Oswald Opines - Why I Like My Pal Deadpool

I’ve loved Deadpool for decades. I loved Deadpool before he was cool! Deadpool would probably be shocked to find out he is cool!

I get that not everyone is a fan of Deadpool. I have friends who really dislike him. I get thier impressions. Wade Wilson is gross, profane, vile, lacks morals, and is generally a horrible person. He is super violent, he is a merc with a mouth, and he uses it. He murders and kills. Shouldn’t he be a villain? Finally, a lot of times stupidity rules his stories with a large amount of absurdity. Deadpool isn’t for everyone! Even I can find Deadpool stories I don’t like, when the writer feels like Deadpool is just a slashing and shooting machine.

Not to brag, I’ve read at least 115 Deadpool specific titles. This doesn’t even count titles where he was a guest star or regular cast member like X-Force. This makes me feel like I have the receipts to discuss the best part of Deadpool’s story and why I enjoy him so much. The best Deadpool stories have the following qualities:

• Community: The best Deadpool stories see him trying to create relationships and communities. Wade physically looks horrifying, as highlighted in the Deadpool movie. His costume in’t cute…but it does scream “See Me! Look at Me! Love Me!” So while Deadpool stories often do have a lot of excessive violence, the tortilla of the chimichanga that is wrapped around character moments of an outside seeking to connect with others and feel valued. Deadpool IS NOT a Mutant. Yet for example he is X-men affiliated and a frequent member of the paramilitary Mutant squad X-Force. How did he get placed her, he sought community with Mutants. While he is an unlikable and unlovable outsider who appears to be a solo story, good Deadpool stories have a full cast of community.

• BetterUp: Wade Wilson is trying to be better. He’s trying to be a better boyfriend…or husband. He wants to be a better friend. Sometimes he wants to be a better hero while other times he wants to be a better murderer. Deadpool in his long history becomes a dad, yeah that’s not a great idea. But he works on being the best dad he can, one who teaches murder but a good dad. In the best Deadpool stories, a basic story construction I see is literally, he’s trying to be better.

• Laugh Away the Pain: A great Deadpool story needs to have a lot of humor. Often the more absurd the better. Yes, Deadpool boxing zombie Abraham Lincoln has happened and it’s hilarious. But while there is usually a lot of humor, read closely. Wade Wilson and Peter Parker quips are far from the same. Typically Wilson’s cover his own internal pain…pain over his his traumas associated with military service, cancer, non-Mutant-Mutantlike state, broken relationships, and so much more. Wade is broken. He uses comedy to hide this brokenness. Maybe that comedy can also trigger some healing!

• Your Pal Wade: Deadpool is your friend. He’s going to chat with you while he’s on his madcap adventures. Because your buddies and we all need buddies. How many other comic book heroes can you say that about? Warning: most answers for other 4th Wall Breakers are following Wade’s lead.

I was personally thrilled when Ryan Reynolds was cast as Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. I thought he was perfect…because of Two Guys, a Girls and a Pizza Place. As Berg, Reynolds balanced comedy with emotion with comedy. And then they SEWED HIS MOUTH SHUT! So no quips to heal trauma. And he couldn’t be our friend. And we couldn’t hear him chit chat with friends. It was a waste! Needless to say when I saw the famous leaked test footage for Deadpool, I was one of those fans screaming TAKE MY MONEY!

In short, Deadpool’s not perfect. But neither am I! He’s an exaggerated version of me and my friends. He’s trying to make himself a better person. He has trauma he is trying to get past, maybe not in a way that everyone can agree with. But he’s trying. And like so many of us he feels isolated and is just trying to create community.

These are just a few reasons why I liked Deadpool before he was cool! Maybe you should give Wade a try and see if he’s the friend you need when you can’t get the one you want.



P.S. If you see the name Joe Kelly or Gerry Duggan, it’s probably really good Deadpool!

Between Books - Uncanny Avengers: The Resistance

Let’s continue our exploration of recentish Deadpool stories in the Krakoan Era of Marvel Comics. Will Uncanny Avengers: The Resistance satisfy a diehard Deadpool fan?

Uncanny Avengers: The Resistance by Gerry Duggan with art by Joshua Cassara finds the Mutants of Krakoa on the run. Orchis, an anti-Mutant organization, has filled the vacuum left by SHIELD (which is always falling apart) and has forced Mutants to leave Earth for exile on the planet Arakko (which you might call Mars). Avenger Steve Rogers cannot let this stand, and forms a team of X-Men and Avengers, the Uncanny Avengers, working to expose Orchis’ evil plans and allow Mutants the right to live freely on this planet. One of those Avengers…is our guy Wade Wilson. Orchis in an attempt to further discredit Mutants has a superpowered individual steal the Captain Krakoa costume formally worn by Cyclops to spread Mutant Hate in false flag operations. Can the Uncanny Avengers expose Orchis and the identity of their suited soldier?

So, let’s examine this story in light of whether is this really good Deadpool? First, Wade is fully a member of a community in this Avengers team. He has a group, he is loyal to them and they are loyal to him. He truly has a place where he mostly fits as a bridge between Mutant and non-Mutant heroes. Second, Wade is on his 100% best behavior. Steve Rogers is leading this group and historically he has proven his willingness to do whatever Steve asks and be a better person. This is Deadpool as we generally won’t see him in movies, a good soldier. Third, honestly, Wade does not laugh away the pain. This is going to sound wild, but, while he has some jokey jokey moments, he provides some of the most sincere and truthful moments of the story. He’s clearly there for the comedy relief, but the court jester speaks some hard truth. Finally, Deadpool is not our pal. He really has nothing to say to us as this is more of an Avengers/Captain America book.

