Summary

• An old war buddy calls Wolverine by the nickname "Blades" in Uncanny X-Men #1, causing fans to suggest that this would have been a more appropriate moniker for the character all along.
• The "Blades" name could be more fitting than "Wolverine," given that Logan has not been very Wolverine-like since his inception fifty-years ago.
• As a character, Logan has evolved substantially over the years, to the point where "Blades" is a more apropos codename for him, even if "Wolverine" is too iconic for Marvel to retire.

Warning: SPOILERS for Uncanny X-Men #1

Marvel Comics’ Wolverine has been called many things throughout this long, long life – but now, one old friend has introduced a new nickname to his repertoire, one that should have perhaps been his codename all along. From Weapon X, to Patch, to "the Best There Is," Logan has answered to many names in his fifty-year history, but his new "Blades" moniker is perhaps the most apropos.

Uncanny X-Men #1 – written by Gail Simone, with art by David Marquez – features Wolverine visiting an old friend from his army days. On his deathbed, the elderly Miguel greets Logan by saying, “Ah. Blades. I knew you’d come. Please sit.”

The pair share a haunting exchange regarding the afterlife, but it’s the “Blades” nickname that Wolverine is given by his old friend which sticks out. Because these days, Logan’s status quo doesn’t do much to reflect that of a Wolverine.

Logan Hasn’t Been Much Of A Wolverine Since His Introduction

Uncanny X-Men #1 – Written By Gail Simone; Art By David Marquez; Color By Matthew Wilson; Lettering By Clayton Cowles

The name Blades could apply to Logan in almost any era following his adamantium bonding experience.

In his original inception, Logan’s Wolverine moniker was going to be quite literal. Initially planned to be a literal mutated wolverine, that idea clearly never came to fruition. Likewise, Logan’s famous origin – as well as some of his most famous iconography – shows the fan-favorite X-Men icon living with packs of wolves, not the wolverines from which he took his name. And while he still shares some traits with his namesake, including his feral, hairy nature, Logan’s hardly even drawn to be particularly short these days – with his diminutive stature once serving as his greatest connection to his bestial counterparts.

On the other hand, the name Blades could apply to Logan in almost any era following his adamantium bonding experience. Clearly, it’s a name by which he’s already known, and considering how his first instinct usually involves the six massive, unbreakable blades in his forearms, it’s arguably much more fitting these days than “Wolverine.” Sure, it could lead to some branding confusion with Marvel Comics’ pre-eminent Daywalker, Blade, but it’s not like the two cold-blooded killers cross paths all that frequently.

Wolverine is inarguably one of Marvel Comics’ most famous heroes, but his name doesn’t make much sense these days.

Wolverine’s Probably Too Well-Branded To Change

Blades Fits Logan’s Modern-Day Persona All Too Well

Logan is typically portrayed as a violent berserker of only slightly less than average height. The odds of the character changing his superhero codename this late in the game are practically nil, but if Logan ever decided to give up the Wolverine name, he’s more than capable of going by Blades.

Uncanny X-Men #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.