I do not disagree. I've seen some truly awful, vile fanfics in my day.

But I've also read, and been a part of several outstanding ones, where each writer knew their character very well.

I mean it's basic logic. Of course Len Wein (No, Wolvie wasn't created by Stan Lee) will write Wolverine better than I could. No one's trying to argue that specific point (I hope so, anyway). What I'm saying is that if you are intimately aware of a character and his/her respective source material, you should be able to play that character with enough accuracy to get by. The creators should have depicted and explored that character enough for you to understand their tendencies, mannerisms, habits, vocabulary, accents, body language. It all depends on how perceptive YOU are.

Sure, there are more than likely little things about any character the creator designed but never ended up depicting, exploring, or sharing with the audience for one reason or another. Let's say for humor's sake, Len Wein decided Wolverine was deathly afraid of clowns. You're right, I couldn't possibly know this. But given the fact that this aspect of his personality was never explored or came to light in 40 years of exploration, does it really effect how one would portray him??

Not even close. That's what it comes down to. Wolverine is 40 years old...

With 40 years of source material, if you can't write Wolverine (after doing homework, of course), you're probably pursuing the wrong hobby...