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.

Scotch McTiernan's Holiday Party #1

Thanks to my experience with their Halloween special, I was willing to give the Brian Posehn/Gerry Duggan/Scott Koblish holiday follow-up a try. I really wish I had saved my money.

The entire book is a stoner's Christmas Carol warning of the dangers of a 2024 Trump/Red Wave election victory. While I support free speech and I understand the fears of what MAGA candidates are going to do win OR lose after the November elections; it's just not appropriate for a Christmas themed comic book. (And if I am wrong about that- then at least put a warning label on the front cover!)

I'm okay with Christmas horror. I'm even okay with a little bit of Christmas dystopia. Usually with all those types of tales, there's at least a glimmer of positivity and hope. Not so here! There's not one single bit of joyful anticipation in this 2022 comic from Image. The writers are so angry that if this comic book could fester cancer from the bitterness, then the case would be terminal.

Maybe I should have realized from the shocks of the Halloween special that there would be no sacred cows here. Based on the cover, I didn't expect a reverent comic. Heck, I was expecting a lot of drug culture humor and Deadpool level violence. And I was OK with all that. Based on the cover, it all looked so cheerful and fun. I was instead sucker-punched with this woebegone tome. I really didn't expect this to be such a downer in expectation of what 2024 might bring. Hell, I wasn't even expecting the next election to even be a glimmer in the eye of the creators being published so far away from 2024.

January through October of 2024 is going to have enough fear and loathing on its own. I just don't need it during my holiday reads. That's my time to delight and wonder. The team of Duggan/Posehn/Koblish stole that from me with this book. 

Grinches....

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 2 out of 10 stars.

Scotch McTiernan's Halloween Party #1

I'm rather familiar with Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn. Both were the writers of an epic run of Deadpool stories that saw the Merc With a Mouth gaining a daughter, taking on a zombie horde of dead presidents and the return of the demonically funny Madcap! With their stories, I've learned to expect the unexpected and that there are no sacred cows! But man, was the opening to the book a real punch to the face.

This Halloween special starts off with a maniacal clown about to kill a whole bunch of party goers. Yet, the fiend is beaten to the punch by a mass shooter and then another mass shooter and another. The whole opening sequence of this story was meant to ask the question 'whose is the real monster- those of our nightmares or the regular man on the street?' But with the gore and blood and language and that poor dead bunny rabbit, I was so dumbstruck and shocked; it was like a climate activist had come into my comic book collection and poured tomato soup over everything.

After the initial shock, things got less in-your-face but the wildness and impulsiveness factors never dwindled. When  the 'hero' of this story, Scotch McTiernan, finally appears, the theme of the story has already changed. Over the course of this special we go from biting social commentary to 80s action hero satire to a parody of the 1982 classic E.T., and then things wrap up with a skewering of the religious right while channeling The Most Dangerous Game and Suicide Squad.

In the 1990s, Frank Miller created a character named Lance Blastoff. This souped up rocket man was gritty, grim, bloody as hell- oh, and irreverent. Nothing was safe from Frank Miller's take on the overly testosteroned super hero. Critics claimed that Miller created the character as his form of nose-thumbing at activists who saw mature comics as something to be banned and abhorred. For a while, Miller's character was used in campaigns and fundraising comics produced by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and it seemed the more they did, the wilder Lance Blastoff got. I get the same vibe here with Scotch McTiernan. Only I don't think Duggan and Posehn are doing it for the CBLDF...

Scotch McTiernan first debuted earlier this year in a book called The Secret History of the War on Weed. I didn't know that it was a book meant to celebrate 4/20 Day. Regardless, it wasn't on my radar and if I had known that the former was based on that April tribute to pot, I probably wouldn't have placed a request on this special. Yet Duggan, Posehn and their Deadpool favorited artist, Scott Koblish, were listed as the creators and that was good enough for me. 

