Deadpool #39

Cover by Dave Johnson,
Marko Djurdjevic

Deadpool #39

Writer: Daniel Way

Penciller: Bong Dazo, Joe Pimentel

Colorist: Andres Mossa

Letterer: VD’s Joe Sabino

As I have gotten more and more into comic books, I’ve discovered a couple characters that I’ve become really interested in and anxious to read more of. Deadpool is one such character, though, based completely on an extremely superficial knowledge of his background and history, I am worried that he is one of those comic book characters that suffers from awesome-idea-poor-execution syndrome and I will be perpetually disappointed in comics about him (my beloved Question also suffers from this horrible disorder).

But I am interested in Deadpool and therefore was excited to actually read one of his single issues, Deadpool #39. Of course it was right back smack in the middle of a story arc but to be frank, I am used to that by now.

Marvel told me on the opening page that Deadpool wanted to get himself killed (it’s hard with that tricky healing factor he’s got) so he decided to detonate two nuclear weapons in the Hulk’s face in an effort to piss the Hulk off so the Hulk will Hulk!Smash Deadpool into nothingness. Seems reasonable, though I am curious to just how the Hulk would survive nuclear weapons to the face. I know he’s all gamma-rayed up but still, wouldn’t that at least negatively impair your Hulk!Smash skills? But I quickly realized that Deadpool #39 was not exactly relying on the strongest of plots.

For instance, as Deadpool decides to detonate these nuclear weapons, he just happens to notice that he’s standing right next to a day care center. Whoops. Seriously, that’s what the entire plot of this comic was: Deadpool comes up with a stupid idea and then immediately regrets it as soon as he puts it into action and happens to glance over his shoulder at the group of innocent children. It was silly.

So like anyone else who quickly realizes they’re totally boned, Deadpool panics and begins having arguments with his various inner monologues (apparently he has dissociative identity disorder, which can manifest itself as a voice of reason and which he probably should have listened to a couple issues back). Things get a little out of hand, the army gets involved, and Deadpool absconds with a school bus full of terrified children. It was quite thrilling.

Basically, I read a comic that was low on plot, but high on ridiculously over-the-top scenes of car chases, explosions, an exasperated Deadpool and the Hulk acting his non-subtle self. Deadpool also managed to find plenty of time to make wisecracks and just basically act all devil-may-care, which I suppose is his normal state. Or at least, what comic book writers assume his readers want. I don’t know, I haven’t read enough.

This particular weakness and the fact that the art reminded me a lot of Archie comics aside, I am actually really interested in reading the next issue purely because the reader finds out that Deadpool (who managed to survive surprise surprise) is getting sent to Crossmore Prison, which is being converted into a mental institution. Oh man. It’s about time Marvel realizes that a regular prison is boring; they should all be Arkham Asylum in the comic book world.

Anyway, I have to say that Deadpool #39 was entertaining in a really stupid, easy way. The story required no intense thought process and Deadpool was portrayed as the sort of the character that can be really funny and awesome but also super annoying, kind of like Beetlejuice. While not a particularly strong comic, Deadpool #39 definitely whetted my appetite for more comics with this character.