The story is written by Gerry Duggan who has given us some of the beat Deadpool out there. Storywise, he does draw on some of his Deadpool past and some of his Deadpool family creations. But he is not writing haha hehe Deadpool. He is writing an Avengers tale that is well within the Krakoan Era of X-Men comics, which he has contributed to. He is one of my favorite writers; this is a solid story. Duggan just didn’t write a Deadpool story.

Duggan does rely on the history of Deadpool and the Avengers Unity Squad. Believe it or not, Deadpool is not just an Avenger, but has led and bankrolled the team. A big part of that history is Captain America, and allow me to say again, Wade’s willingness to do anything for him. This story does lead back into that willingness in some of the reveals. What happened shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did as I was expecting the soldier to be someone else. But Duggan really did hint hard at his final reveal.

There is synergy in using Avengers and Deadpool at the same time. There appears to be some sort of Avengers team in Deadpool and Wolverine. And this book does help remind at least comic readers that Deadpool has been associated with the team. Do I think it’s this team…not even close. But it could lean heavily on X-men like this story does since the Deadpool movies have been X-Men heavy and the most exciting trailer reveals have been X-Men heroes and villains.

I will say there is a lot of value in comics in reflecting today and providing stories for moral growth. There are some real ripped-from-the-headline-type moments here which reflect current events and maybe how we should react to these issues. Some may not like where Duggan goes. But as I often say about comics, we need to learn our lessons.

Uncanny Avengers: The Resistance by Gerry Duggan with art by Joshua Cassara is a good story that supports a major Marvel Comics story line with Krakoa. But it’s not the “best” example of what I like about Deadpool. Yeah, I like that the jester is wise! But Wade is definitely a supporting hero, not the lead. So while I enjoyed the story, it wasn’t a good example of my quest to showcase Deadpool. For that, we may need to go further into the past! 

 

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Between Books - Deadpool by Alyssa Wong Volume 1

Alright, I really like Deadpool! But how does one of the most recentish runs stack up in that fandom!

Deadpool By Alyssa Wong Volume 1 collects the first five issues of the Deadpool main title written by Alyssa Wong with art by Martin Coccolo along with a few pages of material from New Mutants. Two plots slam together in this opening volume! First, Deadpool is given an audition to become a member of Atelier, a super-elite group of assassins you mostly don’t know, in the mission to kill Doctor Octopus. Second, while on this quest, Deadpool is kidnapped by the Harrower, a newish villain, who acts a bit like DC’s Poison Ivy and wishes to use Deadpool to create a new super symbiote. Wade has to balance both Harrower and Atelier. While everyone is trying to kill him, Wade also grows a new child inside him and balances a new girlfriend who may herself be a killer (okay she’s totally an assassin).

Let’s look at what I think makes Deadpool great. First, he is fully trying to build community by joining Atelier, a group of like-minded killers. Maybe it’s not the group that a moral person wants to be part of, but there’s an opening. Second, Wade is fully trying to be better. His audition with Atelier is him seeking validation for the fact that he has improved to an elite level…of killing. But he is also trying to be a great boyfriend with us seeing the growth from courting to officially we are a couple. Let’s also not forget he is working on being a great dad/friend to a new symbiote. Third, the humor that covers the pain here is somewhat on the nose. Harrower’s experiment is unimaginably painful, and Wade never stops the quips or laughing. This is truly a laugh-it-off situation. Finally, is he our pal? Wade does greet us into this story! But Wong does not have him chit-chat with us as much as some may like.

I also need to note for those who don’t like Deadpool, this is really violent. Symbiotes are in the house! And that always brings a level of blood and body horror that others may not enjoy. Visually you get to see why Wade is wearing the red pants. But it’s truly not for me to be so bloody at times because symbiotes are not always kind to bodies. (Disclaimer, I think Marvel overused symbiotes like Venom and Carnage).

A lot of what comics do is work synergy! Deadpool & Wolverine has been on the board for years, and this volume at least does a bad job of preparing fans for a movie. The good of this decision is that Wong was not pushed by a committee to write a Wolverine story and could make story choices beyond that requirement. The New Mutants material fully puts the title in the Krakoan era, where Mutants had their own nation-state. It also reminds us that Deadpool is Mutant adjacent, despite not being one. The use of Doctor Octopus as a target did limit the stakes for me, as I knew that no real harm could come to him in a non-Spidey title. I also am symbioted out (my new phrase). I am just not a fan of Venom and Carnage and all the other symbiotes that Marvel seems to currently be sprinkling everywhere (oh, I already mentioned that). So sadly, there’s no synergy here for me.

Deadpool By Alyssa Wong Volume 1 by Alyssa Wong with art by Martin Coccolo is a fine Deadpool story that hits a lot of the boxes that I like. It is set in the Krakoan era but isn’t shoehorned into that giant arc but it also doesn’t prepare us for a movie. It feels like Wong had some freedom in the creator role which I think is wonderful. But symbiotes are not my favorite thing to find in a Marvel story as a personal story (running theme of this review). 

 

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Between Books - Deadpool: Blood Bond

It’s time to play everyone’s favorite game, or at least mine…is it good Deadpool?

This one had me worried! As I’ve read only a few Cody Ziglar comics and I was not a fan. Has my beloved Deadpool been handed over to someone who fails to follow my essential Deadpool rules?

