Cover to Origin #2. Art by Adam Kubert.

Origin is a six-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics from November 2001 to July 2002, written by Bill Jemas, Joe Quesada and Paul Jenkins, and illustrated by Andy Kubert (pencils) and Richard Isanove (color). Download high resolution version (453x684, 80 KB)Cover to Origin #2. ... Download high resolution version (453x684, 80 KB)Cover to Origin #2. ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... The limited series is a term referring to a comic book series with a set finite number of issues. ... It has been suggested that Felicia (pseudonym) be merged into this article or section. ... Bill Jemas is a founding partner at 360ep, a management firm dedicated to cross-pollinating entertainment properties against various forms of media, such as film, video games, comic books and consumer products. ... Joseph Joe Quesada (born December 1, 1962 in New York City), colloquially known as Joey Q, is the editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics and a comic book writer and artist. ... Paul Jenkins, British comic-book writer Paul Jenkins (born 1923), U.S. abstract Expressionist painter This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Andy Kubert is an American comic book artist; the son of comics artist Joe Kubert (and his brother Adam Kubert is also a comics artist). ... Richard Isanove is an artist who has worked as a colorist in the comics industry. ...

Origin tells the story of the origin of the superhero Wolverine, best known as a member of the X-Men. Since the character first appeared in the early 1970s his history had often been shrouded in mystery, with bits of information revealed piecemeal over time (notably in Weapon X), but this series was the first to reveal Wolverine's early days and his original background. In comic book terminology, the phrase origin story refers to a story or backstory revealing how a character or team gained superpowers, or the circumstances under which they became superheroes or supervillians. ... Superman and Batman, two of the most recognizable and iconic superheroes. ... Wolverine (born James Howlett, aka Logan) is a Marvel Comics superhero and member of the X-Men. ... The X-Men are a group of comic book superheroes featured in Marvel Comics. ... Weapon X was a fictional clandestine government project in the Marvel Universe conducted by the Canadian Governments Department K (and secretly funded by the US government) which turns willing and unwilling beings into living weapons. ...

The series revealed that Wolverine was born James Howlett, the son of rich plantation owners in late 19th Century(1892) Canada, and has long suffered fits of amnesia. He was a sickly child, so his loving father, John, brought an orphaned girl named Rose up from the town to be his companion. The two children also often played with Dog Logan, son of the Howletts' cruel groundskeeper, Thomas Logan. This friendship is spoiled by the tension between the boy's fathers centering on James' mother, Elizabeth, who went mad after her first son, John, died under mysterious circumstances. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Amnesia (or amnaesia in Commonwealth English) is a condition in which memory is disturbed. ... Dog Logan is a fictional character from Marvel Comics that appeared in the limited series Origin (co-written by Bill Jemas, Paul Jenkins and Joe Quesada, drawn by Andy Kubert). ... Thomas Logan is a fictional character of Marvel Comics. ...

Wolverine first uses his claws in Origin #2.

Dog becomes increasingly like his father, and his misdeeds become so violent that he and his father are expelled from the manor. Thomas returns for vengeance, and kills John (James' father) before all three children and Elizabeth. The horror of his father's death causes James' powers to manifest for the first time, and he uses his claws to kill Thomas and injure Dog, before lapsing into shock. Elizabeth then proceeds to shoot herself. Wolverine uses his claws for the first time in Origin #2. ... Wolverine uses his claws for the first time in Origin #2. ...

Rose attempts to care for James, but his grandfather drives them both from the house due to James' powers. She takes him by train from Alberta to British Columbia, where she gets work for them in a stone quarry. She gives him the name Logan and claims to be his cousin. Gradually he strengthens physically, though his memory is still shattered. He often goes into the woods to hunt game with only his claws. Motto: Fortis et Liber (Latin: Strong and free) Official languages English Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ralph Klein (PC) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 28 6 Area Total  â€¢ Land  â€¢ Water    (% of total)  Ranked 6th (provinces and territories) 661,848 km² 642,317 km² 19... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Official languages none stated in law; English is de facto Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 36 6 Area Total  â€¢ Land  â€¢ Water    (% of total)  Ranked 5th 944,735...

Cover to Origin #6. Art by Joe Quesada.

James becomes like a son to the foreman, Smitty, who in turn loves Rose. He courts her with books, including poetry by William Blake and a history of the samurai. Logan's public identity as her cousin makes it impossible for him to declare his own feelings for her, so he works out his violence in a series of cage fights, where his brutality earns him the nickname Wolverine. Download high resolution version (600x899, 165 KB)Cover to Origin #6. ... Download high resolution version (600x899, 165 KB)Cover to Origin #6. ... William Blake (1807) William Blake (November 28, 1757–August 12, 1827) was an English poet, painter, and printmaker. ... Japanese samurai in armour, 1860s. ...

The final fight is against Smitty, but Logan decides to throw the match so Rose can be happy. Just before the couple leaves to be wed, Dog comes to the quarry, sent by the ailing grandfather Howlett to find his heir, but really there for revenge. In the ensuing fight, Rose is accidentally impaled on Logan's claws. Logan goes mad with grief and runs into the woods, where he will live for a number of years in a feral state. Rose's diary, which contained the truth of Logan's past she had been unable to tell him, was tossed on the fire by Cookie Malone, who had long hated Logan.

Analysis

The plot, while seemingly a very distant origin of Wolverine with very little real ties to his current place in the Marvel universe, contains a good deal of subtext.

Rose and Dog are not simply Wolverine's childhood friends; they are archetypes on which he bases his future relationships. His love for Rose, who bears a striking resemblance to Jean Grey, carries over into adulthood with his painful unrequited love for his teammate, this relationship also reflects his later attitudes toward other female companions such a Jubilee. His hatred for Dog, who bears more than a passing resemblance to both Sabretooth and his present self, can be seen as allegorical to his own internal conflicts as well as his continuing rivalry with his perpetual nemesis.

Furthermore, the question of Wolverine's fragmented memory is finally answered. It had been previously assumed that the Weapon X programming had brainwashed Wolverine into being a killing machine, thus erasing all memory of his previous life. However, Origin heavily implies that his healing factor is the cause of his memory loss. His mutant power not only heals his body, but also his mind. Painful memories or other psychologically damaging events are protected from his psyche. They are not permanently lost - powerful telepaths have often hinted at knowing Wolverine's true origins. Indeed, on many occasions, characters (mostly villains) have called Wolverine by his true name, James.