*Snikt* He is Logan, Weapon X, the mutant originally born as James Howlett and The Best at What He Does, killing and somehow surviving against the overwhelming odds through his regenerative healing factor and adamantium-laced skeleton, equipped with six, razor-sharp claws. We call him Wolverine, a member of the X-Men and former member of Alpha Flight. With blood-spattering stories of viciousness and violence, he’s become one of Marvel Comics’ most popular heroes.
Well, that’s not true. Just about everyone in the Marvel Universe hates him. Especially these 10 “guests” assembled below.
Are you a fan of Wolverine? This Top 10 list is a tribute to the movie The Wolverine of July 2013. And even if you think you know everything about this feral, killing machine, the characters presented before you may draw your curiosity. They represent the most dangerous, insane, popular, and wildly clever threats throughout the course of his life.
Wolverine Villain #10: Dr. Rot
Because We Love Crazy
A good start in Wolverine history is to understand his mental psyche. Having been brainwashed and psychically attacked numerous times throughout his adventures, the first enemy to meet comes from one of his most recent, newly-established threats. A figure of morbidity, ill-mentality, and grotesque horror, this “physician” is called Dr. Rot, and as you can guess, he’s probably never had formal training.
Born Algernon Rottwell, this psychotic surgeon first appeared in
Wolverine: Weapon X #5 (2009) as the leading physician in Dunwich Sanatorium. (This institution should automatically raise lots of flags because it alludes to the master of horror madness,
H.P. Lovecraft, and Batman’s Arkham Asylum.) In the story
Insane in the Brain, “Patient X” (Logan) awakens without knowledge or reason, and is being treated by the doctor for his violent tendencies.
The plot, however, is much more fiendish. Dr. Rot is building an army of crazies with his ultimate achievement a disembodied brain-powered, mind-controlling madness device. (And Logan, unfortunately, just became the prize candidate.) The final pages of their first encounter have everything you would expect in
a Saw movie: chainsaw-wielding guards, mutilated nurses, and Dr. Rot’s main appeal, the gory disfigurements interwoven with witty, crazed quips. Having made appearances every year since, it’s clear that the doctor is now in and a favorite of Wolverine fans.
Wolverine Villain #9: Omega Red
Russians Have Mutant Experiments, Too
Knowing Wolverine is a mutant is fundamental. He was born with a healing ability, bone claws, and keen senses. But he was also experimented upon by the government. It turns out Logan is one of those specially-modified mutants, having Adamantium fused to his skeleton. Now his claws are razor-sharp and his bones are unbreakable, making him one of the deadliest mutants in existence.
In turn, this introduces us to Omega Red, another mutant killing-machine of similar standing, but also “upgraded” with experimental procedures. A Russian by birth, he and Logan have a history that pits the two as cunning opponents.
First arising to power in
X-Men #4 (1992), Arkady Rossovish proved to be a psychotic mutant with the ability to release “death spores”. Although their capabilities aren’t specifically identified, we know they are capable of killing and sucking the life from whomever they contact. This automatically made him a top entree for the Russian government’s super-soldier program and in their attempt to recreate true Adamantium, they came up with the formula for Carbonadium – slightly weaker, but more flexible – providing each arm with an extending tentacle that could be used as death-dealing whips.
Omega Red ironically suffers from radioactive metal poisoning and is lower on the Wolverine villain list due to the infrequency of their encounters. What links the two is a device known as the Carbonadium Synthesizer. Believed to be stolen by Logan, it can stop the Russian mutant from the poisoning effects and stabilize his condition.
Wolverine Villain #8: Silver Samurai
Here in Japan
Part of Wolverine’s history involves the struggle of an outsider adapting to the ancient culture of Japan (this will also be represented in
The Wolverine movie of 2013). While there, he learns many different traditions, becomes involved with a beautiful Japanese woman, and basically incites the undying hatred of their government and Yakuza. In turn, this was also where he met Silver Samurai, one of his greatest threats.
Named Kenuichio Harada at birth, Silver Samurai is the illegitimate mutant son of Shingen Yashida, a leader in the Japanese criminal underworld. He first appeared in
Daredevil #111 (1974), having the ability to generate a field of energy that can cut through anything. (Well, almost; it hasn’t managed to split Adamantium, yet.)
