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Marvel Pocket Books Novels

Wolverine: Lifeblood

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Logan has begun to experience memories of time spent serving in the Canadian army during World War II. When he digs deeper he discovers that he was held as a prisoner of war at a concentration camp, and experimented on by a ruthless Nazi scientist determined to unlock the secrets of Logan's mutant healing properties. What Logan doesn't know is that the scientist is still at large, his thirst for immortality unquenched by time. Now that he knows Logan is alive, he'll stop at nothing to finish what he started sixty years earlier...

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 27, 2007

12 people are currently reading
357 people want to read

About the author

Matthew Hughes

202 books281 followers
Born in Liverpool, his family moved to Canada when he was five years old. Married since late 1960s, he has three grown sons. He is currently relocated to Britain. He is a former director of the Federation of British Columbia Writers.

A university drop-out from a working poor background, he worked in a factory that made school desks, drove a grocery delivery truck, was night janitor in a GM dealership, and did a short stint as an orderly in a private mental hospital. As a teenager, he served a year as a volunteer with the Company of Young Canadians.

He has made his living as a writer all of his adult life, first as a journalist in newspapers, then as a staff speechwriter to the Canadian Ministers of Justice and Environment, and, since 1979, as a freelance corporate and political speechwriter in British Columbia.

His short fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s, Asimov’s, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Postscripts, Interzone, and a number of "Year’s Best" anthologies. Night Shade Books published his short story collection, The Gist Hunter and Other Stories, in 2005.

He has won the Arthur Ellis Award from the Crime Writers of Canada, The Endeavour Award for his historical novel What the Wind Brings, and the Global Book Award in the dark fantasy category for The Ghost-Wrangler.

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5 stars
93 (28%)
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126 (38%)
3 stars
86 (26%)
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21 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Robert.
2,191 reviews148 followers
January 10, 2022
This was a great Wolverine standalone story, neatly divided into Logan's past during WW2 in Europe and the early 21st century "present day" set during the second Iraq War.


Go get 'em, Corporal Howlett.

The author got a lot of period and setting details exactly right, even if his attention to the details of weapons of war and military ranks felt a bit excessive at times.



I definitely recommend it to fans of the best there is at what he does, even if sometimes he doesn't remember why it is he does it...
13 reviews
July 11, 2025
I didn't like the format of jumping back & forth but a little bit of insight on the classic Wolverine!!!
Profile Image for Nando Gigaba.
339 reviews7 followers
April 2, 2024
Wolverine: Lifeblood ignited my passion for the X-Men universe! After listening to this captivating audiobook, It makes me want to collect the X-Men comics and dive into the films to learn more about these characters.

Matthew Hughes' gripping backstory for Wolverine, brought to life by Seth Podowitz's enthralling narration, kept me hooked for the entire 9-hour journey. This is a must-listen for comic book fans, as well as anyone who enjoys a thrilling-mystery.

Profile Image for Jim C.
1,781 reviews35 followers
December 20, 2014
A book with the Marvel character Wolverine. In this chapter of his life he has no idea who he is and he cannot recall his past. All he knows is that his expenses are taken care of anonymously. One day he sees a picture of a person who is familiar to him and he pursues this lead.

I think this is one of the better books based on a Marvel character. This book was two stories in one as the first is Wolverine's present situation and the other deals with Nazi Germany and his dealings with the villain of the story. These two stories end up intersecting. I liked the Nazi storyline as it was well portrayed and I liked how Wolverine was used as an inspiration with his mutant power. The present storyline built up the tension as you read and I could not wait for the culmination and see Wolverine in action.

The only drawback to this novel and it really wasn't a drawback was the amount of action. This novel was more of a story than a action romp book. The only consistent action scenes did not happen until the finale. That being said the storylines are so enticing that I did not care that there were no fight scenes one expects in a superhero story.

With superhero movies and shows being everywhere you look I enjoyed this book as it gives an insight to a character's past and shows why he acts the way he acts today.
Profile Image for 4fabfelines Cox.
114 reviews2 followers
November 21, 2009
a very good wolverine book.
Wolverine is living in a apartment and he has no memory of why he is there. He is given money and a case of fine canadian whiskey every month.
He starts to get some of his memory back when he sees a display honoring veterns of old wars. Sure enough, he knows the solier in the picture but it is WWII. Then he does a little investigating at the library and sees a photo of himself in with the troops.
He leaves and starts a journy back to germany to a concentration camp where he was being held and experimented on.
Can he remember enough to help himself, and why does that commander bother himn so much? He was not a comrade- then who is he??
Profile Image for Michael Reynolds.
Author 2 books4 followers
April 20, 2011
This book holds a number of great qualities that many comic book fans will probably find irritating. The over the top action that many fellow comic geek is used to from major motion pictures is largely absent from this somber thought provoking look at Wolverine. It is very reminiscent of the deeper moments that Logan/James/Wolvy had back in the late eighties.

