DEADPOOL #66
"Healing Factor, Chapter One: I Forget"
Recommended (8/10)
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Marvel Comics
Writer: Gail Simone
Artists: Alvin Lee, Rob Ross, Eric Vedder, A-Zero & LTRZ
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Mike Marts & Mike Raicht
Price: $2.25 US/$3.75 CAN |
Simone and Udon's first issue of Deadpool was more of a transition issue, easing regular readers into the new status quo and tone of the book. Here, both Simone and the artists really start to hit their stride on the book. The humor will please longtime 'Pool readers, and the plotlines will bring smiles to the faces of those of us looking for something just a little different and new from the book these days.
After his assistants put the Humpty Dumpty-esque Deadpool back together again, he resumes his life as a successful mercenary. He's hired to take something of value from the super-villain known as the Rhino, but as he carries out the job, he discovers his skills are not what they should be. Little does he know that he's been infected by the Black Swan with a virus that is slowly destroying him.
I thought Udon's work on the last issue of Deadpool wasn't as strong as the studio's recent work on Taskmaster, and I'm pleased to see their work on this book stepping up to that higher standard. I love their interpretation of the Rhino, and they capture the physical comedy of Simone's script nicely. The muted colors also suit the dark tone of the plot and the black humor quite well.
One of the fascinating things about this title character is his dichotmous nature and accompanying storytelling potential. Sure, he's got a Looney Tunes zaniness to him that's a mess of fun, but there's a dark edge to Deadpool stories as well. His unusual stab at "marriage counselling" is morbidly funny, but it's also a little bit unsettling.
I think what most impresses me about this story is that Simone has clearly defined what this new story arc -- "Healing Factor" -- is going to be about, plot-wise anyway, but at the same time, this chapter offers a self-contained story of its own. Yes, her literal take on the Rhino is a lot of fun, but this two-pronged storytelling approach brings focus and strength to the title, traits that have been lacking lately.
Note: Some comments in this review were reproduced from a previous feature on the website.
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