Most of Kenuicho’s history is based on his clan, Yashida. Later on in his story, he would become the leader and Wolverine and he would develop an agreement of distanced acceptance. What originally set the two against each other was Logan’s love for Mariko Yashida, his half-sister. When their tryst was revealed, Shingen Yashida ordered him to hunt the gaijin down and kill him.
Silver Samurai is believed to be dead now, but Wolverine did encounter his soul in Hell. (The rumors are out: “Death isn’t enough; Wolverine will kill you in Hell.”)
Wolverine Villain #7: Magneto
That's What Happens When Your Bones Are Metal
The first and greatest enemy the original X-Men encountered happens to be a devastating opponent, specifically for Wolverine. It’s almost unfair;
Magneto is the master of magnetism and can beat the crap out of our favorite mutant before those metal-encased claws can get near him.
Not surprisingly, that’s what he did. It all happened in
X-Men #25 (1993) in the
Fatal Attractions story arc. Reaching the ends of his patience with Charles Xavier’s band of superhero mutants, Magneto put Logan to the ground and ripped every shred of Adamantium from his skin. Unfotunately, though, that led to a major flaw in his plan: now Wolverine had no metal disadvantage and his healing factor was significantly stronger.
It really didn’t matter, though, because the world wants an Adamantium-laced Wolverine and later, his body would get it back. Magneto, on the other hand, probably wiped away some sweat that day; from here on out, he’d just throw Logan across the continent!
Magneto’s first appearance is from
X-Men #1 back in 1963, but he and Wolverine first tussled in
X-Men #104 (1977).
Wolverine Villain #6: Cyber
You've Got Adamantium, So Do I!
Most people are now aware of Wolverine’s longer lifespan (lately he is suspected to be around 150 to 200 years of age); as the story goes, this is one of the super benefits of his healing factor. If they didn’t know it from the comic books, they might have picked it up in the X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2008) movie.
So, not surprisingly, he’s been making people mad a long time ago. And Silas Burr was probably one of them. First appearing in Marvel Comics Presents #85 (1991), their history actually starts in the World War I era, where it turns out he was Logan’s Drill Instructor in Canada. A sociopath-killer at heart, he tussled with Wolverine, nearly killing him, after murdering his love interest.
Wolverine, of course, survived. But while their earliest battle was epic, Burr’s most evolved state comprises one of Wolverine’s greatest battles. It turns out Burr is also a mutant and through – you guessed it – government experimentation, has his entire body covered in Adamantium. Codenamed “Cyber”, he engaged the X-Man numerous times, attempting to acquire his metal skeleton for an upgrade/
Cyber is one of the great equalizers to Wolverine, having a scratch-proof body, but was still killed by the end of their encounters. He did, however, return in astral form, a possible ability he has as a mutant, and is preparing to make a comeback.
Wolverine Villain #5: Ogun
The Return of Japanese Assassins
At this point of accounting, readers are going to notice a reoccurring involvement between Wolverine and Japan. In actuality, it’s incidental, because of his long lifespan. Still, the attraction he seems to have to the Land of the Red Sun seems to reemerge every so often with interesting characters, plots, and threats.
One of his greatest opponents from this land could be a former mentor known only as “Ogun”. Near the World War II era, Logan arrived in Japan and received disciplines from this Ninja Master who could also be a mutant. Aside from Ogun’s natural fighting skills, he is an accomplished telepath, which he demonstrated as a means to easily defeat Wolverine.
Ogun first appears from Kitty Pryde & Wolverine #2 back in 1984, when he possessed Logun’s friend and attempted to turn her into an assassin. It would be many years later (1997 in Wolverine #113) when their past encounters were explained.
Wolverine actually killed Ogun after saving Kitty Pryde, but it turns out that this Ninja may have mystical powers as well. Their last encounter involved him as a disembodied spirit who could jump from hosts, possessing them.
Wolverine Villain #4: Professor Andre Thorton and Weapon X
Just Another Government Entitlement Program
Perhaps the most popular story behind Logan’s existence is the creation of the Weapon X program. Most movie accounts and a huge amount of his background are centered on the moment the government turned him into a mutant killer, bonding his skeleton to the indestructible metal of Adamantium. Knowing this historical moment brings us to Professor Andre Thorton, the man who (we think) created the Wolverine of today.
