6 Reasons Why Marvel’s Wolverine Is The Most Relatable Superhero Of All Time

Wolverine-- a Canadian, mutant superhero created by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum-- is perhaps the most human superhero of them all, encapsulating the feelings of angst, anger, and ambiguity that were prevalent at the time of his creation, as well as the struggles of the human condition. Wolverine came to represent a new era of Americans who valued individualism, diversity, and overcoming life’s obstacles above traditional societal norms, making him one of the most universal superheroes of all time.

1. He is an ‘Anti-Hero’

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If you are familiar with Deadpool, The Punisher, or Iron Man, then you know that not all superheroes are the perfect (wo)men we envision them to be. Like these heroes, Wolverine is an anti-hero, or a a valiant character who is far from personable. Wolverine is known by most to be rude, inconsiderate and a drunk and, as Kriston Capps, author of the op-ed piece “Escape Claws: Why Wolverine Had to Die for the Sake of Marvel Comics,” points out, Wolverine will never be as morally concrete as Captain America, or as godly as Thor, yet he still preserves, a phenomena that everyone can relate to.

We all love a rebel. We love those who go against the status quo and stand proud for who they are and what they do, which is why an a–hole like Wolverine continues to be loved and admired by many.

2. He is White, Mutant, AND Canadian

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Heather Hicks, author of “Impalement: Race and Gender in Bryan Singer’s X-Men,” notes: "for even as both his animal-like mutations and victimized status identify him with Magneto's radicalized cohorts, he is also unmistakably of white origin." In layman's terms, all signs point to Wolverine becoming a villain, but because he is a white male, his moral compass rises above all else and he is deemed 'good.'

Whether you agree with me or not, I bet you cannot show me another superhero who is mutant, representing all minority groups who have felt like they do not belong, while also being able to be resonated with by white males, a group who have always belonged. The fact that Wolverine can represent a variety of ethnic groups (don't forget he's Canadian too) is what makes his character so unique and easy to connect to.

3. His Tragic Backstory

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The shortened version of Wolverine's origin story is as follows, but if you would like to read his full history then check out Marvel's Dust to Dust: Wolverine Origin Volume 1 #6

From an early age, Wolverine had been subject to injustice and harm, ultimately having to flee his home because of his genetic mutation, repressing most of his early life memories to ease the pain. Years later, he ended up in an experimental program that implanted him with false memories and bonded his bones to an indestructible fictitious metal, called adamantium, ultimately making him indestructible and leaving him unsure about his identity.

Growing up in circumstances that are out of your control is something that anyone can relate to. We all go through life trying to play the best hand we can with the cards we were dealt, which is what Wolverine does throughout his lifetime.

4. His Strong Code of Ethics

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In an article published in Psychology Today, author and clinical psychologist Robin Rosenberg explains the psychology behind the character of Wolverine, citing the "self-perception theory" as the basis for most of his actions. Due to the fact that he does not know his past, Wolverine observes what are believed to be actions of free will, and from those actions, then infers underlying characteristics about himself.

We all have those conversations with ourselves about choosing to do what is easy or what is right. The idea that Wolverine chooses to be good in spite of his unfortunate circumstances is a struggle we can all relate to, and hopefully one that encourages us to follow his example.

5. He is Notably Lonely

Though Wolverine’s near immortality seems like an ideal trait, it has caused him to experience an immense amount of loss, which is perhaps what makes him feel most isolated from others in life. Wolverine-- a notable lone wolf-- continuously joins forces with other heroes because all he ever wanted was to fit in, a craving that everyone fights to feed at some point in their lives, and Wolverine has spent his whole life hungry.

Everyone feels like they are alone sometimes. If you claim that you do not then you are lying to yourself. It is an unavoidable pitfall of the human condition that, when shared amongst other lonely people, somehow makes us feel less alone.

6. He is Attractive

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Come on. Have you seen Hugh Jackman with his shirt off? Everyone loves a hottie.