Deadpool Kills Deadpool #1 Review *Updated*

*Update* After reading #2, I've realised that I wrongly identified the all-black Deadpool seen in this issue as Dreadpool (the Deadpool from Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe). Since explaining this in the review of #2 would be rather awkward, I thought I'd update this review instead. I'll now refer to the all-black Deadpool as "Gimp-Pool" since Deadpool jokingly referred to him as a gimp. Also, Since I haven't read Deadpool Pulp, I didn't realise that the Deadpool who I said looked like Iron Fist is the Deadpool from that universe. Sorry for the mix-ups and I hope you enjoy the updated review...

 

Hello Everybody & welcome to my review of Deadpool Kills Deadpool #1. Prepare to see the word "pool" a lot!

Synopsis:

In a messy, dilapidated kitchen. Headpool (the disembodied head of the Deadpool from the Marvel Zombies universe) is placed into a microwave by Gimp-Pool (who...looks like a gimp). Headpool assumes that this is some sort of sick joke (this is Deadpool we're talking about) until Gimp-Pool activates the microwave and watches as Headpool and eventually explodes inside it. His work done, Gimp-Pool teleports out of the kitchen.

Meanwhile, in the 616 universe, Deadpool (the one who has his own series) is fighting Ultimatum in New York City, partly in a bid to impress either the Avengers or the X-Men. Naturally the goons are no match for Deadpool, but the giant robot is considerably more challenging. Thankfully, a ship with the Deadpool logo on it's front smashes into the robot, destroying it. Wade recognises the ship as the Bea Arthur, which belongs to the Deadpool Corps. Reuniting with Lady Deadpool, Dogpool & Kidpool (as well as a WWII-style Deadpool & Deadpool from Deadpool Pulp.), Deadpool is told by Lady Deadpool that they have all been targeted. She doesn't have time to explain as they need to go.

Deadpool protests however, saying he wants to stay and take the credit for defeating Ultimatum when the Avengers or someone else shows up. Kidpool bluntly tells him that the Avengers aren't going to give him a medal or anything. Deadpool already knows that, but he still feels sad about it. WWII-Pool begins to give him a cheesy pep talk, but is cut off when he is struck by an energy beam that also kills him. Gimp-Pool has arrived, armed to the teeth!

He fires at Deadpool, who dodges and strikes back, damaging the glider and causing Gimp-Pool to crash. Deadpool prepares to attack with his sword, but Gimp-Pool quickly "bodyslides" out of harms way. Deadpool is then impaled by Gimp-Pool's chainsaw-sword (somebody likes Gears of War). Gimp-Pool is about to kill his mainstream counterpart when Dogpool intervenes. Unfortunately, Gimp-Pool is quicker than Dogpool and fires his huge gun at Dogpool, killing him.

While Kidpool mourns Dogpool's death, Deadpool call Gimp-Pool an ass for killing the dog and uses the teleporter to "bodyslide" Gimp-Pool in two, after which Deadpool picks up the huge gun and shoots the remaining half, theorising that it's some sort of anti-regeneration ray. Lady Deadpool repeats that they have to go, warning Deadpool "there will be others".

Onboard the Bea Arthur, Deadpool tries and fails to comfort Kidpool over Dogpool's death, eventually resorting to "are you gonna be all right?" Pulp-Pool interjects that none of them are going to be alright if they don't do something, saying that all the Deadpool's in the last dozen realities they visited had been murdered. Deadpool finally loses his patience and asks that someone tell hims what's going on. At that moment, A Watcher appears to answer him. He tells Wade that "the
crusade to obliterate existence has begun...and Deadpool is the progenitor of all things!"...

Thoughts:

Despite not reading or very much caring about the previous two entries in the "Deadpool Killogy", I couldn't resist the idea of an epic, multiversal adventure starring Deadpool & his many different incarnations, especially if Cullen Bunn is on hand to provide the story.

This first part can be summed up in two words, grotesquely fun. There's a lot of violent scenes that more than earn this title a Parental Advisory warning, but what's great is that they aren't always used for comedy. These scenes show just how dangerous Gimp-Pool is to his dimensional counterparts, and the fact that they're mostly played straight made him all the more intimidating, even if the character was a little over-the-top evil. Speaking of Gimp-Pool, I couldn't help but be reminded of Rorscasch from Watchmen every time he said "Hrr".

This issue features the welcome return of the Deadpool Corps, who, despite losing three of their members, look set to bolster their ranks over the course of this mini-series. The dynamic between the team is as surreal and funny as it was in the DP Corps series, to the point where there is some small feeling of sadness when Headpool & Dogpool bite the dust. The 616 Deadpool gets the biggest laughs of the issue, my personal favourite being his first line to Gimp-Pool.

Salva Espin draws this issue very well. The fight scenes, violent imagery and the varying Deadpool's are rendered brilliantly by Espin's pencils. The colours by Veronica Gandini are vibrant and bright, adding to the insanity of this story.

Overall, I'm very impressed with this opening issue and (now being something of a Cullen Bunn fan thanks to his work on Venom) I'm eagerly anticipating the next instalment. Go Deadpool Corps!

Score: 4.0/5.0