Deadpool: Blood Bond by Cody Ziglar follows Deadpool as he takes his next steps as a businessman and parent. Deadpool is now a part-time father sharing his daughter/symbiote/dog with his ex-girlfriend. And being a dad is a lot! So why not add businessman as he attempts to start up a very small mercenary business? Despite working small, Wade catches the attention of Death Grip, part Dr. Strange part ninja (ninja’s make everything better) whose death cult looks to teach Wade his final lesson. Can Wade survive this threat as he manages his startup and not just one daughter but two when Ellie returns to his circle? Let’s all cheer all of Wade the Girl Dad!

• Community: You can’t help but cheer on Wade the small business owner because he hires good people. First and foremost, we have Anthony Masters, Taskmaster, who really is the best non-Deadpool merc out there. I love their interactions and it makes we want to go back reread Fred Van Lente’s classic run on this anti-hero. But don’t forget, Doug! Doug the IT guy is just, what we all needed in this team which has no Weasal or Hydra Bob. He may be my newest favorite to the Deadpool family, if we believe Princess having debuted one run earlier is old news.

• BetterUp: Wade is a girl dad! And he wants to be a better dad, not just for Princess but for Ellie too. He goes through a reflection with friends and Agent Preston debating is his presence good or bad for his girls and lands where we want him to be, Dadpool is the Deadpool fans want to see. I also love the fact that Ellie has no concerns about a symbiote dog sister and Princess is just excited to have a sister.

• Laugh Away the Pain: There is violence and there are quips. Quips hide the very real and emotional pain Wade carries.

• Your Pal Wade: Is he my pal. He makes several comments that I think are for me, about editors and pages and stories. But he typically makes them to very confused on set characters. I mean, I want him to look right at me and say, “Hey Between Disney, I see you!” But at least he is acknowledging my world.

Honestly, I liked Ziglar’s Deadpool: Blood Bond even if I didn’t expect to. Ziglar gives his readers what we hope for with Deadpool while both creating new in Doug and Death Grip while also taking some of the best of the old in Tasky and Ellie. I liked it and hope to see more soon!

Between Books - Wolverine by Benjamin Percy Vol. 4

 

Is Wolverine by Benjamin Percy Vol. 4 good Deadpool?

Likely not the question you expected to see. Wolverine by Benjamin Percy Vol. 4 by writer Benjamin Percy and primarily artists Adam Kubert and Federico Vicentini combine two arcs into one volume. The first arc has us follow Wolverine, the hero of Krakoa the independent Mutant nation-state, as he attempts to reclaim a missing item, his severed hand. During this quest, he is helped or hindered by Deadpool who wants to reclaim his spot on X-Force which has turned their backs on him as a non-Mutant. The two brawl across the page as they seek the find the answers to a conspiracy that has links deep in X-Men history. In the second story, Wolverine is judged for his worthiness as part of the A.X.E. Judgement Day event featuring the Avengers, the X-Men and the Eternals. No Deadpools appear in this story! The volume ends with a short story, “Bar Brawl” featuring the art of several artists including legends of the medium, that looks back on Wolverine’s history and character.

This is a book about Logan? But does it meet our standards of good Deadpool?

• Community: A large part of the plot is that Deadpool misses community. He felt like he was an essential member of X-Force, but now in the Krakoan age of the X-Men he is not wanted or included. Why is he annoying Wolverine? He wants his community back even if he’s not a Mutant. I also love that Percy brings back Blind Al, who I’ve not seen in a while on the page, and reinforces her role within his close community. This Deadpool arc is all about community and getting back within it.

• BetterUp: I won’t spoil it all, but why does Wade want community so bad? The reason is he knows that his communities make him better. So even though X-Force is the black ops of the Mutant world, it is one where Wade can do unpleasant things and still grow as a person.

• Laugh Away the Pain: Clap, clap, clap! Percy gets Deadpool and how Wade should be used as an anti-hero. Again, I don’t want to spoil too much here, but Percy puts words right into Wilson’s mouth that could be my thesis for how humor should be used in a Deadpool story. The humor is truly a mechanism to hide dark painful truth.

• Your Pal Wade: Gosh, I thought this was a Wolverine book? For about 60% of it, this is truly a Deadpool book. And Wade fully knows we are here and he’s putting on a show for us by taking over the recaps and intro pages all to make his pals chuckle. And we do snicker at his schoolboy humor. Wade you’re the MAN!

This Wolverine story is some of the best Deadpool I have read in quite some time! It also does a great job of preparing us or reminding us of Deadpool & Wolverine if for some reason we thought we needed to be reminded of how great that story is. We get what movie fans want and need, the two old “friends” bickering and hacking at each other, often with results that you cannot even show in an R-rated movie due to their brutal nature and special effects needs. I fully endorse Wolverine by Benjamin Percy Vol. 4 not just as good Deadpool but great Deadpool!

We should likely add a thought or two about the second member or Red and Yellow, Wolverine. Percy uses both arcs in this volume to really center us on Logan’s thoughts of warrior hood and honor. Can someone who is effectively a murderer with knives in his hands be a hero and have honor? Percy struggles with this, especially as a Sentinel judges all life on Earth. In the end, Percy gave us an answer that I found satisfying and that I had a lot of agreement with. 

Spoilers, I really do like Benjamin Percy’s writing. I have an autographed copy of an issue from his Green Arrow run, a title that I own exactly one Arrow issue despite decades of publications. Wolverine by Benjamin Percy Vol. 4 is a great example of Percy’s management of action sequences that are exciting but also, wait for it, say something about the hero. He also writes such good Deadpool, I want Marvel to hand the title over to him for a few years! 

