Batman/Deadpool #1

The Dark Knight meets the Merc with a Mouth. 

This should have been the event of the year. If this had occurred 30 years ago, it would have made the front cover of Wizard Magazine, Entertainment Weekly and a host of other publications that have gone the way of the dodo. Even 20 years ago, such a cross company crossover would have made the news.

But it's 2025. There's so much media out there, this epic introduction was barely a blip on the radar. Still, getting the stars of the DC and Marvel universes together again for the first time in over 20 years was a crossover that established fans have been clamoring over for a very long time!

I must admit, I forgot about this one-shot happening. Earlier this year when the announcement was made, I promptly emailed my favorite comic shop and ordered a copy. I then put a pic of Batman and Deadpool together- officially!- on my Facebook pic. Then as time elapsed, I just forgot about it until I saw on a comic book website that the time had come. And yet, despite having been really excited about the meet-up, it was another week until I picked up my copy!

While Batman meeting Deadpool is the primary selling point of this book, there are several other crossovers contained in this Marvel published giant. After Deadpool is brought over from his universe to the DC one by a mysterious benefactor who hires the mercenary to off the Bat;  Wonder Woman and Captain America reflect on their past history which sees the DC and Marvel universes cohabitating as one. Then Daredevil and Green Arrow bump into each other in a story penned by Kevin Smith, who helmed classics starring the two characters. The Dark Knight Returns Batman and the Old Man Logan Wolverine are given the same treatment by an artist/writer who knows the pair rather intimately: Frank Miller! Then we get a tease that the Amalgam Universe could be alive and well with the introduction of Logo: a hybrid of Czarnian bounty hunter Lobo and the mutant Wolverine. 

Every story but 1 was great. Woman Woman with her World War II introduction to the world was the perfect team-up pairing with Captain America. Princess Diana must have a thing for Army men named Steve. Having Kevin Smith bring the Man Without Fear and the Emerald Archer together was another brilliant idea. And could it be true that we're going to be returning to the Amalgam Universe? Please say it's so! But man, has things fallen off for Frank Miller...

The artwork was primitive. But I can't really fault that. Arthritis and age have reduced many an artistic talent in the comic book industry to far cries of their glory years. But the dialogue for this piece. It was chopped full of cliches. It was such a jumbled mess. I didn't know what was happening nor what the hell either character was trying to say. 

Oh! And how could I forget that adorable play date between Krypto and Jeff, the Land Shark! Plus I loved the cultural exchange program between the Guardians of Oa and the Guardians of the Galaxy! Having Rocket Raccoon as a Green Lantern was hilarious. That adventure was way too short.

There was only one missed opportunity. No Deadpool meets Deathstroke. No Deadpool meeting Harley Quinn. Okay. That was 2 missed opportunities 

Thankfully, the DC/Marvel fun doesn't have to end just yet. In November, Batman and Deadpool will intermingle once more in a one-shot published by DC. Grant Morrison is set to pen it. Hopefully, Wade Wilson will meet Slade Wilson and Harleen Quinzel. Regardless, it should be epic. I can't wait. And hopefully, I won't forget about it this time!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool #0 (2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Wade Wilson is on assignment deep in the Heart of Texas. He's supposed to recover some top secret files when his target is intercepted by a foe that was supposed to be dead. 

That's comic books for you... Nobody stays dead.

But Deadpool really needs those files. Normally if a mission goes south, the Merc With a Mouth would just float on over to the next job. However, successfully completing this task means earning an expensive surgery for his pal Blind Al. So Wade follows the trail of the missing data all the way to the lab of Armin Zola.

Zola has been cloning some of the Marvel Universe's most forgettable characters from beyond the grave. Though who could forget Daredevil's arch-enemy Porcupine Man?! Needing those files and not morally objectively against killing mindless clones, the mutant assassin has a literal field day killing off the Marvel Universe's z-list.

This special was a collector's edition insert in issue #87 of the now defunct Wizard Magazine. An official tie-in for 2nd volume of Deadpool, that ran for 69 issues plus an annual from 1997-2002, this issue was written by Joe Kelly. It's rather different from the Deadpool comics published in the past decade. For example, Deadpool riffs on the hermaphrodite nature of one of the characters for several panels. While the character is known for not bowing to any sacred cows, except for his daughter Ellie, Deadpool's reaction to the dual sexual nature of the resurrected character Vamp-Animus borderlines on cruel. It's definitely not a reaction that the now accepting pansexual mutant would make in current comics culture. Wade's reaction to the discovery of the clones of Uncle Ben and Aunt May nude and in asexual embrace? Classic Deadpool!

Featuring art and cover by Yancey Labat, this 12-page issue actually expands to 16 pages as it includes a behind the scenes section. It featuring original sketches of the cover to Wizard Magazine #71 by Ed McGuinness cover along with never-before-seen (and deleted artwork) from Pete Woods.

Completing this review completes Task #23 (Book Found This Year in a Bargain Bin) the 2025 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Deadpool by Alyssa Wong, Vol. 2

Wade Wilson is flying pretty high right now. He's got a non-binary lover, Valentine Vuong, who's also a mutant that can produce a number of poisons and antidotes with her crystalline arms. He's the owner of a massive puppy dog, Princess, who is a hybrid of Deadpool and the symbiote Spider-Man villain Carnage. He's got the world's best dog-sitter, the deadly Lady Deathstroke. And there's a really pissed off league of assassins called the Atelier out to kill him, Valentine and Princess. Things just couldn't be better for the Merc With a Mouth!

