Deadpool stories are always most fulfilling when there is at least a nugget of heart, and these shorter slices of cake just don’t allow room for that heart to shine through among the plot devices and wordplay. But it is a good time and definitely worth coming to the party.
The first story comes from perhaps the true creator of the modern Deadpool, Joe Kelly. Kelly and artist Gerardo Sandoval create a massive multiversal battle with some madcap dialogue leading to a variant Deadpool hooking up with the attacker and ultimately creating Deadpool with the pregnancy announced in the final panel. Chris Sotomayor begins a long line of colorists throughout this issue that are pitch perfect in bringing the bright, joyful bloodshed we expect from a great Deadpool story.
The second story builds on the ‘this is your life’ theme with a story of Baby Deadpool being attacked by hundreds of time traveling Cables all with opposing goals as they decide if Baby Deadpool should be killed or saved. The art by Aaron Conley is detailed and just so cool with all the varying Cables attacking each other.
The most unusual story of the issue is Kelly Thompson’s depiction of Wade Wilson in a high school disrupted by his fellow Canadian Wolverine crashing his prom in the midst of battle. High School Wade Wilson is a character we just need more of as he’s just figuring out how insane he can be even without superpowers. The art by Kevin Libranda and Bob Quinn is a bit more house style but well done.
Fabian Nicieza is one of the co-creators of Deadpool and his entry with artist Patch Zircher is a bit disappointing. They are both top caliber creators and the story takes place as he’s undergoing the experiments which give him cellular regeneration, but as he tries on various origins to see which he likes it just takes us away from any actual story as we simply explore some great art mashups.
Gail Simone gets us back on track with typical humor as Deadpool and Agent X face off against Stilt-Man with a nice cameo by Domino and Diamondback. Daniel Way and Paco Medina give Wade what he wants for his birthday which of course are weapons to go with the cake. The story and humor are well done although Medina’s art feels a bit rushed in part due to some very basic colors by Jesus Aburtov.
Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn give us an epic tale of Deadpool after death. Reminding us what death is like for someone who ultimately cannot die. The art by Scott Kobish is masterful, maximizing the macabre theme and showing us a Deadpool beyond decay.
The final story of course is Deadpool meeting his creator, with Rob Liefeld co-writing and drawing the meeting between Deadpool and himself. It’s a lot of splash pages and a bit of rambling but it’s fun and silly and exactly how you’d want a birthday celebration for our favorite merc to end. Overall this issue was a celebration of everything that Deadpool is. It has great humor great art and a great overall arc from before birth to after death. It’s a brilliant way to showcase so much creativity and an insane amount of fun packed into a single issue.
Writing: 4.2 of 5 stars
Art: 4.4 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.6 of 5 stars
Overall: 4.4 of 5 stars
Writers: Fabian Nicieza, Rob Liefeld and Various
Art: Rob Liefeld, Scott Koblish and Various
Colors: Chris Sotomayor and Various
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Author Profile
- M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.
Latest entries
