I've made no secret of the fact that I was a big "Legion of Super-Heroes" fan growing up. But one member I could never quite get my head around was Timber Wolf, and in retrospect my difficulties probably started with his costume:
You can tell he's a rebellious, wild, savage Lone Wolf by the symbol on his chest, and the fact that he wears his Granny panties on the outside. Vicious! Plus, like many too-wild-for-society outcasts, he wears his excessively starched collar without a button. Take that, Convention!
I also like the pre-mourning black armbands, just in case he ever lets anyone get close and then they die, which would totally never happen because he's a lone wolf, but still. Even lone wolves can be prepared.
I also like his wild-beast, untamed, living-in-the-wilderness hair. Lone wolves might be terrible barbers, but luckily timber wolves have mastered the follicle arts, because that's one nice 'do. You can tell he's a hair-savvy timber wolf by the barbershop stripes on his fashion-flaunting epaulettes.
In future redesigns DC would address the hair issue:
You can almost hear the "GRRRRR!" can't you?! As in, "GRRRRR! I'm mean ol' loner Timberwolf and -- wow, I have GOT to go potty!"
But most importantly, check out that hair. Now that's some beastly coiffure, folks. You can't help but see that and think of a wild animal, some savage, wild, small animal. Some bad-tempered, wild, savage, small animal that is ferocious and tenacious and a loner and ... wait a minute!
(Timberwolf images and character ©DC Comics, Inc. Wolverine © Marvel Comics.)
