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Wolverine: First Class (Single Issues) #1-2
Wolverine: Tales of Weapon X
Presents tales of Wolverine's past as Charles Xavier searches for answers about the Weapon X program, Professor X teams up Kitty Pryde with Logan, and the Power kids visit the Xavier Institute.
168 pages, Hardcover
First published April 15, 2009
4 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Fred Van Lente
1,359 books321 followersFred Van Lente is the New York Times-bestselling author of comics as varied as Archer & Armstrong (Harvey Award nominee, Best Series), Taskmaster, MODOK's 11, Amazing Spider-Man, Conan the Avenger, Weird Detective, and Cowboys & Aliens (upon which the 2011 movie was based), as well as the novels Ten Dead Comedians and The Con Artist.
Van Lente also specializes in entertaining readers with offbeat histories with the help of his incredibly talented artists. He has written the multiple-award winning Action Philosophers!, The Comic Book History of Comics, Action Presidents! (all drawn by Ryan Dunlavey), and The Comic Book Story of Basketball with Joe Cooper (Ten Speed September 2020).
He lives in Brooklyn with his wife Crystal Skillman, and some mostly ungrateful cats.
Van Lente also specializes in entertaining readers with offbeat histories with the help of his incredibly talented artists. He has written the multiple-award winning Action Philosophers!, The Comic Book History of Comics, Action Presidents! (all drawn by Ryan Dunlavey), and The Comic Book Story of Basketball with Joe Cooper (Ten Speed September 2020).
He lives in Brooklyn with his wife Crystal Skillman, and some mostly ungrateful cats.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 10, 2017
Excellent collection. A lot of times, a graphic novel like this, that takes just a couple early issues from various series and binds them all together, can end up feeling a little disjointed, but this volume felt very cohesive and flowed nicely. It definitely helped that three of my favorite X-Men characters featured pretty prominently! A good selection of stories to sate the appetite.
January 24, 2022
Its good...not great. But good. I've had it on my shelf for way too long without reading it. Dont think I'll read it again in a while.
August 11, 2025
i lava wolverine hes so silly 😛
also me mention?? (i'm literally professor X)
also me mention?? (i'm literally professor X)
May 6, 2012
This collects "Weapon X: First Class" issues one through three, "Wolverine: First Class" issues one and two, and Power Pack #2. For a compilation graphic novel, the stories are better connected than most, although it retreads a lot of Wolverine's major characterization marks. Always a loner, "the best he is at what he does," and constant symbolic references to his inner turmoil of fighting the animal within. For people just getting into the character, this is a nice--if not sometimes redundant--introduction. For long standing Wolverine fans, there's not much original to recommend aside from some supporting cast moments.
Weapon X gives another retelling of Wolverine's backstory where he rediscovers his memories about the Weapon X program. Charles guides him through the barriers of his mind and he fights mental manifestations of Sabertooth and himself. It's a quick and straightforward adaptation. The good parts are the interspersing comments focusing on Sabertooth, Deadpool, and Gambit, as their lives are tangentially intertwined with Wolverine's. Gambit's story makes the most sense to include in this story, as Deadpool's deals more with his own origin and Sabertooh's backstory seems a little redundant since he appears in two of the other issues to play as a foil.
The best parts about this collection are the Wolverine: First Class issues, which take a lighter and more humorous turn with Wolverine's gruff mentorship. I think these were better served because we are taken out of Wolverine's head with his long-standing angst, and given fresher perspectives through Kitty Pryde and the Pack kids in Power Pack #2. The humor is better paired with the adventures than Wolverine's mental anguish, and the collection finishes off stronger than it started. The art by Gurihiru in Power Pack is also lively and light, great for younger viewers to follow.
If you're a dyed-in-the-wool Wolverine fan, this collection is nothing you haven't seen before and nothing done in a spectacularly new way. However, its real strength is being more appropriate for all ages, especially younger readers. The book works as a nice summation of the popular character, with some nods to his supporting cast, and is easily digestible in the single issue vignettes rather than one giant story.
Weapon X gives another retelling of Wolverine's backstory where he rediscovers his memories about the Weapon X program. Charles guides him through the barriers of his mind and he fights mental manifestations of Sabertooth and himself. It's a quick and straightforward adaptation. The good parts are the interspersing comments focusing on Sabertooth, Deadpool, and Gambit, as their lives are tangentially intertwined with Wolverine's. Gambit's story makes the most sense to include in this story, as Deadpool's deals more with his own origin and Sabertooh's backstory seems a little redundant since he appears in two of the other issues to play as a foil.
The best parts about this collection are the Wolverine: First Class issues, which take a lighter and more humorous turn with Wolverine's gruff mentorship. I think these were better served because we are taken out of Wolverine's head with his long-standing angst, and given fresher perspectives through Kitty Pryde and the Pack kids in Power Pack #2. The humor is better paired with the adventures than Wolverine's mental anguish, and the collection finishes off stronger than it started. The art by Gurihiru in Power Pack is also lively and light, great for younger viewers to follow.
