REVIEW: ‘Deadpool,’ #5

Deadpool #5 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Kelly Thompson, penciled by Gerardo Sandoval, inks by Victor Nava, and Gerardo Sandoval, colors by Chris Sotomayor, and letters by VC’s Joe Sabino. While Deadpool is trying to acclimatize to his new role as King of the monsters on Staten Island, one of Wades’ subjects has other ideas and decides to go walkabout. This wouldn’t be so bad, but Smash Smash is a giant half Kaiju that is intent on, well, smashing.

The issue opens up with Deadpool relaxing in the park on Staten (now renamed Monster) Island, while Jeff, his pet shark, and Smash Smash, a half Kaiju play in the water. These are sentences I’d only type when reviewing a Deadpool comic so you know you’re in for a ride already.

All Wade wants is for is for a little moment away from the crowd, and a reprieve from his new leadership duties so that he can take in the day, and catch his breath. It’s not easy being King of the Monsters, ask Godzilla. Elsa, and Wade discuss the ramifications of trying to control monsters when their natural tendencies are generally to wreak havoc. At that very moment Smash Smash sets his eyes on Manhattan and begins to wade through the bay as he has a mighty need to live up to his namesake.

Oh to be a tourist inside the mind of Thompson as she concocts these chaotic pearls of plot. The issue consists of essentially four characters, Deadpool, Elsa the monster hunter, Jeff the shark, and Smash Smash the half Kaiju. The dynamic between these characters is ludicrous, but highly entertaining. With Elsa trying to be the most rational character and trying to imbue Wade with a sense of reality, all while talking to Deadpool, the man who literally doesn’t care about societal expectations.

While this dialogue between the two elevates the humor from opposing forces, it serves to highlight the point that as a King of a group of monsters you can’t exactly play by the rules. Beneath Deadpool’s anarchistic tendencies, he does care, and he wants to do this right. Thompson balances the humor and the heart of this issue extremely well, and I was not expecting to see that level of caring coming from an agent of chaos.

As a Brit, I was also supremely happy that Thompson landed the English accented dialogue of Elsa Bloodstone, as this can be tricky. If not captured genuinely it can become a deterrent and distract from the plot, but Thompson worked it in extremely well.

Sandoval, Nava, and Sotomayor combine for some brilliant imagery. You are instantly greeted by an amazing panel a page or two in when you see Smash Smash on his back in the water playfully tossing Jeff up into the air. It’s bonkers. Jeff, while a more silent character, steals the show visually. He has these small cameo appearance in many of the scenes, just popping his head into view just to add to the comedic experience of the issue.

Sandoval, Nava, and Sotomayor also combine to deliver some unconventional panel structures that adds an energy to the latter action sequences. The detail these three creatives are able to capture is impressive whether it be on the close up details of the scales on the kaiju, or the dirtied, battered mask of Deadpool, there’s more than enough art to admire.

Sabino delivered a brilliant level of lettering that raises the quality of the dialogue from Thompson. Added to the fantastic and diverse implementation of the onomatopoeia. It all served to balance the pace, and deliver the humor as intended.

Overall, this is an absolutely batty plot, and this chaotic issue is so wildly enjoyable. I’ve only just recently jumped into this series, but I am fully invested into seeing whether Deadpool has it in him to continue managing a kingdom of monsters…on Staten Island!

Deadpool #5 is available in stores now.