Daddy Daughter Deadly Dance — Reviewing ‘Wolverines And Deadpools’ #1

What’s more jam-packed, stabby, and fourth wall breaking than a Deadpool/Wolverine series? How about Wolverines And Deadpools as a series? Yeah, that’s the ticket right there.

From the folks that brought the last Deadpool run to life, comes this new miniseries spinoff series that totally wasn’t the next arc of that ended series (it would have been). Cody Ziglar, Rogê Antônio, and Guru-eFX reunite and add Travis Lanham into the mix this time around.

It would be easy to say something like “What you see on the cover is just what you get inside.” But that would be underselling this series and those that are involved. This easily could have just been something throwing marketable ($$$) characters together for a reason pulled out of a hat. Instead, there is rich character-driven heart as a foundation around humor and slashing action.

Of course there is, this is a Ziglar story after all.

Anyone that has read the current Miles Morales: Spider-Man run or the aforementioned Deadpool series knows what’s up. Deadpool is at his best when he’s goofy and wild but also really vulnerable and with a heart. Ziglar has understood that and keeps it going here by bringing out the best type of Logan too- the gruff guy who wants to do what is right while admitting his mistakes and downfalls. They’re two guys with scars (mental, physical, and emotional) who are just doing their best.

Then there is the other Wolverine and Deadpool, who are the best of it all. Laura is Wolverine, through and through, letting her dad use the title too. Cause she’s sweet and awesome that way. Bouncing her and Ellie off each other brings a different dynamic, that would be fun to explore more beyond this three-issue series.

All jokes aside about the fresh number one aspect of this series, ending this way is really cool. A series that was heavily about the relationship between a father and daughter ends by doubling that. Thematic through and through.

On the same note, having Antônio here to finish it out too is more than welcome. There is such a joyful chaotic whimsy to the artwork that he creates for this series. It’s chock full of the right level of rougher textures expected for these characters and their part in the world. He’s able to allow them to move fluidly through the world, the action sequences coming out beyond top notch.

Additionally, there is the next level emotional work. As noted above the character driven aspects are what sell this book. We need to see and feel those at all times, and that’s what we get here. No matter the level of mask, physical or emotional, we can witness how these characters feel on through their facial expressions and body language. For example we see Logan’s stiffness when around Wade, compared to the smoothness of movement when just with Laura stands out.

It’s these little things that add up to create big things.

Matching the smooth and rough tone is the colors from Guru-eFX. While they were not the colorist to kick off the previous volume, their mark was made on the vast majority of that run through to now. Keeping a level of continuity alongside the writing that is nice to see.

Characters like this are colorful by nature. Yet, they walk through life in darker ways. We see that showing through the palette here. As the flashier colors are present and do their thing, even when somewhat toned down to match the overall nature of the full color spread. They are still able to pop and stand out as they should against the more natural and neutral settings colors we see.

While he wasn’t on this books’ predecessor, Lanham has another book on his docket that features a clawed surly mutant teaming up with a quippy hero. That clawed mutant would be naturally Wolverine and the quipper is Spider-Man, in the aptly named Spider-Man & Wolverine.

Capturing the voices is key in sealing in the last piece of that character richness. Everyone is on point as the dialogue matches and flows so smoothly. Plenty of color and darkness creeps right into the bubbles and font as well. As Lanham plays with the shadow elements for the secret (then not so secret) foes. I love how their darker colored dialogue shifts in and out depending on how much they are in the shadows or giving into the shadow power.

Wolverines And Deadpools #1 is now available from Marvel Comics.