Wolverine #22

Wolverine #22, published in March 1990 by Marvel Comics, belongs to the character’s first ongoing solo series, which launched in 1988 following his massive popularity as an X-Men breakout star. This specific issue is part of a transitional period for the title, situated after the initial arcs established Logan’s life in Madripoor and leading into the creative shifts that defined the early 1990s. The narrative, written by Archie Goodwin with artwork by John Byrne and Klaus Janson, focuses on the character's gritty, noir-inspired underworld adventures that solidified his status as a complex anti-hero rather than just a team player.

The issue features artwork by industry legend John Byrne, who was instrumental in defining Wolverine’s visual language during his iconic run on X-Men alongside Chris Claremont. Byrne's approach to the series emphasized a more grounded, hard-boiled aesthetic that contrasted with the increasingly bombastic style of the decade. While this era of the series is often viewed as a bridge between the late 1980s experimental tone and the high-octane action style of the 1990s, it is well-regarded by long-time collectors for the strength of the Goodwin-Byrne collaboration, which maintained a consistent, character-driven focus amidst the growing commercial intensity of the direct market.