Sometimes Superheroes Can Be Immortal, Too! Immortal Monday

For quite some time my son has been asking me to cover Spiderman or Batman on Immortal Monday. He’s been all gun-ho since we talked about Thor, a subject he knows a lot about. He actually educated me on Thor’s father Odin. But as cool as Spidey and Batman are, they are also human. Now, for some, that aspect may add to their appeal (a topic for another day), but it also disqualifies them for the Immortal Monday Series.  (insert sad face here) But wait a minute here. Don’t get your hose all in a bunch! I believe we found ourselves a solution.

Which superhero comes close to this immortality ticket? Any guesses? If you picked a member of the mutant band of X-Men you would be headed in the right direction. (Did you cheat off the pictures? Well, darn! 🙁 ) The regenerating, quick healing gifts of one Wolverine give him an advantage over his fellow mutants (Sabertooth aside) making his age impossible to pinpoint. Unless you know his actual birthday. He’s a pretty good candidate for Immortal Monday… and it’s not because Hugh’s so dreamy, so bring it on! WHABAM!!

How many of you follow the story of Wolverine? You are going to have a different understanding of his backstory depending on if you are a movie goer or a comic book fan. I’m a little of both. Yeah, paint me the little geek girl. I’m cool with that. Anybody with me?

Back when I was younger and collected some of the comics for myself, I even got a few especially signed. Unfortunately, that was before the movie deals. I had no idea they would be casting Hugh Jackman as Wolverine (swoon). As a cartoon, Wolverine is one tough character, but not my “oh baby.” Nah, I collected comics of Gambit and Cyclops. Live and learn. I had a thing for the Cajun accent, what can I say?

image via EW.com

Of course, the movies made Wolverine much more interesting. Ha ha.

Wolverine, born as James Howlett, is old. Like really old! Sparkly Edward old, but cuter. He was born in the early 1900’s, which makes him a hundred years old, give or take a few years. Chances are good his mommy was playing around with the groundskeeper, who probably is his true father.  A man named Logan, a name he later adopted as his own.  According to the movie, Wolverine Origins, he has an older half-brother (by the same father) with the same healing gifts. His brother takes the mutant name Sabertooth. Sabertooth exists in the comic books and has a long standing feud with Wolverine. What are you going to do about sibling rivalry? I know I can’t get my kids to stop fighting. They go at it tooth and nail! And these two sure do have some nails to dig in with! Since Wolverine’s upgrade to adamantium, the fight got especially nasty.

It was a young James Howlett that discovered in a moment of impulse and fear that he could sprout long claws made of bone from between his knuckles. After his bone-to-metal upgrade those claws would become a defining feature, and ultimately  – potential death-blow.

The movie draws a much more romantic evolution for our mutant of focus. The comics had him as a long-time experiment of the Canadian Army. First as a soldier, then after his escape, being molded by more Canadians as a superhero worthy of Captain America. He is only saved after Professor X comes on the scene. Too late, though, as his mind is scrambled and memories lost.  But it was the Canadians in this version that melded the metal to his inner skeleton core and gave him the code name Wolverine.

image via DexZone

Does that version make you empathetic towards him? Maybe. But, add in the love angle. Love lost, love betrayed, love found again only to be all lost to a bullet in the head. Well how much sympathy can you muster? Everyone is feeling sorry for poor Logan now. I know I was. The name that becomes one of the few things he will know thanks to his dog tags. Logan and Wolverine.  In this version he thinks Sabertooth killed his love interest. He agrees to the experiments that give him the added benefit of the metal skeleton in exchange for a shot at big-bro. Of course, nothing is as it seems. Is it ever? Rarely in movies and books., am I right?

Logan takes the name of Wolverine based on his dog tags as he takes on the lifestyle of a nomad, having no memory of who he is or was. He became a wanderer until Professor X inducted him into the X men. The first real time he ever belonged somewhere, in how long?

In the movie it’s a man named William Stryker that stole Logan’s memories, although he plays a different role in the comics. Don’t you just want to hate him? Oh, and then there’s what he does to Logan’s love interest. But let’s not spoil it for the few that don’t know. She does get some payback, though, doesn’t she?

