X-23

For the experimental aircraft, see Martin X-23 PRIME. For the Soviet missile, see Kh-23.
Laura Graziella Kinney
X-23 / Wolverine
X-23 on the variant cover of Fallen Angels (vol. 2) #1 (November 2019).
Art by Shannon Maer.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceX-Men: Evolution:
"X23" (August 2, 2003)
First comic appearanceNYX #3 (February 2004)
Created byCraig Kyle
Christopher Yost
In-story information
Alter egoLaura Kinney (born X-23)
SpeciesHuman mutant
Place of originAlkali-Transigen Facility, Mexico City; Mexico
Team affiliationsWeapon X
X-Men
New X-Men
Avengers Academy
X-Force
Notable aliasesLaura X
Talon
Captain Universe
X-23
Wolverine
Abilities
  • Superhuman strength, durability, senses, reflexes, agility and animal-like attributes
  • Adamantium-plated retractable claws in hands and feet
  • Regenerative healing factor
  • Psychic resistance
  • Expert armed and unarmed combatant

Laura Kinney (designation X-23) is a fictional superheroine appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with Wolverine, whose codename she has also used, and the X-Men. The character was created by writer Craig Kyle for the X-Men: Evolution television series in 2003, before debuting in the NYX comic series in 2004. Since then she has headlined two six-issue miniseries written by Kyle and Christopher Yost, the X-23 (2010) one-shot and the 2010 X-23 (vol. 3) ongoing series written by Marjorie Liu, the 2015 All-New Wolverine ongoing series by writer Tom Taylor, and the 2018 X-23 (vol. 4) ongoing series by writer Mariko Tamaki. She will next headline in the ongoing series Laura Kinney: Wolverine, scheduled for release in December 2024, by writer Erica Schultz. Laura has also appeared in several team books such as Avengers Academy, New X-Men (vol. 2), X-Force (vol. 3 & 6), X-Men Red (vol. 1), X-Men (vol. 6), and NYX (vol. 2). The character also appears in other media from Marvel Entertainment.

Laura was apparently the clone and later the adoptive daughter of Wolverine, created to be the perfect killing machine. For years, she proved herself a capable assassin working for an organization called the Facility. A series of tragedies eventually led her to Wolverine and the X-Men. She attended school at the X-Mansion, and eventually became a member of X-Force. It is revealed later that she is not a clone, but the biological daughter of Wolverine. Like her father, Laura has a regenerative healing factor and enhanced senses, speed, and reflexes. She also has retractable adamantium-coated bone claws in her hands and feet. In 2015, the character succeeded her father in adopting the name and costume of Wolverine in the series All-New Wolverine.[1]

Laura Kinney has been described as one of Marvel's most notable and powerful female heroes.[2][3][4][5] In addition to comics, the character has appeared in various media, including animated film and TV series and video games. Dafne Keen portrayed the character in the 2017 film Logan and the 2024 Marvel Cinematic Universe film Deadpool & Wolverine.

  1. ^ It's Official: The X-Men's X-23 is STILL Wolverine
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Looking For A Role Model? These 195+ Marvel Female Characters Are Truly Heroic". Scary Mommy. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  4. ^ Lealos, Shawn S. (2019-05-24). "The 10 Most Powerful Female X-Men". CBR. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).