or great curiosity about Wolverine's past and kind of focused on the stories that were set in the present and when I was growing up with Wolverine, most stories were set in a 'present' timeline. Although his past was alluded to, it was always shrouded in mystery and I was content with that. Suddenly, I come across this book (12 years after it's original release) and it intrigued me. I didn't have any expectations and I read that it was set in the 1800's. Ok, that's not an issue for me. Why would it be? Wolverine is over a 100 years old after all.This is the true origin of Wolverine, taking us through a significant part of his childhood to young adult. It's not a traditional superhero story full of big battles and cheesy one liners. It is a serious novel that provides revelations into Wolverines early life, showing the influence that part of his life had on partly moulding what he is today. It does this through great story telling that involves the melancholy, child abuse, domestic violence, classism, love, hate, rejection, friendship and great tragedy, with a mutant twist. It tells of how logan got his name, gives us an insight into his part feral nature, why he likes red heads and shows us the moment his claws were known to exist. But more than concrete revelation, it is full of exciting mystery as we are left to decide who Wolverine's real father is..i.e. the grounds keeper who looks just like him or the estate owner (i guess it's pretty obvious who it is). What is the story behind Wolverine's (or James Howlett's as he was known then) deceased brother? Why does his mother have the scars of 3 claw marks on her back? These answer to things aren't spelt out for you but rather implied and you have to work it out yourself. The story also introduces us to the redhead nanny who looks after him and the groundkeepers son who seems to hate James. So there is mystery and conspiracy within this book, not to mention great drama. The story also ends in a way that shows how he may have met up with silverfox.So yes, overall a great and intriguing story full of mystery but still revealing. Just don't expect a big superhero action packed story. The art is superb and you'll particularly like it if you like period pieces. In my opinion, marvel at it's best.

Arguably the biggest gamble in comic book history, Wolverine: Origin succeeds in every way. Wolverine's backstory was a secret kept for decades, so revealing the details was a big risk. Thankfully, this book is exactly what it needs to be; It's tragic, it's compelling, and most importantly, it's hardcore. This is a story that doesn't hold back. If anything, this definitely isn't the comic you want kids started on to introduce them to Wolverine. This is a story for the fans that have been following the character for a long time and want to know where he comes from.What surprised me the most about this book is that it's a coming of age story. You don't start the story with Logan as a kid then jump to him as an adult (a big issue with the film adaptation). The story takes it's time and you get to see him age through the years. If you're looking for an action packed story, this isn't it. Not to say the story isn't intense, but it takes a while to see the hardened animal Wolverine that we all know and love. I'm not going to get into the plot because the reader should know little about this story before reading it. Just knowing Wolverine's real name before reading it was a big spoiler.Obviously the story is predictable at times (there are some characters that are most likely going to die). Because at the end of the day, it's a prequel. You know how the story is going to end. But to make a prequel work, it doesn't matter if the reader knows how the story ends; what matters is how the story is told. This is a well told story. If you're the type of person that wants to keep the past of Wolverine a secret, then all you need to do is don't read it. Why read it if you don't want to? But if you are interested in Wolverine's past, then this book won't disappoint.

If you have any interest in learning about Wolverine's past, this is a good place to start. According to Marvel this is the Wolverine Origin story timeline:[*]Wolverine by Miller & Claremont TPB/HC #1-4 Uncanny X-Men #172-173[*]Weapon X TPB/HC Marvel Comics Presents #72-84Origin TPB/HC Wolverine: Origin #1-6Wolverine: Origins and Endings TPB #36-40House of M #8 preceeds Wolverine: OriginsWolverine: Origins Vol. 1: Born in Blood TPB Wolverine: Origins #1-5Wolverine: Origins Vol. 2: Savior TPB Wolverine: Origins #6-10Wolverine: Origins Vol. 3: Swift and Terrible TPB Wolverine: Origins #11-15Wolverine: Origins Vol. 4: Our War TPB Wolverine: Origins #16-20 []Wolverine: Origins Vol. 5: Deadpool TPB Wolverine: Origins #21-27 []*Can be collected in Wolverine Omnibus 1, except for the Uncanny X-Men issuesThe first part of the book, Parts I-III, take place on the Howlett Estate in Canada, this is where you meet a young boy who would later grow up to become Wolverine. The second part of the book, Parts IV-VI take place in the Canadian Wilderness. This is where young James truly becomes a man, one who would be called the 'Wolverine'. Ingenious concept for a back-story on Marvel's most popular character. Well done and the setting of the turn of the century really makes it tick. You will also get the backstory on another famous character although his name is never mentioned but you can easily figure out who he becomes. He has a much different nickname here but it shouldn't fool anyone.Included in this collection are thoughts and notes from everyone involved in its production. There are emails detailing early story concepts such as the original setting for the Howlett Estate. The names of characters, etc. were also different, it is very interesting to see how the story was first conceived. There are also a number of sketches for various pages included in the back, always cool to have.For the price and importance of the story this is a no-brainer. Any comic book fan would be smart to add this piece of Wolverine history to his or her collection. Anyone should be able to afford this great book and it is well worth the money. Highest Recommendation possible and a Must-Have for all Marvel, Wolverine and comic book fans!

