Review: "Deadpool" #19

Even if Deadpool wasn't exactly hitting its stride in the last couple of issues, these "Warda Wilson/Deadpool 2099" interludes will remind you why you actually like Deadpool. Because this one here simply doesn't have any of these things.

If, after 6 months after the last part, you don't have any clue where this actually left off, rest assured, the writers do neither. Warda Wilson and Ellie Preston were probably fighting and shouting overly-clichéd bon mots at each other, because that's pretty much all they're doing here. Geezer Deadpool is good for a couple of laughs, but becomes more and more unbearable as this drags along. 

Admittedly, some more heartfelt moments towards the comic's conclusion are smartly written and do work, but after all, these Warda Wilson interludes do nothing more than actually heighten the quality of the regular series adventures. And hey, isn't that a good thing.

4/10

Review: "Deadpool" #12

Although Chapter 2 of "Deadpool 2099" is thoroughly enjoyable, it has a hard time of containing its scope and characters within a coherent story, resulting in a somewhat messy and overambitious narrative. 

Old Wade Wilson is convincingly written by Duggan, while Filardi and Koblish do a great job of creating a Monster Metropolis and and overall environment that feel alive and are full of nice Deadpool Easter eggs and allusions. But it's the dynamic between Warda and her antagonist (whose unmasking might come somewhat surprising) that never really clicks and ultimately prevents the comic from being on par with a regular Deadpool entry.

6/10

Further Links:

Deadpool #11

Deadpool: The Last Days of Magic #1

Deadpool & The Mercs For Money #4

Review: "Deadpool: Last Days of Magic" #1

Deadpool: Last Days of Magic, a one-shot that ties in with the current story arc in the Doctor Strange comics, does a hell of a lot of things right. First and foremost, it's not mandatory at all to have read any of the previous chapters to get right into the action. And frankly, if you're a Deadpal that is solely interested in the "Merc with a Mouth", you don't even have to read any of the upcoming Doctor Strange comics that conclude the "Last Days of Magic" story line. This one works pretty well on its own. Saying this, writer Gerry Duggan does a solid job of providing enough exposition to never make new readers feel lost, giving constant updates on what has been going on in previous chapters.

While Deadpool himself was a bit of a hit-and-miss in recent issues of the main series, he is absolutely outstanding in this one. Duggan manages to capture him at his wisecracking best while also delving into his more emotional side as he explores the friendship with Michael Hawthorne, all resulting in a in a story that is tremendously fast-paced without ever losing its edge and can effortlessly switch between hilarious absurdity and some emotionally deeper themes. 

Artist Scott Koblish shines with his playful approach to all characters, while managing to stay within the narrow range of constantly being over-the-top, but never too absurd. His larger, crowded panels make quite an impression as well, as they are able to tell a lot without unnecessarily confusing. Guru-eFX's accentuated colors have become a trademark in Deadpool comics and perfectly enhance story and pencils here, too.

Deadpool: Last Days of Magic is a superbly entertaining affair from start to finish that not just relies on one single strength to make it stand out, but masters a whole array of different topics.

9/10

Further Links:

Deadpool & The Mercs For Money #4
Deadpool #11
Deadpool: Masacre #1

Comic of the Day 11/5: "Deadpool: Masacre" #1

It didn't take too long for Marvel to re-release an English translation of their Masacre one-shot for all of us who are not exactly fluent in Spanish. And good thing they did, as the "Mexican Deadpool" is as enjoyable as his gringo counterpart. 

Rather than taking the original English script for Masacre #1, Shannon Andrews translated the Spanish version back into English, while largely maintaining the rhythm and grammar of Spanish. The result is a hilariously unique feel to the comic, as Andrews manages to walk the thin line of making it sound bad but never unintelligible. 

Seasoned Deadpool writer Gerry Duggan, this time teaming up with Brian Posehn, makes sure all of the proven Deadpool ingredients are here: over-the-top humor with brilliant one-liners, relentless bloodshed, pop culture and comic references (the Commissioner Gordon one is just hilarious), eccentric villains and Scott Adsit (Wait! Adsit is not in this one?! Heresy!). 

While most comic series would feel worn-out by this point, Deadpool continues to feel fresh with every issue. And that's because they a) have found a niche that they master and b) they never aim too high, offering pure unadulterated fun that's never too daring or complex.

Go, Deadpool (Masacre), go!

7/10