4 Issue Test #16 - Deadpool

Marvel’s universe has changed, its entire line is being slowly relaunched (I know, this is about the 10^th time now) and I figured it’s time for me to properly embrace the Marvel line and take a look at a few of their new series. And by a few we’ll be looking at titles for 4 of the next 5 months.

We start with the Merc with the mouth himself, Deadpool. Created as in intentional ripoff of Teen Titan’s Deathstroke. Wade Wilson was eventually differentiated from Slade with a few elements of character and back story. He was a part of the Weapon X programme, the same scheme that gave Wolverine his powers and was given regenerative powers from it. The problem is he had cancer and the treatment regenerates his cancer as well as his normal cells.

A decent cover, showing Deadpool's new-found fame

Issue 1 opens in Seoul, South Korea 8 months after secret wars. Deadpool parachutes into the city and breaks into one of the apartments. But the white fox is waiting for him. They fight, exchanging banter as the White Fox notices his movements are more graceful and less violent than the Deadpool she’s studied.

It’s not Wade Wilson, it’s James Bourne aka Solo (apparently) they flirt before he escapes, leaving the White Fox with just his mask. We cut to two more people in Deadpool costumes (OK…) these are Foolkiller and Terror, you can guess which one of them is scary. They’ve carried out a job (quite a gruesome one) and are ready for the next.

Meanwhile a man and woman also in a Deadpool costume are attending a bar mitzvah party. Presumably the parents wonder which is the real Deadpool, concluding that it might well be neither. A guy is breaking into a museum to steal a diamond but is killed, I think, by a Deadpool with a jackhammer. I’m losing track of Deadpool’s here, this isn’t all inside his head, is it?

In New York precinct a Deadpool named Madcap is being questioned by police. He assaulted a man, but he’s too freaked out by Madcap’s appearance to press charges, so he’s released. Meanwhile, and I hope you’re keeping up, in a Texan desert, a terrorist is about to execute a taxman hostage. The man’s family were given a ransom demand but didn’t pay. Deadpool (I think he’s the real one) pops out of the sand and says that the family paid for his services before taking the hostage terrorists out.

As a helicopter prepares to extract them, the hostage reveals that his family couldn’t have afforded Deadpool. He did it for free having seen a daughter wanting his father home. Although he is asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding that.

Back in New York, Deadpool in a hoodie is giving an interview about being an Avenger, they eye Rogue, another member of the team who is questioned about the sterilisation/death of mutants via terrigen mists, she just flies away. Deadpool concludes the interview and meets his team of the various Deadpools we’ve seen this issue. They’re missing someone, stingray, a Deadpool in a glider suit.

Luke Cage watches a news report when Deadpool announces the name of his Deadpool army as the ‘heroes for hire’ he and Matt Murdock talk about the situation, Matt says he owes Cage a favour, using his new position in the DA’s office. But Luke’s more interested in the number for the Punisher.

As Deadpool responds to questions regarding issues with the Zoning Commission about his new headquarters a woman who claims that Deadpool is ‘one of her husbands’ is disappointed. Deadpool concludes the interview with a segment about his parents. They were murdered but it was his fault, but he promises to find and end those that actually pulled the trigger, 3 people are not happy about this. If I work out who these 3 people are I’ll let you know.

We end with Deadpool with a hoodie coming to the Don Anderson from the Zoning authority. He carries a bag that Don thinks is full of cash but is actually a gun which ‘Deadpool’ uses to murder him.

Another well drawn cover, again having little to do with the issue

Issue 2 opens with a landlord trying to evict his student tenants who are drug addict drinkers. They refuse by he has a few Deadpools to convince them. They ask for his money but this was supposed to be a promotional stunt and they’re not getting paid for it.

Back at headquarters the Deadpools question Deadpool in a hoodie about paying gigs. An accountant says that with all the money he’s investing in the Avengers, he needs to get this merc business solved and soon. The business has never made money, they had a paying client in Seoul, but they were being played.

Solo argues that they aren’t being paid enough, Deadpool tries to argue exposure but they aren’t buying it, since they’re wearing his uniform. Deadpool gets an arrow in the chest by Hawkeye, being served a cease and desist from using the name ‘Heroes for Hire.’ Deadpool makes a final argument on the money front. The business is growing and they could lose everything if they pick the wrong clients. He hands then a gig from a paying customer whilst saying he has to deal with more pressing matters.

An elderly gentleman needs squatters evicted from his apartments. They begin the task but find ordinary families inside, turns out they were paying a fixed fee rent and the landlord just wanted them out so he could up the prices. Feeling sorry for them, Stingray and Solo gives their cuts to the family.

Later that afternoon one of the men from the first issues, who we find out is called Adsit comes to the base to talk to Deadpool. Turns out he started the fire that killed his parents. Meanwhile an abusive father is shouting at his wife and children. The real Deadpool (I think, I’m losing track here) knocks down the door and punches the father, promising he won’t bother the wife and son again.

Fake Deadpool takes the news that Deadpool killed his own parents rather well, he now has something to use against the real Deadpool. He beats Adsit.

OK, you may as well call these cover 'random images' for how little they have to do with the issue

Issue 3 opens with Deadpool at a police station. They’re questioning him about the murder of Don back in issue 1. They’re inclined to believe he didn’t do it, despite some pretty conclusive evidence. He’d already called him in for soliciting a bribe and the police were investigating, he didn’t have the motivation to kill him that the real killer thought he did. He requests that he is arrested so they play the killer’s game.

One of the officers calls Deadpool’s business, now called Mercs for Money, but they’re less than inclined to help after their last pay check bounced. Solo’s wife, Catita calls, they’re late for the rent as the money she was promised didn’t arrive.