Now that I've completed this book, I've got a couple of decisions to make. Do I want to own The Secret History of the War on Weed since it is a 'holiday' book? And do I want to own the forthcoming Christmas special that Duggan, Posehn and Koblish have lined up about Scotch McTiernan? I'm going to say yes to both. However, I'm also going to be wearing a whole lot of armor when I do. Those first 6 pages of this Halloween special are going to haunt me for decades and the horror had nothing to do with the creatures of the night. 

The opening of Scotch McTiernan's Halloween Party will hit you like a ton of bricks. While those elements of this story, which as a teacher hits very close to home, are temporary, the irreverence and insanity that turned me into a Deadpool fan never wanes from this comic. Maybe if Wade Wilson was doing all of this craziness and not just some random dudes with guns and body armor, I wouldn't be so unsettled. If so, I might have really enjoyed the last 3/4 of this book much as well.

This is definitely not a Halloween special for kids! Mature readers only!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars: Chewbacca (2015)

If you think that the reason I choose now to read the collection version of this 2015 Marvel miniseries is due to the untimely death of actor Peter Mayhew, buy yourself a cee-gar!  The death of the first actor to portray everyone's favorite Wookiee hit me, a literal life-long Star Wars fan (I was born in 1977), very hard. My second eldest child is actually named after the co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon (and yes, Chewie is a human boy!) 

Naturally, there's quite a bit of affection for the character in my family. Along with lighting a candle in front on a copy of Episode IV on DVD, I wanted to do something else in tribute to Mayhew. So, I decided to finally hit my local library and check out this book. 

The story takes place sometime very soon after the Battle of Yavin. Chewie is on a secret mission when he crash lands on a mining planet teetering on the edge of falling under the dominion of the Empire. All the Wookiee wants to do is buy the needed part to repair his fighter and complete his mission. But when he falls under the charms of an escaped slave girl, Chewbacca will risk everything to make sure this planet doesn't fall under the iron boot of the Empire like his beloved home world of Kashyyk!

The artwork of Phil Noto is very good. The X-23 artist uses a watercolor technique that gives the story a vintage feel. Chewbacca looks almost life-like. Though I did feel that the Wookiee's muzzle looked rather comical like a  Fu Manchu mustache. 

There was another element of Noto's art that was a tad confusing; that of Chewie's youthful companion, Zarro. In much of this 5-issue series, Zarro looks more like a 10-year old boy than a girl. It's not just because she has short hair. Zarro's face looks more masculine.

I'm wondering if Zarro was originally to be a boy. But Marvel, decided somewhere in final production to switch the character's gender. In some panels (and covers), Zarro looks like a young boy from Eastern Europe in about 75% of this book. The character just doesn't look consistent throughout. 

This mini was published during the Axel Alonso era in which Marvel Comics pandered diversity for the sake of sales and fan loyalty (and failed miserably.) So, I would not have put it past Marvel to decide that this story needed a feminine touch. Thus, in a massive rush to make deadline, Phil Noto had just enough time to touch up some panels but not all! I'd be interested to learn more about who was the model of Zarro and if my theory was right.

Gerry Duggan pens this story. I love his work on Deadpool. He's faithful to beloved source material while not being afraid of pushing the envelope. But this comic is one time that you needed Chewbacca's buddy Han Solo around. Nobody is around to interpret what Chewie has to say. I can understand id Gerry Duggan felt that by having Han around, this wouldn't be a Chewbacca solo tale. But this book needed someone around to help us understand what Chewie is saying; like maybe a protocol droid. As much as I've tried, I just don't speak Wookiee.

Speaking of being lost in translation- just what does Zarro's shirt say? I bet it's an awesome Easter egg. But as much as I don't know Wookiee, I speak even less Galactic Basic!

Star Wars: Chewbacca was a good read. But, it had some rough edges. But I enjoyed it. But if ever a book needed a director's cut style appendix about the art process (and maybe a Wookiee-to-English dictionary), this would be the book to need it.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 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.

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.

Despicable Deadpool, Volume 2: Bucket List

I really don't like this angrier, grittier Deadpool. Yeah, he made the big mistake of following the Nazi Steve Rogers. But, he sorta was a double agent. He never really sold out any of the mutants Rogers was trying to exterminate. Plus, Wade was trying to protect his little girl who was half-mutant.

