Two Peas In A Bloody Pod — Reviewing ‘Deadpool/Wolverine’ #1

A new year has begun and that means plenty more room for some of that juicy Marvel Comics corporate synergy. Giving specific characters even more spotlight (or for some, any at all) to tie into whatever other medium adaptation happens to be on people’s radars.

While the movie came out months ago, the synergy still runs hot with Deadpool/Wolverine #1 from Benjamin Percy, Joshua Cassara, Guru-eFX, and Joe Sabino.

To be fair this isn’t the first (nor the last) story that centers around the Canadian healing stabby fellows. Nor is this a story that really even tries to fit into what the film versions were doing, more of a “take advantage of the conversation” than really tie-into things.

Let’s drop in a positive before going any further.

Seeing Percy and Cassara together again is and was a massive selling point. The work they did together in the Krakoan era on X-Force (even the arcs I was less enthused with) was the good stuff.

This one, well I’m not so sure yet.

There are a lot of pages of the two characters — separately and together — slicing, dicing, and asking not a lot of questions. As they are propelled forward by some unknown (until the final page reveal) force that has taken hold of Deadpool. Percy’s fascination with Maverick continues as the former Team X mercenary who sells out his own people at the drop of a hat graces another Percy written Wolverine series.

All the action though is smooth with that touch of roughness that Cassara does so well. Really capturing the figures and their emotions, fighting styles, and the general chaos that follows them at every turn. While he’s done numerous other things, there is just something about Wolverine/Deadpool/X-Force that seems to bring out another level in the artist. Probably because his particular visual style works with these darker, heftier types of characters and stories.

We get the return of an X-Foe that’s been off the board for a little bit (can’t recall how long though, with all the timey-whimey junk), who happens to be related to some mutual friends of the title duo. While this first issue just felt like a belching out of events, I’m prepared to see where Percy takes it all. My feelings about his time with these characters is like a roller coaster, lots of ups and downs. Yet, it’s a roller coaster that has such highs, that I’m willing to ride it again even with the painful lows.

As stated, the artwork really helps with that. Beyond the overall style choices, I just like how Cassara lays out a page in most cases. Really finding a way to make it all flow and feel bold yet small and personal at the same time. Putting the negative space/gutters to solid work in framing.

All the heaviness works for the colors that Guru-eFX puts into play. A palette full of heavier, darker colors along with the more vibrant and bold beats that befit these costumed characters and their colorful world. Much of it is kept in a state that feels toned-down in some respects to give more focus to the depth and character work. It allows particular colors to take the stage and guide the way, especially the reds and yellows.

One thing that I maintained in all the years of covering the Percy era of Wolverine was how well he captures Logan’s voice. That continues here; it is so developed and emotionally resonant for the character. Sabino takes that voice and gives it even more depth and power on the page with lettering choices that just flow. Plenty of colorful balloons and text that follow standards for some characters (like Deadpool) or punch things up a notch for others. Plenty of moments are rife with a lot of conversation, some piling over others, but they find their way on the page under this seasoned hand.

Deadpool/Wolverine #1 is now available from Marvel Comics.