Wolverine is one of the most popular X-Men characters and has been since he first appeared in 1974. He’s a fan favorite for his gruff exterior, his healing factor, and his adamantium claws.
But there are some things about Wolverine that even his most diehard fans might not know. Here are 10 secrets about Wolverine that will surprise even the most hardcore fans.
1. He was supposed to be a werewolf
Wolverine’s original creator, Len Wein, intended for him to be a werewolf. However, Marvel editor Roy Thomas thought that it would be too similar to another character, Moon Knight, who also had animal-like powers. So Wein changed Wolverine’s origin story and made him a mutant instead.
2. He was almost killed by Sabretooth
Wolverine and Sabretooth have a long history of rivalry, and it’s often been said that Sabretooth is Wolverine’s deadliest foe. In fact, there was a time when Sabretooth came very close to killing Wolverine. Fortunately, Wolverine was able to fight back and survive.
3. His full name is James Howlett
Wolverine’s real name is James Howlett. However, he goes by the alias Wolverine because that’s the name his military unit gave him.
4. He has a son
Wolverine has a son named Daken who was born in Japan. Daken has similar powers to his father, including the ability to heal quickly and retractable claws.
5. He was once an enemy of the X-Men
When Wolverine first joined the X-Men, he wasn’t exactly on their side. In fact, he was secretly working for their enemies, the Hellfire Club. It wasn’t until later that Wolverine truly became an ally of the X-Men.
6. His skeleton is coated in adamantium
Wolverine’s skeleton is coated in a virtually indestructible metal called adamantium. This gives him a number of advantages in battle, including enhanced strength and durability.
7. He has a healing factor
Wolverine’s Healing Factor is one of his most iconic abilities. It allows him to heal from injuries rapidly and even regrow lost limbs.
8. He’s been alive for over a century
Wolverine is well over 100 years old, but he doesn’t look a day over 30 thanks to his Healing Factor.
9. He was once Weapon X
Wolverine was once part of a government program called Weapon X, where he had his adamantium skeleton bonded to his bones. The program also suppressed Wolverine’s memories, which is why he doesn’t remember much about his past.
10. He has a dark side
Wolverine is often portrayed as a hero, but he’s not always on the side of good. In fact, he has a dark side that he struggles to keep in check. This dark side is often referred to as his “berserker rage” and it can be incredibly dangerous.
These are just 10 of the many secrets about Wolverine. Even the most hardcore fans might not know all of these facts about one of the X-Men’s most popular characters.