The piece delves into an interment at a concentration camp, and the subsequent escape.

If you are, like me, a die hard comic book fan and enthusiast of the more serious side of super heroes, then this book is definitely for you.
Profile Image for Derek Jordan.
Author 1 book7 followers
February 11, 2021
A look at a terrible time with terrible things humans did to each other and through the eyes of Wolverine/Patch/Logan. Also the fairly classic Wolverine story of him not remembering his past and slowly unraveling pieces of it. Nothing too much more here, and I don't have too much drive to seek out the rest of this story because of the nature of Comic book stories being told so much they don't really fill in a forever story line. Just retold by different people as the years go on.

Warnings: Violence, Gore, Language
Profile Image for Chris The Lizard from Planet X.
460 reviews10 followers
August 28, 2024

Hugh Matthews' Wolverine: Lifeblood takes readers on an intense, high-stakes journey through time, uncovering a shadowy piece of Wolverine’s history from World War II that resurfaces with deadly consequences. In this fast-paced novel, Wolverine is forced to relive some of his darkest memories as a Nazi scientist once obsessed with his mutant healing powers re-emerges decades later with unfinished business. Matthews brilliantly weaves together elements of war, espionage, and Wolverine’s signature grit into an engaging narrative that will keep fans of the Marvel universe hooked.

The novel excels at fleshing out Wolverine’s character, diving into his conflicted, haunted past as a soldier during the war and his struggle with the horrors he witnessed and endured. Matthews skillfully explores Wolverine's internal battle, as his memories of the war collide with the present-day threat posed by the reappearance of Dr. Abraham Cornelius, the Nazi scientist determined to exploit Wolverine's healing factor for his own twisted goals. This exploration of trauma and survival adds emotional depth to the book, making it more than just a straightforward action-adventure.

The villainous Cornelius is suitably menacing, with his obsession with Wolverine’s healing ability creating a chilling dynamic. Matthews succeeds in portraying him as more than a one-dimensional Nazi; he’s a character driven by a mad scientist’s obsession with unlocking the secrets of life and death, making his return all the more unsettling. The book skillfully keeps the reader on edge, blending flashbacks of Wolverine’s wartime encounters with Cornelius with present-day confrontations as the stakes escalate.

The action scenes are well-executed and visceral, matching the tone and intensity fans expect from Wolverine’s stories. Matthews’ descriptions of Wolverine’s berserker rage, his indestructibility, and the raw, brutal nature of his combat abilities give the book its pulse-pounding energy. Matthews clearly understands the character and honors Wolverine’s iconic persona while bringing his own flair to the narrative.

However, while the book delivers on action and character depth, the plot can sometimes feel predictable, following familiar beats of revenge-driven storytelling. Some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped, serving more as tools to move the plot forward rather than as fully fleshed-out personalities. Still, these shortcomings are minor compared to the novel’s overall entertainment value and the way it delves into Wolverine’s complex psyche.

Wolverine: Lifeblood will appeal not only to die-hard fans of Logan but also to readers who enjoy action-packed stories with a darker, psychological edge. Matthews delivers a gripping tale of survival, vengeance, and the lasting impact of Wolverine’s violent past. The novel deftly balances heart-pounding action with introspective moments that shed light on what makes Wolverine the compelling, tortured hero he is.

Overall, *Wolverine: Lifeblood* is a solid addition to the Wolverine mythos, providing a thrilling and thoughtful look at one of Marvel’s most enduring characters.
Profile Image for Max Driffill.
161 reviews7 followers
November 24, 2021
Boy. I really, really wanted to like this book. As you have already guessed, I did not. It is a boring meandering exercise in having nothing to say, and taking 384 pages in which to say it.

The book is largely torture porn, in which the author, having no real story to tell, and not even clichéd action beats to trot out, punishes both Logan and the reader between long bouts of nothing interesting ever happening.
Spoilers.

Logan is a pointless chump for most of the novel, spending most of his time letting Nazi’s torture for the apparent pleasure of driving a couple of them mad when he pops back up after they think they have killed him. Once or twice this might have been neat. But tedious chapter after tedious chapter? This slow burn tactic might have been cool if it were just him against a few dozen Nazis. But he is in a concentration camp while doing this slow burn sanity breaking ploy. In the mean time who knows how many poor suffering people Logan might have saved if he actually cracked some skulls and killed some Nazis? These kinds of questions
Are unavoidable given how profoundly boring the novel is. The author just gives the reader too much time to ask too many critical questions, and the premise crumbles.