The Merc with a Mouth is mad. He wants revenge! I get it! But I prefer the more light-hearted, goofier Deadpool. When I read Deadpool, I want a laugh or two. I don't expect Punisher's War Journal.

There's some great moments. And I get an occasional chuckle. Thankfully, Gerry Duggan is still writing Deadpool. Otherwise, I think this EMO Wade Wilson would be completely unreadable.

The artwork by Mateo Lolli is also very well done. It's another plus to an otherwise not enjoyable series from the House of Ideas.

When Marvel announced that Deadpool was going bad again, I had my reservations. Turns out, I am completely justified. This just isn't my favorite version of Deadpool.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Despicable Deadpool Volume 1: Deadpool Kills Cable

The reign of the Despicable Deadpool begins with this volume that takes place immediately after the events of Secret Empire!

SPOILERS: 

The reign of HYRDA Cap has been thwarted. But the damage has been done. The public still doesn't forgive or trust the true Captain America. Wade Wilson has been declared and enemy of the state! And the Preston family is in serious disrepair. 

On the run, Deadpool now must complete a series of 4 murders in repayment of his debt to Stryfe. His first target: Cable!

I must admit when I first heard that Deadpool was going back to a baddie, I was afraid that he was going to loose all of the elements that led to me falling in love with the character over the past couple of years. Thankfully, he's the same old Merc with a Mouth- he just doesn't give a damn anymore!

Another thing that should have led me to not worry is the fact that Gerry Duggan is still penning the further adventures o Deadpool. The quality of the stories haven't diminished and Scott Koblish continues to pencil the series in his 'pen is mightier than the sword' ways. 

Though it's a more gruff Deadpool, everybody's favorite mutant- besides Wolverine, and Cable, and Kitty Pryde, and Storm, and Professor X...(okay, I could go on for ever)- anyways Wade Wilson is still in very talented hands and this is a series very much Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool: World's Greatest, Volume 10: Secret Empire

The world Deadpool knows is no more! Captain America has made his intentions known and the United States of America is now under the domain of HYDRA!

In order to keep his daughter Ellie safe, Wade Wilson will burn all of his bridges. That includes his relationships with Agent Preston, the Avengers, the Mercs for Money and even Rogue!

It's been alluded to for several volumes now that the Merc with a Mouth was going to bottom out and this is the beginning of that downfall.

Secret Empire was a great read. It's another Gerry Duggan triumph! I just hate seeing bad things happen to Deadpool. I know that he deserves a lot of what is coming to him. But this wasn't one of those things he deserved. 

Man, is that HYDRA Cap slimy. It's no wonder Captain America has fallen from being my favorite superhero of all-time to 4th or 5th. He and Marvel have a look of restoration to do to put him back in the top position. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool: World's Greatest Volume 9: Deadpool in Space

Deadpool raids the former domain of Uatu the Watcher in hopes of finding something that can destroy Madcap once and for all. This begins a galaxy spanning adventure that will pit Wade Wilson face-to-face with the Nova Corps, Asgardians, Brood and so much more. 

In light of all the chaos, it appears Deadpool is doing something he's never done before- have fun! It's a vacation in space unlike any other!

Some of the best work by Gerry Duggan. Along with Wilson's trek through the stars, there's also a special story formed by collecting 13 secret covers together starring the Merc with a Mouth and one of the most important characters in Marvel history in the past 40 years. 

A really fun read right before the crap hits the fan for Deadpool in the Secret Empire storyline.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out 10 stars.

Deadpool: World's Greatest Volume 8: Til Death Do Us

Shiklah, Queen of the Monster Underworld has had enough. After the death of an ancient monster, Shiklah declares war on the race of man! Obviously, this sort of thing will put a brutal strain on a marriage and things really haven't been all that great between Deadpool and his demon bride lately.

A superior chapter in Gerry Duggan era of the Merc with a Mouth. With issues of a couple of other series tying in the action, this volume is full of great cameos as well as team-ups with the Amazing Spider-Man, the Mercs For Money led by Domino, and a mystery player that if revealed might just spoil the whole thing.

