Daken Key Issues: All Essential Comics to Collect

Daken Akihiro, Wolverine's son, is one of the most interesting additions to the character's mythology since the 2000s. Created by Daniel Way and Steve Dillon in 2007, this half-Japanese, half-Canadian mutant combines his father's healing powers and claws with manipulative pheromones and a sociopathic personality. His journey from villain to anti-hero makes him a rich character for collectors interested in the extended Wolverine universe.

This guide lists Daken's key issues, from his first appearance in Wolverine: Origins to his modern adventures. Each key issue is analyzed with its current odds, rarity, and investment potential in the context of growing interest in supporting characters related to the X-Men.

Wolverine: Origins #10 (2007) — The first appearance

Published in March 2007,Wolverine: Origins #10reveals the existence of Daken, the son Logan didn't know he had. Written by Daniel Way with art by Steve Dillon, this issue is Daken's fundamental issue. The story shows a mysterious young man with retractable claws who stalks Wolverine, before the final revelation of their relationship.

The editorial context is important: the Wolverine: Origins series, launched in 2006, systematically explored Logan's past revealed after House of M. The creation of Daken is part of this exploration - Logan discovers that he had a son with a Japanese woman, Itsu, during World War II, and that the child survived after being torn from his dying mother's womb.

Current odds:

CGC 9.8:$100 to $250. The census shows around 2,200 examples at this grade. Liquidity is good with regular sales.

GCC 9.6:$50 to $100. An excellent entry point for a key issue first appearance.

GCC 9.4:$30 to $60. Very accessible for collectors on a moderate budget.

Texeira variant:Mark Texeira's variant cover is slightly rarer and commands a 20-30% premium over Steve Dillon's standard cover.

Wolverine: Origins #11-15 — The Revelation Arc

Subsequent issues expand on Daken's story and his confrontation with Wolverine. #11 shows the first father-son fight ($30-60 in 9.8), and #15 features the moment Logan learns the complete truth about his son's birth ($25-50 in 9.8). Set #10-15 constitutes a complete bow that trades for $200-$400 in 9.8.

Dark Wolverine #75-90 (2009-2010) — The solo series

Following Norman Osborn's Dark Reign event, Daken takes on the identity of Wolverine within the Dark Avengers. The seriesWolverineis renownedDark Wolverinefrom #75 (September 2009), with Daniel Way and Marjorie Liu on the screenplay and Giuseppe Camuncoli on the drawings. This rebranding marks the character's first solo title.

Dark Wolverine #75 CGC 9.8:$40 to $80. First issue under the title Dark Wolverine, dynamic cover showing Daken in the Wolverine costume. This is the most accessible key issue in the Daken solo series.

Dark Wolverine #76-90:The following numbers are listed between $15 and $30 individually at 9.8. The full run is a smart buy at $200-350 for the graded set.

The Dark Avengers context

Daken's placement in the Dark Avengers (Norman Osborn's fake Avengers team) gave him maximum exposure.Dark Avengers #1(March 2009), written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Mike Deodato, is an important key issue for Daken because it shows him as the team's official "Wolverine". This issue is worth $60-120 in CGC 9.8 and is sought after by Avengers and Wolverine collectors alike.

Daken: Dark Wolverine #1-23 (2010-2012)

After Dark Reign, Daken gets his own series in his name:Daken: Dark Wolverine #1-23(November 2010 - January 2012). Screenwriters Daniel Way, Marjorie Liu and Rob Williams explore Daken as an independent character, far from his father's shadow. The arcs see him in Los Angeles, struggling with the drug Heat and trying to carve out his own criminal empire.

Daken: Dark Wolverine #1 CGC 9.8:$30-60. A very accessible price of entry for a #1 which could appreciate significantly if the MCU integrates the character.

Daken: Dark Wolverine #9.1:“Big Break” arc entry point in Los Angeles, $15-30 in 9.8.

Daken: Dark Wolverine #23:Last issue of the series, often drawn at a number lower than #1. $20-40 in 9.8.

Modern appearances and Krakoa era

Daken continued to appear in the Marvel Universe after his solo series ended, with roles in several Krakoa-era titles (2019–2024):

Marauders #1 (2019):Daken joins Kate Pryde's crew. $30-60 in CGC 9.8.

X-Factor vol. 4 #1 (2020):Daken is a member of the Krakoa Mutant Investigation Team. $25-50 in 9.8. Leah Williams' series explores her bisexuality and her relationship with Aurora, adding depth to the character.

Wolverine vol. 7 #14 (2021):Father-son confrontation in the Krakoa context. $15-30 in 9.8.

MCU investment potential and prospects

Daken is a character with strong potential for several reasons. First, he is Wolverine's biological son, which directly ties him to one of the MCU's most popular characters. Secondly, his complex personality (manipulative charm, bisexuality, toxic relationship with his father) makes him an ideal antagonist/anti-hero for the cinema. Third, the current prices of his key issues are still very low compared to other characters of the same potential.

If the MCU announces a film or series including Daken — which is plausible in the context of the expanding Wolverine franchise — prices for Wolverine: Origins #10 could triple or quadruple in a matter of weeks. At $100-250 in 9.8 currently, the risk/reward ratio is excellent.

To build a complete Daken collection at an affordable price, target: Origins #10 (absolute key), Dark Avengers #1, Dark Wolverine #75, and Daken: Dark Wolverine #1. The set represents an investment of $250 to $500 in 9.8, a modest budget for a character with strong MCU potential.