The novel is also frustrating as it has Logan waltz right into tight spots that even an amateur would spot as traps. Skip this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for J'aime.
812 reviews29 followers
August 24, 2019
It's very rare for me to abandon a book. I think I have given up on just 2 books in my life before this one. But, life is too short to keep on with a book that doesn't satisfy.

I really enjoyed Wolverine Road of Bones, so I started Lifeblood immediately. Unfortunately, this book isn't about Wolverine, it's about Logan when he had no memories of who he is. At first I found the story intriguing as he followed an unexpected clue that jogged a memory. But it quickly became very boring. Very boring. The book flips between two POVs, Logan and Von Strucker, and between two time periods, the present and 1944 and between Logan being tortured in the present and being tortured in the past (both figuratively and literally). The problem is that neither character has any personality whatsoever, so it's difficult to care about them. A the story has no plot. Logan wants to learn who he is; Strucker wants him back to get access to his genetic material. The "action" amounts to Logan being tortured or killed multiple times and regenerating.

Overall, this was a huge disappointment.
Profile Image for Kaotic.
440 reviews30 followers
September 8, 2019
Am interesting read.

This is more of a Logan story than a Wolverine one. It follows him after he, once again, lost his memory and his quest to find who he is and who did this to him. In addition, it follows Von Strucker and his goal to find Logan and discover the secret of his healing factor.

There isn't a standard chapter format. Instead it designated tone jumps between the present day and World War II.

At times the story got a little slow, especially in the beginning but by the end I was invested in Logan's and Von Strucker's stories. Not very invested in the background plots though.

The biggest issue I had with this is that after all the time spent reading this story, the reader isn't given answers to the plot of who took his memories. Logan may knife who did it but we don't.

I am also left curious as to how the drugs were able to affect his memory with his healing factor.

All in all thus was a good read, an interesting look at Wolverine without a lot of the action we're used to, until the end. Still enjoyable, if not frustrating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for C.A..
Author 4 books28 followers
August 12, 2020
This is the first Marvel related book i have ever read. So take this review with a grain of salt.

The first thing that struck me about this book was the author's knowledge and research concerning WWII. I found it most impressive. Right down to the lingo from the soldiers.

And the writing was really good. The author can 'turn a phrase' so to speak.

Reading the other reviews, some folks complained about a lack of action. I felt the pacing was fine. There were bits of action in the beginning. And they were good—like when Logan killed the officer who stalked him, only afterwards did he address him as, Sir. That's classic Wolverine right there!

