Warning: spoilers for X-Men #11 are ahead.
For many fans, Wolverine is their favorite member of the X-Men. He’s been the most prominent face of the team alongside Charles Xavier and Magneto and has made huge steps in Marvel’s non-mutant side of the universe. Then in 2003, a new version of Wolverine appeared in the X-Men: Evolution TV series, Laura Kinney. Also known as X-23, Laura is a clone of Logan and had such a positive fan reaction that she went on to appear in and become a prominent figure in X-Men comics even to this day, as she is a member of the current X-Men team and uses the name Wolverine herself. All that said, the mutant Synch is giving them both a run for their money as the best Wolverine.
Synch has the power to mimic the abilities of mutants he’s around. In Jonathan Hickman’s recent X-Men run, Laura, Synch and another mutant, Darwin, go on a mission to recon the Vault, a place where time moves much faster inside than out. Due to this, the team spends centuries fighting in the vault, even though only months have passed outside. Synch obtains Laura’s Wolverine abilities, and although she unfortunately doesn’t make it out the Vault alive, Synch is able to maintain her powers despite not being in her presence.
Ultimately, Laura gets resurrected on Krakoa, but without the memories of the time she spent in the Vault. Synch, however, remembers everything, including the skill he gained fighting with Wolverine’s powers. And when compared to Logan’s Wolverine, who has lived well over a century, Synch has gathered up more experience than even Logan has due to the temporal warping abilities of the Vault. By definition, this easily makes Synch the best out of anyone who has wielded the adamantium claws, as shown in X-Men #11 by Gerry Duggan and Pepe Larraz.
Synch is well aware of his title, too. In X-Men #11, Synch faces down one of the abominable creatures in Gameworld. It taunts him, saying, “Forgive me if I don’t tuck tail for every mutant pretending to be the Wolverine!” and attacks him. Synch easily slices through the monster and retorts with, “I’ve been Wolverine longer than anyone alive.” As cool as this moment is, it is also tainted by a hint of sadness and remorse, as Synch and Laura struck up a romance during their time in the Vault, which ended with Laura’s death. Since then, Synch has been hacking and slashing as the world’s most experienced Wolverine.
Logan and Laura are prominent members of the X-Men and are likely the only two that come to mind with the mention of Wolverine, but neither one can be the best anymore, as that title is held by Synch.
X-Men #11 is available now from Marvel Comics.