 

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Mousey Movies - Deadpool & Wolverine

Did you hear about the Disney film that is so profane, so outrageous that it has changed Disney forever? I mean the language! And don’t even get me started about the innuendo! There was a fair amount of exposed female bottom in the film. It was so bad, that Disney had to create Touchstone Pictures to release the vulgar picture, a phrase used throughout reviews, of Tom Hanks’ 1984 romantic comedy Splash!

I’m just saying we’ve been here before and we will be here again. Some movie-goers will not like the new Deadpool & Wolverine, and they should just not go see it! I actually thought of friends that this movie is not for while watching it. With this being the third film in the Deadpool franchise, it’s not like Ryan Reynolds has been hiding what his film is! If you know it’s going to offend you, don’t go. Yes there are going to be elements that you enjoy and look forward to. But…it’s a R-rated movie, it’s the biggest R-rated movie in cinematic history. But if you know you’re not going to like it, don’t go see it. I mean, that’s my strategy for dealing with things that I know are not to my taste. For example, I don’t view horror movies, I don’t like to be scared.

Disclaimer and Warning: If you have kids, while this is a Marvel movie and filled with superheroes before you consider taking them, you need to know your kids. I was shocked when I saw Logan that there were kids way to young in the theater for what I was seeing. I didn’t think these parents knew their kids better than I did based on the reaction. If you’re kids are not ready, you may have to explain some language and adult situations that could be uncomfortable!. SO DON’T JUST GO…be conscious of what’s going to assault your ears, eyes, and heart. Don’t think it’s a clean-cut film just because Deadpool is currently meeting fans at Disney California Adventure (who saw that coming)! Because, this is the third film in a R-rated series and you should know what this series is already.

I can see how some would say, why Marvel Studios, why a R-rated film? I say why not? The great experiment of the MCU has been mixing up genres. The MCU has proven that superheroes can be applied to multiple movie types…and this franchise was already established and well-regarded. Did I mention what movie was beaten for #1? Yeah, it was Deadpool!

I won’t summarize the plot of Deadpool & Wolverine as I don’t want to spoil anything. Did I get shushed for yelling out loud? Yes! Was I unsurprised by some elements due to rumors? Yes! Was I surprised that rumors I thought were ridiculous, came true? Yes! And were there pieces of the story I didn’t see coming? Yes! I went with a big group and the hard thing was walking out without spoiling it for those coming in.

But…is it good Deadpool using only my standards?

• Community: Yes, Wade Wilson as he enters this third movie has his community! If you see the trailers you know his motivation is to save the nine people who matter to him. These are his people, and he will do anything for them, even if he is morally flexible. Additionally, he discusses his past community people with X-Force and what could be next for him in a found community. The community aspect is massive in this movie as it guides decisions, helps him learn his lessons, and defines him as the plot moves forward.

• BetterUp: The movie opens with Wade in a broken place. Okay, he was broken from the first movie. But here he is really really trying to be better. He knows that his relationships and community need more from him. And so professionally and personally he has gone on an improvement quest which may have only made the matter worse. And from the second scene on, he’s working on himself.

• Laugh Away the Pain: Yep, it’s all there. So much of the humor in Deadpool & Wolverine is to hide or confront the pain felt by both Wolverine and Deadpool. We are on a journey my friend, and that nervous laughing is a bandaid. It’s just like when I couldn’t stop laughing on the Tower of Terror as a family member punched me thinking I was mocking them. No, I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing through this. The absurdity is ramped up as Logan, Wade, and the situation are all things that put everyone on edge.

• Your Pal Wade: Hi Wade, you see me and I see you. Deadpool…and others… break through the wall and chit-chat with us the audience. At one point a look at the camera and two words did nothing but make me squeal. Wade knows we are with him on this quest, maybe even more than Grumpy Logan. And he appreciates us!

I loved Deadpool & Wolverine. Is it a cinematic masterpiece that will be the next Godfather? No, but how often do you watch that masterpiece? I was thinking about a rewatch in the theater while walking out as I know there is so much I missed. I never thought I would see a Deadpool movie…now I have three. I never thought I would see Wade and Logan together again and properly on the screen…now I have. For me this is what Deadpool & Wolverine is…a comic book event where the creators pull in visual and story references that make me squeal and have fun, showing the things I knew and sometimes didn’t know I wanted to see on the screen. Every comic reader loves it when heroes from other books meet in unexpected ways. It’s not overwhelmed with cameos, and I think they are used well. It’s also a tribute to a franchise of comic-book movies that have been eclipsed by the MCU, and may have actually made me miss it. 

It’s smart, it’s crass, and I will be watching it again.

Between Books - Deadpool: Dead Presidents

Deadpool boxes zombie Abraham Lincoln. Yes, this is great Deadpool!

As I said earlier, Gerry Duggan is part of some really really great Deadpool. Deadpool: Dead Presidents by Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn with art by Tony Moore is really funny Deadpool. A misguided necromancer had decided he has the solution for a failing America, resurrecting the deceased presidents of the United States. But naturally, something has gone wrong, and they all come back evil! Now, Captain America could stop this threat, but when SHIELD realizes that it is a horrible look to have Steve Rogers beating on a zombie historical leader, they go to the one man who any press is good press…Wade Wilson. The merc spends the story stopping the devious plans of the deceased presidents, A through E level.

This is really really good Deadpool!

