I have to errata the above write up -- though I do think it a fine one. The first appearence of Wolverine was in fact in The Incredible Hulk #181 and not in #180 (which was the first appearence of "Wendigo" I believe, some big insignificant hairy bloke and hardly our Wolvie at any rate). In his grand entree into the Marvel megaverse, wolverine is sent by the Canadian Weapon-X project to kick the fuck out of the Hulk who has gone berserk for some reason.
What a badass.
You want to take down the Hulk?
Who you gonna send?

Wolvie, baby; damn right...