Knowing how iconic the character was (is), I wondered what impact it might have on the success of X-Men, & on comics generally, if he'd been different. He was different in his first full appearance, in Hulk 181 (more erudite, frex). His adamantium skeleton & slow aging (AFAIK) were a product of work by Chris & John after the New X-Men debuted.
I see three possibilities.
One, he keeps the "glove claws" Len Wein envisaged. (It was, AIUI, Chris' idea they be part of him.)
Two, he's more Nightcrawler-like (which would butterfly away 'crawler). This would, IMO, save Thunderbird. (And Dave Cockrum liked 'crawler better than Wolvie, too.)
Three, he's chosen to be killed in X-Men 95, instead of Thunderbird. This, IMO, depends on either Chris & Dave not deciding to make the claws part of him or him being nearer Nightcrawler (who Dave liked better).
Option Three would seem to butterfly away the creation of Vindicator, & Alpha Flight (or, at least, the OTL versions). Option One seems to make Option Three more likely.
Without knowing more, I wonder if Wolvie's death impacts on Alan Moore's treatment of Rorschach.
And does Wolvie's notional death impact the grimdarkness? Or does Dark Knight kick that into overdrive anyhow?
I see three possibilities.
One, he keeps the "glove claws" Len Wein envisaged. (It was, AIUI, Chris' idea they be part of him.)
Two, he's more Nightcrawler-like (which would butterfly away 'crawler). This would, IMO, save Thunderbird. (And Dave Cockrum liked 'crawler better than Wolvie, too.)
Three, he's chosen to be killed in X-Men 95, instead of Thunderbird. This, IMO, depends on either Chris & Dave not deciding to make the claws part of him or him being nearer Nightcrawler (who Dave liked better).
Option Three would seem to butterfly away the creation of Vindicator, & Alpha Flight (or, at least, the OTL versions). Option One seems to make Option Three more likely.
Without knowing more, I wonder if Wolvie's death impacts on Alan Moore's treatment of Rorschach.
And does Wolvie's notional death impact the grimdarkness? Or does Dark Knight kick that into overdrive anyhow?