008 - Ogun (version 2.0)

Ogun

Dan Fraga and Norm Raplund, Wolverine # 169.

Logan journeys back to Japan and takes Ogun up on his offer to learn the martial arts.

Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #4 (Feb 1985) – “Rebirth”

Writer: Chris Claremont; Artist: Allen Milgrom

Logan tells Kitty that Ogun was his sensei. “Man taught me everything I know.” He also relates a story that suggests Ogun is immortal.

Uncanny X-Men #455 (Apr 2005) - “Not Dead Yet?!”

Writer: Chris Claremont; Penciler: Alan Davis; Inker: Mark Farmer

While training with Bishop, Logan mentions, in reference to Miyomoto Musashi, the famous 17th century samurai, “I heard it from a guy who met Musashi. Fella name of Ogun.”

Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #6 (Apr 1985) – “Honor”

Writer: Chris Claremont; Artist: Allen Milgrom

Ogun confirms that Logan was his pupil, and Logan admits that a long time ago, Ogun was his friend.

Wolverine #176 (Jul 2002) – “The Logan Files, Epilogue”

Writer: Frank Tieri; Penciler: Sean Chen; Inker: Norm Rapmund

In a near-death experience, Logan remembers his desire to have family environment when he trained with Ogun.

Witchblade/Wolverine #1 (June 2004) – “Blood Wedding”

Writer: Chris Claremont; Penciler: Eric Basaldua; Inker: Matt “Batt” Banning, Rick Basaldua, Sal Regia and Jay Leisten

During an inner monologue, Logan reminds himself, “I'm a born fighter. I learned from the very best.” This is probably a reference to his training with Ogun. Since this was a cross-company venture (Marvel-Top Cow), we cannot confirm that this story took place.

Wolverine #169 (Dec 2001) – “Blood Sport, 3 of 3”

Writer: Frank Tieri; Penciler: Dan Fraga; Inker: Norm Rapmund

Logan remembers meditating with Ogun one night in Kanazawa shortly after becoming his pupil. A large group of ninjas descend upon them, led by a Japanese crimelord, Lord Ugama Hana, who accuses Ogun of committing an ancient wrong that demands satisfaction. As it is a blood feud, Logan is ordered to stand down. Ogun quickly slaughters the legion of ninjas, and then turns to Lord Hana. The two battle evenly for what seems an eternity, until Ogun finally drops his sword and is impaled by Lord Hana. Ogun laughs, removes the sword from his midsection, and slays Lord Hana. That evening, Ogun boasts to Logan that he has learned how to beat death.

Wolverine #103 (Jul 1996) – “Top of the World, Ma!”

Writer: Larry Hama; Penciler: Leinil Val Semeiks; Inker: Chad Hunt

Logan remembers Ogun teaching him the samurai arts, Sun Tzu and ideograms.

Wolverine (Limited Series) #2 (Oct 1982) – “Debts and Obligations”

Writer: Chris Claremont; Penciler: Frank Miller; Finisher: Josef Rubenstein

As Wolverine covertly watches a kabuki play, he notes, “I know this play: Chushingura, The 47 Ronin… the performance is superb – this is one of the finest kabuki troupes I’ve ever seen.” It is probable that Ogun was instrumental in Logan becoming versed in Japanese culture.

Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #5 (Mar 1985) – “Courage”

Writer: Chris Claremont; Artist: Allen Milgrom

Logan reveals to Yukio that Ogun taught him everything. “If there's a man alive I'd have chosen to be father, brother, best friend, it was him.”

Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #6 (Apr 1985) – “Honor”

Writer: Chris Claremont; Artist: Allen Milgrom

Logan admits to Kitty Pryde, "I couldn't beat Ogun when we first met."

Wolverine #89 (Jan 1995) – “The Mask of Ogun”

Writer: Larry Hama; Pencils: Fabio Laguna; Inks: Joe Rubinstein

Logan remembers training with Ogun in a bamboo grove on a Japanese mountainside. Ogun drops his boken and challenges Logan to attack. With the bamboo limiting Logan's attack, Ogun responds to each missed sword strike with a slap to Logan 's face. Logan finally snaps, overcome by a berserker rage, and pummels Ogun. Ogun, however, seems more concerned with Logan's state of mind during the attack, asking, "Was it the man or the beast that won? We all have two natures constantly in conflict with each other. The true master has them in perfectly balanced opposition, permitting neither to gain the upper hand -- This is what is called 'walking the sword's edge between heaven and hell.'"

Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #2 (Dec 1984) – “Terror”

Writer: Chris Claremont; Artist: Allen Milgrom

Ogun, through mystical workings, trains Kitty as an expert ninja in only one week's time by recreating her existence on a mystical plane. Ogun comments that he had had the same plans for Logan, as he gazes at an old photograph of Logan and Ogun together. It seems that it is here that his training ends, probably involving some falling out with Ogun, possibly as a result of Logan's loss of control earlier.

Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #4 (Feb 1984) – “Rebirth”

Writer: Chris Claremont; Artist: Allen Milgrom

After Kitty is psychically trained by Ogun, Logan explains Ogun’s technique, “Magic -- or some form of psi-powers. He imprinted his psyche onto yours, created a sort of psychic clone of himself inside your skull, eventually it will overwhelm your personality entirely… This process is forbidden knowledge. Only the most gifted – or cursed – of ninja masters were reputed capable of such things.” Later he explains that Kitty must break from Ogun’s influence on her own or suffer life-long consequences. “Ogun will have broken your spirit – crippled the fundamental you – in a way that will never heal.” When Kitty states that it sounds as if he is speaking from experience, Logan responds, “An’ I got the scars to prove it.” This would suggest that Ogun tried a similiar technique on Logan which may have contributed to their parting of the ways.

Uncanny X-Men #148 (Aug 1981) – “Cry, Mutant”

Writer: Chris Claremont; Artist: Dave Cockrum & Josef Rubinstein

In an outdoor training session, Wolverine seemingly disappears from sight as Nightcrawler watches on. Wolverine later explains, “It’s an old ninja trick – standin’ in plain sight without bein’ seen – I learned in Japan.” While it is probable that Logan learned this technique from Ogun, it is possible that he received additional training after parting ways with Ogun.

Logan and Ogun

Allen Milgrom , Kitty Pryde and Wolverine # 2.

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