Editor:

If you're not getting DEADPOOL ... Why the hell aren't you ?!  You're really missing out on a fantastic comic.  In fact, I can say, without any hesitation whatsoever, that DEADPOOL is the best comic being published today by Marvel. And maybe that doesn't mean a lot to some of you ... so, I'll put it this way.   DEADPOOL is simply one of the best comics being published today, by anyone. If DEADPOOL gets cancelled, there is something explicitly WRONG with the comic book  industry.  Valuing tripe like WITCHBLADE, The DARKNESS, SPAWN, the SUPERMAN titles, or the SPIDER-MAN titles above a book like DEADPOOL is ludicrous.  And utterly stupid.  And, no, I will not apologize to any fans of the aforementioned titles.   If you like those comics, then I think that you have extremely poor taste.  Hell, DP is a better economic deal than any (except SPAWN) of the above titles.  WITCHBLADE and The DARKNESS cost $2.50 and it costs between $8-10 to follow the SUPERMAN or SPIDER-MAN titles monthly. DEADPOOL costs $1.99.  

Just buy it, okay ?  
 

In this issue:  

The Deadpool Battle suit is introduced, Wade finds out what his purpose in the Mithras Directive truly is, while Overboss Dixon schemes to ensure that this version of the Mithras Directive goes through with no hitches ...  

 

But this is DEADPOOL, starring Deadpool.  Nothing goes as planned.  Ever.  And I don't expect the Mithras Directive to, either, especially given Wade's current feelings toward it...  

Why did I doubt Joe Kelly ?  Was I just completely out of my gourd when I complained (a few months ago) about 'Pool's seeming role in the Mithras Directive, which was that of global saviour ?  Apparently I was.  'Cause Pool isn't going to be the global saviour, like I had so foolishly assumed.  Nope, his purpose is to kill anything that gets in the way of the global messiah.  Bit of a letdown.  For Deadpool.  Personally, I'm ecstatic about this turn of events.  I was very nervous about 'Pool being portrayed as a messiah, as it seemed to be such a radical change from his past actions as an assassin.  But, not surprisingly, Kelly throws a curveball at us.  DP's job is -and probably always WAS, in Kelly's mind -to kill.  

Besides, call me a sadist, but I'm really enjoying seeing Wade suffer and sob about his current plight (he thought that, for once, he was going to get to be a hero, instead of just a killer).  Since the very first issue, Deadpool has been evolving as a character.  Initially a one-note character of little worth, he's now evolved (under Kelly's skilful hands) into one of Marvel's most complex and fascinating characters.   One that I enjoy reading about month-after-month.  

Besides Kelly's plotting skills, his other writing skills, namely dialogue, remain as fantastic as ever.  DEADPOOL makes me laugh out loud more than any other comic being produced today, I believe.  And unlike in other comics, the pop culture references don't seem forced or unnecessary.  The only thing I worry about with the pop culture references is that they could become dated so quickly ... Fortunately, I'm enjoying DP so much right now, that I'm not going to fret over that little quibble.  

Besides Deadpool, the other characters in DP are interesting, too.  I'm quite curious about Noah, and his developing conscience.  Unfortunately, I don't think that we'll get to see much more of him, as it seems likely that he'll be the one to die, as announced in the next issue box.  I'm also looking forward to 'Pool getting some form of vengeance on Zoe for stringing him along like she has, for the last 20 issues ...  And the amoral Overboss Dixon is fast becoming one of my favourite villains, and his manipulations are an amazing spectacle to view.  
 

After Pete Woods' fabulous fill-in art last issue, I was expecting to be a bit let down by the return of Walter McDaniel, and while I was a little bit let down ... for the most part, I was impressed.  His style really seems to have improved into something that I can almost appreciate.  It still needs lots of  work, IMHO, but it IS an improvement.  

Overall, another fine issue by Joe Kelly & Co. 

Score:  A   
  

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