The first episode of 2026 has dropped. Hosts TazAlGhul and Just Abby went deep into one of Marvel’s strangest, wildest, and most tragic monster myths: the Wendigo.
More than just comic books. It’s classic native folklore.
Yes indeed. Equal parts folklore and comic book terror, this cursed creature has stalked the pages of Incredible Hulk, Uncanny X-Men, Spider-Man, Sabretooth, and even recent Wolverine runs — evolving from a simple monster fight into a story about curse, humanity, and survival.
Grab a pint and keep reading — we’re breaking down everything from origins to redemption arcs, plus our beers of the episode that paired perfectly with this chilling story.
First. Beers of the Episode!
Off Script Brewing — Save the Neck for Me Clark
Taz rated this one 4.75 out of 5 — and for good reason. This Imperial / Double New England / Hazy IPA clocks in at 8.6% ABV with juicy, creamy citrus aromas thanks to Yakima Cryo Fresh Citra hops. Reviewers on Untappd praise its intense fruity nose with grapefruit, melon, and dank citrus notes balanced by a smooth, creamy body — perfect for sipping while thinking about ancient curses and clawed monsters. Untappd
Confluence Brewing — Peanut Butter Cup Porter
Just Abby rated this beer an insane 5.75 out of 5, and we can see why. Brewed by Confluence Brewing Company in Des Moines, Iowa, this candy-inspired porter pours rich and dark with peanut butter and chocolate aroma notes, balanced by salty nutty goodness and smooth lactose sweetness that make it feel almost like sipping a peanut butter cup. Untappd
Confluence Brewing Co. has been brewing award-worthy craft beer with quality and community in mind, releasing new brews regularly and celebrating creativity and good times in its taproom just south of Gray’s Lake. confluencebrewing.com
After our 10-hour drive to Winter, Wisconsin, we absolutely wrecked this place — closed down the taproom, stocked up a palet of beers, and even snagged a bunch of their The Nessie Hazelnut Coffee Brown Ale to take back to Colorado so we can enjoy them at home for even longer. Good times, great beer, and plenty of laughs.
What You Learn in The Drunk History of the Wendigo
The Wendigo is not a single villain, not a one-note brute — he’s a curse woven into Marvel’s version of North American folklore:
Modern Rebirth: In the Wolverine (2024) run, Wolverine protects a teen named Leonard who became a Wendigo — teaching him to resist the hunger and ultimately breaking the curse. This leads into The Last Wolverine #1 (2025) where Leonard grows into the “Wonderful Wolverine,” a fascinating redemption arc that expands the myth further. This storyline was such an unreal sort of revival for the character. It all comes after Wolverine starts to ride solo after the fall of Krakoa. Logan goes full dad mode doing everything he can to rescue this poor kid who was only cursed because of his last ditch effort at survival. If you haven’t read the rebooted wolverine issues leading into the age of revelation I’d def give it a go.
Origin: First appeared in The Incredible Hulk #162 (1973) as Paul Cartier, cursed after cannibalism in the Canadian wilderness, transforming into a massive white-fur creature. Yet another book that I will never be able to afford. But maybe one day when more that 3 people read this.
Recurring Monster: The curse triggers similar transformations in others (like Georges Baptiste and Francois Lartigue), making the Wendigo a persistent horror figure.
Early Fights: The Wendigo has had iconic face-offs with the Hulk, Wolverine, the X-Men (Uncanny X-Men #139-140), Spider-Man (Spider-Man #8-9), and even Sabretooth (Sabretooth: Open Season #1-4).
📚 Wendigo Must-Read Comics
If you want to hunt down the best Wendigo stories, here’s your checklist:
🔹The Incredible Hulk #162 (1973) — First appearance of the Wendigo
The monster myth begins here. This Paul Cartier story defines the curse and introduces this terrifying creature to Marvel.
🔹Incredible Hulk #180–181 (1974) — Wolverine crossover
This classic arc includes Wolverine’s first appearances while Wendigo stalks the frozen wilderness — a foundational monster/fighter battle.
🔹Uncanny X-Men #139–140 (1980) — X-Men in the snow
Wendigo appears in one of the most memorable Canadian wilderness arcs with the X-Men — perfect hunting and horror storytelling.
🔹Spider-Man #8–9 (“Perceptions” arc) — Spidey + Wolverine team-up
These issues blend Wendigo terror with superhero investigation.
🔹Sabretooth: Open Season #1–4 — Sabretooth vs Wendigo
A gritty, brutal hunt through Canada where Sabretooth has his hands full.
🔹Modern entries:
- Wolverine (2024) #2–4 — Logan finds Leonard the Wendigo & learns to help him fight the hunger.
- Wolverine (2024) #8 / Legacy #400 — Arcade torture test and Leonard’s redemption.
- The Last Wolverine #1 (2025) — The continuation where Leonard becomes the “Wonderful Wolverine.”
Whether you’re reading for lore, battle scenes, or deep metaphorical explorations of curse and control, these books are great canon and fun adventure reads. Lots of duels and of course tons of Wolverine action. You will for sure find that the classic folklore is a weee bit different than what you’ll find in the comics. But as we all know … that’s because it’s comics!
🍻 Final Thoughts
The Wendigo isn’t just a Marvel monster — he’s a story about the beast within, survival at a terrible cost, and in the newest comics, redemption through compassion. Pairing terrifying lore with craft beers like Off Script’s hazy IPA and Confluence’s decadent peanut butter porter made this episode one of our favorites yet. As much as we had wanted to do this live out in the Winter Wisconsin woods, the beers out there just made it damn near impossible. Maybe one day we can make it back to that glorious land for another spooky tale. Have you heard the shriek of the Wendigo in the nigh? Because we sure did this Thanksgiving break. If you’ve got any Wendigo history or family tales PLEASE leave some of those tid-bits in the comments. We want to hear it all! Because when it comes to Just Abby’s family … They’ve got many a tales to tell.
Love monsters? Love comics? Love good beer?
Stay tuned for more lore, more drink flights, and more Comics & Brews.
Shop Our New Wendigo Ep.30 Merch!
Yes you read that right! Our new goal as we roll into 2026 is to create some hand drawn products that tie into each episode! So episode #30 is our first batch of new goods that was sketched up specifically for the drop of the Drunk History of the Wendigo. We’ve got sweaters, tees and more! If you want the actual hand drawn sketch itself you can get that too! Just shoot us a message for pricing.
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