If you're a dyed-in-the-wool Wolverine fan, this collection is nothing you haven't seen before and nothing done in a spectacularly new way. However, its real strength is being more appropriate for all ages, especially younger readers. The book works as a nice summation of the popular character, with some nods to his supporting cast, and is easily digestible in the single issue vignettes rather than one giant story.
August 12, 2011
Wolverine: Tales of Weapon X offers several different Wolverine stories from several different series and with varying success. The most compelling of the pieces is the first, “Weapon X: First Class,” which details the efforts of Wolverine and Professor Xavier to uncover some of Wolverine’s blocked memories.
Wolverine’s past, as everyone knows who is even tangentially familiar with X-Men, is a big mystery. For a long time, he does not know where he is from or how he got the adamantium skeleton that allows him to fight so well or many other basic details about his life. Wolverine is an orphan of his past, and it creates complications in the present and a lot of suffering for him.
As the story proceeds, both Wolverine and Professor Xavier enter Wolverine’s brain and begin to literally tear down figurative defensive walls. Wolverine proceeds to get sucked in and to try and confront figures of his memory, often with violence.
This storyline, by Marc Sumerak, does add to the depth of Wolverine’s mystery and his interior battle to maintain his humanity in the face of great suffering. The ending is unsatisfying, but if Sumerak were to give us a solid, definitive ending, there might not be anything else to tell of Wolverine.
The rest of the collection is not as compelling. The tales of Kitty Pryde are more silly than anything else and the final tale of the Power Pack tries so hard to be kid-friendly that Sumerak seems to forget that kids can tell when something is boring. Kids can tolerate and enjoy a good amount of conflict. They do not need neat, safe stories. Even if parents seem to be crying out for them, kids are not. So cut out some of the violence, not the story.
Wolverine’s past, as everyone knows who is even tangentially familiar with X-Men, is a big mystery. For a long time, he does not know where he is from or how he got the adamantium skeleton that allows him to fight so well or many other basic details about his life. Wolverine is an orphan of his past, and it creates complications in the present and a lot of suffering for him.
As the story proceeds, both Wolverine and Professor Xavier enter Wolverine’s brain and begin to literally tear down figurative defensive walls. Wolverine proceeds to get sucked in and to try and confront figures of his memory, often with violence.
This storyline, by Marc Sumerak, does add to the depth of Wolverine’s mystery and his interior battle to maintain his humanity in the face of great suffering. The ending is unsatisfying, but if Sumerak were to give us a solid, definitive ending, there might not be anything else to tell of Wolverine.
The rest of the collection is not as compelling. The tales of Kitty Pryde are more silly than anything else and the final tale of the Power Pack tries so hard to be kid-friendly that Sumerak seems to forget that kids can tell when something is boring. Kids can tolerate and enjoy a good amount of conflict. They do not need neat, safe stories. Even if parents seem to be crying out for them, kids are not. So cut out some of the violence, not the story.
January 6, 2021
Okay, so I didn't even realize this was meant for all audiences until mid way through...and I didn't mind it at all. The artwork was great for the different stories, although there were some eyebrow raises. I understand that the Gambit story was of his youth, but his look was had too much sexually ambiguity. Did he have a sex change before he joined the X-Men? Seriously, he looked like a girl.
I did love the artwork throughout, but especially in the Xavier mind journey stories.
The Kitty Pryde stories took a brief moment to get into, but once I did, I loved them as well. At first, it was strange seeing Logan as a caricature, but then realizing this was from Pryde's perspective, loved how he might seem to a teenage girly girl. Those stories really made me chuckle.
And the whole made for all audiences? It was completely fine. So wolverine was made into a "fighting machine" instead of "killing machine." I got it. As long as the stories were solid and the artwork good, I was fine.
I did love the artwork throughout, but especially in the Xavier mind journey stories.
The Kitty Pryde stories took a brief moment to get into, but once I did, I loved them as well. At first, it was strange seeing Logan as a caricature, but then realizing this was from Pryde's perspective, loved how he might seem to a teenage girly girl. Those stories really made me chuckle.
And the whole made for all audiences? It was completely fine. So wolverine was made into a "fighting machine" instead of "killing machine." I got it. As long as the stories were solid and the artwork good, I was fine.
November 19, 2014
This Wolverine collection for all ages collects three different Wolverine-centric titles.
The main title is Weapon X: First Class. The writing in this one is ok, even though Wolverine is a bit too naive. The story is good, even though most of the readers are familiar with it. The art is ok if you can ignore the fact that both Wolverine and Professor X look evil, and that Professor X changes the shape of his head in each panel. The backup stories of this title are what shines in this collection. The stories are interesting, the writing is great, the characters are spot on, and the art looks great.
