REVIEW: ‘Deadpool,’ Issue #1

Deadpool #1 is written by Alyssa Wong, illustrated by Martin Coccolo, colored by Neeraj Menon, and lettered by VC’s Joe Sabino. It’s published by Marvel Comics. Deadpool is on top of the world: he’s finally managed to get on Krakoa and rejoin X-Force. Yet, he still continues his mercenary work, and now he has the chance to join the elite group of mercenaries known as the Atelier. But before the Merc with a Mouth can carry out his mission, he’s kidnapped by a woman calling herself the Harrower. The Harrower has her own macabre machinations in place for Deadpool, and they involve another Marvel villain.

Deadpool is a character I’ve always been split on. While I can see why his wisecracking nature and violent antics have catapulted him to the top of pop culture, I always felt like most writers overplayed those traits. That and he always seemed to work better in team settings—see the various X-Force comics. It would take an extremely talented writer to find a fresh new take on Wade Wilson while keeping his sarcastic nature intact. That’s where Wong comes in. She gives Deadpool a new foe in the form of the Harrower and also ruminates on his love life. Yes, there’s a romantic element to this book and it makes things more interesting. When was the last time a big superhero book tackled romance? And through it all, Deadpool fires off a joke a minute, even coming dangerously close to breaking the fourth wall.

Coccolo, fresh off the Hulk vs Thor: Banner of War crossover, brings to Deadpool the same sense of chaos and gore that fueled that storyline. The Merc with a Mouth is impaled, cut open, and swallowed alive, all in the same issue. He also makes the Harrower an alluring, yet deadly foe. Her snow-white skin and flowing hair would make her look like a Disney princess if it weren’t for the horrific abominations of nature surrounding her. The coup de grace is a two-page spread that features Deadpool recreating a famous meme, and unlike other instances of this happening it actually makes sense within the context of the story and is pretty funny. You’ll have to pick it up to see what I’m talking about.

Finally, Meenon delivers the goods when it comes to colors. Everything has a rich and vibrant color scheme, from Deadpool’s trademark red and black suit to the lush green foliage that surrounds the Harrower’s lab. And Deadpool’s classic yellow speech bubbles remain, thanks to Sabino, who also features the Merc with a Mouth’s random red scribblings over the credits page. From the minute you open this comic, you’ll know it’s a Deadpool tale. Who else could have a comic this crazy, this funny, and this off the wall?

Deadpool #1 gives the Merc with a Mouth a new enemy and new goals while keeping true to the core of what makes him a beloved character. Thirty years may have passed since his creation, but Deadpool is still proving to be a formidable force in pop culture. Let’s hope future issues keep it that way.

Deadpool #1 is available wherever comics are sold.