Was Wolverine ever actually a Homicidal Maniac?

[david r]

I've heard Wolverine often described as a homicidal maniac. Especially during the 1970s. John Byrne even said once his best description of Wolverine was disembowling Kitty Pryde when she interrupted him during breakfast.

But I don't think Wolverine was EVER that mean or cruel. Sure, he was an ass and very difficult to work with, but an all-out homicidal maniac? I don't agree with that portrayal of him. What do you think?

Was Wolverine really mean enough to be called a "homicidal maniac"?

[rwsmith]

Apparently. Read this week's issue of Wolverine Origins. :mad:

[timbox]

He was also an abuser of women if you dig up some old thread on here.

But I agree with your assessment of the situation, david!

Was Wolverine really mean enough to be called a "homicidal maniac"? (circle one)


YES - - - - - - - (NO)

[just another user]

He's never been as bad as Magneto, imho.

[Jackob]

Apparently. Read this week's issue of Wolverine Origins. :mad:

i know, they are making him out to be sabertooth in that book. i dont know if i can read it if it is killing his past like that.

[The Lucky One]

Depends on whose depiction of the character you're going by, david. Not to be flip, but Wolverine's one of those characters who've been written by so many people that, if your question is "Has he ever...," then the answer is unquestionably yes. I would bet one thousand dollars cash money that if you read every appearance of Wolverine ever, you could find an example of him engaged in behavior most psychologists would classify as "homicidal maniac." That money is safe as houses.

However, if (like most fans) you pick and choose which depictions "count" in your own mind, then maybe not. As written by Claremont, Wolverine was always on just this side of the line between a killer and a man who kills sometimes, and Sabretooth was located just on the other side of the line. But, as you pointed out, there was that idea Byrne or Claremont had that Kitty Pryde would say good morning to Wolverine and he would instantly eviscerate her; then the other X-Men would walk in to find him calmly eating his cereal, not even aware of what he'd done.

Mighty glad they decided not to go that route, frankly.

-D

[Quinnhop]

I agree with you, David R. He's not.

If Jean Grey gets killed for killing Brocolli people as Pheonix because editorial deemed it too evil for a "hero", then how in the hell could they allow Wolvie to be a homicdal maniac?

I think a really great issue that covered this was the recent "Ain't no Dog" one-shot. They had him question the morality in smoking but not in killing. And I think it's like that. He has no issue with killing. He's done it so many times that it doesn't bother him. The blood, the guts, etc. don't get to him.

But he's still human. He's always been characterized as human -- often more noble than the majority of humans. He's essentially a good guy who has been forced to do somet things that others haven't.

I'd compare his characterization to a child soldier. They aren't bad people. It's just how they're taught/raised. To them, what they do isn't necessarily all that bad. So, for Wolvie, these "justifiable homicides" are just him trying to survive.

Is there a thrill in it? Sure.

But does he get pleasure out of taking life? I wouldn't say so.

[Quinnhop]

I agree with you, David R. He's not.

If Jean Grey gets killed for killing Brocolli people as Pheonix because editorial deemed it too evil for a "hero", then how in the hell could they allow Wolvie to be a homicdal maniac?

I think a really great issue that covered this was the recent "Ain't no Dog" one-shot. They had him question the morality in smoking but not in killing. And I think it's like that. He has no issue with killing. He's done it so many times that it doesn't bother him. The blood, the guts, etc. don't get to him.

But he's still human. He's always been characterized as human -- often more noble than the majority of humans. He's essentially a good guy who has been forced to do somet things that others haven't.

I'd compare his characterization to a child soldier. They aren't bad people. It's just how they're taught/raised. To them, what they do isn't necessarily all that bad. So, for Wolvie, these "justifiable homicides" are just him trying to survive.

Is there a thrill in it? Sure.

But does he get pleasure out of taking life? I wouldn't say so.