It’s not surprising that Marvel Comics would capitalize on the success of Deadpool & Wolverine with a new comic featuring both heroes. What is surprising, however, is that Deadpool/Wolverine #1 does not have much of what made the movie a billion-dollar hit. It is not bad, it should be noted, but does drive home the difference between the film franchise and the comics.
The story opens with two nameless schmucks from the Office of National Emergency (ONE) opening a container that clearly should have been kept sealed. After a brief interlude of Deadpool robbing a funeral, our heroes meet in earnest. Wade interrupts Logan as he’s in the middle of a bar fight, informing him that they have a mission.
Wolverine soon figures out that there is something wrong with Wade. Namely, that he’s unusually focused, quiet, and doesn’t make any jokes. The mission involves their old mutual enemy the X-Cutioner, Logan’s old teammate Maverick, and a mystery person mind-controlling Deadpool.
Deadpool/Wolverine #1 is more Wolverine than Deadpool
Those who come into Deadpool/Wolverine from the movies may be stunned at how humorless this issue is. This is largely because most of the comic is told from Logan’s perspective. It is not completely free of comedy, but the comic isn’t devoted to it like Ryan Reynolds‘ films are. Heck, there’s less humor than the average Deadpool comic, but this is explained in the story.
Ben Percy is an old hand at writing Wolverine, which is both a blessing and a curse. He has a good handle on Logan’s voice and there’s a lot Wolverine fans will like, such as the intense action sequences. The problem is some of it is too familiar, such as Logan’s bar fight with a group of anti-mutant bigots. (Seriously. How many Wolverine stories open up with a bar fight?) The bit where Deadpool steals a corpse from a funeral, while true to form, also seems too close, on-paper, to the opening of Deadpool & Wolverine.
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The artwork will also be pleasantly familiar. This is because artist Joshua Cassara is a veteran of both X-Men and X-Force. He and Percy have worked together well in the past and the two are clearly comfortable collaborating at this point. The action is intense and vividly illustrated, as it should be.
Deadpool/Wolverine #1 is not a continuation or copy of the duo’s cinematic adventures. It is, however, a solid introduction to the relationship between Wade Wilson and Logan in the comics. It may not be a buddy comedy, but it is a decent action/adventure book.
Grade: 7/10
Deadpool/Wolverine #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