Wade is building community. He has a group of SHIELD agents around him in support including a new agent, Agent Preston, a character who is diverse and brings a lot of reason to an unreasonable story. But he also has Agent Scott Adsit in his support group, I mean Baymax! Adsit, the voice of Baymax in Big Hero 6 is a friend of Duggan and Posehn who were active in the comedy scene and they created him as a recurring fictional agent who you can still find a decade later still on the page. Yet, he has still not appeared in live-action, which is a huge mistake. The posse even includes the ghost, NOT ZOMBIE, Benjamin Franklin.

Deadpool is trying to be better. He’s a professional my friends. He wants to do a good job and make plenty of money. This a merc with a mouth with a motivation. The awesome thing about this run as it develops is Posehn and Duggan will give him even more motivation to be a good human. So if you pick this up, keep going. I mean it does have a cliffhanger which makes you want to go to the next volume.

Wade, is he my friend? Yes, I will admit he generally does not break the fourth wall. But he has plenty of quips that are clearly meant for me, I mean the reader. And he does explain to other fictional characters that he is talking to us. So we get an acknowledgment. My favorite moment though may be when he tells us what to listen to during a five-page montage. Honestly, it made it feel more cinematic.

Finally, if I have not made it clear enough…this story is absurd. Zombie Abe Lincoln! But in all the wildness, the creators give us a clear picture of what they thought of 2014 American society (spoiler it may not have changed much)! They also are brilliant in working in real historical facts about the presidents and super super obscure references to other Marvel storylines.

With Deadpool and Wolverine coming soon, you may be looking for a comic starting point. Deadpool: Dead Presidents by Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn with art by Tony Moore is my recommendation. It does not require a lot of Wade’s backstory. It is silliness ramped up to 11. It has characters that will follow Deadpool around awhile, yes I want Adsit in this movie! Finally, the writing and art are top-notch!

Now get out of here and go read! 

 

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Between Books - X-Force by Geoffrey Thorne Vol. 1: Fractures

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Let’s play Betweenland’s favorite game…IS IT GOOD DEADPOOL?

X-Force by Geoffrey Thorne Vol. 1: Fractures written by Geoffrey Throne and illustrated by Marcus To provides a post-Krakoa start to the paramilitary mutant special forces. The story follows Forge as he sets up a new X-Force team, with hardly any pre-Krakoa X-Force members, as he tries to save the world from armageddons. Forge uses a new toy to predict future fractures that will lead to the destruction of the world, and uses his secret team and custom devices to face off against the end of the world.

The book covers features Deadpool, a classic X-Force member, front and center. And the collection description notes, “Forge will recruit a specialist for each target: first up, that regenerating degenerate, Deadpool!” So we have to ask, is this good Deadpool.

• Community: Wade is a traditional member of X-Force, but you don’t get the sense that he’s joined up with the group for more than getting his bag. We never get to see our friend have a good hang with anyone.

• BetterUp: At no time does Wade attempt to become a better person. He’s along for slashing, shooting, and fighting.

• Laugh Away the Pain: Wade quips, we laugh. But it honestly covers no emotional development.

• Your Pal Wade: Deadpool does make a joke or two for us that reminds us that he knows he’s a multimedia giant. But he has so little page time, that we really don’t get to spend time with our buddy.

X-Force by Geoffrey Thorne Vol. 1: Fractures is bad Deadpool. Despite the cover and the marketing, Wade Wilson’s time in the story is truly a guest spot as he’s just not on the page a lot. It feels like Thorne was given an editorial note to add the Merc with the Mouth for sales, through his appearance and cover art. Maybe they thought his inclusion would connect the title with other runs. But, I have a hard time saying that Wade is featured here or that Wade grows in any meaningful character way in the middle of this cast. It’s bad Deadpool in the sense that he fights and jokes, and his impact, other than establishing that Forge recruits to fix individual problems, is not essential.

It is Forge that gets highlighted here. We learn that his power of creating solutions, usually through machines, is completely passive. He has the mutant gift to create a counter to what is coming. But he may not understand the future or how his solutions even work.

Along with not being the best Deadpool, I don’t think this is the best X-Force either. I am a fan of this team being the special forces of the mutant world as seen in its Cable-based origins or during the Daniel Way run. Honestly, this run feels like a superhero team that is somewhat secret but not gritty and grim. Again, did editorial order a book titled X-Force for the legacy title, but had really gotten a superhero book that could have been published under another X-Men or X-Factor title?

X-Force by Geoffrey Thorne Vol. 1: Fractures is a fine mutant or X-book. But it’s not great Deadpool or even strong X-Force in my opinion. 

 

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Oswald Opines - Marvelous Missteps?

Captain America: New World Order

 

Marvel Cinematic Universe movies are expensive! The reality is to make a profit they need to bring in not just hardcore fans, but also those with just general interest.

Also, in our post-pandemic world, it has become more difficult to convince moviegoers to leave their couch and visit a theater. I’m shocked to say that at this moment there are two movies I have seen in the theater with Deadpool and Wolverine and Beatlejuice Beatlejuice. I’m honestly not sure I couldn’t have waited for Tim Burton’s latest even with me enjoying it. There is a chance that I will be catching two in-theater movies during the Thanksgiving weekend, but that’s due to the occasion and family plans.

Here is my worry.

I feel like before Avengers: Endgame there were generally a story and cast linkage that kept moviegoers coming. Yes, Guardians of the Galaxy was risky, but even there we had an Infinity Stone to bring the skeptical into the story. By the time that Doctor Strange hit the screen there was some trust to get moviegoers who knew nothing about the Sorcerer Supreme would go and view the film.  

