Review: "Deadpool: "Back in Black" #1

Admittedly, the sheer influx of Deadpool titles recently didn't do the character much good. The "Mercs for Money" proved to be a welcome change in the beginning until, well, they weren't anymore and just bored everybody (don't have any high hopes in the new outfit either). And the Gambit crossover? We shall never talk about it again.

And now? An 80's inspired Deathpool/Venom story. So much to go right, but so much more to go wrong. But you know what, this isn't actually half bad. It's really good actually. Even some rather generic villains can't hide the fact that Deadpool and Venom make for a good combo and the comic is actually quite funny (especially the fake footnotes, more of that please in the next issues). 

The only problem: it doesn't really feel very 80's, and if it wasn't for the title or the intro, one might probably never even guess that it takes place then at all. So, Bunn and Espin: up that 80's vibe a bit in the next issue, and we could be in for a real treat.

7/10

Further Links:

Deadpool #19
Deadpool #18

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Cyborg: Rebirth" #1 / "Deadpool & The Mercs For Money" #3 / "Superman" #6

"Cyborg: Rebirth" #1: It's exactly what you'd want from a "Rebirth" title, with its concise Cyborg origin story and a premise that is able to set this series apart from its predecessors. One to have an eye on in the upcoming weeks.

8/10

"Deadpool & The Mercs For Money" #3: Cullen Bunn and The Mercs For Money have, gladly, arrived at the same conclusion: Deadpool is better off without the Mercs, and vice versa. While there were some fun moments throughout the various series over the last year, undoubtedly the team-up has lost much of its chemistry and dynamic in recent outings. Go Deadpool, but go alone. 

6/10

"Superman" #6: First it's a large-scale fight (with, admittedly, some quite confusing art by Patrick Gleason), and then a pompous celebration of the return of Superman. It all feels a bit thin for one entire issue, as Gleason and Tomasi clearly seem to have run out of steam towards the end of the "Son of Superman" storyline.

8/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Deadpool & The Mercs For Money" #2 / "Action Comics" #961 / "Darth Vader" #24

"Darth Vader" #24: It's a small glimpse of what this series could have been, if only Kieron Gillen had remotely made use of the potential a character like Darth Vader offers. Too little too late, even though this one here convinces.

7/10

"Action Comics" #961: This is still solid, even though one cannot help but feel that Jurgens has to get the story to some kind of conclusion soon (or shake things up, respectively) if he doesn't want to risk that the series becomes directionless.

7/10

"Deadpool & The Mercs For Money" #2: If you didn't particularly like the first series, you should definitely give this one another try. Deadpool's better, the Mercs a lot deeper and more dynamic, and the cast of villains is highly compelling. 

8/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Deadpool & The Mercs For Money" #1 / "Action Comics" #960 / "Captain America: Steve Rogers" #3

"Deadpool & The Mercs For Money" #1: The reboot nobody really needed (yet) actually delivers the best "Mercs" comic so far, especially benefitting from a clear narrative outline.

8/10

"Action Comics" #960: Its art is too kitschy, but writer Dan Jurgens somehow manages to still keep the large-scale Superman vs. Doomsday fight interesting, finding twists and turns wherever he can. Wonder Woman kicks some serious ass here as well.

7/10

"Captain America: Steve Rogers" #3: Lighter in tone than the two previous issues, and not necessarily better for it. Next up is a "Civil War II" tie-in. Hopefully, Nick Spencer returns to form then.

6/10

Keepin' It 360: "Deadpool & The Mercs For Money" #5

Deadpool & The Mercs For Money's first story line ends here, as we finally get a full backstory of the recorder robot and artist Salva Espin continues his dynamic art approach with some impressive big panels. Even though its conclusion is a bit effortless, the comic still convinces as a high-paced, colorful roller-coaster ride that will keep you entertained. 

6/10

Further Links:

Deadpool & The Mercs For Money #4

Deadpool #12

Deadpool: Last Days of Magic #1

Review: "Deadpool & The Mercs For Money" #4

You have to give the creative team behind Deadpool & The Mercs For Money a lot of credit for the work they've been doing over these four issues so far. A big part of it is their ability to make the comic flow smoothly and effortlessly on the surface when it's really their attention to small details that lays the groundwork here.

Writer Cullen Bunn's dialogues are spot-on, with humor that hardly ever feels forced or artificial, while artist Salva Espin's inks and Guru-eFX's colors are tremendously meticulous while never giving up their bright playfulness. The series' abundantly large cast of (sometimes too) similar characters has grown even more in this one, but we're at a point now where it's the abundance itself that forms a big part of the joke.

Deadpool & The Mercs For Money continues to play to its strengths while offering a lot more if you just look hard enough. And yes, some Spanish would definitely help as well.

8/10

Further Links:

Deadpool & The Mercs For Money #3
Deadpool #11

Comic of the Day 28/4: "Deadpool & The Mercs For Money" #3

Frankly, there is not much to say about Deadpool & The Mercs For Money #3, except that it's just a piece of hyped-up, over-the-top, colorful fun. From the hilarious back and forth of Evil Deadpool's and Taskmaster's skirmish to the auction of the Fortune-Telling Future-Bot, the comic is never too clever or enthralling and, in all honesty, does not even try to be.

Cullen Bunn and Salva Espin are merely running riot with the possibilities they are given here, offering an excessive cast of hilarious villains (Deathstrike!!!), gory violence, and a Deadpool in top form. What more can you ask for!?