With all the misery and pitfalls Wolverine has endured as a direct result of who and what he is, would you envy and desire his healing ability? It’s been a real magnet for trouble, but comes in handy in a fight.

image via ScreenRant

In 2000, we were trying to decide on a name for our coming baby. I wanted to name her Logan. I knew she’d be tough as the Wolverine. I wasn’t wrong and it would have been a fitting name. I was vetoed heavily by my better half. Do you think Logan makes a cool name for a girl? I’m rather fond of it myself.

Now, because it wouldn’t be a proper Immortal Monday without it…

image via Comic Book Resources
image via EW.com
image via exposix
Image via io9
Image via abcnews.go.com
image via Reel Comix
Image via babble
image via io9

And because you like to see his softer side…

Image via scenicreflections.com

What to gaze at Hugh some more? Check out these cool blogs:

One more of the road. 🙂

image via wetmen.provocateuse

While you are here, I invite you to check out other Immortal Mondays if you haven’t already.

Thank you for stopping by. I always appreciate your time and comments.

If you enjoyed this post or any of my previous posts, I’d be delighted to have you follow by email or RSS for any future posts! Wouldn’t want you to miss out on an Immortal Monday installments.

35 thoughts on “Sometimes Superheroes Can Be Immortal, Too! Immortal Monday”

  1. Karen RoughtKaren Rought

    LOVE this one. Wolverine is one of my favorite X-Men characters, and one of my favorite superheroes all around. I really enjoyed reading the differences between the comics and the movies. I’m a movie goer myself, but I’d love to read the comics someday. I was never exposed to them when I was younger, though, so I never got that chance. I did watch a lot of the cartoons, though!

    My two favorite Wolverine scenes are (1) when Cyclops says, “What would you prefer, yellow spandex?” and (2) the cameo he made in X-Men First Class. HILARIOUS!

    Reply
    February 20, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Great cameos! Any screen time with him is fabulous. 😀 I, too, used to watch the cartoons.

      Reply
      February 20, 2012
  2. Coleen PatrickColeen Patrick

    You had me at Hugh . . .
    🙂

    Reply
    February 20, 2012
  3. Melinda VanLoneMelinda VanLone

    le Sigh….ahhhh, so yummy! Add in his accent and wooo baby! ;-). I’ve never read the comics; thanks for including some of that lore. It’s fascinating!

    OK, I’m gonna go drool over the photos a bit more 😀

    Reply
    February 20, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      😀 So glad you like the pictures Melinda and the lore. Thanks for stopping in.

      Reply
      February 20, 2012
  4. susielindaususielindau

    I LOVE Hugh Jackman! I am big fan. I picked names for my kids that were uni-sex, Courtney (daughter) and Kelly (son)!!

    Reply
    February 20, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Both GREAT names Susie. My girl’s name is not uni-sex. I’d feel terribly sorry for any boy that got stuck with it. 🙁

      Reply
      February 20, 2012
  5. Natalie HartfordNatalie Hartford

    Love the story of wolverine and Logan. Fantastic post!
    FYI, LOVE Logan as a girl’s name! Fahhhbulous!

    Reply
    February 20, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thank you Natalie! Wouldn’t it have been a fabulous name?

      Reply
      February 20, 2012
  6. Emma BurcartEmma Burcart

    I love Hugh Jackman, and Wolverine. I even saw the movie just about him. Growing up with two brothers and being close to my dad, I am a total action movie girl. I love super heros and comic book figures. And sometimes even Stevan Segal.

    Reply
    February 20, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I’m the same way, Emma! I Love action flicks – popcorn movies – the whole bit. I even like a lot of the bad ones. 🙂

      Reply
      February 20, 2012
  7. prudencemacleodprudencemacleod

    I’ve been a Wolverine fan for as long as I can remember. I just wish the movie guys would quit screwing around and let him loose.These Canadian boys are tough once you get them wound up. tee hee

    Reply
    February 20, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I have no doubt Prudence! 🙂 Wolverine is the kind of bad we all want to watch in action. There is no need for Hollywood to keep him on such a tight leash now, is there?

      Reply
      February 20, 2012
  8. Jennette Marie PowellJennette Marie Powell

    Hugh Jackman… what’s not to like? 😀 And interesting that it’s his healing ability that makes him possibly immortal. Yet it’s the human side and conflict between the two that draws me to the character. I have characters with this ability in an unpublished book, and while they don’t know if it makes them immortal, they wonder.

