Wolverine is a fierce and fiercely loyal mutant superhero. He is brawny, cranky, and has a temper. In fact, when Wolverine is fighting, he sometimes has berserker rages. But he also has a good heart. He is one of the most popular Marvel’s superheroes, long before actor Hugh Jackman donned Wolverine's black leather outfit and lupine-like coif. Wolverine's popularity means that he pops up and saves the day in several different comic book titles each month in addition to his appearance in Saturday morning X-Men cartoons and in films.
What makes Wolverine so appealing? He's the James Dean of superheroes: the safe "bad boy" with a short fuse and a tender heart—the loner who longs to belong. Moreover, Wolverine's fans—in his world and in our world—are won over by his tenacity, wry humor, and his commitment to a person or cause. We admire who he is.
(Source: psychologytoday.com)