In a recent interview with Forbes, Roy Thomas, the former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief, revealed the story behind the creation of Wolverine, one of the most iconic comic book characters of all time. Thomas explained that the idea for Wolverine came from the fact that a significant portion of Marvel’s readers were Canadian, and he wanted them to have their own hero to root for. After considering different animals, Thomas settled on a wolverine due to its fierce nature and wolf-like sound in the name.
With the name Wolverine in mind, Thomas approached Len Wein, a top writer at Marvel at the time, to write the story for the character. Wein introduced key details to the character, such as his background with a Canadian secret organization and the idea that his claws were made of adamantium, the hardest substance known. Thomas trusted Wein’s writing ability and left him alone to craft the story, resulting in Wolverine’s debut in The Incredible Hulk #181, with John Romita designing the character’s costume.
The issue became a significant milestone in comic book history, with the first appearance of Wolverine now considered a holy grail comic that commands high prices among collectors. Wolverine would go on to become a pivotal character in the Marvel Universe, joining the X-Men and becoming a fan favorite over the years. However, some controversy arose recently when it was announced that Roy Thomas would be credited as a co-creator of Wolverine alongside Wein and Romita in an upcoming film.
Thomas clarified that his intention was not financial gain but to finally receive credit for his role in Wolverine’s creation. He emphasized that he did not want to take away from Wein’s legacy and acknowledged the writer’s contributions to the character, including bringing Wolverine into the X-Men in 1975. Thomas expressed his hope that if there were any financial benefits from Wolverine’s use in films, Wein’s widow would benefit from it.
Christine Valada, Wein’s widow and an entertainment and copyright attorney, responded to Thomas’ claims, stating that she believed Thomas’ actions were not intended to dilute Wein’s legacy but to receive proper recognition for his role in creating Wolverine. While Thomas acknowledged that he was the last living person involved in Wolverine’s creation, he emphasized his desire for credit rather than financial gain. The debate over Wolverine’s co-creator credit continues, highlighting the complexities of recognizing contributions in the comic book industry.