Volume 2 of Alyssa Wong's take on Deadpool isn't bad. The first segment where Wade and Valentine go on their first date was rather hilarious. Wong pushes the envelope with Wade's obsession with sex and gross humor. Though I did miss a couple of the jokes, like when Deadpool is trying to find out if were-foxes do similar things like werewolves do. I also have thought that the character of Princess was very well written and I thought the growing relationship between the hybrid pooch and Lady (Auntie) Deathstrike was so sweet and so funny. 

However, I felt like Alyssa Wong's take on this corner of the Marvel Comics Universe was more in her image and not the all encompassing world of diverse characters developed originally by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Wong is a queer writer and identifies as non-binary like her creation, Valentine Vuong. I support that she created an all-new character that she identifies with. One of the biggest arguments in comics these days is that comic creators keep retconning legacy characters into being queer instead of making new, diverse characters. With Wong creating a new character who is queer is instead of altering a beloved character's established sexuality is something I applaud. But then it seems like every character Alyssa Wong created, especially in this volume was a part of the LGBTQIA community.

As I'm writing this review, I'm starting to wonder if the Atelier was a community of queer assassins. I mean now that I think about it, all of the new characters, with exception of Princess, are members of the Atelier. They do all seem to be gay, lesbian, queer or non-binary. If that's the case, then bravo to Alyssa Wong on managing this in one of Marvel's flagship titles. And it would fit with Deadpool who does crush hard in an omnisexual way. However, if I'm totally wrong on this sudden epiphany, and Wong is just writing what they know and refusing to utilize straight Marvel characters in her stories, then we've got a problem on par with straight writers slipping into homophobia by refusing to use gay and queer characters in their stories.

Also, I need to rant a tiny bit at Marvel. I know that a happy Deadpool isn't quite as fun as a sad, lonely Deadpool. But I really hope his relationship with Valentine and his beloved Princess stick around for a long time. I'm starting to get a little annoyed with every new Deadpool series basically rewriting the character and his storyline. It's also very confusing. Where in the heck did Wade's daughter Ellie go?

I get it. People change. Change is inevitable whether you want it or not. I'm just feeling like a very fresh and exciting character like Deadpool is starting to get stale because it seems like every time we get a Deadpool #1, his entire life is toppled over and the same old rebuilding process starts all over again.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool & Wolverine

Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. Hugh Jackman once again as Wolverine, despite claims that he was done with the character. Together on screen, finally... In correct costumed form!

While it was every Marvel fans dream to see comic book accurate versions of the Merc With a Mouth and Logan together on the silver screen, this wasn't my favorite Deadpool movie. That's because with Disney finally in charge of the two mutant properties, the reigns on Reynolds and Jackman were removed and they went into full berserker mode. 

Parents and guardians, you really shouldn't take a young child to a rated R movie. That being said, this is one R rated superhero film that no children under the age of 17 should be escorted to. The blood and violence was set to 11. There were so many F-words, I didn't know if Quentin Tarantino wrote the script or would have blushed at the shear volume. Lots of sexually graphic talk, especially from Deadpool. Though of the 3 movies in the franchise thus far, no nudity. 

'The material to be expected from a Deadpool movie,' is something you might say in regards to my alarm. However, I read a lot of Deadpool and a fair amount of X-Men stuff. No matter how many Explicit Material warnings Marvel might put on their edgier books, I've only encountered Wade Wilson or Wolverine using the F-bomb once each in comics and both were graphic novels and not monthly issues.  The level of violence; okay, I'll grant you that. But the sexual innuendo is way tamer even in comics rated Mature 

A lot has been made saying that Deadpool & Wolverine is a farewell letter to the FOX Universe of Marvel movies. I can agree to this and with the level of cameos surprises hidden in this roughly 2 hour film, I don't want to give away too much. Seeing the film just 5 days after the premiere, I am happy to say that there still were a few cameos and Easter eggs left that hadn't been ruined by social media. Be on the look out for a great sight gag that lambastes Rob Liefeld's inability to draw feet! Also, I will say that I wouldn't be surprised if you see some characters from FOX's ownership of movie rights return to the big screen because if anything, this movie basically ushered those films of the last 30 years into the Disney fold.

The TVA, Time Variance Authority, from Disney+'s Loki series plays a huge role in the movie. It's another one of those situations where you don't have to watch the 2 seasons of Loki to understand what's going on; but it helps. And I can definitively say without giving too much away: if you don't like the multiverse, then you will hate this movie. 

I don't mind the multiverse. In fact, I really enjoy Marvel's What If series. Deadpool & Wolverine doesn't just pay respect to the FOX Cinematic Universe of Marvel Movies; it also pays great tribute to the comics. Don't worry- the Wolverine who died in 2017's Logan is still dead. Though his body isn't resting peacefully, I can tell you that. Still, if you are the fan who's having trouble sleeping at night because Robert Downey Jr. is going to be playing a version of Tony Stark as Doctor Doom, it's probably best for you to watch something else.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool & The Mercs for Money, Vol. 0: Merc Madness

I have a saying when it comes to my taste in music that applies to other aspects of my interests. 'The worst Queen song is better than no Queen song at all.' I have certain things I like where even if it's the worst of the worst, I'd rather be entertained by it than just being bored. 

