The Deadpool Thread (there be spoilers within)

Fuzzy Birds

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I was first introduced to Marvel comics in the early 90s, in particular bargain bin back issues that my brother had purchased in second hand stores. Growing up on the over muscled, over gunned, over boobed and under plotted stories of the time was not ideal, and if it wasn't for the potential I saw in those comics, I probably would have grown bored with them within a number of weeks. However, hidden in among all the dreck was the odd gem. And no, I'm not talking about Nathan Hotspring Askani Something Whatever. I'm talking about Mr Wade Wilson.

Deadpool. The Merc With A Mouth.

A mercenary diagnosed with cancer, Wade reluctantly joined a Weapon X offshoot, in hopes of a cure. Instead, he was taken apart piece by piece, experimented on and eventually discarded with the rest of the rejects, broken, no longer the man he was. His mind a twisted, warped cesspit, seeking revenge and redemption, and ultimately peace. By way of lots of guns and explosions.

After hunting down various reprints and borrowing tons of issues from a couple of like minded comic collecting friends, I've finally read pretty much every issue of Deadpool related comics, from the initial limited series, to the 69 issue series, to Agent X up to Cable & Deadpool.

His initial appearances, from X Force to New Mutants to his two limited series; Circle Chase and Sins of the Past, left much to be desired. He was after all, a product of the early 90s. He was simply a cool costume, a mysterious name, and a one man army. It wasn't until Joe Kelly came along that the character really began to get interesting. Kelly's run was far from ideal, being bogged down with fairly naff late 90s ideas that never should have seen face in a Deadpool comic, from Wade mixing it up with the interdimensional Luckman, Landau and Lake corporation, to the ridiculous Mithras saga. But what he lacked in the short term stories, Kelly made up for in the long term, with plot threads planted from the first issues finally being picked up almost 30 issues later, something which most modern comics are severely lacking. Coupled with an interesting flatmate in the form of Blind Al, Deadpool was almost on top of his game here. His sense of humour was, surprisingly humorous, as opposed to the always cringeworthy Spiderman type humour, and the attempts at fleshing out his history were highly succesful, giving a 2 dimensional character some much needed emotional clout. Through his history, readers could see why Wade was so crazy, and better yet, could finally sympathise with him. This wasn't just a psychopathic madman with a mixed up moral code, this was a man who was once whole, but found himself broken, and instead of received help, he was broken some more. A man who longed for the embrace of death, forever denied it.

After 30 something Kelly issues, Priest took over, taking all of the worst things from Kellys run, and none of the good. Mixing Deadpool up with Loki, being cursed to look like a movie star, and hanging out with 'Titania' and the Constrictor were poor moves, and coupled with confusing narratives and a vastly devolved sense of humour, this was a poor, best forgotten run.

You'd think things would have improved after Priest, when Jimmy Palmiotti climbed aboard. Palmiotti brought something much needed to the title; a street angle. No more Norse Gods and interdimensional conglomerates, just criminals, sleazebags, and scumballs. Everything was there, except even the vaguest hints of humour. It was like spaghetti bolognese withougt the bolognese.

Frank Tieri took on after Palmiotti, and finally the title picked up. Heavily story oriented issues, with Deadpool reluctantly working for Weapon X and later forming his own team of sorts.

The real saving grace of the series, came in the form of Gail Simone and Udon, who produced the five best issues in Deadpool history. Starting with a botched assasination that turned Wade into a celebrity and leading into Deadpool Inc, a showdown with the German gentleman merc Black Swan and Wades apparent death, this was well written, gorgeously illustrated, often hilarious (Rhino on a key chain!!) and full of wonderful ideas. Yet it still finished at issue 69.

The first seven, and last 3 issues of Agent X were a natural continuation of Simones last run, with a very familiar lead in Alex Hayden, an interesting supporting cast (especially a jealous, whining, bitter Taskmaster), and a wonderful wrap up, bringing Wade back to our welcoming arms. Hayden was hilarious, and very well received, at least by me, but he wasn't no Wade.

And then there came Cable & Deadpool. While Niciezas Wade seems to be the comedy relief of the series (and not that funny come to it), he's still fairly well written, and it's better than hanging around in comic book limbo.

So, here's to Wade Wilson, one of my personal favourite characters, one who has never quite reached his potential, but nevertheless never fails to entertain, interest, sicken and shock readers and fellow characters alike.

You may be wondering why I spent 40 minutes writing all this.

'The answer to your question is shaddup'



This thread is hereby dedicated to the discussion of all things Wade.
 
I must say that is a much better review/synopsis than the morons who just start quoting him and sounding like Beavis & Butt-head.
 
thankz fuzzy, this saves me time from having to look stuff online about deadpool and everyone else opinions mixed. you gave it nice and strait about what his comic life has been.
 
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UltimateE said:
I must say that is a much better review/synopsis than the morons who just start quoting him and sounding like Beavis & Butt-head.


Hehe, thanks. I realize there are a lot of people out there who only admire the character for his craziness, but I've always liked him for the reasons above. While it's something that hasn't been explored for a while, he's actually quite a complex character, certainly more deserving of attention because of this.
 
TheManWithoutFear said:
What... Cmon' I only read a few back issues (Praying they collect them in trade) And I give a summary of every Cable/Deadpool issue that comes out. Thanks E. :?

I wasn't talking about you.
 
TheManWithoutFear said:
What... Cmon' I only read a few back issues (Praying they collect them in trade) And I give a summary of every Cable/Deadpool issue that comes out. Thanks E. :?

I really don't think he was talking about you MWOF.
 
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What are people's opinions of Deadpool joining the Six Pack? Do you guys think he'll stay a member, or do you just believe it's a temorary thing to take down Cable?

Deadpool and Domino are popular characters (even though the other 4 Six Pack characters are C-listers) do you think they'd be able to support a series together? I've always wanted to see Deadpool as a team player (preferably with the x-men).
But I hope that douche, Cable, doesn't go onto better things while Deadpool gets cancelled.
 
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What are people's opinions of Deadpool joining the Six Pack? Do you guys think he'll stay a member, or do you just believe it's a temorary thing to take down Cable?

Deadpool and Domino are popular characters (even though the other 4 Six Pack characters are C-listers) do you think they'd be able to support a series together? I've always wanted to see Deadpool as a team player (preferably with the x-men).
But I hope that douche, Cable, doesn't go onto better things while Deadpool gets cancelled.
When did he join the Six-Pack? I'm not sure what I missed.

I seriously think it's time for the two to seperate though. I love the series but you can only do so much with two totally different characters. I have faith Fabian can pull it off but I don't think it's likely. I want to see DP on his own for a bit. I do, however, feel he's perfect for the covert style X-Men Carey's writing now. Why he wasn't considered for the team in the first place is beyond me.
 
When did he join the Six-Pack? I'm not sure what I missed.

Issue #34, November 15th, 2006.
CABDPL034_colcov.jpg

The DOMINO PRINCIPLE comes to an explosive conclusion as CABLE's confrontation with the SIX PACK and their newest member leads to a very difficult decision for all concerned -- ruin a country on the brink of salvation or let Cable tip the first domino towards WORLD DOMINATION!
 
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Issue #34, November 15th, 2006.
CABDPL034_colcov.jpg


The DOMINO PRINCIPLE comes to an explosive conclusion as CABLE's confrontation with the SIX PACK and their newest member leads to a very difficult decision for all concerned -- ruin a country on the brink of salvation or let Cable tip the first domino towards WORLD DOMINATION!
Ah right.
 

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