Deadpool Batman 1 review, Marvel and DC reunite for crossover fun

Deadpool Batman 1 marks the first time the two comic titans have come together since the landmark 2003 JLA/Avengers. That mini-series was monumental for its pairing of the two biggest superhero teams and making good on the promise of the cancelled 1983 crossover.

Rather than jumping fully into the deep end with a massive, sprawling crossover story, DC and Marvel start off slow with Deadpool Batman. This pairing isn’t exactly the riskiest as Deadpool just headlined a billion-dollar film and Batman is arguably the most household name of all the superheroes.

The main Deadpool Batman story is great. The story doesn’t overstay its welcome, leans into what both characters do best and is concluded in 25 brief pages. Who knew stories involving three major characters across two universes could be told so quickly? Maybe there’s a lesson here?

Marvel tabbed Zeb Wells to write the story while DC named Greg Capullo the artist. Inker Tim Townsend, colorist Alex Sinclair and letterer VC’s Clayton Cowles make up the rest of the creative team.

Deadpool emerges in Gotham as Batman tries to track down The Joker, who is set to unleash a high-level version of his Joker Toxin. First, he needs Batman taken out. Instead of doing it himself, Joker has a quasi-ally bring Deadpool to the DC Universe to set up the obligatory Deadpool Batman fight. This plays out pretty well with both characters getting their respective moments to shine before Deadpool brings Batman to The Joker where The Dark Knight utilizes his strategic mindset to turn the tables.

Wells has Deadpool’s rapid fire Merc with a Mouth delivery just fine. He has some very funny lines including one bit where he pulls out his guns and says, “I didn’t want to use these because I heard they make you cry.” Deadpool is every bit the fourth-wall breaking characters even lapsed fans or those who only watch the Deadpool films know and love.

Batman is alright. It’s hard not to write Batman well. Given that Deadpool Batman was a priority, it was a bit weird that some aspects of current Batman continuity specifically James Gordon no longer being the commissioner were ignored. In fairness, it does give Wells an opportunity to have Deadpool and Gordon interact in a way that wouldn’t work with beat cop Jim Gordon.

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Capullo drawing Batman just feels right and it was a welcome sight to have Deadpool Batman 1 be drawn by one of the artists who have become most synonymous with the character in the last 30 years back at it again. The story does end on an odd note with Wells not properly restoring Deadpool to the Marvel Universe at the end of the story.

For the remainder of the 60-page special, DC and Marvel creators explore various team ups. Writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Terry Dodson lead a story with Captain America and Wonder Woman.

This tale is a clear multiverse story as Wonder Woman encounters Cap during World War II and is with Superman as Thor, Iron Man and Wasp find Captain America in the block of ice. This is the most interesting of the smaller stories and probably could have been expended to a full secondary story.

Other stories pair Daredevil and Green Arrow from Kevin Smith and Adam Kubert, reuniting Smith with two characters from his comic book run; Jeff the Shark and Krypto from writer Kelly Thomson and artist Gurihiru in a pleasant short story; Al Ewing and Dike Ruan on a Rocket Raccoon and Green Lantern story and Frank Miller tackling an Old Man Logan and Batman The Dark Knight Returns. As a tease of what could be in store for the future, writer Ryan North and artist Ryan Stegman craft an amalgam story of Logo, a merging of Lobo and Wolverine.

Deadpool Batman is a fun team-up of two big comic icons. It doesn’t reach its full potential, but it does seem like it makes for a solid springboard for more collaborations in the future.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Photo Credit: DC Comics

Enjoyed Deadpool Batman? For other Marvel/DC team ups, check out the Marvel/DC Omnibus at Amazon.

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