Howler’s Unprecedented Fan Favorite Status, Confirmed by Wolverine Creator Gail Simone

Howler Joins the X-Men

Created by Gail Simone and Luciano Vecchio, Howler debuted in Uncanny X-Men #34. The teenage mutant was captured by the Word of Strength and made to fight other mutants before escaping.

Monet St. Croix and Quicksilver’s Louisiana X-Men took Howler in. Still deeply traumatized, Howler remains with the team but sleeps in a barn at their Haven House sanctuary, afraid of being caged again.

Wolverine has taken an interest in mentoring Howler. The character speaks in limited, distinctive English, including the phrase, “I thank. I thank.”

Fans Want Howler Protected

In a social media post, Simone shared Howler’s initial design and described the fan response as unlike any she could remember for a new character. She said readers quickly developed a protective feeling toward Howler. Simone said fans send messages warning her not to harm the character or let anyone mistreat him. She added that she shares their feelings and praised Vecchio for giving Howler an “emotional design.”

A Different Echo of Wolverine

Wolverine is a major point of comparison for Howler, though Simone’s character is not presented as a copy of Logan. X-Finity has tried to turn young, traumatized mutants into “new Wolverines,” and succeeded with the Scavenged team; Howler was not targeted by that group.

Wolverine, introduced in 1974 as a rival for the Hulk, became a franchise figure shaped by trauma and tragedy. Howler also carries trauma, but responds with more panic and confusion than Logan’s stoicism and self-medication.

Vecchio’s design, including Howler’s large black eyes that shimmer with tears, heightens the character’s emotional qualities. The story draws a contrast between the two mutants while leaving open whether their shared themes explain their popularity.

Howler’s Future Remains Open

Howler has already killed the Word of Strength’s leader, but the character’s longer-term appeal is still uncertain. The story suggests Marvel could expand Howler’s background in a way comparable to Wolverine’s Weapon X, if interest continues.

Strong fan interest could give the creative team room to develop Howler’s characterization and history. Whether the character can match Wolverine’s staying power has yet to be seen.