Wolverine has a long list of enemies that he has battled. They include Sabretooth (Victor Creed), Gorgon, Matsu’o Tsurayaba, and more. This comes from his ability to rub off on people the wrong way, among other reasons. In the 2010 publication of Wolverine: Wendigo!, the comic saw a rise to another enemy.
In this article, we will explore the dynamics between the main characters of the comic, and the synopsis of the comic, among other interesting tidbits.
Who Is Wendigo?
Contrary to popular misconception, the Wendigo is not a single fictional entity. The Wendigo is a race affected by a curse. The Elder Gods laid down this curse, transforming people into a huge, humanoid beast covered in fur with fangs and sharp claws.
This curse only affects someone who eats the flesh of another human being in the Canadian wilderness. Also, someone who survives the bite from a Wendigo can be affected by the curse. This race is made up of a few affected people who are doomed to roam the woods until another person takes the curse.
When the curse takes place on a person, there are little traces of humanity left in them. Wendigos are beast-like and unintelligent. It cannot speak except for its name.
The earliest Wendigo found dates back at least a million years ago. This one was different from others as he could transform and shift between his human and Wendigo forms at will.
Wolverine wasn’t the first Marvel comics protagonist to battle a Wendigo. The Incredible Hulk fought a Wendigo in the April 1973 Incredible Hulk (volume 2) #162 issue. This was the first introduction to Wendigos in the comics.
Wolverine vs Wendigo: Background and Relationship
The relationship between Wolverine and the Wendigo summarizes a complex and unique dynamic within the Marvel Comics universe.
Wolverine, a mutant known for his adamantium-laced claws and regenerative healing factor, first appeared on the last panel of The Incredible Hulk #180. He also appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise produced by Marvel Studios and has since fought many enemies.
However, he has a long and complex history with Wendigo, a horrid creature that has been cursed with immense strength and insatiable hunger. Their many interactions include a blend of empathetic struggles, fierce battles, and unexpected alliances.
The connection between Wolverine and the Wendigo is primarily forged through his time in the X-Men and his Canadian roots. As, according to Canadian folklore, one can get the Wendigo curse by practicing cannibalism on Canadian soil.
Each clash that Wolverine has with Wendigo highlights his formidable fight skills and relentless determination as he tries to manage the beast’s uncontrollable rage. However, what makes their relationship truly intriguing is that Wolverine can empathize with its struggles.
Having fought his own personal struggles with his inner demons, no one can sympathize with Wendigo’s struggle like Wolverine can. As Wolverine fights to not only defeat the beastly Wendigo but also lift the curse, their shared internal struggle leads to a couple of unexpected alliances.
Wolverine’s constant battles with Wendigo are proof of his resolute heroism and his capacity to face both emotional and physical foes. The comics also show the depth of Wolverine’s character development as he always seems to find common ground, even in the most hopeless situations.
The relationship between Wolverine and Wendigo is a microcosm of the bigger theme that runs through every superhero script. These include the struggle between heroism and inner darkness, the potential to find empathy even in the presence of monstrosity, and the ability to form unexpected alliances when conflicts arise.
Wolverine vs Wendigo: Skills and Abilities
One of the most interesting things about the Wolverine: Wendigo! is that the Wolverine is a mutant with animalistic senses, while Wendigo is an animal with a human trapped inside. With this difference established, it’s also interesting to note how these characters are different in the areas of skills and abilities.
Wolverine’s Skills and Abilities
Regeneration Ability
Wolverine has super-healing powers that allow him to rejuvenate himself from almost any harm his body goes through. However, the amount of time it takes his body to heal depends on the injury. Severe injuries could take days as opposed to others that can heal in minutes.
Retractable Bone Claws
Wolverine is an iconic character with an even more iconic ability. He has six retractable foot-long bone claws, three on each arm. These claws are slightly curved and can be released (at will) from underneath his knuckles. These claw bones are sharp and harder than human bones. This is a natural weapon that allows him to fight enemies by piercing the flesh.
Fighting Skills
One thing that people tend to overlook is Wolverine’s hand-to-hand combat skill. Wolverine is agile and his reflexes are sharp. He was trained in almost every martial art on Earth and some others from other planets.
His martial arts skills include aikido, karate, kung fu, savate, kyusho jitsu, ninjutsu, etc. He knows weapons, vehicles, computer systems, etc. He is also fluent in Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Japanese, Cheyenne, etc.
Heightened Senses
Wolverine has heightened senses from the normal human. His sense of sight, smell, and hearing is superior to that of other human beings. His heightened smell made it easy for him to track people in combat and stealth training. Also, his immunity to some diseases, drugs, poisons, etc., made him sharp at all times.