That's kinda how I feel about Deadpool's Mercs for Money era. It's perhaps the Merc with a Mouth's least entertaining period and yet, if I had to choose between reading a trade paperback full of these guys' exploits or watching paint dry, I'll take Wade Wilson and Co. every time. 

One of my biggest pet peeves with the Mercs for Money involves the line-up. There are essentially 7 members of the group, if you count Wade Wilson's leadership of the team. Living cartoon Slapstick is hilarious. Avengers reservist Stingray is a funny running joke on how that's not how the 'World's Greatest Heroes' do things. I've been a fan of immortal hit man Terror since I read his Christmas themed issue years ago and I love how he's kinda turned into a parody of Serpico and Donnie Brasco. Anti-heroes Solo and Foolkiller help to ground Deadpool into being a responsible leader. I'm not sure why you've got 2 moral anchors on the same team. It feels like overkill. And then there's Masacre...

Known as the Mexican Deadpool, Masacre speaks only Spanish. I'd have no problem with the character speaking exclusively Spanish if the writers/editors (or both) would translate what he's saying. But this was published during the Axel Alonso era of Marvel, which means these issues were released under the guidance of the worst editor the House of Ideas ever had. Each issue comes with a snarky editor's note telling readers to learn Spanish if they want to know what Masacre has to say; once again alienating readers instead of embracing all sides of the fanatic spectrum. So with not understanding what 1/7th of the team has to say and being treated like dirt because I know French and American Sign Language instead of Spanish, I don't feel as connected to the Mercs with Money compared to other Deadpool series. 

'Merc Madness' is a 5-issue series in which Deadpool's team comes into possession of a robot that might have insight into the future. Turns out this machine is one of those legendary Recorders and after going through a rip in the fabric of space, it was ingrained with unlimited knowledge of the multiverse. Naturally, Wade Wilson sees dollar signs; immediately putting it up for auction. This puts a targets on the backs of the Mercs with Money until they can deliver the Recorder to the secret hideout of the highest bidder.

Along with the main story like this trade paperback includes the one-shot Deadpool: Masacre. Apparently it's a Cinco de Mayo special issue (for those of you who like to collect holiday themed comics). At first, I'm apprehensive because if I know anything about Masacre, it's that he speaks untranslated Spanish. However, from what I can gather from intro at the beginning of the special, writer's Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn wrote the entire script in English, translated it into Spanish and then back into English in order to hilariously massacre everything in some odd Marvel version of the kid's game Telephone. 

As a result, you do get this hilarious Batman-like origin story of the Mexican Deadpool. Bloody too! However, based on how the editor's keep telling their readers to learn Spanish if they've got complaints about not understanding what the characters has to say, the idea behind this one-shot seems insensitive. Don't get me wrong! I love Deadpool's irreverence and I'm not calling for the character to be cancelled. It's just another example of how Axel Alonso was just as irreverent, crude and crash like the rest of us; he just couldn't care less what his white, older customer base wanted. Some might applaud that way of thinking. But as someone who majored on the business side of the culinary industry, I know that such alienation isn't how your run a multi-national company. Alas, Alonso had to offend somebody. He just chose to turn away the population who had the most spending power.

It's not my favorite Deadpool volume. But as a fan of the character, I'm going to keep it. Though I'm culling from my massive collection, this one will stay. How else can I say I have the entire gambit of Deadpool stories?

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool: The Ones With Deadpool

A swift collection of Deadpool tales pairing the Merch with a Mouth with an interesting mix of Marvel Universe characters. This volume contains 2 annuals, a Bi-annual (since a Deadpool annual had already dropped that year) and a Death of Wolverine one-shot special. Two of the team ups are with characters that you'd expect to see in an oddball caper with Deadpool. One is a pairing that explains a lot. And then there's that meeting with a team from the 1990s that's so obscure, you'll swear Marvel's only reviving them to keep the copyright from expiring!

Thrilling Adventure Hour's Ben Acker and Ben Blacker answer the long pondered question about just how did Madcap ended up inside Wade Wilson's head? 

Deadpool then teams up with Spider-Man. Only this isn't one of their normal meetings. The master of disguise, Chameleon has been running Spidey ragged to the point of exhaustion. Unable to let his guard down for a minute, least Chameleon learns that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, Deadpool dons the red and blue tights in hopes of bringing the villain out into the open. 

In perhaps the most unexpected team up of all time, Deadpool joins forces with the all animal superhero team, Brute Force! But not before first being hired by the evil aquatic theme park that the forgotten super-team of the 90s is trying to shut down! Featuring a guest appearance by Phil Coulson that kinda makes ABC'S Marvel Agents of SHIELD canon with the comics!

Lastly, Deadpool and an aged Steve Rogers are tasked with execution of Wolverine's estate. This means scrubbing any DNA trace from the Avengers Mansion. It also means a trip to Russia, when it's discovered that an AIM cell operating in Moscow has possession of some of the fallen X-Man's blood!

All four stories were hysterical romps that provided me with some much needed laughs. I appreciated the foreword at the beginning of the Madcap story. For years, I thought I had missed just how Madcap ended up inside Deadpool's head. Well it turns out that origin story had never been told until Acker and Blacker got their hands on the Merc with a Mouth. 

The appearance of Brute Force was such a pleasant surprise. I'm very interested in reading their 4-issue debut miniseries from 1990. I also have a favorite member of the team. It's the high-flying Soar, who won my heart after being constantly put down by Wade. I felt so bad for Soar. He can be my wing man anytime!

