Daddy’s Budding Little Mercenaries: Reviewing ‘Deadpool’ #5

Deadpool has taken theaters by storm (again) this Summer in a big way, and is all over the place again. In the comics, though, things are big in a much smaller and personal type of way.

Deadpool #5 brings a close (?) to the opening story arc of this new series, and it’s definitely something. Family and legacy are the words of the day in this story from Cody Ziglar, Andrea Di Vito, Guru-eFX, and Joe Sabino.

I really like what Ziglar does with characters more often than not. Any glance at my reviews for his Miles Morales books will show that. This series, though, I’m a bit more on the fence about things. While I love the aspect of the mercenary business with Taskmaster and his daughter Ellie being in the picture again, the Deathgrip stuff feels a bit weak.

The premise is solid but the way it ‘ended’ feels kind of weak, and a bit confusing. It seemed that Wade was headed for death, but nope! Instead he’s missing numerous limbs that won’t grow back and still somehow not dying. It all becomes far too jokey, missing some of that serious edge that Deadpool can have when the chips are really down.

Ellie having powers and being in her father’s life is great, as I said. As was her coming to the rescue. That being said, her suddenly becoming Deadpool and said to be the new field agent in the next arc feels unearned. We went from Wade not wanting her to be involved in all this danger to suddenly being fine with it after his injuries. It almost feels like a step is missing somewhere.

I’m excited to see more of Ellie doing things, and we know she’s getting her own costume and such very soon. Hopefully more of the character and emotional stuff hits in the following issues. Here, everything just felt rushed, somewhat sapping the story of that magic Ziglar usually employs.

Artistic changes, mid story arc at that, can always be a dicey situation. Too much of a change can throw the reader off, especially if a particular type of style was in play. Yet, changes also have the power to create a new dynamic, either unintentionally just because schedule/issues or intentionally to match an issue tone. In this case, the change from Rogê Antônio to Di Vito is not a huge shift.

Really dynamic pieces that very much have that inherent feeling of being attuned for superhero stories. Di Vido has a keen eye for placement, layouts, and framing with the panels. Letting the action flow through the pages in the most kinetic and tangible way. Some pages really utilize the space and medium freedom to do some unique or fun things. Hits that sort of sweet spot between rough and smooth while letting the characters emote and be authentic.

Being a harder story, the darker tones are still heavily in play within Guru-eFX’s color palette choices. The colors help set a very neutral baseline which gives the overall world a familiar atheistic. This allows the slightly to far more vibrant tones really stand out so that the more fantastical elements are always in our face (in a good way).

What also flows smooth across the page are the various types of lettering. Sabino is a pro at this, really letting voices stand alone and remain personalized or unique. Dropping in little things here or there to give some visual flair to really highlight the personality or uniqueness of these stories.

Deadpool #5 is now available from Marvel Comics.