Written by John Layman
Illustrated by Lee GarbettDeadpool teams up with Deadpool (well…Deathwish) in this alternate reality doppelganger extravaganza! The trip to a perfect world continues here from last month’s Spider-Man Annual and features occasional attempts at serious subplot storytelling with guest stars Spider-Man and Hulk. But nothing is as it seems and all will be revealed!
Another Deadpool comic? Pffft. I’ll pa– …wait a minute… John Layman? Of Chew fame? I’m going to end up buying a Deadpool comic after all, aren’t I? Following the cut is the only way you’ll find out, and whether or not you should, too.
Sadly, I’m surprised these days when I read a Deadpool title that makes me laugh. I’m even more surprised when it has me in stitches, since that hasn’t happened for years. It happened when I read this issue, though. John Layman gets what many modern Deadpool writers don’t: there’s a difference between zany and juvenile. Could I describe that difference? Well, probably not, but I’m not the one writing Deadpool. Layman knows what he’s doing, though, and makes sure that no matter how humorous he gets (that is to say, very), he doesn’t let his jokes obscure a real, solid plot. (He also uses the two different boxes well, though I still hate them)
And what a plot it is. Layman’s method of toying with our preconceived notions regarding alternate universe stories can easily be tossed aside as a momentary humorous diversion, but it really deserves a hand for really taking the story in an interesting direction that one might not expect. At its core, the annual is a fun action romp, but Layman is able to throw us enough curveballs that we don’t just read the story for the jokes (even if they are quite good).
Layman additionally is able to do in a single what mainstay Deadpool writer Daniel Way has been trying to accomplish his entire run, and in a much better manner – never mind that it has been addressed before, but that’s more Way’s fault than Layman’s. Layman recognizes that Deadpool doesn’t need to “try” to be a hero, he just does it, even if he sometimes doesn’t really notice it. Sure, he may be swayed by a few extra bucks every now and then to do something… unsavory (as this story opened), but we all are the same way. The only real difference is, Deadpool’s healing factor makes it harder for him to learn from whatever punishment he may receive from a trouncing by the so-called “good guys,” so it’s harder for that well-meaning heart to shine through as well.
What some people don’t realize and are consequently getting upset over after making their purchase is that – despite its #1 – this is the second part of a three-part story. Telling mini-crossovers across various titles’ annuals is an old Marvel tactic that the company seems to be bringing back. Even so, it must be pointed out that even though this is technically a serialized story, you really can purchase this issue and read it on its own, if you for some reason don’t feel like purchasing the great Amazing Spider-Man annual and the presumably equally-entertaining Hulk issue.
This issue shows that John Layman could take Deadpool from Daniel Way’s hands and compare even with Joe Kelly’s original legendary run (though anyone could do better than Way). I can’t believe I’m giving a solo Deadpool book anything higher than a five, but…
Total: 8.1 – Buy it!