Now, in the shadow Deadpool and Wolverine, I have worries. The next films have no cast or story connections to the only MCU movie of 2024! So I don’t think Logan or Wade can halo the next MCU film to a massive hit.

This got me thinking about what’s next. We have Captain America: Brave New World and I think this will be a hard sell. Let’s take a look!

 

First, we have politics. I’m not sure that with real-life politics and tension this is going to pull fans to the movies. Let’s add, that I’m not sure that even those who have watched Falcon and the Winter Soldier are going to be fully immersed in the complexities of their political difficulties. I don’t even know what I should be tracking as important with the complications of Disney+’s Secret Invasion which best might be forgotten like Kang. Harrison Ford may have replaced the alien-hating President from that series. But who knows and who cares? I don’t even know if need to see this as a sequel to one specific Disney+ mini-series, which I’m not sure how many watched. And I’m vague because I’m not sure what series it is a sequel to!

February 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World has three things going for it. First, the title indicates to viewers that this film is a continuation of the Chris Evan’s franchise. Second, it features Anthony Mackie who helps that feeling by giving us a familiar face we can cheer for and who was present before Avengers: Endgame. And finally, as Disney fans we all love Harrison Ford, and find ourselves amused with the fact he was willing to join the franchise. I think, or maybe hope, that Captain America: Brave New World will perform okay, with it being the next film after a hit and some familiar faces, even if many fans don’t understand or want to understand the political atmosphere post-Snap (sorry it’s the Snap not Blip to me). 

Thunderbolts*

Now, the next release for May 2025, really has me worried with Thunderbolts*. 

When I watched this trailer with family who have matched most of the MCU, they kept saying, who, what, and when. This is also someone who has fatigue in tracking all MCU threads. Also…not to be mean, but this is another Disney+ sequel. Black Widow, sadly, was a Disney+ movie. Falcon and the Winter Soldier, with Bucky the one pre-Endgame hero was Disney+, and that’s the only place we have seen John Walker. And poor Ghost, by this viewer, was forgotten from Ant-Man and the Wasp. Honestly, most of these anti-heroes except for Bucky, Red Guardian, and Belova Widow were at the back of my mind. And let’s toss in the fact that Bob is really not a known hero, he’s not a cult favorite, and he’s really not “fun”. Many are going to look at the trailer and compare it to Suicide Squad which was not a good time for everyone. I just think this is going to be a harder sell to broad audiences. So I worry that Thunderbolts* is not going to do well, I worry we are looking at our next Eternals unless Han Solo can give them a halo effect!


So Robert Downey Jr. is coming back, now as Doctor Doom. There are a lot of people who are saying this is a bad move. This is a necessary move. This is the type of casting that will remind average fans of his days as Iron Man. He is an award-winning actor who’s done great things since leaving the MCU. He’s also a face and name that audiences connect with the franchise. Is it odd that is he playing someone else, yeah sure. But is it familiar to see him doing press for the MCU, yes..yes it is. The MCU needs to be a little less risky and experimental at the moment as it reasserts itself!


To have nice things, we need people to pay for them. I worry that the MCU isn’t going to grab the attention of moviegoers in this current resistance to theater seats unless they do something drastic. Bringing back familiar faces that audiences love could be that piece to move us back. And if we learned anything from Deadpool and Wolverine we need permission to have fun again in our tights and bed sheets. I believe that by the time we get to the Avengers movies that Kevin Fiege will have us back on course. But first, we may have to allow a downturn again.

Between Books - Why Wakanda Matters

I am a huge comic book fan. One of the things I love about comics is our ability to learn lessons in multi color action stories. I get why a lot of people don’t like the rude and crude Deadpool. But if you read some of the best Deadpool comics(like Gerry Duggan and Joe Kelly) you find lessons that readers can learn about self-worth, friendship, grieving, self-care and so much more. Many of these great stories and their lessons have been translated onto the screen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Audiences worldwide learned that superheroes can help teach lessons through many of these movies, with one of the most impactful being Black Panther.


Why Wakanda Matters: What Black Panther Reveals About Psychology, Identity, and Communication edited by Dr. Sheena C. Howard is a collection of academic articles discussing the impact of Black Panther on audiences and the general population. A common theme in the book is the power of a movie starring and made by a cast and crew of people of color. The movie seeks to avoid and overcome stereotypes found in the media. By not falling into the expected movie tropes for people of color, it communicates messages to young people about the roles that they can take within society. Additionally, it helps to combat the impact of stereotypes found in media.


I won’t go into the essays in-depth as they are many varied in their messages and themes. The big messages that I see are first and foremost, representation matters. Ryan Coogler and crew when creating the world of Wakanda intentionally built a world that audiences saw as important models for what people of color could be, with the movie showing scientists, soldiers, and kings as just a few of the many options open for futures. This world-building moved beyond stereotypes and generalizations, which often are used in film when creating for broad audiences. Another theme is while all authors agree that the representation in the film is impactful, they may disagree with the messages that the movie projects. For example, some writers see T’Challa’s final choices as conforming to long-term imperialistic and disempowering frameworks. But Killmonger’s strategies challenge the status quo and can be at times applauded. As one reads, you can tell that the authors as a group are very conflicted by the image of Killmonger who they applaud and criticize for his over-the-top aggressive choices…much like the movie-going audience.


