Wolverine has always been a popular character among the X-men due to his lone wolf nature, which often contrasts with the rest of the team. While Logan might seem rude and abrasive at first, he is not at all heartless and has demonstrated loyalty and dedication to his friends time and time again. This makes Wolverine a multifaceted character that provides a lot of entertainment value.
However, he wasn’t popularized in mass culture until the critically acclaimed X-Men movies, in which Logan often plays a key role. Over the course of the franchise, he developed and learned to work as part of a team rather than sticking to his solitude and remaining detached. The audience will see multiple stages of his life, and despite the differences between them, Logan always finds a rival or a sworn enemy to rally against.
6 Cyclops
The Team Leader
- First Appearance: X-Men #1 (September 1963)
While Logan and Scott Summers, better known as Cyclops, were never outright enemies, they have had a hard time getting along ever since they met. Cyclops and Logan are complete opposites when it comes to their personalities. Cyclops is a team player and a leader, preferring a serious, ‘no-nonsense’ approach. Logan is the opposite, being spontaneous and careless, rarely relying on others.
Those two personalities would inevitably cause the two to clash, especially during the first few X-men movies. Their animosity can be seen in multiple moments, such as Logan refusing to shake Scott’s hand when the latter offers it. He also develops feelings for Jean, much like Cyclops. It’s also exemplified by Logan’s iconic insult to Scott, when Cyclops wants to make sure that it’s the real Wolverine before him and not an impersonator.
5 Deadpool
The Perfect Super Soldier
- First Appearance: New Mutants #98 (December 1990)
Deadpool is a unique character in the X-Men movie universe. He has grown into an independent entity with his own franchise, but it wasn’t always so. His first appearance was in the movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Wade was part of the squad that included Logan and Victor, but eventually, William Stryker used him for experiments and made him into a super soldier.
Deadpool was an anti-mutant killing machine who was a far cry from his talkative, joking self in comics. With his mouth sealed and powers of multiple mutants infused into him, Deadpool became one of the toughest opponents Logan ever faced. He was essentially a perfected version of Wolverine. He was ultimately defeated only because Logan and Victor teamed up against the deadly weapon.
4 Sabertooth
A Ravenous Mutant
- First Appearance: Iron Fist #14 (August 1977)
Sabertooth, also known as Victor Creed, is often portrayed as Wolverine’s nemesis in comics, and for a good reason. He shares a personal connection with Wolverine, as they are half-brothers who share history and skills. However, this is not the case in the movie universe. While Sabertooh and Victor exist, they are very different characters in their respective movies, and there is never any implication that they are the same people.
Nevertheless, Sabertooth of the first X-Men remains a noteworthy rival to Wolverine, serving as his main antagonist throughout the movie. He attacks Rogue and Wolverine at the beginning, creating a sense of personal animosity. He continues to be a present threat until he is destroyed towards the movie’s climax.
3 Silver Samurai
The Immortality Thief
- First Appearance: Daredevil #111 (July 1974)
The main antagonist of Wolverine: Immortal, Ichiro Yashida, better known as the Silver Samurai, was an acquaintance of Logan’s whom Wolverine saved during the Hiroshima bombing. This led to a fleeting yet strong sense of camaraderie, and Ichiro offered Logan his sword. However, this meeting made Ichiro obsessed with mutants, especially Logan.
By the time the two reunite in Immortal, Ichiro is an old man who wishes to take away Logan’s immortality. After Wolverine refuses, the two enter a conflict of interest. At the end of the movie, Logan is shown wearing the Silver Samurai exoskeleton, his main weapon in the climactic fight between the two in which Ichiro met his end.
2 Donald Pierce
A Mutant Hunter
- First Appearance: The Uncanny X-Men #132 (April 1980)
One of the most ruthless and merciless opponents that Wolverine faces is his last one. Donald Price is a ruthless mutant hunter who has dedicated himself to ruthless extermination. As Logan and Charles are on the run from mutant hunter forces, Price becomes their main enemy. Price also hunts for Laura, a mutant child.
He is ultimately responsible for old Professor X and Logan’s deaths, making Donald a formidable and cunning opponent. He is also shown to have some interest in Wolverine and sees him as more worthy of attention than other mutants, even if only slightly. In the end, he gets killed by mutant children and pays for his crimes.
1 Victor Creed
The Brother Betrayed
- First appeared in: Iron Fist #14 (August 1977)
One of the most important people in Logan’s life is Victor Creed, his brother from X-Men Origins: Wolverine. In the movie universe, he is not Sabertooth. However, he still shares some key elements with him, such as superb physical skills, his relationship with Logan, and eventually moving on to become Wolverine’s nemesis.
Victor and Logan’s relationship changes a lot during the movie, going from being loyal brothers to disagreement to becoming sworn enemies, presenting a dramatic tale of their lives. Eventually, the two team up again to fight Deadpool at the very end, providing a bittersweet conclusion to their rivalry.
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