A neat twist on the Spider-Man/Deadpool dynamic. Clever way to turn the tides on Chameleon too. But I thought that the Wolverine story was unnecessary. It felt like a money grab to cash in on the popularity of Deadpool with a Death of Wolverine one-shot, instead of really moving the needle any bit.  Some funny moments. Just uninspired.

Worth Consuming! 

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool #7

Deadpool takes on his most difficult assignment: Kill Santa Claus!

All over the world, Christmas came and went with no visit from St. Nick. Wanting revenge, a group of kids hire Deadpool to kill the Jolly Ol' Fat Man. Angered from the slight, Deadpool takes the hit for a song and hikes to the North Pole to find out why Santa didn't come this year. What Wade Wilson finds isn't very pretty; nor is it festive. And yes, evil conglomerate Roxxon is to blame!

This 2018 issue was freakin' insane. Skottie Young skewers the legend of Santa Claus in a way only Deadpool could. Expect the unexpected. Nothing is sacred. But since Santa is a magically powered entity, in no way should readers expect Deadpool's next kill to be easy. 

Featuring art by Nic Klein, this is a holiday special that you'll only want to read the one time. Not that this story isn't worth an annual read. It's just that the human mind cannot encounter so much warped holiday chaos more than once in a lifetime.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars. 

Crypt of Shadows #1 (2023)

For the second year in a row, Marvel releases a horror themed one-shot under the legacy banner of Crypt of Shadows. Unlike last year's offering, none of these stories seem to be set around Halloween. Also unlike last year's offering, every story was actually quite good!

Once again Victor Strange, the vampiric brother of Doctor Strange is our host. Trapped in that mirror somewhere in Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum, Victor regales readers with creepy stories set in the Marvel universe while scheming to escape from his shadow realm prison. The main theme of most of these stories are team-ups involving classic 1970s Marvel horror characters.

Deadpool is hired to kill a priestess who seeks to rule both the world and underworld. But he's got to get through N'Kantu, the Living Mummy in order to obtain his bounty. Daredevil is nearly ripped to shreds by the ninja clan known as the Hand. Coming to his aid is the Man-Thing, whose touch results in death in those who know fear. Good thing Matt Murdock is the Man Without Fear. Then the Hulk is assisted by the Werewolf by Night from an all-out assault by Kraven the Hunter. 

The only story to not feature a team-up stars the Scarlet Witch. She fights a demonic force called Bricklayer. It's the villain's first appearance and it's a pretty darn good one. Years ago, this haunted house was destroyed. Only one of the bricks from the possessed domicile lodged itself into the chest of a vagrant. Now the vagrant continues the destroyed home's reign of terror by killing innocents as the super-strong and extremely evil Bricklayer. This was a villain I very much want to see more off and the tagline at the end of the story promises more of the character. Though I expect Bricklayer's legacy to be taken up by a new host body.

Fans are also promised more of Victor Strange in the pages of Doctor Strange. I'm excited for this prospect as well. It might actually persuade me to buy the books new when Marvel finally pits brother against brother once more. 

Marvel managed to make a Halloween special that was relevant and yet not preachy. Comics can tackle tricky subjects while still being fun. Finally, after several years of feeling like I was being targeted by the House of Ideas, it seems that the publisher finally understands that fans want to be entertained, not talked down too. If I wanted to spend my hard earned cash being made to feel like the source of all humanities problems, I'd enroll in an ethics course in college. When I buy comic books, I want to enjoy it and I actually enjoyed this horror comic.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool by Alyssa Wong, Vol. 1

A new series of Deadpool has the Merc with a Mouth invited to join an illustrious team of assassins. In order to secure membership, Deadpool has 48-hours to kill Doctor Octopus! Should he fail, Deadpool will never again be given a chance to join a team that has been Wade Wilson's dream job for all of about 30 minutes.

With just a couple of hours before Deadpool's time limit is up, the mercenary awakens to find himself strapped to a table in a strange looking lab, being attended upon by one strange lady. This isn't the type of trap that Deadpool should have any trouble escaping from. He's done this kind of thing a million times before. The part where he's got an experimental symbiote taken from the DNA of Carnage, that's another story. 

Alyssa Wong's debut as Deadpool writer was an enjoyable one. Wong carries themself much like previous Deadpool writers have when it comes to the character- with little to no reverence about anything. Though I would say that Alyssa Wong's Deadpool isn't as juvenile in terms of bathroom humor. But those pop culture references and non-sequiturs are just as brilliant as ever. 

The issues reprinted in this book introduce readers to the character of Valentine Vuong. According to several online sources, Valentine is Marvel's first openly non-binary character to use They/Them pronouns. I'm sure comic book scholars are debating that claim to this day. Regardless, Valentine becomes Deadpool's love interest in this book. 

I had written a while back that I had difficulty following works that use non-binary pronouns because based on decades of English lit classes and readings, I was used to he/she, etc. Well, I don't think I am the only one that has a problem with this. On several occasions Alyssa Wong uses she/her pronouns to describe Valentine Vuong. And according to Wong's Wikipedia page, the writer uses they/them pronouns!

Plus, Wade keeps referring to Valentine as his 'girlfriend'. For a non-binary character is that even pronoun accurate? According to Quora: NO! The appropriate non-binary term world be 'enby' or 'enbyfriend.' Maybe Deadpool doesn't know Valentine is non-binary? Maybe Marvel or Wong thought while readers might understand they/them, adding enby might be too much? Regardless, it's not just amateur reviews like this Madman that gets those pronouns confused. Nor do we all stay consistent with them!

