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On the first day of May starts the opportunity for me to see something I have been anticipating for a while and that is Deadpool on the big screen. Sure, more people are going to see the origin of Wolverine as re-envisioned for Marvel's movie universe, but for me I'm more pumped to see Deadpool. Now, this is something that I wouldn't have originally cared about no matter how much I like the character, but when word came out that Ryan Reynolds was going to be taking on the role of the "merc with a mouth" I was blown away. In my mind there was no better casting to be done. On top of that, more and more interviews with Reynolds have come out to show his interest and familiarity with the character. So, while Deadpool's screen time may not amount to much overall (though I have read it was increased from what was originally planned) I am still anticipating enjoying all that I can. Yet, one must wonder why the attention this character is getting when so many other "popular" characters are in the movie (besides Wolverine). Personally I think the interest in Deadpool has always been there, it's just been continually misjudged and overlooked by Marvel. Now, they're waking up.
I was originally concerned when I heard that Deadpool was going to get ANOTHER new title. It's not that I didn't want one, but that Daniel Way would be writing it. I have nothing against Way as I'm not someone who reads titles he writes, but over the years that are writers whose names I've come to think of when I think "Deadpool" and who I'm at least a little familiar with and who I've thought, "I think they should do an interesting job." I had no clue with Way. However, after the little guest appearance Deadpool had in Wolverine: Origins I thought it was only fair I check out Deadpool's new title when it started (Oh, and Deadpool is the only reason I bought those issues by the way).
I still had one concern though, which is I was wondering if Deadpool was going to get sucked back into the X-corner of the Marvel Universe. You see, while many people consider Deadpool's various titles to be "X-Men related," I don't. When I ran screaming from all things "X" I stayed with Deadpool. In my mind he was a great character who just happened to have a few mutants show up in his title from time to time. To this day I still don't consider any of these titles to be connected to the X-Men, and the day I do is likely the day I will drop it. Anyway, after Deadpool's guest stint in Wolverine: Origins I had my reservations. I am happy to say they were proven wrong.
However, things still aren't "great" for me in regards to Deadpool's current title. I like Way's take on why the character is the way he is (crazy) but I really miss the straight-up talking to the reader. I miss the complete demolishing of the fourth wall (forget breaking it). Still, I must say that Way is doing a decent job with the character. Not great, but decent. I have also enjoyed Andy Diggle's handling of the character during the current "Magnum Opus" crossover pieces in Thunderbolts. Of course I will admit that I was excited about seeing how Diggle handled the character as I really enjoyed his work on Virgin Comic's Gamekeeper. Yet, that just shows to me what I said at the start about Marvel finally waking up in regards to people's interest in Deadpool.
In the past few months we have had Deadpool in Deadpool, Thunderbolts, the Deadpool: Games of Death "one-shot", and now the Deadpool: Suicide Kings limited series. I don't know how you see the recent crossover between Deadpool and Thunderbolts but I'll openly admit that I think it has everything to do with saving the T-Bolts. Sure, it's helping establish Deadpool as a bit more of character that "matters" on the larger scale of the Marvel Universe due to his infiltration/annoyance of the Skrulls recently but I think it was more to help sales. I am of course biased in this view as I immediately dropped Thunderbolts when I found out they were rebuilding the team (yet again).
For me, this is a good time. I've got lots of Deadpool going around, which allows me to become more familiar and comfortable with the current take on the character. I know I want him back breaking the fourth wall some day, but for now I'll take this. An even greater plus is that I get to see him on the big screen. Oh, and let's not forget the new Deadpool toys that have come out due to the movie. Yes, it's a "'Pool Party" so to speak. At least for the time being, and as someone who has been with the character since the start (Yes, I'm talking issues of New Mutants) I'm thrilled as can be. Did I mention we're supposed to be getting even more Deadpool later this year? Yes folks, people at Marvel are waking up.
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