WOLVERINE: A NEW TEAMMATE, ALREADY HARD TO MANAGE

WOLVERINE: A NEW TEAMMATE, ALREADY HARD TO MANAGE Wolverine enters Giant-Size X-Men #1 with a previous appearance behind him, in the Hulk stories, and a job with the Canadian government. Xavier is recruiting someone already used to dangerous work. His decision to leave that employment is direct and confrontational. He accepts Xavier's offer without treating his current superiors as people who get the final say. That introduction gives a useful starting point for his relationship with authority: joining an organization and submitting quietly to it are separate matters for him. The rescue mission continues that problem for Cyclops. Wolverine is willing to fight, but willingness doesn't guarantee discipline. His close-range approach also stands out in a team containing flyers, energy projectors and a teleporter. He has to get near enough to use those claws. The yellow-and-blue costume, black markings and pointed mask belong to this version of the character. Cockrum draws him short and compact, with claws extended and very little patience for the people around him. He also brings a practical problem into every fight: having the nerve to attack doesn't mean he's picked the right moment. Scott needs coordinated action, while Wolverine is ready to get directly at whatever threatens them. The two have to operate together before they've established much trust.