Speaking of a lack of consistency, the artwork by Martin Coccolo was varied. All of the heroes are draw with very clean, thick lines. The villains are illustrated in thinner lines about as hard to clearly see as strings of gossamer. Put both parties together and the pages look like they were drawn by 2 different artists. The first time we meet the character of Deadpool's crazed researcher captor, Harrower, she is extremely stunning with this luscious full head of hair. Yet over the course of these first 5 issues, Harrower's hair obtains less body and seems no more than shoulder length. I'd possibly blame the inker on this. However, it appears that Coccolo was both the penciller and inker on this book. Therefore, I can't really forgive the lack of cohesion in the overall artwork.

Yes, I want to get my hands on volume 2 when it comes out. Yes, I liked this book. However, I did find that while it seems to fit within the Marvel Universe, each issue seems to want to contradict the one before. Are the mistakes first time jitters, like how the first season of a popular TV show has to work out some production errors and kinks to get things right? Or is this just another sign at the lack of care in quality by the editorial staff at the House of Ideas. I hope it's the kinks. My gut tells me it's all due to the worst level of editorial control at Marvel since Bob Harras.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Cooking With Deadpool

This was a birthday or Christmas gift from my Bride last year. You'd think that a cookbook by a fictional character would mostly be useful for entertainment enjoyment purposes and not be very useful to a professional chef and culinary teacher. Yet, this has got to be one of the most technically sound cookbooks that I have ever encountered in the celebrity chef/series franchise cookbook realm.

Segments are on advanced culinary terms like mise en place and spatchcock chicken. Articles on menu planning and the right types of knives to use abound in this book. There's some basic baking and chocolate work. Add in breakfast cookery, appetizers and breakfast and Cooking With Deadpool feels like the year-long Culinary Arts I course that I teach 9th-12th graders! Except Deadpool and his creative team don't seem to mind taking photos of work and the various steps more trickier recipes need in order to be successful executed!

That's not to say that this cookbook isn't oozing with Wade Wilson's signature off-kilter look on things. Each recipe has an introduction made by Deadpool that will dive into his past history as inspiration for the dish. Friend and X-Man Cable provides a couple of recipes for the book. Tex-Mex cooking gets a lot of love in this book. Spider-Man provides his Aunt May's famous recipe of wheat cakes! And yes! There is an entire chapter devoted to the Merc With a Mouth's beloved chimichangas!

While I did really appreciate the technical merits of this book, I did feel like some of the ingredient choices were odd. Okay- it's a cookbook written by Deadpool. It's not supposed to be totally normal. For instance, the tres leches cake uses pomegranate for moisture and garnish. That just sounds strange to me. The Latin American restaurant down the street from me uses cherries and it's A-MAZE-ING! So when it comes to the ingredient lists, feel free to adjust the recipe as needed without changing the steps. I'm making the ceviche recipe for my wife, but I didn't put as much onion or jalapeno as I know that's not quite her taste. As for some of the fusion dishes, like the beef stroganoff inspired meat pies, I admire the creativity and inspiration. Putting chopped celery in a tuna casserole is just blasphemy.

A book that teaches about cooking while very much full of Deadpool humor and lore!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Written by Marc Sumerak. Recipes by Elena P. Craig.

Deadpool, Vol. 1: Secret Invasion

The Skrull Empire has infiltrated planet Earth. As the Skrulls can transform into anybody and anyone, nobody can be trusted. Always one to take the winning side, mutant mercenary Deadpool has defected to the Skrull Empire. But can Wade Wilson be trusted? Is this Deadpool a Skrull as well? Why am I asking so many questions?

Having the zany, wacky, CRAZY Deadpool join the side of the Skrulls, a super-serious race with zero funny bones is a lot like Bugs Bunny giving Elmer Fudd or Yosemite Sam fits. Wade Wilson has a reputation of being extremely undependable. And his loyalty is like that of Lobo or Boba Fett- in the hands of the highest bidder. 

Daniel Way (Wolverine: Origins) is the writer behind this chapter of the Secret Invasion. While this was a insane sci-fi adventure tale, it's lacking the level of surrealism that a Deadpool story by Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn would have. And yes- I prefer that take on the Merc with a Mouth much more than Daniel Way's. So this book wasn't bad. It just isn't an edgy enough take on the character. 

One thing that added a lot of enjoyment to this read was the artwork by Paco Medina and Carlo Barberi (Ultimate Comics: X-Men). The scene where a Deadpool convinces a bunch of Skrulls to morph into him was rather hilarious. And the femme fatales that occupy the second half of this book are very alluring. 

I just wish Daniel Way's writing was as thrilling as the artwork.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

What If? Dark Avengers

I really think What If?, the alternate reality series from Marvel Comics, works better the more you're familiar with the subject content. There are 6 issues reprinted in this collection. Of those 6, the stories I liked the most was a switcheroo in which Tony Stark becomes the roommate of the dreaded Victor Von Doom instead of Reed Richards and a bloody romp in which Deadpool becomes the host of the symbiote Venom. Stories involving Spider-Man succumbing to some weird spider curse and Norman Osborn's reign of terror that comes about with the leader of SWORD conquering Asgard were my least favorite stories because I haven't read Grim Hunt or Reign. (Okay- who am I kidding, the Spider-Man: Grim Hunt one-shot was hot garbage.)