Great artwork by a team led by Silva Espin and Joshua Corin. Really playful and full of action. I’d really like to see where a lot of the bit players in this chapter go next.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool: World's Greatest, Volume 6: Patience Zero

Madcap has returned! And he's mad as hell!

Things seem to not be going Deadpool's way right now. His marriage is falling apart. His Avengers team has been disbanded. And the Mercs for Money are making money, just without Deadpool.

Now with the return of Madcap, things have gone from bad to worse. The former resident of Wade Wilson's head seeks revenge on Deadpool. The fiend has unleashed an incurable plague upon his daughter and members of Agent Preston's family. In order to save them, Deadpool just may have to make a deal with the devil...

Then jump ahead to the year 2099. The Deadpool 2099 saga comes to an end. Which of his daughter winds up with the mantle of Deadpool? Where is Deadpool's bride Shiklah? And what does the Immortal Iron Fist have to do with any of this?

This volume was not as good than the last. Things aren't great for Deadpool and I like my Deadpool to be a little more upbeat.  If I wasn't used to a funny Deadpool, then this would be great as it's quite gritty and dark.

I know things aren't supposed to be great for Wade Wilson. He's like Charlie Brown in a self-deprecating manner in which everyone thinks he's a real blockhead. He never can get ahead and if Deadpool does, he's quickly snapped back to reality.  But I read books with the Merc With a Mouth when I need a pick me up and this did not do the job. 

It's not the worst thing I've ever read by Gerry Duggan. It's just not my favorite either. The artwork by Scott Koblish on the on the hand was pretty awesome and that cover of Madcap bursting through some dude's chest is pretty wicked.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool Civil War II

The Mercs For Money are tired of Deadpool screwing around. They love being heroes, but the very definition of a mercenary means you get paid. And nobody can remember the last time Deadpool has paid them. Has he ever paid them? Determined to do something about it, the guys decide to pull a heist that will result in some cold hard cash flowing their way. 

Along with dealing with a work place revolt on his hands, Deadpool is struggling at home as well. His wife Shiklah, Queen of the Undead, is unhappy with how mellow the Merc with a Mouth has gotten. His daughter is forbidden from seeing him. Good friends are dying left and right. And it looks like his role as Avengers leader is also in serious jeopardy. 

Plus, in the Deadpool 2099 storyline, Wade's two warring daughters finally come to a head. One only wants to protect her father. The other is looking for the body of her late mother, Shiklah! The winner not only gets everything they ever wanted, they'll also earn the moniker of Deadpool 2099!

This was a good story arc written by Gerry Duggan. But it wasn't great. Some may like it when things go rough for Deadpool. I am not one of those people. I like my Deadpool to be more upbeat. Yes, I like him to be nutty and odd- and he's plenty of that here. But I hate to see Deadpool in the dumps. When Deadpool is supposed to be a pick-me-up, that just doesn't happen here to see a beloved characters world fall apart at the seams.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

The Last Christmas

After a zombie apocalypse, the survivors of the world try to continue living life as close to normal. Christmas is one of those traditions hanging by a thread and it still manages to keep Santa busy. Instead of a teddy bear, kids might now ask for a .357 Magnum with 100 rounds in order to survive another year. But, it's still business as usual for St. Nick. That is until the zombies finally invade the North Pole.

Santa and his elves are able to repel the attack, but not without some causalities. As a result, Mrs. Claus is brutally murdered and it sends Santa down into a deep depression. Every year to mark the anniversary of his wife's death, Santa tries to do himself in. But he can't die as the children of the world still believe in him. But years of not showing up has caused that number to shrink until there's only one kid left who believes- and he wants a bike for Christmas.

Seeing his way to finally die, Santa heads down to San Francisco to meet with the last kid who believes. In his sleigh is a very special present. Only, it's not a bike and it's going to help Kris Kringle finally go out with a bang. 

