I mentioned on this week’s episode that I needed to read more Deadpool. Well, here we are.
When a would-be necromancer attempts to revive the U.S.’s dead presidents to help fix a broken, divided country, things go exactly according to plan and the leadership skills of Washington, Lincoln, and others unify the nation.
Wait, no, that’s not right.
They decide to kill everyone and start over. Yeah, that’s it.
S.H.I.E.L.D. and superheroes can’t be seen murdering zombie commanders-in-chief, though. So Deadpool takes the case (for a sizable paycheck). Hilarious president-hunting antics ensue.
But beyond the zaniness, Duggen and Posehn start to hint at—and in one particular case, demonstrate—a more human side of Deadpool. Even though he’s a comic relief character, Wade Wilson’s best moments are those that humanize him. And this arc seems to be building a pathos platform to dive off of in the future.
I love Tony Moore’s art for this arc. It is vibrant and fluid and fits Deadpool’s madcap antics to a T. It can also be gross and grimy, which is helpful when you have decaying old dudes wandering around. Or even whenever Wade takes off his mask. Or dresses as Marilyn Monroe. Or moons everyone. Val Staples’s colors lean into the bright, cartoony vibe; and when things get weird, they’re appropriately etherial.
If you like Deadpool, this is a great start to a run. It’s pretty easy to find, too, despite being about five years old now. I’ll be reading more for sure.
Collected in
- Deadpool, Vol. 1: Dead Presidents (#1-6)
- Deadpool, Volume One (#1-12)
- Deadpool by Posehn and Duggan Omnibus (#1-45, Deadpool: Dracula’s Gauntlet #1-7, Death of Wolverine: Deadpool & Captain America #1)
Credits
Writers: Gerry Duggan & Brian Posehn | Artist: Tony Moore | Colorist: Val Staples | Letterers: VC’s Joe Sabino with Clayton Cowles (6) | Editor: Jordan D. White