The remaining 2 stories were fair reads. Mostly because I am quite familiar with the characters and have a passing knowledge of the original stories. Wolverine: Father explores what would happen if Logan raised his illegitimate son Daken. This wasn't a story based on an established story. Instead, this truly was a What If? story that explores the conflict of nature vs. nurture. Tale #6 has Hawkeye succeeding in killing Norman Osborn preventing the madman from taking over the super-spy agency SHIELD and preventing the Dark Reign of super heroes from happening. This story was a thrilling manhunt as the superheroing world has to undo the damage Clint Barton caused and that means having to take down one of their own!

I want to own all of the What If? stories. But cost is something that is keeping me from owning some of those stories as individual first run issues. Thank goodness for collections such as these. That Deadpool/Venom issue is not cheap. I think the most affordable copies I have seen are being listed for $200 each. I got this traced paperback used for less than $10. I'll take affordability over authenticity any day!

This volume reprints what is considered the 200th overall What If issue printed over the Marvel properties vast print runs since it first debuted in 1977. That anniversary issue has a bunch of cool extras like a story that ponders what if the Watcher killed Galactus?, a reprint of a Daredevil story from the first series and overview of all 200 issues published from 1977-2011 (when this collection was first print). That database was actually a big help with some missing gaps in my collection.

I would assume that the quality of 5 of the 6 stories was really good. I just wasn't familiar with everything in order to get the most enjoyment of this read. That's okay. I saved a ton of cash on that Deadpool story. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool: Black, White & Blood

Over the years, several superheroes have explored their noir sides with black & white miniseries in the style of Frank Miller's Sin City. Not wanting to be outdone, Deadpool adds a bright shade of scarlet (and a few shades of gray) to this minimally colored 4-issue mini-series from 2021. 

As each issue consists of 3 short stories, there are exactly a dozen segments to Deadpool: Black, White & Blood. Several are very bloody. A few feature the Merc with a Mouth teaming up with other characters in the Marvel Universe. All are extremely insane. 

Roughly a team of a dozen talents from comics, Hollywood and Manga offer unique takes on Wade Wilson. All 12 stories were rather good. But some stood out among the rest as being of superior quality. Deadpool's cross-town team-up with Wolverine clone, X-23, was a laugh riot and yet unusual. I didn't know the pair were actually that good of friends as they appear to be in the opening story. In another story that utilizes a disgusting eggplant hue, Deadpool has fallen under the thrall of the Daredevil villain, the Purple Man. Fans who hate what the David Tenant portrayed Purple Man did to Netflix's Jessica Jones, will delight in how even under mind-control, Deadpool still manages to keep the villain on his toes!

The story in which Deadpool visits Omega Red's gentrified Soviet Era town in middle of the the Canadian Rockies, was the zaniest one of them all. Fellow Russian super-villain Ursa Major wants to become the ruler of the makeshift community, igniting an arms race with Omega Red. For once, it's up to Wade Wilson to play referee in between two aging Cold Warriors. 

The story I was most disappointed with guest stars the X-Man, Doop. It was by Mike Allred, who is in my top 5 list of all-time favorite artists. The artwork was impressive as always. But story-wise, things were trippy at best. I read it twice and I still don't think I understand everything that was happening. 

This was a near-perfect anthology of Deadpool stories. The only thing missing was a time travelling epic by one of the definitive Deadpool writers of the past 20 years- Gerry Duggan. Oh! And something by Deadpool creator, Rob Liefeld. As much as I am not a fan of the guy's work, a variant cover by Liefeld would have been nice at least. 

This book comes in 2 formats- your basic trade paperback and a tabloid sized treasury edition. Honestly, I don't see a need for this book to be in the larger size even though that's the format I read it in. Save yourself the $8 and go small!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool Vs. X-Force

When you got to Ollie's and you find a Deadpool book for only $4, you don't pass it up. That's what introduced me to Deadpool Vs. X-Force. 

Originally published in 2014, the story inside is set prior to Wade Wilson's first meeting Cable and the rest of the New Mutants prior to the team being christened as X-Force. So, you should expect a slightly different, possibly more sadistic Deadpool, than the lovable loser we've grown to love in the past 10 years. But this version of Wade just seems beyond the pale!

The story starts off with Deadpool going back to Revolutionary War times and screwing things up so that while America will win the war, it will take a little bit longer for them to do it. So far, I'm okay with things because the reason the Merc with a Mouth kills a Colonial general is because Wade had to write a report on him in high school and this sort of vengeance seems like something Deadpool would do. But then Wade starts messing with the past again...

This time, he goes to the Civil War and helps the Confederates win. Then he goes and... Okay. I don't want to spoil it too much. But, he tries to save Hitler!

Look, I've read enough Gerry Duggan Deadpool to know that Wade Wilson is no fascist. And he'll only work for those goose-steppers if his daughter's life is at stake. I really doubt that Deadpool was that ambivalent when first floating around in the head of Rob Liefeld. 

Cable's Duane Swierczynski does a great job when it comes to Cable and his manipulation of the time stream by joining X-Force together prematurely. But the author's Deadpool just seems wrong. In fact, it freakin' is wrong. Money is the biggest motivator for the actions of Deadpool. But in my heart of hearts, I feel that even when faced with a pile of cash, Deadpool would never, ever help the Nazis unless absolutely backed into a corner. And Wade seems full of options here!

