Logan may not like it, but he's far from the deadliest Wolverine Marvel has seen
Wolverine is arguably the deadliest of the X-Men, but Logan’s not the most dangerous mutant to have taken the identity of Wolverine, with one villain having stolen Logan’s thunder with their own deadly power. There are few villains who can match Logan, but this villain is one Wolverine whom nobody wants to face.
While any version of Wolverine is dangerous enough, there’s never been a deadlier version of the character than the short time that Gorgon held the role beginning in The New Avengers #18 by Brian Michael Bendis, Mike Deodato Jr., Rain Beredo, and Joe Caramagna, and it's all thanks to his power to petrify people.
During one of Norman Osborn’s plays for power, Gorgon was recruited into the "New Dark Avengers," a team of villains posing as recognizable heroes, to act as its Wolverine stand-in. Not only did he have the fighting skills to match Logan, but Gorgon also had a much more deadly mutant power of his own.
Gorgon's Brief Stint as Wolverine Was a Brutal Time for the Legacy
The Villain Was Easily the Nastiest Character to Take the Mantle
Gorgon is one of the most recognizable Wolverine villains of the 21st century. Gorgon, otherwise known as Tomi Shishido, debuted in Wolverine #20, part one of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr’s famous Enemy of the State crossover. The character is introduced as a new leader within the Hand. While he dies at the end of that story, the Hand eventually use their resurrection abilities to bring him back, at which point he takes a leadership role in Hydra, fighting Nick Fury and the Secret Warriors. Only after Fury’s defeat of Hydra, however, does Gorgon join the Dark Avengers and become Wolverine.
The New Wolverine Is Marvel's Most R-Rated Hero Now, Not Even Deadpool Can Compare
Ultimate Wolverine's most violent moment yet makes him surpass Deadpool as the publisher's most R-Rated character, demonstrating his viciousness.
Like all the Dark Avengers, Gorgon doesn’t last too long in his cover identity. Even within that time period, he’s the lesser of the two "Dark Wolverines", with Logan’s son Akihiro taking up the majority of that spotlight in the Dark Avengers title thanks to his familial connection. Even after Osborn’s regime inevitably crumbles, however, Gorgon remains a thorn in Wolverine’s side, going up against every other Wolverine, from Laura Kinney to Old Man Logan.
Can Gorgon and Wolverine Ever Get Along After Sharing the Name?
The Answer Is: Probably Not
What’s most interesting about Gorgon’s history with Wolverine, however, is how it intersects with the X-Men’s Krakoan Age. Gorgon was granted amnesty on Krakoa and actually admired its goals, serving as a Great Captain of the island. It’s no wonder that Logan, and many readers, felt uncomfortable about Krakoa with Gorgon in such a prominent position. This was a guy who hadn’t just brainwashed Wolverine but had also killed his own family with no remorse. Gorgon was the worst version of Wolverine, and to accept him as an ally - well, that’s hard for both Logan and the reader.
The New Avengers #18 is available now from Marvel Comics.
- 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
The human mutant Wolverine (a.k.a. Logan) was born James Howlett, blessed with a superhuman healing factor, senses, and physiology. Subjecting himself to experimentation to augment his skeleton and claws with adamantium, Logan is as deadly as he is reckless, impulsive, and short-tempered. Making him the X-Men's wildest and deadliest member, and one of Marvel Comics' biggest stars. He's played in Fox and Marvel's movie franchises by Hugh Jackman.
- Movies
- X-Men, X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, The Wolverine, X-Men Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse, Deadpool, Logan, Deadpool 2, Deadpool & Wolverine
- Franchise
- X-Men, Marvel
- POWERS
- Retractible claws and Adamantium skeleton. Superhuman senses, stamina, and strength. Healing factor and longevity.
- NAME
- James "Logan" Howlett
- Age
- 197 (in the MCU)
- Height
- 5'3”
- Comic Books
- Wolverine #1, X-Men #1
- Status
- Alive
