Wolverine is one of Marvel’s most popular characters, but his best story may be partially inspired by DC Comics legend Joe Kubert. Wolverine became popular with fans during Chris Claremont and John Byrne’s landmark run on X-Mento the point where he was eventually given his own self-titled miniseries in 1982. But the unsung hero of what Wolverine series could just be Joe Kubert, best known for his work on DC characters like Sgt. Rock and Hawkman.
Appearing alongside Adam Kubert at the “Wolverine: 60-Year Anniversary” panel at Dragon Con 2024, Wolverine Inker Joe Rubenstein explains the influence of Adam’s father Joe Kubert on himself and penciller Frank Miller for the seminal 1982 miniseries.
“When I went to the San Diego Con, I bought a stack from your father (Joe Kubert) BooksRubenstein explained to Kubert. Rubenstein then showed them to Frank Miller while the two were catching a plane home from the convention, and The two artists were inspired by the work of a master when preparing their landmark Wolverine Series.
Wolverine Owed a debt to the great Joe Kubert
Rubenstein went on to share how Joe Kubert’s work became a guide for him and Miller as they began work on the first solo. Wolverine Series with writer Christ Claremont:
“I think that’s how the story and the outlines in the themes were when Frank was thinking about your father, because there are a couple of half-expressed versions of your father’s work that we tried to make. There is a shot of Wolverine where he is the full length of the page, and he has the enemy mouse collar on him.“
Certainly with noir-like shadows and a naturalistic ink line, it’s certainly easy to see how Joe Kubert’s work influenced Miller and Rubenstein when they were crafting the art for the 1982 Wolverine Series.
Best known for his work on DC Comics World War II heroes such as Sgt Rock and Enemy Ace, Joe Kubert’s career actually began All the way back in the Golden Age, when he got his first job as an inker at only 12 years old. Kubert would eventually become one of DC’s top artists, producing work on the World War II line of books and the Silver Age revamp of Hawkman. Kubert served as an editor and director of publications for DC, and would eventually launch their first school for comic book artists, the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Design in 1976..
Joe Kubert is a true master of comic book art
Joe Kubert’s legacy looms large across the comic book industry, whether through the influence he had on generations of creators or the many alumni of the Kubert School who became professional artists. It is interesting to learn that the first Wolverine Miniseries also bear direct Kubert’s influence. It was also heartwarming to see Rubenstein express this to Kubert’s son Adam, as Rubenstein said, “I tried to do your dad, and so did Frank.“By paying homage to DC Legend Joe KubertThe creators wound up telling one of the greatest Wolverine Stories of all time.
Source: Joe Rubenstein, “Wolverine: 50-Year Anniversary,” Dragon Con 2024