There's some great moments. But it's all X-Force related. And that wasn't why I bought the book. Not the best Deadpool story. Nope. Not at all...

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Spider-Man/Deadpool, Volume 2: Side Pieces

One of the highlights of the numerous Gerry Duggan Deadpool series are the one-two issue interludes. These stories are often untold tales that imagine what it would be like if the Merc With a Mouth was around during the 50s, 60s and 70s. 

This volume of Spider-Man/Deadpool highlights such breaks in that team-up series. In these tales, Deadpool and magician Teller trade places in a hilarious romp by Penn Gillette. Then in a two-parter, Deadpool is hired to be the stunt adviser for his own superhero flick! Lastly, in a story set during the Monsters Unleashed storyline, a coven of teenage witches kidnap Spidey in hopes of making him the vessel of their fallen mistress. 

There's also a Christmas issue. But I held off on reading it. I own that individual issue but haven't had a chance to read it yet. Don't worry, it will be a part of my holiday, 2019 reading list. But man was it difficult to hold off. 

A fun read that is less preachy and offensive than the regular main series. It helped restore my faith in this series. But I also understand that these yarns were the exceptions and not the rule of how Spider-Man/Deadpool is being regularly presented. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Spider-Man/Deadpool, Volume 1: Isn't It Bromantic

Deadpool just can't take it anymore! He's got a fanboy crush on Spider-Man and he really wants the two to be best buds! Unfortunately, the Merc with a Mouth just accepted a job to assassinate Spider-Man's employer, Peter Parker, CEO and founder of Parker Industries.

While trying to collect dirt on Parker in hopes of justifying the kill, Deadpool tries to impress upon Spidey that he's deep down a really good guy. So much so that the two heroes in full body suits should hang out! Along the way, the duo will take down a pair of baddies in Bolivia with the help of the Mercs For Money. Then they'll go on a double date with a certain Thunder god (or when it's Jane Foster, is it goddess!) It's a bunch of crazy shenanigans culminating in -Nope, sorry! You'll just have to read it to find out what happens next.

Overall, very funny. Crude and crass but good for a laugh. However, these issues were published at the height of Axel Alonso's reign of terror as the EIC of Marvel. Thus, this book is peppered with jokes intended to stick it to neo-nazis and Trump supporters but instead is pretty racist/offensive against those who are A)white B)male and C)American. 

I understand that Americans, whites and males (in multiple combinations) have done some pretty disgusting things in the course of human history. But as Thor wisely says in this book, 'I will not apologize for sins committed eons ago by those who came before." And I'm not going to do so in this review. Unfortunately, Marvel in the past 2-3 years hasn't been able to live up to this standard of guiltless living established by writer Joe Kelly. 

(Besides, with the number of homophobic jokes in this book, it's really the gay community who should have any issues against this book. Yet they have been oddly quiet about this series...)

Since I am not paying money for these volumes of Spider-Man/Deadpool and instead getting them at my local library, I'm going to continue reading. The Regeneratin' Degenerate has always been good for a laugh. And I'm a big fan of the wall-crawler. So, like with Spider-Man 3, I'll suffer through the good with the bad.

Worth Consuming! (But almost just barely!!!)

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Season's Beatings #1

X-Force, Spider-Men Miles Morales and Peter Parker, Squirrel Girl and the West Coast Avengers join Deadpool in this 2018 holiday comic. While it has elements of Run Lola Run and The Usual Suspects throughout the plot, this was another festive fail on Marvel's part this year.

The Spider-Men story starts great and then gets jumbled when the two Spidey's meet. It has a great ending however. 

The Squirrel Girl yarn was flat out perfect as she deals with Doctor Doom on a Latverian Christmas Eve. 

The West Coast Avengers story was horrid. It's got the Kate Bishop trying to solve the murder of a mall Santa. If she was doing the work on her own, it would be fine. Having Clint Barton on hand would have been ideal. Instead, Katie has some annoying purple haired mutant helping, hindering, and it was the biggest steaming pile of crap.

Then we have the framing story which involves Deadpool and X-Force. Deadpool by himself is very funny as usual. But X-Force are freakin' confusing as all get out. And once Wade Wilson and Cable's squad get together, it's like a very bad rendition of Who's On First?

The entire book is written by Winter Solider and Spider-Gwen's Jason Latour. I think if Latour had focused on characters that he's got experience writing about, this book would have been great. Or if Marvel had a different writer for each story. Instead, the entire book felt very uneven. 

Then there's the art. As I have mentioned in several posts, Marvel has gotten some flak on the lack of quality in the art. This holiday comic is no exception. The Spider-Men tale was a pale imitation of the great Darwyn Cooke at best. And I've never seen Deadpool look worse and that's saying something. At least whomever did the Squirrel Girl art was on point in this special. As I said, that one tale was flawless.

I'm not sure what Marvel was thinking this year. The Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Christmas themed issue was great. But the two stand-alone holiday specials just weren't all that great. The House of Ideas has fallen into disrepair and the publisher is going to have to do something to fix things quick in 2019. It's no wonder Disney doesn't trust Marvel with it's more family friendly properties; subletting to Dark Horse and IDW instead.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Hawkeye Vs. Deadpool

It's Halloween and Hawkeye isn't giving out the king sized Snickers this year.
Even worse, a desperate man shows up at his door in need of help from an
Avenger. Unfortunately, Clint Barton thinks the guy is a whack job and slams
the door in his face.

