Now that Daniel Waid’s Deadpool run is over, it’s time for someone else to take on the Merc with a Mouth. Enter Gerry Duggan and his comedian co-writer, Brian Posehn. A good Deadpool story isn’t just comedy though, it also explores the tortured soul behind the red mask. It’s about his futile quest for acceptance among superheroes and supervillains that find him annoying above all else. Can this new writing team pull it off?
Come to think of it, this issue came out at the best possible time. The story is about zombie presidents, and yesterday had a presidential election. Anyway, on with the review.
This issue doesn’t explore Deadpool’s tortured soul much, but as the first issue you shouldn’t expect that. Instead, we get an insane story about resurrected Presidents and their plan to destroy America and start over again. It’s a fun read with plenty of humour, and a lot of chaotic, bloody action. It also brings back a competent Deadpool, who is perfectly capable of handling a job despite his insanity. It shows plenty of potential for the comedic side of this new series, but it’s not flawless.
There’s a slight overuse of reference-related humour. I didn’t count them, but there’s probably at least one pop culture reference for every page Deadpool is on. There was also a monster in the middle of New York that was never explained as it just served as a bridge to introduce Deadpool. It also doesn’t even attempt to enter Deadpool’s thought process, or his tortured soul. Since this is only the first issue though, I’ll give this a temporary free pass. As long as these flaws aren’t repeated often in future issues, consider these as nitpicks.
The art is fairly good. Deadpool’s skin is appropriately grotesque, as are the zombie presidents. The green glowing around each of the dead presidents adds to the evil magic feel of the situation. It’s also a gory comic, with plenty of guts and bones sticking out. In case that doesn’t make it clear, this comic is definitely not meant for kids.
While I’m not convinced of this series yet, this issue is a fun read. It introduces Deadpool to potential new readers in a competent way and has fun with it. The storyline has plenty of potential for chaotic action and insane storytelling. Hopefully the series will delve deeper into Deadpool psych as it moves on. As it is though, this comic is an easy recommendation for anyone who is interested in a comedic series about a somewhat insane mercenary. For existing Deadpool fans, well … it depends on which version of Deadpool you prefer.
healed1337 
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Well, Deadpool should be making pop-culture references. So that’s not a bad thing. But Posehn shows no signs of understanding the character. He clearly sees Deadpool as a clown, as a source of comedy. Deadpool’s a tragic figure, and the comedy is a defence mechanism. I’m also not sure it’s necessarily acceptance Deadpool wants. Rather, I think what he wants is to be better than he believes he is. He used to want to be recognized as a hero, but only because he felt that was a necessary part of being a better person. That quest for self-improvement was a fundamental part of the character from his first mini-series. It wasn’t that he wanted to be a popular hero. He just didn’t want to be a monster. And every time he tried to be better, he failed. But every time he failed, he tried again. He compared himself to the old cartoon of a squirrel trying to crack open a coconut.
But Posehn wants “OMGcrazyrandomwackyLOL!!!!1one”.
And I am just so fed up with that view of that take on the character.
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I agree that pop-culture references are a part of Deadpool’s character, but there has to be a balance between some references and too many references. And references alone are not funny – they have to make sense and there has to be an actual joke behind it.
Your clarification about Deadpool wanting to improve himself and not be seen as a monster is what I meant by acceptance. You just explained it better than I did. That explanation further makes me think that I should start reading Joe Kelly’s run – once I catch up with Journy Into Mystery (just ordered the first paperback today).
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The Joe Kelly run is definitely worth reading. It does a great job of showing how he’s actually insane, and how that insanity isn’t always funny. Sometimes, he can be downright scary. Like keeping an old blind woman as his prisoner. What’s interesting is how serious the fourth issue is. The first three issues lean more comedic than dramatic, though with the drama there. But the fourth issue is more dramatic than comedic. And it’s extremely effective. That issue, more than any other, I think needs to be required reading for anyone who wants to write Deadpool.
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