What would be the best comics to pick up in regards to Deadpool. Is the first trade of the old Deadpool material worth getting? Thanks.
Deadpool?
Moderator: JohnMayo
Deadpool?
A little background. I was a big Uncanny X-Men in the old days until Claremount and Jim Lee left the book. I did read the first few issues of X-Force, but never understood why Deadpool is so popular. But, I always hear so many good things about the character and his solo book that I thought I should at least try out some books related to Deadpool.
What would be the best comics to pick up in regards to Deadpool. Is the first trade of the old Deadpool material worth getting? Thanks.
What would be the best comics to pick up in regards to Deadpool. Is the first trade of the old Deadpool material worth getting? Thanks.
Brad (Edit This) asked a similar question. As a Deadpool nut, I can speak to this pretty confidently Hassan. The trade collects New Mutants 98 (DP's first appearance), Deadpool: Circle Chase 1-4, Deadpool (mini-series) 1-4 and the 1st issues of the ongoing series.
I think this is a reasonable taste for Deadpool's early incarnation but recognize that when most people speak fondly of the character, it's because of the stuff that happened AFTER that trade.
1) Let me back up a bit and mention that this trade is not meant to serve as a Masterwork that recounts all of his early appearances. He appeared in quite a few issues of X-Force before that 2nd mini-series came around; and he also had roles in X-Caliber and was in an issue of the Avengers if memory serves.
2) Getting back to my main point. The Deadpool that so many speak of fondly is the one who is not only a deadly assassin but also borders on insanity. He's constantly cracking jokes (think Spider-Man only more nutty) and is fond of breaking the 4th wall and speaking directly to the reader. THAT Deadpool really evolved under Joe Kelly's stewarship. Kelly wrote the ongoing Deadpool series for the first three years (up to issue 33).
3) The ongoing lasted until issue 69, and then got re-named as Agent X for another 13 issues. The last six issues of Deadpool and most of those Agent X issues were written by Gail Simone (art by Udon).
4) In between Kelly and Gail, there were a number of quality writers involved including Chris Priest; a personal favorite. The art was also a strong suit. Ed McGuiness had a long run at the start of the series, as an example.
So if I were you...I would buy the trade but would also seek out some of the Joe Kelly issues. The great thing about buying that trade is it gives you #1 of the Joe Kelly series; which can be pricey on eBay or online stores, but almost the entire run thereafter can be had for cover price or less.
Hope this helps.
It's also important to note that Daniel Way; who is writing the new Deadpool series, is on record as planning to bring a bit more seriousness back to Deadpool. He's not going to abandon the craziness that is core to the character, but DP is going to be a more visceral, important part of the real 616 universe. For a long time Marvel has kept DP in his own pocket universe and rarely has his character had an impact on anyone outside of his own book. That's going to change and, with it, DP is going to interact with a lot more A-list villains and heroes; at the expense of some of the quirky regulars that have appeared in his own books the last decade.
You should pick up the recent issues of Wolverine: Origins which feature Deadpool. They were written by Way and serve as a preview of what we can expect.
Enjoy!
I think this is a reasonable taste for Deadpool's early incarnation but recognize that when most people speak fondly of the character, it's because of the stuff that happened AFTER that trade.
1) Let me back up a bit and mention that this trade is not meant to serve as a Masterwork that recounts all of his early appearances. He appeared in quite a few issues of X-Force before that 2nd mini-series came around; and he also had roles in X-Caliber and was in an issue of the Avengers if memory serves.
2) Getting back to my main point. The Deadpool that so many speak of fondly is the one who is not only a deadly assassin but also borders on insanity. He's constantly cracking jokes (think Spider-Man only more nutty) and is fond of breaking the 4th wall and speaking directly to the reader. THAT Deadpool really evolved under Joe Kelly's stewarship. Kelly wrote the ongoing Deadpool series for the first three years (up to issue 33).
3) The ongoing lasted until issue 69, and then got re-named as Agent X for another 13 issues. The last six issues of Deadpool and most of those Agent X issues were written by Gail Simone (art by Udon).
4) In between Kelly and Gail, there were a number of quality writers involved including Chris Priest; a personal favorite. The art was also a strong suit. Ed McGuiness had a long run at the start of the series, as an example.
So if I were you...I would buy the trade but would also seek out some of the Joe Kelly issues. The great thing about buying that trade is it gives you #1 of the Joe Kelly series; which can be pricey on eBay or online stores, but almost the entire run thereafter can be had for cover price or less.
Hope this helps.
It's also important to note that Daniel Way; who is writing the new Deadpool series, is on record as planning to bring a bit more seriousness back to Deadpool. He's not going to abandon the craziness that is core to the character, but DP is going to be a more visceral, important part of the real 616 universe. For a long time Marvel has kept DP in his own pocket universe and rarely has his character had an impact on anyone outside of his own book. That's going to change and, with it, DP is going to interact with a lot more A-list villains and heroes; at the expense of some of the quirky regulars that have appeared in his own books the last decade.
You should pick up the recent issues of Wolverine: Origins which feature Deadpool. They were written by Way and serve as a preview of what we can expect.
Enjoy!
Wood,
Thanks for the very detailed post. I appreciate it. I will put the Deadpool trade on my list of trades to get. Also, since I love McG's art, I will try to get the early issues at a con. Of course, I could wait and see if they do a second Deadpool trade.
On a side note, how is Wolverine Origins. To be honest, I dropped the book after issue 11. I thought it was ok, not great. With that said, do you think the current issues are better than the first dozen or so issues.
Thanks for the very detailed post. I appreciate it. I will put the Deadpool trade on my list of trades to get. Also, since I love McG's art, I will try to get the early issues at a con. Of course, I could wait and see if they do a second Deadpool trade.
On a side note, how is Wolverine Origins. To be honest, I dropped the book after issue 11. I thought it was ok, not great. With that said, do you think the current issues are better than the first dozen or so issues.