Wolverine I

Year of release: 1991
Figure Number: 4901
Accessories: Removable Mask & Sammurai Sword
Action Feature: Snap Out Claws

Comments: As with all the first series X-Men, the original releases came with white-bordered Series I trading cards. In most cases the character on the trading card matched the figure in the package. Some exceptions to this rule exist. First series cards were also characterized by the full "peg hole" at the top of the card. All subsequent series had "hanger hooks" that allow one to remove the figure from the rack without having to remove all the figures in front of it.

This figure began a legacy for this line. Almost every future assortment of X-Men figures were to contain a Wolverine variation. Wolverine has been reproduced more times than any other figure in this line (narrowly edging Cable from the X-Force sister line of figures for popularity). The popularity of this figure continues into current assortments of X-Men figures.

This first attempt at Wolverine depicted his brown costume seen in the comics of the time. There was no elbow articulation on the figure due to the pop out claw mechanism. The mask could also be used as a ring (for a child or adult with very thin fingers).

This was one of two figures from this original release to be made into 15" Supersize figures (the other was Magneto). The larger figure had even less articulation than the 5" version (shoulders, neck, & hips only).

This figure was also re-released in 1993 with a later series trading card and a hanger hook card. The figure was identical to the original release of this figure.

In a related note, this figure was also released as part of the Talking Marvel Superheroes in 1991. Each figure said three phrases via a battery operated backpack that could be attached to the back of the figure (See Talking Figures for more info).