Deadpool: The Gauntlet #1 (Marvel)

(via CBDB)

writer: Gerry Duggan, Brian Posehn

artist: Reilly Brown

You know Deadpool?  Maybe he's kind of cool after all.

Maybe he's been a joke of a joke since he originally debuted, but perhaps Deadpool is not completely irredeemable after all.  

The difference between a bad Deadpool comic (which I assume is every other Deadpool comic) and a good one (this one) is knowing about a concept known as context.  In the wrong context, Deadpool is random in word bubble after word bubble, ultimately means nothing, and his stories are instantly pointless.  Any humor to be found has no weight because the character has no depth.  He's the Merc with a Mouth.  As opposed to Spider-Man, who also spends all his time making quips.  Or Nightwing.  Or any number of other superheroes (all of Joss Whedon's Avengers, every Iron Man movie).  Deadpool doesn't stand out except that quipping is the only thing about him.  Usually.

Maybe this has happened before.  I don't know.  This comic was a free preview, and so I maintain my record of never having paid for a Deadpool comic.  But the thing is, it presents context all over the place.  The guy is playing off of a damsel he's rescued, who plays along willingly and is completely smitten...until she sees under his mask.  For no apparent reason, Deadpool is one of the rare comic book characters (Doctor Doom is another; the Phantom of the Opera is the completely unjustified classic precedent I will use to give either of them more credit than they deserve) who wears a mask for a reason.  Like the original Spawn, his face is mincemeat underneath.  Hilariously (for real this time!) the girl immediately gives up on him.

And the writing is pretty good.  There was some controversy when the series on which this comic is based, also by the team of Gerry Duggan and comedian Brian Posehn (a master of slacker deadpan), announced its creative team, which was nothing like the impressive presence creator Rob Liefeld expected for the character.  But really...besides Brian Michael Bendis (no shit, I would buy that comic), who among the current pool genuine comic book writing all-stars is capable of doing Deadpool justice?  Better to give him to a pair of comedians, especially ones who come with relatively little baggage.

It's a gamble that seems to have paid off handsomely.  (Unlike Deadpool's origin...whatever it is.)

The main foe in this story is Dracula.  Marvel loves it some vampires.  I don't know that there have ever been any good Marvel vampires stories (probably the Blade movies come closest), but the company keeps trying.  And perhaps it's Deadpool, improbably, to the rescue!

The other big draw to Duggan and Posehn's take on the character is his upcoming wedding.  Deadpool gets married???  Somehow I trust these guys to pull it off, no matter how they do it.

And maybe, just maybe, I will buy me a Deadpool comic written by someone other than Brian Michael Bendis.