Wolverine’s a character so popular that fans could identify him just by his silhouette. Part of that iconic design is his height, but just how tall is he?
Wolverine’s early appearances are oddly unassuming. He shows up at the end of an issue of The Incredible Hulk, spends the next issue tussling with Hulk and Wendigo, and then ceases to exist until Giant Size X-Men #1 makes him a mutant the next year.
He almost didn’t last long there, either. Wolverine nearly left the X-Men as the creative team favored more youthful characters like Nightcrawler. However, the notion of a superhero from the great white North was popular with Canadian artist John Byrne, who fought for him to stay in the book. Soon enough, he was a household name.
Wolverine has always been depicted as gruff, older, and with a strict code of honor. He’s also always been depicted as short, which has long been his defining characteristic in the comics – and a source of controversy for his live-action film appearances.
Wolverine’s height in Marvel Comics
According to 2004’s Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe: X-Men, Wolverine is 5’3”. There’s no real ulterior motive for his height. That hasn’t stopped fan theories from running rampant.
One notable theory is that he’s an actual wolverine that was mutated by the High Evolutionary, but that’s been repeatedly debunked by creators. Most assume it’s an essential visual nod to his name, but really, the creators just envisioned him being a shorter character.
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Wolverine debuted in Incredible Hulk #181 after a short teaser in the previous issue. From the onset, he was depicted as shorter, and that height has been consistent ever since.
Wolverine’s height in FOX & MCU movies
The Wolverine seen in the X-Men movies is 6’3”. After all, that’s the height of actor Hugh Jackman, whose tall stature has never been hidden in the various X-Men films for FOX (and, thanks to the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine, the MCU).
In fact, that height was the source of contention once upon a time. Jackman, who stands a full foot taller than the comic’s depiction, was criticized for his height when he was cast in X-Men. Fans were incensed that he would be depicted as so tall after he had always been a short king in the comics.
Fortunately, Jackman won over the detractors. His portrayal has survived the highs and lows of the Fox X-Men Universe, culminating in the beloved 2017 finale, Logan. Jackman’s making one final return to the character in Deadpool 3, and the first photos indicate that they’re continuing to embrace Jackman’s height.
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