Those that are only interested in seeing wolverine hack and slash his way through people may be disappointed, but most comic readers understand the value of a good story well told. There's no adamantium or snikt in this but a deep story that explains much of the character we enjoy today. Bought second hand (as I do all comics) because, well why would you pay more just to avoid a creased corner or two? Great story and very enjoyable.

This is easily one of the best Wolverine stories ever told and may remain one of the greatest Marvel classics in comics of the early 21st century. Before the six-part "Origin" came out in 2001-2002, no one tried to really delve into Logan's past. Yes, we knew about Weapon X, his time in Japan, and so on, but there never were any stories about where Logan really came from or what his childhood was like. Indeed, his own roots were a mystery to the character himself also. Now, in this great collection of all six issues, you can enjoy this historic moment in comics history.Origin's plot is fantastic and really develops Wolverine as a character; seeing what he experienced as a child, growing up and in his early adulthood, shows the reader how these events shaped the man who would go on to become one of the most iconic X-Men as well as how his personality grew. It is set in late 19th/early 20th century Canada and tells the story of Wolverine's earliest days from the perspective of his first love, including the moment when he discovered his mutant powers. I won't spoil it any further - suffice it to say, fans of the character are almost certain to enjoy this journey into his past. A small part of the 2009 film "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" was inspired by this comic, but it doesn't really do it justice and isn't very faithful to its source material, so if you didn't like it then please don't let it put you off from reading this.Although I usually prefer the art from older X-Men comic, especially during the Claremont era, I have to say that the style used in Origin is amazing and really rises above much of the other "realistic" drawings used in many other comic since the 2000s. It has a distinct feel and reflects the older setting.

I've just re-read this as I'm about to start Wolverine: The End and thought it were good as time as any to return to this for another sitting. The last time I read through Origin must have been seven or eight year ago and although much of the mystery is lost the second time around a lot of what I remember being good stands up. The art, pacing, characters are all excellent. I won't mention the story as to start to describe a minor detail would lessen the experience.Wolverine Origin was a damn fine limited series and good reason why graphic novels exist to collect them all together in one awesome TPB.

I had heard great things about this book, but my lack of interest in wolverine had caused me to shy away from this. It's not that I don't like the character, but for me he always seemed overrated and over used.I downloaded this as something to read on a rainy afternoon, and, once started, I couldn't put it down. Many other reviews have explained the premise/synopsis so I won't go into that here.The story though is not a wolverine story, in the sense that there are no costumes, no other mutants, and no villains. This is not Logan discovering his powers then going on a murder spree for some sort of vengeance, this is the story of a young boy/man who after a family tragedy has to leave his life, accompanied by his friend rose, and surviving in the late nineteenth century, by going to work at a stone mine.It is a brilliant story accompanied by beautiful art work. I read this using the kindle app on my iPad mini; the art was clear, as was the text, there is only one double page where guided view is needed, otherwise this can be read as normal.Highly recommend to all, if you have even the remotest interest in comics I recommend picking this up.

Brilliant. Such a gripping story. Now I am biased as my favourite Marvel character has always been Wolverine. But this story is truly epic. I could easily have read this in one sitting without stopping - but I forced myself to read 1 chapter per day after the 1st chapter - to savour it that is.Great artwork as well, the page where he is running with the wolves ... I would want that one in poster size to hang on my wall.