6 Wolverine Comics to Read Before Insomniac’s PS5 Game

Marvel’s Wolverine is shaping up to be one of 2026’s biggest gaming releases, and if you want to brush up on Logan’s history before popping those adamantium claws, there’s a reading list worth checking out. The game takes a nontraditional approach to the X-Men franchise by setting its story in a world where the X-Men don’t yet exist, but it leans heavily on classic comic material for inspiration.

Going Solo: The Foundation of Wolverine

The 1982 Wolverine miniseries by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller (Wolverine Vol. 1 #1-4) remains one of the most influential takes on Logan as a solo hero. The story brings Wolverine back to Japan, where he strikes up a romance with Lady Mariko, feuds with her oppressive father Lord Shingen, and first encounters the ninja ally Yukio. If you’re only grabbing one comic before launch, this is the one—it establishes the blueprint for Wolverine as a hardened killer with hidden depth that creators still follow today.

The Sabretooth Connection

In the game, Sabretooth plays a supporting role as an ally—though that partnership likely won’t last. The 1989 tale Wolverine Vol. 2 #10 by Claremont and John Buscema digs into their bitter rivalry by introducing Sabretooth’s twisted tradition of hunting Logan on his birthday. The story jumps between past and present to show just how deep this enmity runs and how much suffering Logan has endured because of it.

Team X and Mutant Politics

While the X-Men don’t exist yet in the game’s timeline, Logan has history with the black ops group Team X—and finds himself reluctantly drawn back in when mutant kidnappings spike. X-Men Vol. 2 #4-7 covers Team X’s debut and Logan’s involvement, while introducing the Russian mutant super-soldier Omega Red, a villain confirmed for the game. The arc is illustrated by Jim Lee, offering plenty of ’90s superhero appeal.

Logan and Jean: A Complicated Romance

The game depicts an actual romance between Wolverine and Jean Grey, something fans have debated for years. The 1995 Weapon X miniseries, part of the Age of Apocalypse crossover, shows an alternate timeline where Wolverine frees Jean from Mister Sinister’s captivity. It’s a compelling look at both characters and their dynamic in a world without the typical X-Men structure.

Why This Matters

Insomniac’s Spider-Man games proved the studio understands how to translate comic lore into engaging interactive experiences while respecting source material. By setting Wolverine in a pre-X-Men era, the game creates space for a fresh take on Logan’s character while still drawing from decades of established storylines. The fact that familiar elements—Team X, Sabretooth, Jean Grey—appear in the game’s narrative suggests Insomniac is mining these comics for both plot points and character depth. For longtime fans, recognizing these references will deepen the experience; for newcomers, reading this material provides genuine context for Logan’s worldview and relationships.

What’s Next

With Marvel’s Wolverine expected to release in 2026, there’s plenty of time to work through these six essential reads. As more gameplay and story details surface in the coming months, expect fans to spot additional callbacks to the source material beyond what’s already been previewed.