Deadpool #55

Cover by Dave Johnson

Deadpool #55 (May 23, 2012)

Writer: Daniel Way

Penciller: Shawn Crystal

Colorist: John Rauch

Letterer: Joe Sabino

As a huge Deadpool fan, I was confused and anxious about the recent changes that the Merc with a Mouth had undergone. The majority of what makes Deadpool Deadpool had essentially disappeared. I was worried.

Deadpool #55, however, did alleviate some of my fears; Deadpool is still crazy, he still has the fun yellow boxes, and he still has a profound love for murder and being really, really good at it.

Of course, things are terribly different now, what with his handsome face, his lack of healing-factor and his newfound will to live. If anything, adding these attributes to Wade Wilson is an interesting spin on such a distinct and almost rigid character. There are certain aspects to Deadpool that go without saying, so what happens when they are taken away?

Apparently, he still has the same basic personality and manic desire to kill, but only people who deserve it. Way opens the comic by featuring an introspective Wade Wilson who is still grappling with his new and fraught lease on life. The irony he faces: he can die now and yet, he’s never wanted to be nor felt more alive. Therefore, what should he do?

Answer: kill some baddies.

He decides rather rashly to take on the Intelligencia all by himself, which really wasn’t the smartest of plans. While I thoroughly enjoyed his fight sequences and his, of course, over-the-top destructive prowess, I was a bit confused by Deadpool’s voice. I was never quite sure when he was aware that he had lost his healing factor and when he had forgotten. Ultimately, of course, he had forgotten and therefore bit off more than he could chew. This is not an unusual thing for Deadpool to do, but the lack of healing factor does add a new layer of tension to the comic.

My favorite aspect to Deadpool #55 was definitely the opening, in which the vulnerable and insecure side to Wade Wilson was hinted at. One of the things I love so much about Deadpool is that beneath all the bravado and lame one-liners, Wade Wilson is a very damaged man. This side to the character only rears his head once in a while, and I felt Way did an excellent job handling this without becoming too off character or maudlin.

I also enjoyed the Intelligencia, and the humor behind such a ridiculous group of super villains. Like Deadpool, we’re not supposed to take them terribly seriously and yet, Way did provide enough tension to make the reader understand that they very much want to and can kill Deadpool.

Overall, I am thoroughly intrigued by this new run on Deadpool. It’s always refreshing to have a well-known character get revamped and shaken up. And Way is shaking up Deadpool just about as much as he can. I am anxious to see how far he takes us on this new run and where our dear Deadpool ends up.