REVIEW: Deadpool #13

Team-up comics have been around practically as long as the superheroes that fill them, but Deadpool #13 takes it to a whole new level. This massive crossover includes four full-length issues in one package, and although each part has a different creative team, the story flows well and the art is similar enough to have no trouble differentiating characters and settings. Whoever thought of doing this was brilliant and deserves a fruit basket.

The premise of the book is pretty simple: a financial consultant who finds himself targeted by multiple crime rings, including Typhoid Mary, for not delivering on investments has to resort to hiring Deadpool to take care of the problem. The one piece of leverage is a laptop full of all the incriminating records in question, and Deadpool manages to *&!% up everything by throwing it in the garbage. They try hiring Matt Murdock, who insists that the computer is vital and trails them as Daredevil to retrieve it. Upon discovering its disappearance, Daredevil abandons them and Deadpool turns to Iron Fist & Power Man for assistance in retrieving it. The final part focuses on Deadpool and ties everything together.

I have nothing but love for this issue. Let me be blunt: if this had followed the normal crossover template, I’d have skipped the Daredevil and Power Man & Iron Fist issues entirely, leaving a huge gap in story full of valuable information and funny stuff. I hate how reliant Marvel is on these events for increasing their sales. It was such a smart move to include these “point one”“ issues within this comic for several reasons. First off, it“s a predominantly Deadpool story so instead of throwing off the rhythm of the other titles with single Deadpool-centric issues out of context, they just made this issue a fully formed arc broken into parts. Secondly, this is a much better price point than the alternative. Four comics at $3.99 is way worse than one at $9.99, especially considering we get fewer ads and save paper. I really hope this tactic is used more often.

Finally, I feel like the collaboration between writers and artists had to be way more substantial to pull this off. I feel like Temporary Insanitation is a relay race of comic goodness, with each team contributing to the story in a unique way without losing momentum. Gerry Duggan and Jacapo Camagni lay the ground work in Part 1 by introducing characters and providing the backstory needed to drive the plot. Part 2 is by Daredevil“s own Charles Soule and Guillmero Sanna, who really milk Murdock“s double life as a gag and dark art stylings I“d expect from an indie comic. David Walker and Elmo Bondac of the PM & IF title have garbage dumped on them (heh heh) and are still able to use their characters to full effect alongside Deadpool. Also, Bondac includes one of the coolest two-page spreads I’ve seen in a while. The anchor is Gerry Duggan again, joined by Paco Diaz, who bring everyone together and wrap things up with a ribbon. What I am truly impressed with is how so many people got it so right, from Wade“s humor style to his office dÃ©cor (which includes a nod to the film in multiple parts for eagle-eyed fans). Props also for outsourcing cover art to Herrera and Rizo instead of using any of the interior artists to avoid favoritism.

Deadpool knocks it out of the park and into the parking lot in lucky #13. Not only did I get a “free”“ sample of the work exhibited in Daredevil and PM&IF, but I got a fantastic story. It’s not flashy or cosmic or even really super (you get what I mean), but this is a fun book with action, laughs, and heart. Another plus is that it seems to happen outside of continuity, so readers of the other titles that don’t like Deadpool won’t feel like they missed anything! This is one of the best Deadpool comics I“ve read, and I’ve read quite a few. Everyone should read this. Well”¦ unless you“re blind like Deadpool“s best friend Matt Murdock. If that’s the case, then HOW ARE YOUR READING THIS!? Ha ha. Seriously though.

Phenomenal, Five out of Five Chimichangas

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

STORY BYÂ Gerry Duggan, Charles Soule, David F. Walker
ART BYÂ Jacopo Camagni, Guillermo Sanna, Elmo Bondoc,Paco Diaz
COLORS BYÂ Veronica Gandini, Mat Lopes, Nolan Woodard,Israel Silva
COVER BYÂ Francisco Herrera, Rob Liefeld, Ron Lim
PUBLISHERÂ Marvel Comics

Author Profile

Robert Anderegg

Robert joined Comic Crusaders in 2016 as contributor, but has been an active online voice through social media for almost ten years. His hobbies include reading and collecting comics, attending theme parks, making music, and driving his wife insane. Deadpool and Nightcrawler are his two favorite superheroes, and while his preference is Marvel, he dabbles in every major and indie label in the comics community. He graduated from UTPB in 2013 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and is currently seeking employment in that field. A southern boy at heart, he currently resides in the Midwest.