Like It or Not, Wolverine Really Is the X-Men’s Own Vegeta

Wolverine stands out as one of X-Men’s most well-known and iconic characters, carving out a place for himself that transcended his initial role as a gritty, short-fused mercenary that was confined to a single story arc. Instead, he became a cornerstone of Marvel, earning status as one of the most recognizable comic book characters ever.

Wolverine’s evolution throughout his history makes him stand out among Marvel heroes in a way that closely resembles another iconic character in an entirely different universe, Prince Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z. These two characters, while seemingly worlds apart on the surface, secretly share deeper connections in their histories as characters.

Wolverine Started as a Disposable Assassin

Wolverine first debuted in The Incredible Hulk #180-181 as an antagonistic figure. He stood as a Canadian agent who was tasked with finding and neutralizing the Hulk. The creators emphasized Wolverine’s ferocity, animal-like instincts, and resilience, allowing him to stand out as a character by leaving an immediate impact.

Wolverine was conceived by Len Wein and John Romita Sr. specifically to be a short-lived, minor antagonist. However, with his shadowy past, feral unpredictability, and ability to heal, he was able to effectively capture audience attention following his debut. By the time Giant-Size X-Men #1 was released, Wolverine was on his way to becoming a fan favorite.

While he may have started as a one-off antagonist and then a background character in Giant-Size X-Men, Wolverine’s antihero nature and unique personality helped him gather widespread attention. In the 1990s, he was established as one of Marvel’s most popular characters, with his fame further solidified by the X-Men: The Animated Series and Hugh Jackman’s portrayal in the films.

Vegeta Was Initially Intended To Be a Short-Lived Villain

Similar to Wolverine, Vegeta was introduced in Dragon Ball as a formidable antagonist. He was initially designed to challenge Goku and the Z-Fighters without overstaying his welcome. Vegeta was made to be a ruthless Saiyan prince whose pride and power made him a memorable antagonist who would inevitably vanish once his story had ended.

Akira Toriyama intended to let Vegeta die during the Saiyan Saga; however, due to his massive popularity among fans, Dragon Ball’s creator decided to spare him. Many fans of the series know that Toriyama initially didn’t like Vegeta as a character, but over time, his view of the character changed as Vegeta became a well-rounded character in the series.

As the series unfolded, Vegeta would go on to become one of Dragon Ball’s most popular characters and one of Earth’s most indispensable heroes. Audiences resonated with his character as he gradually evolved into a devoted protector and family man, effectively cementing his place in both the franchise and fans’ hearts.

Both Wolverine and Vegeta Strongly Resonated With Audiences

Wolverine and Vegeta transcended their initial roles, specifically because of the unexpected depth and intensity they brought to their respective franchises. Wolverine’s feral, anti-hero energy and Vegeta’s ruthless pride offered audiences characters who were dangerous, unique, unpredictable, and flawed in ways that drew attention.

Both characters were able to continue growing as creators leaned into fan enthusiasm, with Wolverine’s recruitment into the X-Men allowing writers to explore his moral complexity, past, and reluctant heroism, while Vegeta’s continued presence in Dragon Ball gave Toriyama a chance to explore a deeper side of him beyond simple pride or arrogance.

These characters offered fans emotional stakes, complex characterization, and a sense that their arcs would evolve in satisfying, unforeseen ways. Wolverine and Vegeta’s long-term impact made both of them necessary parts to their narratives as characters who not only added thrill and intrigue but also brought about evolution and meaning.

Wolverine and Vegeta Grew Into Iconic, Central Characters

Wolverine’s journey transformed from a one-off background mercenary into one of the most well-known X-Men and a powerful emotional anchor. His presence in the franchise often drives character dynamics, narrative tension, and deep thematic explorations across several decades since his introduction.

Similarly, Vegeta’s arc in Dragon Ball, from a fleeting villain to a core figure whose rivalry with the series protagonist, Goku, shapes much of the story’s narrative and drive. Many fans go so far as to consider Vegeta the most developed and well-rounded character in the entire franchise, proving not only his popularity but also his necessity to the story.

Both characters’ backgrounds allowed for in-depth exploration that pulled upon their flaws, vulnerabilities, and motivations. This opened the door for Wolverine and Vegeta to achieve widespread recognition and status as cultural icons, as audience attachment for these characters only grew as time went on.

Wolverine and Vegeta both stand as proof that unexpected resonance can completely redefine a character’s role and popularity in any given series. While at one point they were both disposable antagonists, Wolverine and Vegeta are now centerpieces of their respective franchises, effectively demonstrating that audience investment carries significant weight and can transform characters into legendary figures.

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  Movie(s)

  X-Men (2000), X2, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011), The Wolverine (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), Deadpool (2016), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Logan (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Dark Phoenix (2019), The New Mutants, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

  First Film

  X-Men (2000)

  TV Show(s)

  X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men (1992), X-Men: Evolution (2000), Wolverine and the X-Men (2008), Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Marvel Anime: X-Men, Legion (2017), The Gifted (2017), X-Men ’97 (2024)

  Character(s)

  Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel, Phoenix, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Jubilee, Morph, Nightcrawler, Havok, Banshee, Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Cable, X-23

  Video Game(s)

  X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom (1998), X-Men: Mutant Academy (2000), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001), X-Men: Next Dimension (2002), Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011), X-Men Legends (2005), X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (2005), X2: Wolverine’s Revenge (2003), X-Men (1993), X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994)

  Comic Release Date

  
  213035,212968
  

  The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.

  
  

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  Created by

  Akira Toriyama

  First Film

  Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies

  Latest Film

  Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

  First TV Show

  Dragon Ball

  Latest TV Show

  Super Dragon Ball Heroes

  First Episode Air Date

  
  April 26, 1989
  

  From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.