Shortly thereafter, the desperate man runs into Deadpool who's trick-or-treating

with his daughter Ellie. During that confrontation, the guy slips a data stick into

Wade's bucket right before being grisly murdered by The Punisher!?

Upon learning that the zip drive has the key to unlocking information of all

clandestined SHIELD agents, Deadpool and Hawkeye and Hawkeye team up

to find out who killed the whistleblower. Along the way they hope to recover the

stolen data. But making things difficult is the addition of Felicia Hardy, the Black

Cat and her legion of brain controlled minions dressed as superherooes. They

want the data too!

Hawkeye Vs Deadpool was another hilarious romp by Gerry Duggan. Along with

being extremely funny, it was a great cat and mouse story in the vein of 1960s era

spy movies. The addition of a second zip drive was a little bit confusing. But it was necessary for the development of the plot.

One thing I wish was that I had known if it was a Halloween set story. I would

have read this in October instead of just now. I love the very meta moment in

which the Kate Bishop Hawkeye dresses as Hawkeye from M*A*S*H*. It took

me a couple of minutes to catch on but when I got it, I was in awe of the brilliance.

When I need a pick me up, Deadpool is a good source of enjoyment and cheer.

Deadpool and the Hawkeye's make a great team up. However there was one

nagging nit that annoyed me end.

In this story, Clint Barton is deaf due to a previous encounter. He says from just

about the very beginning that he can only read lips. Yet there are countless panels

in which he is seen conversing with other characters but he's not looking at their

faces!!! If you are going to constantly remind the reader that Hawkeye can't hear

what Deadpool is saying when he wears his mask then you can't pick and

choose what Hawkeye hears! Consistency, people!

A funny read full of action and espionage. But it's got a major plot hole running

throughout. I'm a little disappointed in you Gerry Duggan. I know you are the

writer but you have a keen eye on detail. How did you miss the Hawkeye lip

reading goofs in Matteo Lolli and Jacopo Camagni's art? If all three of you would

like to try to get it right a second time in a sequel, I'll allow it. I'm sure the rest of

the Deadpool and Hawkeye legions of fans would eagerly agree.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

You Are Deadpool #5

After your time-travelling adventures in issues #2,3 and 4, you, as Deadpool, have made it to issue #5. Here, all of your running around in the Marvel Universe timeline has created a seemingly infinite number of Wade Wilsons. Now in order to finish the game you have to unravel some of the mess made to the timeline.

You will need a calculator for this issue of You Are Deadpool. There's some serious math to be done and using fingers and toes will not get this job done.

My least favorite issue of the miniseries/RPG adventure. Like I said, there is some quite difficult mathematics to be done in this final issue. It felt a little bit lit algebra and I really hate algebra. 

Thankfully, there are some very funny moments thanks to writer Al Ewing. Plus Aco's art is second to none. It's just that this last chapter, LEVEL was quite complicated. Maybe if I get around to playing You Are Deadpool again, I will enjoy the ending a little more now that I have some experience with it. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

You are Deadpool #2-4

Generally, when I review a series, I read each book in order. Then I post my reviews of the individual issues in order starting with issue #1. I then review all of the numbered issues until I reach the final issue. However with You Are Deadpool issues #2-4, I can't do that.

You Are Deadpool is a RPG comic book. Based on your score in the first issue, you then proceed to issues #2, 3 or 4. If your score is not in the right range, you may not get to issue #2 until you score enough points in issue #4. Also, there are certain special items that would benefit you if you don't do the issues in order. Being that You are Deadpool is a game, you also might have to go in a different order in order to win. 

Yes- in You Are Deadpool, you can die and have to start over as well...

Since I do not want to ruin the fun of game play, here's a general overview of issues #2,3, and 4...

Issue #2: Due to the time machine device you stole in the first issue, you end up in the 1960s. Here you must find the proper fuel in order to re-power the device in hopes of getting back to the future. Your travels will put you either at the origin story of the Fantastic Four or the Incredible Hulk or face-to-face discussing art appreciation with Grasshopper Man?!

Issue #3: Due to the time machine device you stole in the first issue, you end up in the supernatural swamps of the 1970s. Here you must collect a certain number of mystical gems in order to transport yourself through a magical portal in the heart of the swamp. But be careful- if you don't have enough gems, you die and have to start over. Featuring appearances by Man-Thing, a jive-talking eye-patchless Nick Fury and a face-to-face battle with Richard Nixon's minion, Grasshopper Man?!

Issue #3:  Due to the time machine device you stole in the first issue, you end up in the corporate raiding 1980s. Just as you are admiring the Big Apple before Disney got a hold of it, your time device is stolen. In order to get it back, here you run afoul of gritty superheroes such as Daredevil and the Punisher and a souped-out Grasshopper Man?!

I really enjoyed these levels of game play by Al Ewing and Aco. This is the type of Deadpool insanity I have been missing since Wade Wilson became a baddie again thanks to stupid ole' Secret Empire. My favorite issue was the issue #3. I like the 1960s Marvel era very much. But I grew up reading the 70s stuff with it's madcap titles such as Master of Kung-Fu and Werewolf by Night. The 80s was a hit-or-miss time for me when it comes to Marvel and so I wasn't such a fan of that book. Still, this was a lot of fun to read and play and unlike some of those Choose Your Own Adventure books, I actually went back a few times and did the other scenarios to see how things would play out. 

Issue #2- Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.
Issue #3- Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.
Issue #4- Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.
Average rating: 8.333 out of 10 stars,