The woman who claimed to be Deadpool’s wife bursts into a surgery to chew it out with him, but it’s actually terror. She’s annoyed that there are now multiples of him, and says she’ll kill him. Ah, we find out in this issue her name is Shiklah. Terror also promises that if she doesn’t kill Deadpool, after his card was declined.

Stingray tells his wife about the delay with his pay, she’s understanding as long as he continues to save lives. Stingray reports to Steve Rogers, former Captain America. Deadpool had already worked out he was a mole. Steve asks what his opinion is on the group, Stingray says that most won’t pass a psyche exam (sounds perfect for Deadpool)

Madcap particularly has him worried. After spending some time in Deadpool’s head, Deadpool might not be the right person to realise he’s a bad fit. Madcap didn’t make a good first impression with Steve either so they decide to surprise him. They confront him, but he shrugs all of it off and leaves out the window. He wasn’t even invited to be part of the club, he just showed up and they can’t get rid of him. Steve says he has to go

Slapstick tries to buy something from a girl but without the cash, it’s no deal. A guy named Timmy comes out of her house and thanks her for the squat. Foolkiller is trying to pay for some gun specs from a Mr Mantle. He has no luck either. He pulls a gun on Mr Mantle but he has a sniper waiting. He tells Foolkiller to lose his number, else he’ll lose his head.

Deadpool spots his target about to fire an RPG at them. He escapes his cuffs and tells everyone to get down. Deadpool exits the bus and gives chase to the imposter. He almost has him but the imposter has skills, able to reverse the cuffs Deadpool had place on him. Deadpool is soon out but soon lays eyes on Adsit, realising someone close is playing a game with him.

Go Go Deadpool Rangers! Sorry, I had to make that joke. Aside from that, it looks ok, but you know I'm not a fan of covers without backgrounds

Issue 4 opens with Adsit awakening in a hospital, he’s now in the care of the Night Nurse. The woman from the first issue (don’t ask me who she is, they haven’t felt obliged to tell us) armed with 60 pounds of lead arrives and takes Adsit out of here.

Shikah exits the base and is annoyed to be called ‘Mrs Deadpool’ Deadpool now insists that his crew wear different coloured outfits like they’re now power rangers. And given Deadpool’s penchant for fourth wall jokes I’m surprised he didn’t make that reference. In addition to whatever merc jobs they’re up to, they’re now to investigate any Deadpool impersonators. The accountant arrives saying he cannot be pushed off any longer.

Deadpool agrees to talk, but he’s on his way to a gunfight. The accountant explains that whilst he may have gotten money from saving Washington DC, his funding of the Avengers is draining his cash faster than he’s replenishing it, he will run out of money. He recommends they let Stark work out how to fund them but Deadpool insists the funding remain, it’s good exposure. The accountant resigns having gotten terrified by the gun fight.

Deadpool gets a call from Steve Rogers, a punch of people wearing Deadpool masks are starting a fight Steve wants broken up. He unmasks one of the brawlers and finds it’s Bob, a mole Deadpool had in HYDRA. Steve remarks that whoever’s responsible for this can see right into his head. Deadpool replies that it might’ve been someone who was in his head.

Madcap and Deadpool fought a long time ago, Thor tries to intervene and a Thunderstrike fused them together, trapping Madcap inside Deadpool’s head. Madcap, practically immune to pain on the outside is able to feel it all inside Deadpool’s mind. They were later unfused but the damage was done. Only Madcap could’ve been responsible for this. They find a hideout full of disturbing images of Deadpool. It’s clear he’s gone nuts.

Deadpool meets with the woman from earlier, the family had unanimously agreed to leave witness protection. They talk without much being said, including the bit where Deadpool murdered his own parents. The mercs and Steve travel in one of Reed Richard’s old fantastic-cars. Terror and Foolkiller are sent out as a pair, as are Slapstick and Dumbo. Stingray departs, saying he might have a way to contain Madcap, Solo is sent alone to check Downtown.

Deadpool says that after everything coming to light Madcap wants to be found, and we see that Madcap is commanding a legion of Deadpool masked mind control victims who he orders to make the world afraid of Deadpool again.

So, that was Deadpool, how did it hold up? Let’s take a look

Start off the plotting. I didn’t find this series very new reader friendly. New readers, such as myself would not be familiar with prior events. A good first issue should let a new reader be aware of exactly what the situation is and why? It got most of the whats, little on the why. There are also bits, particularly around the family in witness protection that I found confusing. A little explanation can go a long way.

Having said that, the story itself isn’t a bad one, it’s well paced, helped by the fact this title comes out twice a month, it’s characters get a bit of fleshing out, especially in issue 3, the threat is credible and personal for Deadpool and it uses Steve Rogers in a good light

The artwork too is pretty solid. Most of the Deadpool designs, even without the colour alterations look reasonably distinct (Solo’s notwithstanding here but his was supposed to look similar since that was the opening teaser for the book)

I also like that the title is using some otherwise unknown characters and giving them a bit of spotlight, I would not have heard of these characters were it not for this title

Having said that, I do have one other major issue with this title, and it’s with Deadpool himself. He’s still kinda mouthy but gone are his multiple personalities, gone are the majority of his quips and fourth wall jokes. I don’t know if that’s a consequence of something, maybe even lacking Madcap in his head but it’s noticeable and the humour was what drew me to this title in the first place.

Rating

#1 6/10

#2 6/10

#3 7/10

#4 6/10

Overall 6.25/10

Recommendation: Only to die hard Deadpool fans, I unfortunately did not get enough out of this to continue reading the title. 

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Images/clips used in this review are from Deadpool and belong to their respective owners. All images in this review are subject to fair use