Blood On The Scales — Reviewing ‘Deadpool’ #11

Tough times call for tough calls. With Deadpool & Daughters LLC facing some rough times, they can’t be picky about contracts. Even if taking a particular job means potentially turning themselves into some of the most hated and hunted figures on the planet.

That tends to be a potential consequence when the target in their sights is not only a superhero, but the younger neighborhood friendly Spider-Man.

A crossover of titans begins in Deadpool #11 as Cody Ziglar brings Adnrea Di Vito, Guru-eFX, and Joe Sabino along to connect with his other series, Miles Morales: Spider-Man. Yeah, that’s right, the Deadpools are now gunning for Miles Morales.

Surely this will go well for all involved.

A good writer can take any group of characters — no matter their ability levels — and create an engaging tale of their confrontation. Ziglar is not just a good writer, but a great writer. We get so much packed into this issue from a recap, to setting up Agent Gao’s role in this, to various fight beats.

What I love is how solidly Ziglar understands and handles the cast. Not a single bit of the character development or plot is lost here. We see so much between Wade and Ellie as they struggle with the mission before them. Wade as an actual parent has paid off because it delivers new dimensions for this typically static character.

Beyond the character stuff, the way that the story flows is smooth as butter. Even though tons have happened to all these characters, the way it’s set up makes this crossover new-reader-friendly. The tale gives you just enough about where things are and status quos to not be confusing. Agent Gao’s reasons for the hit on Spider-Man are known to long term readers. But for a new reader, some ex-government official wanting a hero dead makes too much villain sense to be riddled with question marks.

Despite returning last issue, Rogê Antônio is sitting this arc out again. Which is fine because the back and forth we’ve had between Antônio and Di Vito works. Their styles have similar enough qualities, as well as plenty of their own juice, to not be a jarring change.

Whimsical weighty depth with vibrant fun energy is the description I tend to use for Di Vito’s art style. There is plenty of depth and power in any particular scene through well-chosen paneling styles. It also allows characters space enough to emote and own the scene, infusing the action with the right levels of kinetic energy as things bounce and move through the pages with true feeling motion.

Meanwhile, just a smidge of roughness always is present to keep the stories darker or heftier tones in focus.

Which is matched beat-for-beat by Guru-eFX’s color palette. These colors have darker tones at the forefront to let the moments land with impact. Even the more vibrant, poppier colors have those darker tones mixed into the formula. It gives things a lighter fantastical feeling along the way.

Two Deadpools means differing captions along with a lot of voices here. Sabino never misses a beat in giving them all their own specific energy. Such as how Ellie and Wade both have their own colorful boxes. But the approach to each differs as Wade is more of a fourth wall breaker than his daughter. Each of the other characters fall into the realm of having their words punched up with personality and energy as well.

Deadpool #11 is now available from Marvel Comics.