This Image series from Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan is wild. The same duo who brought us an insane run recently on Deadpool, this comic book is NOT for kids! I'm serious. Just because it stars Santa and some elves, in no way should a child under the age of 12 read this book. Heck 12 might even be pushing it. 

This 2006 miniseries from  is full of sex, suicide (attempts), gore, murder, and about as much potty humor legally allowed by Marvel during a Deadpool run of issues- multiplied by a factor of 50! It's all rendered in disgusting detail by the team of Hilary Barta, Rick Remender, and covers by Geof Darrow!

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed this book. It was off-the-wall and that's my field house. But I also know that this is not a holiday comic for just anyone either. This is the type of Santa Claus that should only be enjoyed by mommies and daddies. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool, Volume 3: Deadpool Vs. Sabretooth

  Acting impulsively (as always) upon some clues as to who killed his parents (IT WAS DEADPOOL!), Deadpool tracks down Sabretooth (who was there, but didn't kill Deadpool's parents) (( I told you Deadpool who killed his parents. Weren't you reading what I wrote?)) Regardless of who killed who ((( Deadpool killed his own parents- GEEZ!!!))), it's an epic battle between two anti-heroes with regenerative abilities and are impossible to be killed.
    Then it's another journey into the future with Deadpool 2099. We've meet Deadpool 2099 but just who is Zenpool 2099??? 
     More insanity Deadpool style. But the characters that are really stealing the show in this Deadpool series- the Mercs for Money- are seriously underused. Good read but it could've been better if writer Gerry Duggan would just abandon the 'who killed Deadpool's parents?' storyline ((((For the last time: Deadpool killed his own parents!!!)))) and focus on Wade Wilson's new found fame as a beloved superhero. 

  Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool, Volume 3: End of An Error

     Untold tales of the non-Deadpool members of the Mercs for Money, a super-sized anniversary issue, an all-Spanish tale starring Massacre: the Mexican Deadpool, and a trip to the Marvel 2099 universe. This Deadpool volume was filled with fun, laughs, and tons of violence. 
      I really enjoyed just about all of this book. The only part I didn't really enjoy was the Mexican Deadpool story. Being all in Spanish and considering I cannot speak a lick of it, I just couldn't read what was being said. Is it wrong to ask for an Spanish-to-English translation? 
     Slapstick is featured in this book as is the 90s horror character, Terror. Both shine in the first half of this book. I'm thrilled that Slapstick has a series again. Now the House of Ideas needs to give the Terror another shot.
     Writer Gerry Duggan continues to thrill, so does artist Scott Koblish. But I think Amazon got it wrong- Brian Posehn isn't still on the creative team. He left shortly before this new series of Deadpool.
    
      Worth Consuming

       Rating: 9 out of 10 stars
       

Deadpool, Volume 1: Millionaire With A Mouth

  In the 80s, Wendy's had a commercial that was ultra popular. In it, this old lady looks a this gigantic bun with a teeny tiny hamburger patty in the middle of it and she yells 'Where's the Beef?' Well, with this new Deadpool series, I felt like I was asking the same question only that Deadpool represents the beef in this hamburger of odd proportions.
    After the events of Secret Wars (of which I have yet to read), Deadpool is now the most popular superhero in the world. He's the de facto leader and benefactor of the Avengers with Tony Stark MIA. Plus, with being so busy and so sought after, Deadpool has started up his version of Heroes For Hire, with D-listers such as Foolkiller, Solo, and Slapstick wearing the Merc with a Mouth's costume for a slew of gigs (most of which don't pay.)
     With what little funds he receives going to the Avengers, Deadpool's employees at HFH are disgruntled, overworked, and a little bit on edge. But with a serial killer, dressed as Deadpool, on the loose in New York killing both friend and foe of Wade Wilson's, has one of these employees finally gone postal? Or has our insane hero finally snapped? 
    (My guess, probably both...)
     With 7 Deadpool's now, trying to fit them all into this story was a tough challenge for Gerry Duggan. Sadly, there are two things missing from this Deadpool series: Co-writer Brian Posehn and Deadpool. Posehn went back to doing stand-up. I don't know Deadpool's excuse. When your public is clamoring for more Deadpool and you've relegated him to brief cameos, you gotta ask 'what are you thinking, man?'
     The first half of this book is so light on Wade Wilson, it's a bit irksome. Not that the hired hands of Heroes For Hire aren't funny or entertaining. They are, but when you pay to see a superstar and all you get are a bunch of opening acts, you're going to feel a little gypped. 
    Thankfully, by the second half of this book, Wade Wilson is back in the spotlight. But it's just too little too late at this point. I've not given up on Deadpool. I just hope that by volume 2, he's back in the driver's seat. 

   Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool, Volume 8: All Good Things

 After the tragic ending of Deadpool’s time as Zenpool, the Merc With A Mouth decides to run away from his family and friends and problems. Accepting a gig as a soldier of fortune from the Trapster (AKA Paste Pot Pete) (or Pete, for short), Wade Wilson ends up in the deserts of the Middle East, protecting some Roxxon oil claims from hostiles. But when it is revealed that the hostiles are actually refugees trying to protect their way of life, Deadpool has a change of heart and attempts to save the day.

     Oh, and this volume contains the death of Deadpool!

   What?! That's not a spoiler! The death of Deadpool is listed on the back of the book! Google it!

    Besides, this is Deadpool we're talking about… nothing ever is as it seems- or is it???

    Lot's of insane Wade Wilson fun. That means gross humor, surreal experiences, and lots and lots of death. Gory, funny death…

    Probably the best Deadpool storyline since his encounter with the zombie Presidents in issues 1-6.

   Worth Consuming.

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool, Volume 7: Axis

Move over Gwenpool and Dogpool, there's a new member of the Deadpool family- Zenpool!

  After the Freaky Friday events of AXIS, Wade Wilson has finally found inner peace. While his daughter and the criminal scum of the Big Apple are enjoying this new version of the Merc With a Mouth, not everyone is so pleased. His wife Sheklah thinks he's become a wimp (he has.) The Avengers think he's gone nuts (he already was.) And the now evil X-MEN want him dead! (who doesn't?)

 But the big question is this- will Wade Wilson be able to remain at peace with himself with the ever nagging knowledge of all the bad things he's done over the years.

   Just when I think that I've seen it all about Deadpool, he never ceases to amaze me. The writing duo of Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn have really elevated Deadpool to new heights over the past couple of years. I know that their run has been panned just as much as it's been praised, but Deadpool is more popular than ever and I think those two have a little bit to due with it.

     A crazy fun read that has everything going for it but bad kharma.

  Worth Consuming.

  Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool by Posehn & Duggan, Volume 3

    Deadpool's search for the daughter he didn't know he had continues. But before Wade can enact some blood-soaked revenge on those who've manipulated his past the Merc with a Mouth, he's got a little trip to take- down the aisle to holy matrimony. Though, based on who Deadpool's mystery bride is, should I say it's unholy?
    Before the 'I Do's', Deadpool is thrown the most epic bachelor's party aboard the USS Essex. After the 'I Do's', Deadpool and bride go on a honeymoon to Japan. Needless to say, neither locale will ever be the same again and probably had to be condemned afterwards.
    Deadpool's extensive and often confusing origin are explored in length in this omnibus edition. During an Original Sin crossover event, Agent Preston is shown visions of Deadpool's missing daughter while her partner Agent Adsit is shown a harrowing account of the death of Wade's parents. Meanwhile Deadpool is sent back in time to the 1950s in order to save Nick Fury from being assassinated by a time-travelling Adolf Hitler!
    Folks, you can't make this stuff up- that is unless you're authors Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan. The duo has often been criticized for being too zany in their stories. But zany and bizarre- isn't that the essence of the anti-hero?
     An insane collection of Deadpool tales that shed about as much light on the troubled mutant as it does muddy the waters a little bit more. But that's okay as I don't think we're ever supposed to really know Wade Wilson. Deadpool has got to have some surprises least he's just not that entertaining to read.

   Worth Consuming

  Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

   This omnibus edition collects the following: Deadpool #26-34 and Annual #1.