Deadpool May Have the Spotlight, But We Know Who Wolverine’s Best Accomplice Is

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Wolverine #6!Deadpool and Wolverine are perhaps the most well-recognized superhero duo in Marvel Comics, but Wade Wilson is neither Logan’s best friend nor most beloved ally; that spot belongs to Wolverine’s fellow X-Men, Nightcrawler. While The Merc with a Mouth is an entertaining anti-hero that compliments Wolverine’s serious grit, Nightcrawler is truthfully the superior pairing for Wolverine, and their unyielding comic history proves as much.

Wolverine #6 – written by Saladin Ahmed, with art by Martín Cóccolo – begins after Nightcrawler returns to save Wolverine for a second time, and has now joined Logan in his endeavor to defeat Cyper and uncover the mystery behind the sentient adamantine. Kurt’s devotion to Wolverine at this moment is an homage to the first time Wolverine lost his adamantium while Cyber tormented him, and Nightcrawler in turn, came to Logan’s aid.

Nightcrawler has always shown up for Wolverine, and the long-standing dynamic these two heroes share could never be replicated exactly by Deadpool and Wolverine.

Nightcrawler & Wolverine Continue To Prove They Are The Superior Duo, Leaving Deadpool In the Dust

Wolverine #6 – Written By Saladin Ahmed; Art By Martín Cóccolo; Color By Bryan Valenza; Letters By Cory Petit; Cover Art By Martín Cóccolo & Bryan Valenza

Before Marvel introduced the duo of Deadpool and Wolverine, Wolverine and Nightcrawler were a long-standing tandem that stayed consistent within comics from the '70s onward, with Wolverine and Nightcrawler joining the X-Men together in Giant-Size X-Men #1 and later forming a deep bond. Their shared closeness has always been on display, whether they are fighting together or engaging in personal banter; Wolverine and Deadpool share a lot in common, but Nightcrawler has been consistently depicted as taking time to understand Wolverine, in turn, making every one of their battles or team-ups more compelling.

While Deadpool and Wolverine’s dynamic is more chaotic and the two share similar skills and a healing factor, Nightcrawler and Wolverine’s dynamic has had some of the most impactful moments in comics. In House of X #3, Nightcrawler shares a bitter-sweet moment with Wolverine by telling Wolverine he will wait for him in the afterlife with open arms before the two inevitably meet their ends, a perfect yet heartbreaking start to the highly received Krakoa Era. Deadpool pushes Wolverine’s buttons, highlighting his rage, while Nightcrawler is the perfect support to Wolverine, showcasing his more humanizing characteristics.

Nightcrawler Consistently Demonstrates Why He Will Always Be Wolverine’s Best Superhero Ally & Closest Friend

Kurt & Logan's Relationship Is Integral To X-Men Lore

Nightcrawler’s lack of a healing factor forces Wolverine to express more compassion for his friend, something non-existent with Deadpool’s ability to shrug off fatal wounds. When Nightcrawler was killed by Bastion while protecting Hope Summers, his death immensely upset Wolverine and was the incident that propelled Wolverine to leave Cyclops’ X-Force and re-open Xavier’s school. While Wolverine shares unique bonds with all his X-Men teammates, Nightcrawler holds a special place in Wolverine’s heart that in turn makes him Wolverine’s prime companion.

The turbulent dynamic between Deadpool and Wolverine is drastically different from Wolverine and Nightcrawler’s more brotherly bond, although both pairings are equally entertaining and compelling. Nightcrawler once again coming to Wolverine’s aid in battling Cyber is an excellent return to the X-Men’s classic dynamic, one that should be as widely portrayed as Deadpool’s dynamic with Logan. Wolverine and Deadpool often find themselves teamed up due to circumstance and gradually the two have formed mutual respect, but Marvel history has shown Wolverine’s pick for his partner-in-crime will always be Nightcrawler.

Wolverine #6 will be available on February 5, 2025, from Marvel Comics!

Wolverine

Created By

Roy Thomas, Len Wein, John Romita Sr.

Cast

Hugh Jackman

First Appearance

The Incredible Hulk (2023)

Alias

James "Logan" Howlett

Alliance

X-Men, Avengers, Canadian Army, OSS/CIA, Avengers Unity Squad, Alpha Flight, New Avengers, New Fantastic Four, Savage Avengers, Weapon X, X-Force

Race

Human-Mutant

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Deadpool

Created By

Fabian Nicieza, Rob Liefeld

Cast

Ryan Reynolds

First Appearance

The New Mutants

Alias

Wade Wilson

Alliance

X-Men, Avengers, Astonishing Avengers, Deadpool Corps, Frightful Four, Great Lakes Initiative, Heroes for Hire, Mercs for Money, Secret Defenders, Six Pack, Thunderbolts, Weapon X, X-Force

POWERS

Healing factor, regeneration, superhuman strength and agility,

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