X-Men Wolverine: Origin

James Howlett is a sickly young boy with an animal growing within him, an animal which will both save and curse him. Wolverine has always been one of the most popular X-Men and a lot of that has to do with his wandering search for answers to the mystery of who he was and where he came from. Memory loss has always been an interesting device in the context of a character arc. In Wolverine Origin, the risk of exposing the mystery may have resulted in a certain loss to the character's very make up. Thankfully here, the writers and artists at Marvel are able to let us in on his youth, family and his first adventure, one of tragic self discovery.

Though the reason for its inception was based more on timing than concept, it was important that the Marvel comic universe delivered Wolverine's original before the movie franchise did. However, that doesn't mean the story is by no means slapped together. The plot is very tight, the action is pulsating and savagely gritty. Origin plays out like an epic frontier adventure and nothing like the standard X-Men science fiction fare. Wolverine's origin isn't about government secrets or epic wars between mutant clans but rather a simple coming of age tale which pre-empts what Logan's destiny has in store on a smaller scale.

Family, belonging, jealousy and instinct are explored in this dark love story which subtly begins the cycle of violence which will run through Wolverine's life. A great beginning to a great character, which smartly doesn't give more away than it needs to. Satisfying the delicacy of canon in a universe such as X-Men and more importantly telling a great story.