The strange thing about Dr. Thorton will be obvious later after you learn his real name: Truett Hudson. The “Hudson” family seems to be integral to Wolverine’s manipulation, including his membership into Alpha Flight, the Canadian, government-based superhero program. (It turns out the Canadians housed for the CIA or funded his Adamantium.) There is also an indication that he has a link to the next Wolverine-villain coming up.
Thorton has been portrayed in various ways. Most of the time, he’s a jerk who wants nothing more than to control Logan, turning him into a secret weapon. His first appearance was
Marvel Comics Presents #73 (1989) and he would later hunt to hunt his favorite mutant down for further training.
Wolverine Villain #3: Romulus
International Lupine of Mystery
Romulus is actually an enemy that causes a lot of contention in the Wolverine fan community. He’s more of a mystery than any of the rest of Logan’s enemies and a lot of us are still expecting some great revelation that will put everything into order.
The reason he is on Logan’s great-villain list is because he is the great manipulator, plotting against him for many years. According to the latest account, he might be a mutant, but is classified as a different race altogether called Lupine. He has a healing factor, long lifespan, natural finger claws, and animalistic agility and strength, but the final extent of his powers are unknown. What we do know is that he can somehow enter dreams and change memories.
What aggravates most readers about Romulus is the plot, his intentions. We just can’t figure him out. Nick Fury informed Logan that Romulus was a figure in the shadows attempting to manipulate him and the Hudson family (from Alpha Flight in Canada) towards…some purpose. It could be to some advantage for the Lupus Sapiens strain or to create the next Weapon X. (We know this because he behind the appearance of Wolverine’s son, Daken.)
Romulus first appeared in 2007 from
Wolverine #50 and his story still remains to unfold.
Wolverine Villain #2: Lady Deathstrike
The Metal-Nails Psycho-Lady
Somewhere in Japan, a psycho-lady has been plotting Logan’s death. Her name: Yuriko Oyama, and according to the story, her father created the Adamantium-bonding process which gave Wolverine his indestructible skeleton. Seeking restoration of her father’s honor, she learned from her quest that Wolverine was the quintessential success, carrying the secret of the process.
In other words, that meant Wolverine should die. Yuriko quickly adopted the name Lady Deathstrike and went on the hunt until he noticed and soundly beat her up. The problem with Yuriko, though, is that she’s psycho, and figured out a way to turn herself into a cyborg with Adamantium nails. So now she’s crazy and full of metal (which turns out to be a bad combination).
Although most people think Yuriko was only meant for Wolverine, she actually first appeared in Daredevil #197 (1983), and wanted revenge on her father. We were never given the memo where she turned around and started defending him. Apparently, it all makes sense when you’re insane, a half-machine, and try to kill everything.
Lady Deathstrike’s main appeal is that she is relentless. It also doesn’t hurt that you can slice her in half without destroying her. There have been variations of her viciousness over the years, but no one disputes her dedication to Logan’s demise.
Wolverine Villain #1: Sabretooth
It's All in the Family
If you’re a member of Logan’s family, you automatically qualify as his greatest enemy. That’s just how it’s done in the Wolverine Historical Archives. And that’s why Sabretooth, Victor Creed, is his nemesis.
Actually, though, Victor first showed up in
Iron Fist #14 (1977), displaying his skills as a feral, beast-like assassin. (It didn’t end up well for Sabretooth, but it rarely does when you try to brawl a martial artist.) Seeing his promise as a super-villain, though, it was soon and later revealed that he and Logan had “history”.
The discovered secret is the two are brothers. They’re both mutants, seem to have the same strain of powers, and both carry that infamous berserker rage. Who better than Sabretooth to take on the “runt” brother; every battle they have plays out with extended claws, slashes and gashes, and guttural growling.
Victor, to this day, remains the ultimate antithesis to Logan. In the first
X-Men movie (2000), he was brought in as a counter to Wolverine. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen much of this character, portrayed by Tyler Mane, since that time. And lately, we’re not even sure if he’s alive. There’s much adieu about Sabretooth’s death, rebirth, another death, cloning, and the final suspicion that a lingering scent may be that of the original. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Blake Czirr submits freelance work and writes for The Superheroes List, contributing Countdowns, Reading Orders, and speculative reports over the events in the Comic Book industry. His current contribution is the Avengers vs. X-Men Summary Page.