024 - The Best There Is

Wolverine

Vatche Mavlian, Spider-Man & Wolverine #2.

X-Men #139 (Nov 1980) – “Something Wicked This Way Comes!”

Writer: Chris Claremont; Plotter - Penciler: John Byrne; Inker: Terry Austin

Logan reminisces about his fight with the Hulk and Wendigo, and comments that he was out of Canada a lot after that, “doing his James Bond number.”

Wolverine #144 (Nov 1999) – “First Cut”

Writer: Erik Larsen & Eric Stephenson; Penciler: Mike Miller; Inker: Vince Russell

In a conversation with SHIELD agent Dum Dum Dugan, Logan states that he was a secret agent after his fight with the Hulk.

Captain America Annual #8 (1986) – “Tess-One”

Writer: Mark Gruenwald; Penciler: Mike Zeck; Inker: John Beatty

Former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Richard Rennselaer (retired 1982) recognizes Wolverine, noting he “…is reputedly one of the most dangerous free agents ever to rise through the ranks of the intelligence agencies.”

…With his return to intelligence work as Wolverine, Logan renews several old friendships and begins a few new ones…

Spider-Man vs. Wolverine #1 (Feb 1987) – “High Tide”

Writer: James C. Owsley; Penciler: Mark Bright; Inker: Al Williamson

Logan remembers being in East Berlin with his best friend, an extraordinary freelance intelligence agent by the name of Charlemagne. Working for the KGB (against Logan 's advice), Charlie is eventually been double-crossed and contacts Logan for help. Arriving in his Wolverine uniform, Logan faces off against fifty undercover KGB agents pursuing Charlie. Against Charlie's wishes, Logan gives into his berserker rage and slaughters the KGB agents, giving Charlie time to escape.

Uncanny X-Men #228 (Apr 1988) – “Deadly Games”

Scripter: Chris Claremont; Penciler: Rick Leonardi; Inker: Terry Austin

Logan tells Alison Blaire and her friend O.Z. that he tussled with Vladimir Semyanovitch Zaitsev of the KGB, “Wetwork specialist. Mayhem and assassination.” Zaitsev confirms that he fought against Wolverine. Logan further adds that Henry Peter Gyrich was his CIA liaison when he worked for Canadian Special Intelligence. Considering Gyrich knows Logan as Wolverine, we can assume their relationship was from this time period.

Wolverine #58 (Early Aug 1992) – “Monkeywrenching!”

Writer: D.G. Chichester; Penciler: Darick Robertson; Inker Joe Rubinstein

Wolverine reveals that he knows Terror, a hideous being capable of replacing parts of his body with those of other creatures. Logan claims no friendship with this mercenary but does acknowledge his prowess in retrieving information from the dead by tapping into memories stored within their lifeless flesh.

Terror Inc. #9 (Mar 1993) – “Aggressive Portfolio”

Writer: D.G. Chichester; Penciler: Richard Pace; Inker: Temujin

Terror claims, “There's a long-standing series of markers called and due between myself and Logan, a.k.a. the mutant ‘Wolverine'” He is familiar with Logan 's berserker rages, but does seem to view Logan as one of the good guys.

Deadpool #27 (Apr 1999) – “It's a Barbarian Bunny – Busty Broad Bonanza in My Brainpan…”

Writer: Joe Kelly; Penciler:L McDaniel; Inker: McFarland

Logan knows Deadpool as the mercenary Wade Wilson, and the two seem to share a history. Deadpool seems to be familiar with Logan's claws, his berserker rage, and “dissertations on honor, pride…” and such. Logan tells Deadpool, “Junk between you and me, better if it never sees the light of day… past should stay in the past.” He further notes that Wilson has no sense of honor, and that he is aware of Wilson's past. All in all, this would suggest that Logan interacted with Wilson before he was treated for cancer and transformed into Deadpool.

Classic X-Men #10 (Jun 1987) - "Tag, Sucker!"

Writer: Chris Claremont; Artist: John Bolton

Wolverine remarks that not long ago, he used to be a secret agent in Siberia and the Western Pacific. Not one to favor modesty, Wolverine adds, "I was the best."

X-Men #62 (Mar 1997) – “Games of Deceit & Death, Part 1 of 3”
Plotter: Scott Lobdell; Scripter: Ben Raab; Penciler: Carlos Pacheco; Inker: Art Thibert

Wolverine claims that the British Secret Service Agent Clive Reston, best known for working with Shang-Chi, son of Fu Manchu, is a friend of his. Again, another connection to the Far East .

Wolverine (Limited Series) #1 (Jul 1987) – “I'm Wolverine”

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

Logan comments that he used to work with Asano Kimura from Japanese Intelligence. “One o' their top people an' a friend. We ran more'n our share o' dirty missions together… an' we owe each other our lives a couple o' times over.” It is probable the two worked together before and after Wolverine's first mission against the Hulk.

Spider-Man & Wolverine #2 (Sep 2003)

Writer: Brett Matthews; Artist: Vatche Mavlian

Wolverine, in his costume, breaks into Takeshi Kishimoto's compound in Japan to find evidence that he is a drug dealer. Instead of leaving immediately, Wolverine comes across Takeshi Kishimoto's daughter and a liaison ensues, one that causes Takeshi Kishimoto to hold a grudge for many years. Wolverine remembers it taking place some 12 to 20 years before the present, which with Marvel Time, could place it here.

Spider-Man & Wolverine #1 (Aug 2003) “Stuff of Legends”

Writer: Brett Matthews; Artist: Vatche Mavlian

Takeshi Kishimoto suggests that is was 12 years before the present that these events occurred.

Marvel Comics Presents #153 (Early May 1994) – “Pure Sacrifice, Part 2 of 4: Logan 's Run”
Writer: Nel Yomtov; Penciler: Phil Hugh Felix; Inker: Rey Garcia

A thug named Johnny Jack from the Salty Dog saloon in Madripoor remembers Logan from long ago, not as his modern persona Patch, but as Logan, suggesting their interactions took place at this time. Considering that Johnny Jack is not afraid of Logan , it would seem that Logan never pummeled him in a fight.

…Logan 's return to Madripoor draws out Sabretooth…

Wolverine #126 (Jul 1998) – “Blood Wedding”

Creators: Chris Claremont & Leinil Francis Yu; Inker: Edgar Tadeo & Gerry Alanguilan

Logan tells Kitty Pryde that Seraph took on Sabretooth to save him. She dies in his arms as he wears his Wolverine costume. Viper, a freelance agent and later of Hydra, fights to get them home, assisting Logan at Seraph's request. As a result, Logan 's debt of honor falls to Viper who is entitled to receive whatever she asks of Logan.

Wolverine, Viper and the death of Seraph

Leinil Francis Lu, Edgar Tadeo & Gerry Alanguilan, Wolverine #126.

Wolverine #125 (Jun 1998) – “ Logan 's Run”
Creators: Chris Claremont & Leinil Francis Yu; Inker: Edgar Tadeo & Gerry Alanguilan

Viper reminds Logan that Seraph died in the labyrinth-style cellar below Seraph's bar in low town Madripoor, and that Logan swore a vow on Seraph's tomb to give Viper whatever she asked for, whenever she asked.

…After Seraph's death, Logan retreats to Hong Kong, falling for a girl by the name of Wong Ai-Chia...