Why Wakanda Matters is an academic work, and likely not for every reader with its heavy focus on theory and research. But I think it is more accessible than many academic works because the examples are often ones we know from viewing Black Panther. With it being a work that delves into many cognitive theories, I can also see readers who do not agree with everything written. Let’s be honest, this book talks about a charged issue with race. But, I also do not believe that the authors fully agree with each other, and Howard does a great job of bringing multiple perspectives together.


Why Wakanda Matters: What Black Panther Reveals About Psychology, Identity, and Communication edited by Dr. Sheena C. Howard is an academic collection that makes you think about race, representation, and portrayals of people of color in media. It helps to teach the importance of our stories, even when super, in teaching us important social and cultural lessons about how we interact and treat each other. For comic book fans, I think it is a great collection for understanding the power of comic characters. And for media fans, it demonstrates the power of story. I think it is definitely worth the read for Marvel…and DC…fans.

 

This post contains affiliate links, which means that Between Disney receives a percentage of sales purchased through links on this site.  

 

Between Books - Battle Scars

Some moments get a lot of hype. In 2012, Peter Parker “died” within the main Marvel universe. In early 2013 Damian Wayne the current Robin in the DC universe was killed. I apologize if I spoiled something for you, but both of these story arcs led to major news coverage in the mainstream media. Yet, I heard nothing of something I believe is a major shift in the Marvel universe from 2011. Marvel released a miniseries titled Battle Scars written by Christ Yost, Cullen Bunn, and Matt Fraction. Seriously you may have never heard of this series, but you need to Disney fans, because its conclusion the Marvel print world and Marvel Cinematic Universe were reconciled. Because at the end, Nick Fury in the print world was African American and stylized after Samuel L. Jackson!

The trade paperback Battle Scars collects all six issues written by Yost, Bunn and Fraction and illustrated by Scot Eaton. The story follows U.S. Army Ranger Marcus Johnson, whose mother an “innocent” school teacher is killed while his is serving overseas. When Johnson returns for her funeral he discovers that he has a bounty on his head and some of the world’s most dangers assassins including Taskmaster and Deadpool are looking to collect, dead or alive. Though put under the protection of S.H.I.E.L.D., Johnson escapes their custody to solve the mystery of why someone killed his mother, targeted him, and the identity of his father who he never knew. While on this journey, he is assisted by a fellow Ranger named Cheese. The two ordinary men bring their training and friendship into a world of superheroes and super villains. By the time the action packed story concludes, the image of Nick Fury is reconciled with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

I enjoyed this story. I did not pick up the trade thinking I would need to think deeply. What I was hoping for was escapist adventure, and the creators delivered that in spades. This story is full of action. It is really fast paced. And you come to sympathize with Marcus as you want to help him uncover the mystery around him. Because I had seen much of the plot in internet searches earlier I was spoiled to some key point story points and reveals. But I still wanted to keep up with Johnson as he uncovered the mystery surrounding his life. Additionally, I really liked the character of Cheese. Though he lacks flash, his skill and loyalty shine throughout the story.

Again, minor spoilers, at the end of this issue S.H.I.E.L.D. gains two key agents. The first Nick Fury Jr., is an African-American with an eye patch and movie matching scars. If anything the biggest difference between this Fury and the movie version is a Captain America stylized uniform, a gift from Cap himself. Additionally this Nick Fury Jr. is a field commander not the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. This role is continued into the Secret Avengers series which launched in 2013. The other agent is Phil Coulson, suit and all. The writers make it clear that this version of Coulson is a highly trained fighter, who is as expected a Captain America fanboy. We get glimpses of Coulson in this book in the midst of fire fights and the reader understands he is a man of action. I like how he is depicted here more than Secret Avengers where he seemed more like a salesman than a hero to me. I would say if the Marvel Cinematic Universe was able to develop the Fury/Coulson back story that we find in Battle Scars, Coulson’s final act in The Avengers would have even more impact!

Fury and Coulson, Together for the First Time!

Marvel has reconciled itself. No longer is the Nick Fury of the Marvel print world an old crusty Caucasian. He is now an African-American, who looks like a younger version of Samuel L. Jackson. I think this is a good move for Marvel as it may help bring movie fans to the comics. I just don’t understand why more was not made of this as help spread the word, Agent Coulson is in the comics!

Caps Comics - What If...? Donald Duck Became Wolverine

Regular Giada Perissinotto Cover

Shared birthday parties…I’m not a fan. Someone gets less attention than they should! In sharing a party between 90-year-old Donald Duck and the 50-year-old Wolverine, who will get less love. 

 Phil Noto Donald Duck Wolverine Cover

“What If…? Donald Duck Became Wolverine” is a fun mashup of Donald Duck and Wolverine written by Luca Barbieri with art by Giada Perissanotto. The story is pretty simple all-ages Marvel fun. Pete-Skull has taken control of Duckburg, including Uncle Scrooge’s Money Bin. There’s only one hero who can save us from this evil. Sleeping on Grandma Duck’s Farm is that duck hero…Donald-Wolverine. Another hero comes to the farm to recruit the reluctant angry clawed duck. The duo, then trio, go on a voyage to face Pete-Skull, where we discover Wolverine-Duck’s real superpower.

Peach Momoko Cover

Alright, I had to hide some secrets. Perissanotto’s art gives us some really fun Marvel-Disney crossovers. It’s too giddy joy to spill the beans on these images. The combo of Disney characters and Marvel costuming is just fun. I will reveal, that there is a wonderful splash page of Donald in Wolverine variant costumes that is super fun and I would love to frame on my wall. Donald’s feathers/hair is just so on-model for Wolverine and makes me giggle whenever he is in the frame. These images are more fun than the Disney 100 variant covers, which always were on the wrong comic. 

