Secret Invasion Review – “Deadpool #1-3”

As promised, here’s the review of the first three issues of “Deadpool.” Tomorrow will see the review of the “Black Panther” crossover, and next week will see the “New Warriors” and “Ms. Marvel” reviews, getting all of the reviews for this event up to date.

General Information

Title: Deadpool #1-3

Author: Daniel Way

Illustrator(s): Paco Medina (pencils), Juan Vlasco (inks), Marte Gracia (colours)

Cover Date: November and December 2008.

Cover Price: $3.99US / $4.05 Can for the first issue, $2.99 US / $3.05 Can for the next two

Detailed coverage of all applicable issues of all Secret Invasion related titles can be found at this address.

Premise

The Skrulls are invading, and Deadpool faces off against an armada of them. Is he trying to beat them back, or is he applying for a job?

High Point

“Hey, losing body parts is part of the job… Get used to it. Best thing to do is just pick up what you can and hope you can get it re-attached before the flies show up. That’s why it’s good to have lots of spare pouches. The more pouches, the better… right, Rob?”

Low Point

The complete lack of connection between the status quo at the end of “Cable and Deadpool #50” and “Deadpool #1.” It should be more clear as to how, exactly, the character got from point “A” to point “B.”

The Scores

This is one of the more original tie-in issues. The tone, approach and plot are consistent with Deadpool, and are quite different from the other tie-ins that take themselves much more seriously. I give it 5 out of 6.

The artwork by Paco Medina is quite well suited to the story. It’s clear, well defined, nicely coloured, and depicts the action with no confusion. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story is well written, and fits the Deadpool character well. I do question the timelines quoted in the captions, as I think this states time frames longer than those we’ve seen in the main series, which seems to span hours, while this is at least a couple of days. I’m also not sure how Deadpool knew where and when he had to be in place to kick this sequence of events off in the first place. I give it 4 out of 6.

The characterization is close. Deadpool seems to be a different kind of crazy here than he has been in the past, suffering from a form of MPD. He often has conversations with himself inside his head, but I don’t recall seeing any of them taking place with more than two sides, as they do here. He’s got the rest of the character down, though. I give it 4 out of 6.

The emotional response is good. I went in very concerned, as I loved Daniel Way’s “Supreme Power: Nighthawk” series, but hated his “Ghost Rider.” I wasn’t sure which Daniel Way I’d get here, but I’m generally pleased. This isn’t as funny as Fabian Nicieza’s work on “Cable and Deadpool,” but it’s still good. I give it 5 out of 6.

The flow is smooth. As I mentioned, the only concern I have with flow and timelines is that the captions have things like “24 hours later” when I was under the impression that the entire Secret Invasion was playing out faster than that. Add in the delay needed to have Deadpool armed and in place when it starts, and this has to happen some time after the first events in “Secret Invasion #1.” I give it 4 out of 6.

Overall, it’s an entertaining tie-in, and a promising start to a new series starring one of my favourite Marvel characters. I give it 5 out of 6.
I have no idea why they didn’t put the “Secret Invasion” banner on these or the “Punisher War Journal” issues, but they’re definitely part of the event.

In total, Deadpool #1-3 receive 32 out of 42.

Secret Invasion Review Checklists

Background reviews:

Infiltration reviews:

Main Event reviews (including date the last issue should be available, or “complete” if they’re all out):

  • Secret Invasion #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7: October 22, #8: November 19, full series: November 19
  • Avengers: The Intiaitive #14-19: November 26
  • Black Panther #39-41: complete
  • Captain Britain and MI 13 #1, #2, #3, and #4.
  • Deadpool #1-3: October 8
  • Guardians of the Galaxy #4-6: October 15
  • Incredible Hercules #117, #118-120
  • Iron Man: Diretor of S.H.I.E.L.D. -35: November 19
  • Mighty Avengers #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, 17-20: November 26
  • Ms. Marvel #28-30: complete
  • New Avengers #40, #41, #42-47: November 26
  • New Warriors #14-15: Complete
  • Nova #16-18: October 29
  • Punisher: War Journal #24-25: November 29
  • Secret Invasion: Amazing Spider-Man #1-3: October 22
  • Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #1, #2, and #3.
  • Secret Invasion: Frontline #1-5: November 19
  • Secret Invasion: Home Invasion (online only)
  • Secret Invasion: Inhumans #1-4: November 12
  • Secret Invasion: Runaways / Young Avengers #1-3
  • Secret Invasion: Thor #1-3: October 29
  • Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust?
  • Secret Invasion: X-Men #1-4: November 19
  • Thunderbolts #122-125: October 22
  • X-Factor #33-34, She-Hulk #31-33

Aftermath (Dark Reign) reviews:

  • Avengers: The Iniative #20-?
  • Dark Reign: New Nation
  • Invincible Iron Man #8-?
  • Ms. Marvel #34-?
  • New Avengers #48-?
  • Secret Invasion: Dark Reign
  • Secret Invasion: Requiem #1
  • War Machine #1-?
  • several unannounced titles, I’m sure