Written by: Gerry Duggan
Art by: Scott Kolins
Publisher: Marvel
It’s been a while since I’ve read Deadpool, so excuse me if I’m a bit rusty. I’ve followed his books on-and-off for years. Most of the time when I drop off, it’s more that I place my interest elsewhere, rather than the quality of the book. Where I last left off, Deadpool was still fighting dead Presidents. I happily picked up this Death of Wolverine tie-in one-shot on a whim, to see where the good ol’ Merc with a Mouth was, and I was very happy. Though I initially picked the book up because of my interest in the work of Scott Kolins, I was happy to see that Deadpool is in very capable hands with Gerry Duggan, and that his book is as fun as ever.
Our issue opens with the life and times of Wolverine, as Steve Rogers and Deadpool clean up his room at Avengers Mansion. After some bonding and reflecting over their history together, the former Captain America tells Deadpool that it is their responsibility to stop a plot to obtain the DNA of Wolverine, which could be used for nefarious gains. The two embark on their adventure, which sees them face off against nameless grunts and hordes of A.I.M. scientists, but at the end of the day, Deadpool faces a decision that could have major ramifications for the entire Marvel Universe!
Gerry Duggan writes this one-shot, but is also the main writer for the current Deadpool series. As such, he has a great handle on the character and the world he inhabits, making this one-shot feel important. It isn’t often that a one-shot actually matters (Or fits into the ongoing adventures), but since Duggan writes the main series he fits it in seamlessly. It feels like it could be Deadpool 36.5, which I appreciate as a lapsed reader. I also really appreciate that this book is awesome. I really enjoyed Deadpool at the start of Marvel NOW!, but dropped it due to finances. I’ll admit that this makes me really want to jump back onto the title, as Duggan balances the comedy with genuine character depth. Steve Rogers is written very well, but never really compromises his character. I greatly appreciate the throwback to Captain America Annual 8, and I really appreciate that Duggan has formed such a natural relationship between Deadpool and Captain America, two characters I would never put in a room together.
Scott Kolins pitches in for the art on this issue, and I am not ashamed to say that he is almost entirely my reason for picking it up. As a longtime fan of his work, I have been itching to see more lately (You can thank the Future’s End: Red Hood and the Outlaws issue for that), and was happily surprised to see him contributing here. His work is top notch, with clean layouts and engaging action. I’ll admit that Kolins doesn’t draw my favorite Wolverine in the world, but his handled of our leads is great. He makes old man Steve Rogers look incredibly tough despite his age, and the nuances to his Deadpool make the character feel fleshed out.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this one-shot story. It was exactly what I wanted, a simple story that was done-in-one. Most of the tie-ins for the Death of Wolverine are mini-series, but this issue makes a case for strong, condensed storytelling. With smart gags, strong characters, and brisk pacing, I really enjoyed my foray into a forgotten favorite. I just might end up buying the next issue of Deadpool because of this book. Now that’s unexpected.
