Wolverine #1

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Marvel (1982)
First Wolverine Comic, Limited 1982 Series

Wolverine #1 from the 1982 four-issue limited series is one of the most important and beloved key issues of all time. It's a major artifact of X-Men and Marvel history.  

1. Wolverine’s First Solo Series Ever

Before 1982, Wolverine existed only as part of X-Men. This is his first time headlining his own title - a huge milestone for a character who would go on to become Marvel’s biggest star over the next few decades.  It proved Wolverine could carry a series on his own and this comic was the beginning of a prolific, four decade run of Wolverine focused comics:

• This Limited Debut Solo Wolverine Series (Vol 1) 
  (Starting in 1982, ran for 4 issues)

• The First Ongoing Wolverine Series (Vol 2) 
  (Starting in 1988, ran for 189 issues until 2003)

• Volumes 3, 4 and 5 which ran for hundreds of issues in the 2000s, 2010s, 2020s.

• The Weapon X storyline and crossover events.

• Countless minis, one-shots, cameos and spin-offs.
  
   

2. Written by Chris Claremont & Drawn by Frank Miller

Two comic legends at the absolute top of their game. Claremont was in the middle of his peak X-Men run. Frank Miller was fresh off Daredevil and gearing up for The Dark Knight Returns and Ronin. This is the series that defined the modern Wolverine: a samurai-influenced anti-hero wrestling with love, honor, rage, and control.  The combination gave the book real weight.  It's dark, gritty, cinematic, and character-driven.

 

3. “I’m the best there is at what I do...”

Issue #1 opens with one of the most famous Wolverine lines ever written: 

“I’m the best there is at what I do. But what I do best isn’t very nice.” 

That line basically became Wolverine's brand: 
Confident, brash, and violent, but with a sense of humanity and a moral compass.
 

4. First Appearance of Yukio

Yukio debuts here.  She's an important supporting character in Wolverine’s mythos and later in the film universe (The Wolverine, Deadpool 2, etc.). Her relationship with Wolverine, and her influence on his code began in this series.
 

5. Iconic Cover

The cover to Wolverine #1 (1982) is instantly recognizable:

• Legendary Frank Miller and Joe Rubinstein art

• Gradient sunset yellow background

• Wolverine holding up that classic “come get me” claw gesture

It’s one of the most homaged covers in comic history.

9.6 NM+
Pages: White
CGC 4478539005

Art: Chris Claremont story Frank Miller & Joe Rubinstein cover & art


Key: 1st solo Wolverine comic. Yukio cameo on last page.