Wolverine went through countless battles, which left lasting mental scars, and Wonder Warner Bros. just made the bold decision to address the long-standing issue of the adamantium-clawed hero's mental health — but unfortunately, it appears the publisher is making a promise it simply can't keep. Wolverine's healing arc ends up leading the X-Men to even greater disappointment and sends a mixed message to readers.
Mysterious X-Men #6 – written by Gail Simone, with art by Javier Garrón – shows Rogue pushing Wolverine to accept his PTSD, establishing an arc of healing and recovery. Addressing Wolverine's mental health would be a new direction for the hero; however, it goes without saying that Marvel will not allow its most iconic X-Men superhero to undergo a drastic permanent character change.
One of Wolverine's defining characteristics is his hardened attitude, resulting from countless hardships, and Marvel can't help but keep putting Wolverine at risk, which is why this latest arc is destined for tragedy.
Wolverine has endured the worst Marvel has to offer – and that won't change
Uncanny X-Men #6 – Written by Gail Simone; Art by David Márquez; Color by Matt Wilson; Clayton Cowles lyrics
Although Wolverine has one of the best healing factors in the Marvel Universe and is essentially immortal, these superpowers only seem to be an additional source of conflict for Logan as they are an integral part of his many misfortunes. An example of this can be seen in Strange X-Force #3, written by Rick Remender, when Apocalypse's Death Horseman transmits all diseases to Wolverine, knowing that his healing factor would keep him alive to experience pain in perpetuity. Because of Wolverine's indestructible nature, stories often go too far, like this one, to make Wolverine's situation seem risky.
While the mental health discussion is important, it seems peculiar that Wolverine would go through this arc when Marvel knows they will continue to put Wolverine in horrible situations.
Wolverine's attitude toward the world and his brutal battles are an ingrained part of his character, and it's hard to see that aspect of him changing for a long time. While the mental health discussion is important, it seems peculiar that Wolverine would go through this arc when Marvel knows they will continue to put Wolverine in horrible situations. Logan's most prominent stories always feature some part of Wolverine's powers becoming his living nightmare, and the same can be said of his relationship to the mutant situation that reflects real-world social issues.
Wolverine's struggle to evolve as a character presents the difficulty of lasting growth in superhero comics
Wolverine’s “Age of Healing” Won’t Last
Wolverine is a prominent superhero, but he is also a mutant, representing a group of marginalized people who are constantly subjected to discrimination. It would be difficult for Marvel to produce a definitive and clear response to the mutants' plight; As comic book history has shown, the fight for equality is not a clean and simple solution when oppressive forces continue to mount. THE XThe franchise's Krakoan Era and the ongoing “From the Ashes” Era are good indicators of how the X-Men and mutants' battle for acceptance never had a true conclusion.
Marvel has put itself in a difficult situation by creating an arc that it knows will end up being undone or ignoredwhile Wolverine continues in new stories that will once again subject him to situations of monumental torture. This feeling is reinforced when you consider that the loss of Krakoa was an arc that left Wolverine with a lot of heartache and trauma. Wolverine's PTSD could potentially help clarify Wolverine's stance on such a catastrophic loss, but on a long-term scale, Marvel realistically won't allow Logan to change as a character so drastically.
Marvel Sets Wolverine Up for Failure by Sending a Questionable Message to X-Men Fans
Marvel recognizes the suffering of superheroes, but to what extent?
Addressing Wolverine's PTSD is a poignant arc for him, as “From the Ashes” is about uncertainty but also healing and growing from a great tragedy, though like the Krakoa Era, “From the Ashes” inevitably ends. Wolverine is iconically known for his furious rage and extremely violent battles, and the continuation of Wolverine's character means that any progress he has made in his mental health will be set back when this era ends. While highlighting heroes' mental health is a progressive step, the inevitability of Wolverine having to continue experiencing a turbulent life sends a questionable message.
It remains to be determined whether Wolverine's PTSD arc will have the space he needs to grow as a character while maintaining his iconic qualities.
Superheroes like Wolverine experience traumatic fights and world-shattering events all the time, and recognizing that heroes experience mental health crises like PTSD is a step in the right direction. However, as the X-Men face another damaging battle with the arrest of Graymalkin and Professor X, it remains to be determined whether Wolverine's PTSD arc will have the space he needs to grow as a character while maintaining his iconic qualities. Typically, Marvel walks a fine line between keeping Wolverine's character consistent while also allowing for important, lasting growth.
Wolverine’s “healing” arc presents a hopeful but tragically flawed trajectory for the X-Men’s most long-suffering hero
Will Wolverine's character really change?
Rogue addressing Wolverine's PTSD is an interesting new direction for Logan, but Due to the nature of the comics and X-Men stories, this arc runs the risk of being forced to remain open-ended or forgotten. Marvel will no doubt continue to put Wolverine through torturous situations and extreme battles for as long as he appears in the X-Men franchise. Many superhero arcs become lasting parts of Wonder tradition, and it remains to be seen whether Wolverine will continue to overcome his PTSD, but the consistent struggle between hero and mutant creates a promising future for Wolverine difficult to sustain.
Mysterious X-Men #6 is now available from Marvel Comics.