He’s a mutant with deadly claws and indestructible bones fused with adamantium. He has incredible regenerative powers and a bad attitude. He’s Wolverine, and he really needs no introduction – so let’s move on to the new film that explores his past: ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’.

Wolverine started life in 1845 as James Howlett, a young Canadian who witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a groundskeeper by the name of Logan – a name James later adopts for himself after finding out that the groundskeeper was his real father. The traumatic incident causes the boy’s first mutation. James’s hands sprout bony claws which he uses to kill the groundskeeper.

Over the next century, James and his half-brother, Victor Creed, vent their violent tendencies by fighting in every major war. After a failed execution attempt (indestructible mutants are notoriously hard to kill), the two are offered membership in a secret mutant organization, Team-X. However, James doesn’t feel that the group’s goals are compatible with his own, so he departs.

Fast forward six years: James has taken the name of Logan, and he’s enjoying life in Canada with his girlfriend, the resilient Silver Fox. Then he receives an unanticipated visitor: Major Stryker, the very man who introduced Logan to Team-X. It seems that someone is killing the team members. Tragedy strikes when Victor, now called Sabertooth, murders Silver Fox and viciously beats Logan.

Logan gets an opportunity to take revenge when Stryker suggests an experimental surgery to bond his Logan’s bones with indestructible adamantium. Before the procedure, Logan requests a new set of dog tags. They bear the name ‘Wolverine’. When Wolverine overhears Stryker’s plan to erase his memory, the mutant flees the laboratory and goes in search of other Team-X members.

He finds John Wraith and Blob, who tell Wolverine about Stryker’s secret laboratory where he carries out experiments on mutants. Gambit, a mutant escapee, eventually leads Wolverine to the laboratory. Once there, Wolverine learns that Silver Fox is still alive, and has been working with Stryker all along. Sickened by her own betrayal, she agrees to help Wolverine free the imprisoned mutants. Thanks to Wolverine’s tough perseverance, Silver Fox and the others barely manage to escape from Stryker’s secret mutant-killer: Weapon XI.

In the end, Wolverine’s memory is lost due to physical damage he suffers from being shot in the head with adamantium bullets. With no memories tying him down, Wolverine decides to live life on his own terms. Thus begins the saga of the rough, rebellious loner beloved by so many.

Like most super-heroes, Wolverine is a character who appeals to parents, children, and anyone who enjoys action. ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ is proof of Wolverine’s wide appeal; the movie brought in $85 million on its opening weekend, and continues to be a hit at the box office. Since his first appearance in 1974, the Marvel Comics character has acquired a global following. Fans of all ages enjoy dressing up in Wolverine Halloween costumes, complete with ripped muscles and scary claws. Whether it’s his strength, toughness, or independent attitude, there’s just something about Wolverine that appeals to us all.