I’m not crazy about events titled “Death of So-and-So” for a handful of reasons, but the main one is that readers catching up on the Marvel U chronologically inevitably have the outcome spoiled. For example, the post-Civil War “Death of Captain America” is kind of a giveaway as to how that story resolves. There’s just now way around it.
That said, the “Death of Wolverine” couldn’t be less spoiler-filled. The lead-up arc to the main event is titled “Killable” and the actual “Death of Wolverine” occurs in a separate four issue miniseries. There’s no ambiguity here; after a seemingly immortal life starting in Canada in the 1800’s it’s time for the man called Wolverine to die.
Although the build-up has its flaws, the actual Death of Wolverine event is a great entry into the Marvel comics canon, with some surprisingly strong comics arising in Logan’s wake.
Below you’ll find the trades collecting the components of Death of Wolverine (no all-in-one variation with this event, unfortunately), as well as the Comic Book Herald issue by issue guide.
Previously: The Life of Wolverine!
Death of Wolverine Trade Collections
Wolverine: Hunting Season (Wolverine #1 to #6, 2013)
While you could start from issue #1 of Paul Cornell’s run on Wolverine, you really only need issues #5 and #6 to explain the state of “Killable.”
Wolverine: Killable (Wolverine #7 to #13, 2013)
It’s not a necessary addition for the Death of Wolverine storyline, but Battle of the Atom references Killable and can be read between Wolverine #7 and #8.
Wolverine: Three Months to Die volume 1 (Wolverine #1 to #7, 2014)
Wolverine: Three Months to Die volume 2 (Wolverine #8 to #12 + Annual #1, 2014)
Death of Wolverine (issues #1 to #4)
Death of Wolverine: Logan’s Legacy (issues #1 to #7)
Death of Wolverine: The Weapon X Program (issues #1 to #5, plus Life After Logan #1)
Death of Wolverine: The Wolverines (issues #1 to #5)
Death of Wolverine: The Wolverines volume 2 (issues #6 to #10)
Death of Wolverine: The Wolverines volume 3 (issues #11 to #15)
Death of Wolverine Issue by Issue Reading Order
I) Paul Cornell makes Wolverine “Killable”
Wolverine #1 to #13 (2013 volume)
As mentioned above, you could conceivably start with issue #5 to get the most pertinent details. There will be references made to issues #1 to #4 that are very confusing if you skip, but if you’re just like “Get me to Death of Wolverine” it’s skippable.
As also mentioned above, you can also read Battle of Atom in its entirety for some “killable” Wolverine action. I prefer this event (checklist included at the end of my modern X-Men reading order) between Wolverine #7 and #8.
Wolverine #1 to #12, then Wolverine Annual #1 (2014 volume)
II) The Death of Wolverine
Death of Wolverine #1 to #4
You can quite nicely read the Death of Wolverine event without any tie-ins or intruding comics. It’s a really well executed sendoff for the beloved X-man from Charles Soule and Steve McNiven. Highly recommend, even if you read nothing else on this list.
III) Death of Wolverine: Aftermath
Death of Wolverine: The Weapon X Program #1 to #2
This first issue occurs in the direct aftermath of Death of Wolverine #4 and should be read accordingly. Sets the stage for much of the Death of Wolverine comics to come.
Death of Wolverine: Life After Logan #1
Death of Wolverine: Deadpool & Captain America #1
Storm #4 to #5
Nightcrawler #7
Wolverine & the X-Men #10 to #11
Death of Wolverine: The Weapon X Program #3 to #5
Death of Wolverine: The Logan Legacy #1 to #7
You definitely don’t need to read all of Axis to understand Wolverines, but it will explain Sabertooth’s characterization moving forward.
Death of Wolverine: Wolverines #1 to present…
Next: Go back and read the Life of Wolverine!
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What should we read to understand how old man Logan started appearing in the modern day 616 universe?
You just need to read Secret Wars (2015) and the Brian Michael Bendis tie-ins of Old Man Logan (also 2015).
Long story short: the multiverse is dying, Dr. Doom takes the remnants of the dead universes (including Old Man Logan’s) and creates a new world called Battleworld, which he rules over as its god. The superheroes of the 616 Marvel Universe (and Miles Morales from 1610 Ultimate Universe) gather the heroes of Battleworld and fight Dr. Doom. The Fantastic Four then work with Molecule Man to recreate the Marvel Universe, while incorporating some of the remnants of the dead universes, including Old Man Logan, Miles Morales, black Nick Fury, and Maker (Ultimate Reed Richards).
Some of their memories are erased and the characters are retconned into having always been a part of this new universe (in Nick Fury’s case, for example, he is new white Nick Fury’s son).
Sorry, I’m a stickler for details so I gotta clarify something. The black version of Nick Fury was already part of the 616 universe and established as Nick Fury’s son a while before Secret Wars. You can check out Battle Scars (2012) where he first appeared.
doubt, can I read at the same time as ” Axis and Tie-Ins (September 2014 – December 2014 ) *” ?
Where does Wolverine and the X-men (v2) fall into this?
Is there a storyline that leads into the Old man Logan event?
Nope, the Wolverine title just jumps into an alternate future story. The preceding arc is actually “Get Mystique” from Jason Aaron. Well worth a read (#62 to #65 I believe), but not connected to Old Man Logan. You can read standalone and enjoy!