Writer:
Daniel Way

Pencilers:
Carlo Barberi
Paco Medina

Letterer:
Cory Petit

Quiddity is perhaps the coolest word of all time. Seriously, say it five times fast. I'll wait.

Awesome, isn't it? It basically means "essence," but essence sounds like something you'd read on a shampoo bottle. Anyways, every comic character has their own quiddity, be it Superman's inherent boyscoutery or the Punisher's merciless justice. Deadpool's quiddity is a question: "am I or am I not a hero?" This was the underlying theme behind Joe Kelly's Deadpool as well as the very concept which drove all of Cable and Deadpool.

Now we've got Daniel Way's Deadpool, and in many ways, it reminds me of a ripoff of something else. Generally, when someone rips something off, they take whatever made that thing good, throw it out the window, and leave the what-you-see-at-a-first-glance bit intact. So yes, we still have a Deadpool who is crazy and funny and has super healing powers, but we do not have a Deadpool who wants to know whether he's supposed to be the hero or the villain. Instead, Way was smart enough to recognize something was missing, but not knowing what, he just threw in multiple personalities, a world of hallucinations, and more crazy. Hell, this isn't a rip off, it's a goddamn Deadpool fan fiction!

I mean, frankly, that's all I've ever read from Way: fan fiction.

This issue is more of the same: Deadpool makes a few funnies, blows some stuff up, is still a really cool assassin, kills mercenaries, is betrayed in like the fiftieth plot twist seen in four issues, and there are zombies. Yawn. Boring. The jokes made me giggle, so I can't say I didn't enjoy the book, but you know what? I've laughed my ass off at Full Life Consequences, but I would never liken it to Doctor Strangelove, or even Airplane! Mister Way, there is more to Deadpool than meets the eye, and apparently you don't realize this. That's why you aren't and won't be considered a good comic book writer. Ever.

Let me reiterate: Get the HELL out of my comics!

Way has clearly defined Deadpool as "just another anti-hero" this time around, and I'm not pleased. Joe Kelly's run on Deadpool wasn't voted as one of the 100 Greatest Comic Book Runs of all time because it featured a funny anti-hero, it was because Kelly managed to give a heart and soul to one of the 90s-babies of comics, a heart and soul which Way has ripped out and probably won't be growing back any time soon. Two out of Five, 'cause the art was nice.

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Klaus A. wrote on November 19, 2008, 17:42

Title: ... How long is Way on this thing, anyone know?

Nick S. wrote on November 19, 2008, 23:58

Title: ... ...I actually liked this issue and had prepared to give it a good review for the Lulz-factor of the first line. I feel dirty now.

Justin wrote on November 20, 2008, 00:37

Title: ... Issue 2 had me optimistic that maybe Way could write Deadpool suddenly. (BONG?) But he has since proven that it was not the case. I wish we could get Simone on it or something.

Sullivan E. wrote on November 20, 2008, 05:38

Title: ... I knew from the Wolverine arc that this was going to be bad, because it was clear that Way didn't "Get" the character. I laughed quite hard at it and the previous issue, but somewhere along the line, I stopped and went "wait... wait. Deadpool isn't all fun and games! Where's the REAL Deadpool?" It saddens me. I'll continue reading the series, but unless Way realizes what he's doing here, I can't say I'll ever rate it that highly. Enjoyable but inappropriate.

a Guest wrote on November 20, 2008, 05:41

Title: ... First of all, it's only been four issues. While Wade hasn't done anything heroic, it's too early to say that Way has neglected this aspect of his character. As for DW making Deadpool into just another anti-hero, I don't see how that's true. Deadpool struggles with more than just the choice between right and wrong and I thought the voices in his head made his conflict more accessable. Your gripe boils down to Daniel Way not being a clone of Joe Kelly. Personally, I'm glad Deadpool is getting his badass back. He was way to sissy in C&D.

a Guest wrote on December 04, 2008, 18:21

Title: ... Oh no, I wouldn't call it fanfiction. Fanfiction would be too nice. At least they TRY to make him IC. This is... It burns a fan's brain with the mind numbing horror.

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