The Pursuit Of Peace: The Story Of Wolverine And Itsu

In recent years, Japanese culture has found its way into the mainstream western comic industry through Marvel and DC. Marvel has done an excellent job of presenting the nuances of the Japanese way of life in characters such as Silver Samurai and Sunfire. And much of this influence is attributed to the work of Chris Claremont and Frank Miller in the 1980s, with their revamp of Wolverine into a failed samurai looking to reclaim his honour.

Wolverine’s connection to Japan is essential to understanding who he is, and his appreciation for the country has manifested through the women he’s loved. One of Logan’s greatest loves was Itsu, a character who shaped a significant portion of his life.

Continue reading “The Pursuit Of Peace: The Story Of Wolverine And Itsu”

Pop Culture Pub Crawl: Wolverine (Part 2!)

The Pop Culture Pub Crawl highlights the drinking habits of different superheroes and Wolverine has a reputation for being one of the booziest members of the X-Men. The Comic Vault has already covered his enthusiasm for alcohol, and it’s time for round two of drinking. In this edition, let’s take a look at the type of hooch Wolverine would drink when out on the town in Japan.

Continue reading “Pop Culture Pub Crawl: Wolverine (Part 2!)”

Comic Cover Corner: Fallen Son #1

Comic Cover Corner puts the spotlight on a unique comic cover and the story that it tells. Captain America has been involved in some of the most emotional stories that Marvel has produced. So, when the First Avenger was tragically killed during The Fallen Son arc, it should come as no surprise that the covers were striking.

Fallen Son #1, drawn by Leinil Yu, features Wolverine looking ready to hunt down the people responsible for Cap’s death. Continue reading “Comic Cover Corner: Fallen Son #1”

Overcoming Social Anxiety And Delivering My First Public Presentation On Comics

Living with a mental health disorder is different for every person. Whether it’s anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder, everyone’s experience is unique to them. Everyone has their own coping mechanisms. As someone who experiences social anxiety, my coping strategies revolve around surrounding myself with pop culture because it’s what I’m passionate about. It’s what makes me happy. It reminds me that there are things worth fighting for.

Comics have played a huge role in improving my mental health. They’ve inspired me so much that I decided to do the worst thing that people with social anxiety can experience: put myself in a room with complete strangers and talk openly. More than that, comics inspired me to take the plunge with my first public presentation at the Doki Doki Festival in Manchester! Continue reading “Overcoming Social Anxiety And Delivering My First Public Presentation On Comics”

Guest Post: From Kill Bill To Wolverine: A Look Into The Most Iconic Movie Weaponry

Your favourite characters have signature outfits and intense personalities, but the real showstoppers are their weapons. For many characters, their weapon and the way they use it is intrinsically tied into their nature. So what makes a good movie weapon? Power, versatility, and coolness are major factors in deciding which weapons are fan favourites. Read on to learn more about the rankings for some of the most popular movie weapons from the last few decades. Continue reading “Guest Post: From Kill Bill To Wolverine: A Look Into The Most Iconic Movie Weaponry”

A Tale Of Two Healing Factors: Comparing Daken And Wolverine’s Superpowers

Learning about the superpowers of a comic character is a great way of gaining more insight into their backstory. A superhero like Wolverine is known for having incredible healing abilities, but it can be interesting to see how powers change when they are passed down through generations. Daken, Wolverine’s son, has inherited many of his father’s traits, while also developing powers that are unique to him. Continue reading “A Tale Of Two Healing Factors: Comparing Daken And Wolverine’s Superpowers”

What Makes Adamantium The Most Indestructible Metal In The Marvel Universe?

The Marvel Universe features some of the most wonderous substances in popular culture. From the mighty uru metal that forged Thor’s Mjolnir, to the vibranium weaved into Black Panther’s costume, there is no shortage of durable materials. Adamantium is perhaps the most hard-wearing substance of all. Known for being coated to the skeleton and claws of Wolverine, Adamantium has a much deeper history connected to the dawn of the Marvel Universe. Continue reading “What Makes Adamantium The Most Indestructible Metal In The Marvel Universe?”

More Than A Supporting Character: The Evolution Of Amiko Kobayashi

Within the world of comics, it’s common for well-known superheroes to have a supporting cast. They are the characters who provide insight into the personal life of a superhero and what drives them on a human level. Wolverine’s supporting cast is made up of many intriguing characters and one of the few who’ve received genuine development is Amiko Kobayashi. The adoptive daughter of Wolverine, Amiko has evolved from a background figure into a multifaceted badass with her own unique path. Continue reading “More Than A Supporting Character: The Evolution Of Amiko Kobayashi”

Pop Culture Pub Crawl: Wolverine

The Pop Culture Pub Crawl is a series that focuses on the drinking habits of a superhero and describes their ideal version of a night out. When it comes to putting away a large amount of alcohol, Wolverine has one of the most impressive track records in the Marvel Universe. His healing factor makes it difficult for him to get drunk, so it makes sense for Wolverine to be able to handle his booze. It’s why his night out would include a range of potent beverages that reflect his cultural tastes. Continue reading “Pop Culture Pub Crawl: Wolverine”

4 Reasons Why Mariko Yashida Deserves Her Own Solo Series

Having a tragic love life is one of the most common themes of being a superhero, especially if you’re Wolverine. Logan has loved many women over the years, such as Jean Grey and Silver Fox, though each relationship has ended in heartbreak or death. Mariko Yashida is someone who has paid the price for being with Wolverine. Mariko died when she asked Logan to mercy kill her after she was poisoned with puffer fish venom.

Recently, Mariko was resurrected as the Scarlet Samurai in the pages of Old Man Logan. With her revival comes the opportunity for Marvel to explore the character in a way that’s never been done before and this can be achieved by featuring Mariko in her own series. Here are four reasons why she deserves to have her story told. Continue reading “4 Reasons Why Mariko Yashida Deserves Her Own Solo Series”