Ron Lim  Cover

This is written for Marvel fans. The story elements to me are a Marvel tale with Donald’s world and supporting cast tipping the hat to Marvel and not the other way around. I think the biggest gap among the cameos is no Watcher. “The What If…?” brand is really led by the Watcher, and we need an introduction from the Watcher to really setup the story and the world we are visiting within the multiverse. Oh geez, if only Donald-Wolverine had appeared in Deadpool & Wolverine with his perfectly styled feathers that would have made this all over-the-top. 

Skottie Young Variant Cover

“What If…? Donald Duck Became Wolverine” is Luca Barbieri’s first Marvel comic. He is an Italian writer who we should not be shocked to see wrote a few issues of Topolino, you know Mickey Mouse, and Wizards of Mickey. This is also Perissanotto’s first Marvel comic, though Perissanotto has provided Marvel variant covers. We should not be shocked that Perissanotto is also Italian and shares in the deep Mickey Mouse Italian comics tradition. I think it is brilliant that with this batch of recent Mice and Ducks Marvel is leaning into the Italian expertise instead of grabbing American Marvel artists and writers, other than Jason Aaron. 

D23 Variant Comic Set

“What If…? Donald Duck Became Wolverine” is an all-ages comic that is fun for kids and adult Marvel fans. I have enjoyed this recent wave of Marvel Disney comics and love there is more to come. It sounds like collectors are also enjoying these waves, with variant covers fetching big money on eBay. We also know that in the party between a Duck and the Canuck…the Duck wins as this is a Duck party from page one.

Oswald Opines - Star Wars: The Acolyte First Trailer

 

Everyone gets an opinion right, and I find myself with mixed thoughts about Star Wars: The Acolyte.  While I don't want to be negative, I do feel a mix of emotions that makes we worry that this series against other Star Wars' offerings.

 

 

The good stuff!

• We see red and blue/green lightsabers:  The trailer makes it clear that we are going to get some Jedi/Sith fighting action.  I really think visually that for non-super fans this is really appealing.  Lightsaber battles to me are an iconic image from my childhood, and I think that those who have not read 85 comics and watched 63 cartoons about the High Republic will consider this series despite not walking in with the backstory of Starlight Beacon.  
• We see a respected action star:  I wasn't fully aware of Carrie-Ann Moss and her casting in the series.  I think this is a win.  Non-Star Wars fans will recognize her and have I think positive feelings about her and see Moss as a trusted action star.  She brings a level of extra validity to this series for me.  So a second win for this series is going to be action packed!
• It's visual:  I think visuals are the best way to tell a Star Wars tale.  It really needs images to show off all the various species, backgrounds, ships, and whatever lightsaber variant is going to be unleashed.  And the trailer does show a Jedi who will have a very cool variant.   
• Yoda!:  While we don't see him in the trailer, the books have established that Yoda is a respected Jedi Master during this timeframe!
  
• I like Star Wars!:  Seriously, I want and like good new Star Wars. Who is that grown adult who watches Star Wars: The Bad Batch every week?  This guy!
  

 

The questionable thoughts!

• Who cares about the High Republic?:  I know that Disney and LucasFilm have unleashed a massive publishing program, but I don't personally feel it has worked well.  I know that as a fan I've at times been interested in earlier Jedi and Sith, but maybe we've been told too much now.  The books have just not worked to sell this period.  I worry that despite this show being years after the books, that non-readers will feel intimidated since they are not aware of backstory that may not be needed.
• Who's that?:  One of the Jedi featured in the trailer is Vernestra Rwoh.  This Jedi was introduced in books, books I've read.  But I failed to catch this in trailer glimpses.  And while I think Rwoh is interesting in the books, and maybe I can be intrigued what happened in the decades between books and live-action...I just didn't catch her presence or her very cool lightsaber!
  
• Do I need to watch that?:  When watching Star Wars: Ahsoka a friend pointed out references to Star Wars: The Young Jedi Adventures.  Now I've not watched this truly kid directed program.  With this being the other show that exists for the High Republic, will some feel like they need to watch an entire cartoon series, for kids, to find this show accessible?
  

I worry.  I am the only one in the Between House that watched Star Wars: Andor, which is a great show all the way around!  And while Star Wars: The Mandalorian is a must watch under this roof, I've heard some grumbles about how complex the story is getting.  I've also heard this thought stated out loud about the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the tapestry that is being woven there.  I'm pretty sure that nothing here will be needed for the future enjoyment of the Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu saga, which is likely where many will put their Star Wars enjoyment at the moment. 

So, here's my newest crazy theory taught to me by James Bond!  I think that the Daniel Craig Bond movies are fine.  But the problem is to fully enjoy the last one, you need to know everything that came before from the first moment he joined the screen.  That's not James Bond.  Bond adventures work best when we get a brief moment of adventure to reintroduce Bond, we get a world-threatening villain, Bond gets his toys, Bond meets a girl, Bond gets captured, and Bond saves the world.  And then the next time we meet, none of that matters!  My hope for Star Wars: The Acolyte is a Bond story.  I want something that is action packed and maybe unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe, not all connected to the rest of the galaxy far far away! 

I'm not sure that Deadpool will be able to bail Disney out of audience loss if non-super fans are not willing to enjoy a regular Star Wars diet along with me!