We Need To Talk About Deadpool

In 1983, Deadpool made his first comic-book appearance and took the Marvel universe by storm. Wise-cracking, irreverent, and unpredictable, the Merc with a Mouth quickly became a favorite among fans and a force to be reckoned with in the comic book industry. Last month, in preparation for the upcoming movie Deadpool & Wolverine, we released an article looking back on Wolverine’s comic-book journey. Now, it’s Deadpool’s turn.

Deadpool was introduced in The New Mutants #98 in February 1983, written by Fabian Nicieza and illustrated by Rob Liefeld. Interestingly, he was created as an adversary for the superhero team. His healing ability made him invincible and he was a formidable opponent for our heroes. He made sporadic appearances in comics over the years, but it wasn’t until 1997 that he got his own ongoing title. This series, written by Joe Kelly, was where Deadpool first began to break the fourth wall and develop his reputation as “the Merc with a Mouth”. 

Deadpool isn’t the only Marvel comic-book character who breaks the fourth wall, but he’s probably the most famous for it. He takes every opportunity to make sarcastic remarks about his own storylines, highlighting superhero tropes and commenting sarcastically on their absurdity. He ridicules other characters’ motivations, actions, and plotlines, especially characters with strong morals and good intentions.

Deadpool is one of the more complex Marvel characters. His backstory is a lot darker than his ever-present humor would suggest. Wade Wilson was diagnosed with terminal cancer as a young man. Desperately seeking a cure, he agreed to an experimental treatment. This treatment was part of the Weapon X program (the same program that made Logan into Wolverine). Wade’s cancer was cured, he developed incredible healing abilities, and he gained enhanced strength and endurance. But he was also horribly scarred and disfigured by the process – not to mention the effect it had on his psychological state.

He may have started as a villain but, over time, Deadpool has often assumed the role of anti-hero. He generally tries to do the right thing… so long as it’s something he wants to do. His lack of a moral compass makes him a fascinating character; he’s unpredictable, contrary, and unorthodox. Basically, you never know what he’s going to do next and whether it will be for the side of “good” or not.

The comics have taken every opportunity to have Deadpool come up against some of our other favorite Marvel characters. Wolverine, Captain America, The Punisher, Juggernaut, and Spider-Man have participated in some of the best Deadpool crossovers. Deadpool is at his most entertaining when he’s facing stoic, moralistic characters like Cap, but pitting him against some of Marvel’s strongest fighters has produced thrilling confrontations. In a battle between two characters with super-human strength and rapid healing abilities, sometimes winning comes down to fast-thinking and off-the-wall tactics – two of the things Deadpool does best.

Long before Ryan Reynold and Hugh Jackman’s highly-anticipated team-up, Deadpool and Wolverine have been causing havoc in the Marvel universe. Both characters are the result of the Weapon X program, both have healing factors, and both have extreme anger issues. Unsurprisingly, their first encounter back in 1994 in Wolverine #88 was a savage fight that ended with Deadpool throwing a grenade at Wolverine, leaving him badly injured. Since then, however, they’ve swung between being friends and foes, sometimes working together for the same cause, sometimes spending a lot of time trying to kill each other. Given their incredible healing and the fact that Deadpool is immortal, their efforts to end each other’s lives have been unsuccessful so far – but that doesn’t mean they won’t keep trying!

The Deadpool & Wolverine movie will be released on July 26th, finally bringing the two characters together on the big screen (let’s not talk about Deadpool’s brief appearance in the 2009 X-Men Origins: Wolverine). From trailers so far, it looks like their characteristic verbal and physical sparring will be front and center in their relationship. We can’t wait to see how the brooding, volatile Wolverine handles the wise-cracking, unhinged Deadpool in movie format.

As for Deadpool’s comic-book career, his latest solo series began in April 2024. A new comic, Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII #1, was released at the start of May. Issue #2 reached fans in June, and #3 is anticipated to hit the shelves on July 24th, just days before the movie. With more Deadpool to look forward to in comics and on the big screen, Deadpool-inspired collectibles are more popular than ever. Hasbro, Funko, Exquisite Gaming, and Diamond Select have all carved out their places in the market, alongside many other companies. Just last month, Hasbro released a highly-coveted 12-inch articulated Deadpool action figure that allows you to pose his head, shoulders, and hips for “some serious, or sarcastic, crime-fighting action.” Exquisite Gaming produced a Deadpool “rear-view” (you know what they mean) device holder that’s both practical and true to his… unique personality. Diamond Select created a truly inspired collectible with their Animated Deadpool “Merc-for-Hire” statue, complete with his own booth as he advertises his services.

Funko manages, as always, to convey his larger-than-life personality in small packages, like the Funko Pop! Deadpool from their Marvel 80-Year: First Appearance line celebrating his first appearance in comics. Their special edition Pop! Deadpool from the Marvel Blacklight collection has been a particular hit with fans. Its vibrant colors and detailed designs are a change from Deadpool’s trademark black and red but the blacklight effect is a brilliant addition. 

Deadpool has been a dominating presence in the Marvel universe for more than 40 years now. He remains a confronting, complex, unpredictable, and hugely entertaining character. Thanks to his fourth-wall-breaking, he has a unique relationship with his audience. He pokes fun at the trope-heavy world of superheroes and subverts those tropes so that we never know what he’ll do next. With his ongoing comic series and wild popularity in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we have a lot more Deadpool to look forward to and we can’t wait.

Is there any better morally ambiguous superhero, anti-hero, or villain than Deadpool? Which other Marvel characters would you like to see him team up with? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to subscribe to our free newsletter, PopPulse Digest, for all things comics, collectibles, online deals, and more.

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