The action followed the pacing. They took his memories, but his mind still thinks, he uses his senses—to put the pieces together. Wolverine at his best!
Profile Image for Numa Parrott.
494 reviews19 followers
November 8, 2022
While still on the tacky side, the best of the Wolverine novels I’ve read by a long shot. This one is the reason why I bother checking books like this out at all. Sometimes you find a gem. Historical fiction, faithful rendering of familiar characters, and of course evil nazi scientists. The nuance-less islamophobia didn’t age so well, but it’s a reminder of the times.
German speaking listeners of the audiobook will find a special Easter egg when the reader mispronounces a the word ‘schiesen’ in a pretty hilarious way.
Profile Image for mxd.
225 reviews
June 21, 2024
This is a weird one because I enjoyed it and disliked it in equal parts. I loved everything to do with Logan - the way he was trying to piece his life back together, his quiet and intense nature and re-discovery of himself. But the whole thing with von Strucker and the Mujahideen soldiers bored me a little. I mean, the guy was a Nazi, there's no need to make him an even bigger twat. His being a Nazi and coveting immortality and dominion over humanity pretty much swings it in the bad guy department. So yeah, it was a good read, but probably because Logan is so awesome. /fangirls
755 reviews
January 31, 2022
This took me a bit to understand what was going on, but once the story gets going, if you enjoy a take on Wolverine that is different than normal, then you might enjoy this. This basically is a story about Logan, but actually doesn't include Wolverine at all if that makes sense.
Profile Image for Ramil Ramirez.
90 reviews
September 4, 2021
Great way to know about Logan's backstory and past experiences. Can't wait for the next book!!!
Profile Image for Carl.
Author 14 books10 followers
September 8, 2021
Good little story of an amnesiac Wolverine in a Nazi concentration camp with Baron von Strucker after his blood. Flits from the present to the past
Very enjoyable for Marvel fans like me
Profile Image for Jesse Booth.
Author 26 books47 followers
October 9, 2021
A slower-paced book, but those last thirty pages were quite exciting and made the read worth it. The book ends on a cliffhanger. Guess I need to look for the next book.
143 reviews
December 21, 2023
I am not a fan of stories that jump back and forth in time like this one. Otherwise, revealing Wolverine’s role in WW II was an interesting insight into the character.
Profile Image for Rhiannon Grant.
Author 11 books48 followers
March 5, 2017
This book is... mostly adequate. It suffers from a deeply un-nuanced portrayal of 'Islamism' which, for plot reasons but not very good reasons, it treats as following directly on from Nazism. Although it attempts semi-sympathetic characterisations of one or two Arabic-origin characters, this is undermined by a) the lack of engagement with cultural and religious complexities, and b) that they are all evil and working with Nazis anyway. Similarly, it contains a depiction of life in a Nazi concentration camp in which all the attention is on Nazi officers and our indestructible hero, so if you think memorials of extreme oppression should centre the experience of those who were oppressed, this is pretty unforgivable. The main plot, in which Logan tries to remember things which anyone who knows who Wolverine is can probably guess, makes sense for the character but is often predictable. It was a quick, light read which passed a rainy afternoon pleasently enough but doesn't stand up to writing a review the next morning!
Profile Image for Alex.
355 reviews1 follower
November 11, 2021
This was such an impactful story. The arts that took place in the camp were so hard to read but so, so important as a part of history. My eyes were opened to so much.
Profile Image for Hilmi Isa.
378 reviews29 followers
May 16, 2015
Logan kehilangan memorinya. Selain namanya,dia tidak mengetahui siapakah dirinya yang sebenar. Namun,penemuan sebuah gambar di dalam sebuah buku menimbulkan satu tanda tanya. Di dalam gambar itu,terdapat dirinya. Buku itu adalah mengenai tentera Kanada di Itali ketika Perang Dunia Kedua yang berlaku pada 60 tahun yang lalu. Anehnya,rupanya di dalam gambar itu adalah sama sepertinya! Tidak langsung menunjukkan perbezaan usia walaupun puluhan tahun telah berlalu. Rasa ingin tahu yang amat mendalam mendorong Logan untuk menyiasat perkara ini dan membawanya mengembara ke Itali,Jerman,dan sehingga ke Baghdad,Iraq.

Pada masa yang sama,Wolfgang Von Strucker,seorang saintis Nazi juga mahu mendapatkan Logan. Dia mahukan sampel DNA Logan untuk membantu cita-citanya untuk mencapai kehidupan yang abadi. Strucker tahu bahawa Logan merupakan seorang mutan yang sangat unik kerana dia sendiri pernah mengkaji Logan pada ketika Perang Dunia Kedua dahulu. Selain itu,keupayaan mutan Logan yang mampu menyembuhkan diri sendiri juga penting untuk dimiliki untuk menjayakan misi organisasi pengganas yang diberi nama The Foundation. Inilah organisasi di mana Strucker bernaung. Dengan menggunakan sebuah pasukan khas yang bergelar Green Fist,dan dibantu dengan DNA Logan,mereka akan melaksanakan misi membunuh Presiden Amerika Syarikat di Baghdad,Iraq!

Agak menarik apabila penulis novel ini,Hughes Matthew tidak menggunakan sistem bab bernombor di dalam cerita ini. Sebaliknya,menggunakan nama tempat dan masa sebagai penanda yang bertindak sebagai pengganti bab. Penulis juga menggunakan sistem penceritaan 'imbas kembali' yang diselang-selikan dengan 'masa kini' (present). Sistem sedemikian digunakan untuk menerangkan kepada pembaca apa yang berlaku,terutamanya mengenai sejarah watak utama novel ini iaitu Logan.
1 review
October 2, 2007
this book's about wolverine....
i think most people know this guy....
well anyway, he lost his memory.....
poor guy....
and he tried to seek what memory he has lost....
this book tells about wolverine's past back to the 1945 during the NAZI. can't really tell about the story coz....
this seems to be the 3rd or 4th book.
those of you who wants to know about wolverine....
this is a good book to learn more about him
xp
32 reviews
July 10, 2014
I loved it very much! It was a book that actually had me chilled to the bone! I had nightmares from it for three nights in a row. That just shows how great it really was. Beautifully written, Lifeblood with keep the reader at the edge of their seat, every second of reading. I highly recommend it to any Wolverine fan. For people who don't know of Wolverine, Lifeblood is definitely one of the books to get to know him.
Profile Image for Dovile.
318 reviews38 followers
April 18, 2017
A very good story, definitely recommended. The German phrases in the book should have been edited by someone who knew German though, because nearly half of them had grammar or spelling mistakes.

If you'll like the WWII Germany setting in this novel, I recommend X-Men: Magneto Testament as a good read.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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