    Reply
    February 20, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      It’s always the conflict that draws us in. And he has a lot of that. That’s probably why he is more interesting than a lot of the other X-men. He has conflict in spades! Life has not been easy for the guy, and he has twice as much of it. That’s pretty interesting about your characters. Sounds to me like something they might be exploring as your story continues. Or will you leave the reader hanging? Sometimes, that leaves for a good ending. The big ‘ol question mark.

      Reply
      February 20, 2012
  9. Lena CorazonLena Corazon

    Yesssss, I LOVE this, and thanks for the shoutout! Wolverine has always been one of my favorite characters ever since I was a little kid, although I will say that the older I get, the more I start to respect Cyclops and his responsible streak (I blame Grant Morrison’s run on The New X-Men a few years back — he did a lot to make Cyclops a little more three-dimensional). Fantastic post, and those pictures! *swoon*

    Reply
    February 20, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      You are so welcome for the shoutout. You know, I was thinking of you the whole time I was putting this post together. When I typed Hugh into Google Images, you covered the top two rows! LOL So glad you liked the post.

      Reply
      February 20, 2012
  10. Kim GriffinKim Griffin

    Um – yum! Gotta love that last picture.

    I don’t know much abt the xmen but now I’m gonna check it out. Thanks for schooling me on Wolverine!

    Great post, as usual.

    Reply
    February 20, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Glad you liked the pics. My son let me borrow his omnibus, Marvel encyclopedia and everything for this post. LOL He is making a list now of other things I can cover. 😀 Of course, none can compare to lovely Hugh (or Ian/Damon).

      Reply
      February 20, 2012
  11. Kristy K. James...Living, Loving, LaughingKristy K. James...Living, Loving, Laughing

    Where’s the poll?! I LOVE Hugh Jackman. I’d vote for him over anyone else you might include. 🙂

    As always, I’ve learned something new today. I didn’t know any of that info about Wolverine’s origins, so it’s fun to know. Might even get my daughter to read this blog…she loves X-Men!

    And…Logan is a great name for a girl. You need to have another baby and make hubby let you name this one. 🙂

    Reply
    February 20, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I’m sorry I neglected the poll this time. I figured it was pointless. It would be a landslide!

      X-Men rock! You can tell your daughter I said so. But I won’t be having another child just so I can name them after one. LOL Thanks, Kristy. As always, you have put a smile on my face.

      Reply
      February 20, 2012
  12. Serena Dracis, AuthorSerena Dracis, Author

    ….. I’m sorry, I forgot what I was going to write after looking at the pictures of Hugh……. 😉 Great piece! Hub is a huge comic book fan, and we love going to see the movies when they come out. Looking forward to Avengers in May. And speaking of Gambit, have you seen the trailers for Taylor Kitsch’s latest movie, John Carter?

    Reply
    February 20, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I will be there to see that movie on the big screen. I have been very curious about it ever since the first trailer came out! Sorry you got disoriented by Hugh. That’s easy to do. 🙂

      Reply
      February 21, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thank you so much! I’m glad you think so. 😀 I see we have something else in common besides poetry. Very cool!

      Reply
      February 21, 2012
  13. Marcy KennedyMarcy Kennedy

    I’m a geek girl too 🙂 I started off watching the cartoons, then read some comic books, and eventually the movies came along. I had forgotten the Canadian army part though. As a Canadian, I can pretty much guarantee we don’t have that sort of technology 😉

    P.S. I love the name Logan for a girl, but I think my husband would veto it too.

    Reply
    February 21, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      How do you know Marcy? Maybe it’s hidden in some hidden underground lab! LOL That’s what governments do, right?

      What is it with our men vetoing the cool names? Although, my daughter was somewhat inspired from another comic book hero’s story.

      Reply
      February 22, 2012
  14. August McLaughlinAugust McLaughlin

    Every time I think of Wolverine I think of Oprah’s shows featuring Mr. Jackman. 🙂 Love the name Logan for a girl! Wolverine sounds intense…but Wofli’s sorta cute!

    Reply
    February 21, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Well, she has her moments when she can be cute. But she can be totally intense as well. And she has drawn blood (mine) with those sharp nails of hers on more than one occasion. She acts like she’s in training sometimes. LOL Wolfett

      Reply
      February 22, 2012
  15. willofheartwillofheart

    I love this one, infact he is one of my favorite…

    Reply
    February 22, 2012
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thank you! One of your favorite superheroes or immortals? If you have requests or suggestions for future posts I always like to hear them so that I may keep them in mind. Thanks so much for stopping in!

      Reply
      February 22, 2012
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