Marvel confirms the one X-Men hero is the character who truly loves Wolverine. Some romances are as iconic as each individual character. For instance, Reed Richards and Sue Storm’s marriage has survived all kinds of reality-warping and emotional crises. Similarly, the fiery connection between Scott Summers and Jean Grey has been the dramatic center of X-Men lore for decades. In the street-level arena, Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson broke the traditional mold of superhero storytelling through their relatable domestic life.
Since Marvel’s sliding timescale condenses multiple decades’ worth of stories into only a few years, most romantic relationships are destined to be extremely rocky, to say the least. Spider-Man’s teenage romance with Gwen Stacy led to her heartbreaking death, and Peter’s adult relationship with Mary Jane was tragically undone in Spider-Man: One More Day. Hulk’s love for Betty Ross has been weaponized by multiple villains, and Wolverine’s centuries-long life is a graveyard of broken hearts, from Silver Fox and Mariko Yashida’s tragic executions through Jean Grey’s sacrifices to the many romances-turned-rivalries he has accumulated throughout the years.
Over a dozen major Marvel characters have had a romantic relationship with Wolverine at some point in Marvel Comics history, but only a select few can pride themselves on stealing Logan’s heart.
Nightcrawler Is Wolverine’s True (Platonic) Love
Wolverine #21; Written By Saladin Ahmed; Art By Julius Ohta & Jesus Aburtov
Kurt Wagner is Logan’s closest friend, but also his truest, most enduring love. While Wolverine’s romantic history is heavily populated by tumultuous, short-lived flings, his bond with Nightcrawler is an unshakable sanctuary built on unconditional mutual acceptance. Kurt is one of the rare individuals capable of seeing directly past Wolverine’s feral facade to embrace the deeply wounded and honorable man underneath. The latest proof of Nightcrawler’s genuine love for Logan happens in Wolverine #21, where Kurt rushes to Logan’s side during a crisis and takes him on a long-deserved beach vacation, which Wolverine learns to appreciate.
After a devastating encounter with Adamantine leaves the claws on Wolverine’s right hand completely broken and stripped of their adamantium, Logan is left broken, with a compromised healing factor, and both spiritually and physically broken. Instead of forcing him onto another grueling battlefield or treating him like a damaged asset, Nightcrawler drags a reluctant Logan away for a tropical beach trip to give him room to breathe. Neither Jean Grey nor Mariko nor Storm, let alone Domino, Mystique, Viper, nor the rest of Wolverine’s romantic partners would come up with such an idea.
Wolverine Isn’t The Only Marvel Character Whose True Love Is Platonic
Some Characters Love Each Other More Than Their Romantic Partners
More than passionate romantic relationships, many top-tier Marvel heroes have ride-or-die friendships where platonic love flourishes. The most popular example is Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes’ brotherhood, a bond forged in the trenches of World War II that survived decades of estrangement and several years of conflict. In the urban trenches of New York, Luke Cage and Danny Rand pioneered Marvel’s bromance as the Heroes for Hire, with mutual respect and absolute trust in each other. Similarly, in the deep reaches of space, Richard Rider and Peter Quill’s camaraderie was forged in the Annihilation Wave’s apocalyptic fire and still survives across major events like Imperial.
Marvel Unveils Wolverine’s Official Mech Redesign, And It’s Epic
Although Wolverine’s adamantium skeleton makes him nearly invincible, Logan gets his own epic mech suit as he joins Marvel’s new superhero team.
Parallel to these brotherhoods, several fiercely protective sisterhoods give Marvel’s best heroines a vital space to drop their guards and find genuine solace. Jessica Drew is one of the few heroes capable of keeping Carol Danvers tethered to her humanity, whether they’re trading punches with alien armadas or sitting on a couch debriefing their complex personal lives over takeout. Jennifer Walters and Patsy Walker’s dynamic contrasts Jen’s legal career and gamma-irradiated confidence with Patsy’s bouncy optimism. And besides both Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson, Natasha Romanoff is a sister-like friend Steve Rogers can always trust with his life.
Which is your favorite platonic Marvel couple?
Wolverine #21 is now available from Marvel Comics
- Created By
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Roy Thomas, Len Wein, John Romita Sr.
- First Appearance
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The Incredible Hulk (2023)
- Alias
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James “Logan” Howlett
- Alliance
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X-Men, Avengers, Canadian Army, OSS/CIA, Avengers Unity Squad, Alpha Flight, New Avengers, New Fantastic Four, Savage Avengers, Weapon X, X-Force
- POWERS
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Retractible claws and Adamantium skeleton. Superhuman senses, stamina, and strength. Healing factor and longevity.
- Movies
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X-Men, X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, The Wolverine, X-Men Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse, Deadpool, Logan, Deadpool 2, Deadpool & Wolverine