Super Strength
Wolverine is naturally strong and very muscular. His skeleton was coated in adamantium (a fictional nearly indestructible steel alloy) during the Weapon X program. This procedure added 47.6 kg (105 lbs) to his weight.
Due to the alloy, he could lift 80 pounds (or more) of weight for a brief period. Also, his bones are almost unbreakable and his claws can penetrate through almost enough surface without damage.
Controlled Rage
Wolverine has lots of pent-up rage that can be seen as advantageous when controlled and used under the proper circumstances. He taps into his anger to defeat enemies and that makes him unstoppable. On the other hand, when his rage is left uncontrolled, he can cause more damage than good.
Wendigo’s Skills and Abilities
Immense Strength
The strength of a Wendigo is superhuman. There is almost no limit to its strength and it can go against other strong characters such as the Incredible Hulk. The Wendigo also has retractable claws on its fingers and toes. The claws are capable of penetrating the hardest surfaces, including Hulk’s skin.
Durability
The quote, “strike him down and he shall only rise again” stems from the Wendigo’s durability. The Wendigo can withstand severe injuries without slowing down its speed and agility.
A Wendigo can recover from physical injuries within seconds. This durability is a result of tissues that are stronger than that of humans. The Wendigo can also survive extremely cold weather conditions due to the fur that covers its body.
Speed and Stamina
Don’t let the huge appearance of a Wendigo deceive you. This animal has incredible speed and stamina. This is due to the production of less lactic acid compared to humans.
Wolverine vs Wendigo: Who’d Win In a Fight?
Wolverine would win in a fight with Wendigo. Wolverine has battled Wendigo in the Marvel comic book. Although he doesn’t kill the Wendigo, Wolverine wins the fight. Wendigo has strength and powers unlike any human, which in a way makes it stronger than Wolverine. However, Wolverine can win the fight because he isn’t just any human.
Comic Review
The Wolverine vs Wendigo comic was released in January 2010, while the cover date was March 2010. The main writer was Frank Tieri, the inker, and penciler was Paul Gulacy, and the colorist was Thomas Mason. Jeff Eckleberry was in charge of the letters and Axel Alonso was in charge of editing. The editor-in-chief was Joe Quesada.
The cover of the comic is impressive and reflective of the events that take place. The book weighs 3.2 ounces and has up to 45 pages featuring “Wolverine vs Thor”.
Synopsis
A camera crew lurks in the deep forests of Canada in an attempt to get footage of a mythical beast torn from limb to limb in an animalistic manner. Luckily, there is evidence captured from the video camera. Two survivors tell a tale of the savage furred covered animal and a mysterious stranger that saved them from the close call.
Characters/Cameo Appearances
The comic book features Gordon Allsworth, Logan, Jean-Guy (supporting character), Officer Sonja (supporting character), etc. It also includes the main antagonist, Wendigo.
Other characters include Diane, Andre Simard, Mike, and the mention of other Wendigos. Wolverine vs Wendigo is based in Canada, Quebec, and Lac-Saint-Jean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between the release date and cover date in comic books?
Yes, there is a difference between the release date and the cover date in comic books. The release date specifies the date, month, and year a comic book is released.
The cover date, however, specifies the date, month, and year the comic book is to be taken off the shelves in stores. This is to give way to newer issues. The cover date is typically a month or two after publication.
When did Wolverine first meet Wendigo?
Wolverine’s first encounter with a Wendigo wasn’t in the Wolverine: Wendigo! issue. According to the story in the comic Wolverine: Black, White, and Blood #1, Wolverine meets a Wendigo during his training with the Weapon X Program.
The animal attacked Wolverine and they fought. Logan won the fight, but he didn’t kill the Wendigo. The Wolverine and Wendigo are then sent to the lab.
What size does Marvel use for their comics?
Marvel prints their comic books in the standard size of 6.625 by 10.25 inches. This is more popular with single-issue comics. There’s also a variety of printing sizes for special editions, trade paperbacks, or oversized comics. These have different sizing to match their format.
Does Marvel use the same inker for the Wolverine comic books?
No, Marvel does not use the same inker for all the Wolverine comic books. Different inkers work on different volumes of the comic book. It’s not uncommon to have up to three inkers on a volume of the comic book.
Conclusion
Wolverine vs Wendigo is an action-packed comic book that was well-received by Marvel fans who were eager to see Wolverine battle another Wendigo. The inclusion of “Wolverine vs Thor” in the issue gives a compelling, bumpy, and captivating experience.
For more captivating comic reviews and stories, don’t forget to read our collection of articles.