Second title is Wolverine: First Class. This is more of a teen oriented title with a simple story about Kitty Pryde in which Wolverine is a supporting character.
The last one is Wolverine and Power Pack, and it is aimed at kids, and the weakest of the three.
All in all, an ok read aimed at the younger audiences.
The main title is Weapon X: First Class. The writing in this one is ok, even though Wolverine is a bit too naive. The story is good, even though most of the readers are familiar with it. The art is ok if you can ignore the fact that both Wolverine and Professor X look evil, and that Professor X changes the shape of his head in each panel. The backup stories of this title are what shines in this collection. The stories are interesting, the writing is great, the characters are spot on, and the art looks great.
Second title is Wolverine: First Class. This is more of a teen oriented title with a simple story about Kitty Pryde in which Wolverine is a supporting character.
The last one is Wolverine and Power Pack, and it is aimed at kids, and the weakest of the three.
All in all, an ok read aimed at the younger audiences.
July 19, 2014
I always jump to the opportunity to learn more about one of my favorite Marvel characters and his origin, I'm talking about the man, the mutant who is the best at what he does. He goes by many names, Weapon X, James Howlett, Logan, Wolverine to name a few.
The stories in this book are a nice addition to the existing origin stories about Wolverine. It touches upon Wolverine's earlier days at the Xavier School for the Gifted.
You get six stories including various X-men characters like Colossus, Gambit, Kitty Pryde etc.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who's a Wolverine fan, anyone who loves the relationship between Wolverine and Sabretooth (they have a couple of interesting encounters in these stories). And anyone who wants a look in Wolverine's psyche (literaly).
Collects Weapon X: First Class #1-3, Wolverine: First Class #1-2, and Wolverine and Power Pack #2
The stories in this book are a nice addition to the existing origin stories about Wolverine. It touches upon Wolverine's earlier days at the Xavier School for the Gifted.
You get six stories including various X-men characters like Colossus, Gambit, Kitty Pryde etc.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who's a Wolverine fan, anyone who loves the relationship between Wolverine and Sabretooth (they have a couple of interesting encounters in these stories). And anyone who wants a look in Wolverine's psyche (literaly).
Collects Weapon X: First Class #1-3, Wolverine: First Class #1-2, and Wolverine and Power Pack #2
December 1, 2014
A throroghly enjoyable jaunt through Wolverine's troubled past in Weapon X and his current role as mentor to a young Kitty Pryde. The collection contains several interesting short tales and some vibrant, exciting art. Featuring guest appearances by Deadpool, Sabertooth and Gambit and suitable for readers of all ages; this graphic novel tones down on the violence but remains a fun affair. It's fairly simple stuff, and ultimately, it's likely forgettable but it's certainly very enjoyable while it lasts.
April 24, 2013
These stories give some details about Wolverine, my favourite X-Man. the more back story I get the more I want to read. Like Prof. X, going into Logan's mind to find his memories, the writers can have a good time creating the events that have lead to such a troubled man.
I picked this book up because Wolverine is on the cover.
I finished it because he has many good stories to tell.
I would recommend this to Thomas, though, I think he likely has read it already.
I picked this book up because Wolverine is on the cover.
I finished it because he has many good stories to tell.
I would recommend this to Thomas, though, I think he likely has read it already.
July 18, 2012
Relatively good story throughout, though I almost enjoyed the side-stories at the end more than the main story (Deadpool and Gambit). Art in the main story was... interesting. The characters seemed to be made of rubber bands, though at times it contributed to the portrayal of action in the frame, most of it just seemed out of place.
August 7, 2012
If this came out 25 years ago , I would give it full marks for being awesome. Sadly despite being an original Wolverine fan , I'm bored of him now , way too many takes about his origin and just simply way too much stuff on him. Its a good Wolverine read but I'm personally penalizing all X titles nowadays.
April 15, 2009
More of an introduction into the First Class titles than a complete arc in collected form. The Weapon X parts were the best. I liked the artwork and special appearances by Sabretooth, Deadpool and Gambit.
November 15, 2010
I really liked the first part with Professor Xavier helping Wolverine learn about his past by going into Wolverine's head. The story with Kitty Pryde was OK. The Power Pack story was a waste of paper.
April 13, 2011
Ok, another retelling of Wolverine finding out about Weapon X with the Professor. The small Deadpool strip was very funny though.
May 16, 2011
This was really good for a compilation of X-Men comics. I like Logan a lot so of course I wasn't bored. I would recommend to others who like super powered mutant societies.
August 27, 2012
Definitely had a good story, didn't stray too much from Wolverines history. Last chapter was lame.
January 28, 2014
Absolutely loved it!
April 3, 2014
Not bad - aimed at a younger audience. Some good stuff, revisting stories you've mostly probably seen/read/heard before.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews