Writer: Benjamin Percy
Artist: Geoff Shaw
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Big Guns, Part 1
Wade Wilson: Deadpool #8 shows no signs of slowing down. Percy continues putting Wade through the wringer for our entertainment, and he does it well. The pacing of this issue is really solid. He gives a nice reminder of the previous issue while gearing up for this new arc, with nothing feeling rushed. Wade continues to be the reason his life is in the toilet, and he takes it one inappropriate joke at a time. The only expectation I had for this issue was that Percy only included Punisher because he wanted both of his books together. However, it seems like he is creating a story with these characters, not just about them.
Spoilers Ahead
The Odd Couple Are At Odds
The main conflict in this issue is the Punisher hunting Deadpool. In this run, we’re introduced to Frank as he broods in a dimly lit corner with only his skull logo showing, watching Micro try to interrogate a Badpool they captured. I don’t know if Frank can surmise what is really going on, or if he truly thinks Wade actually has an army of Badpools. All he sees is a Deadpool costume, so he goes to stop this at the source. Meanwhile, Wade and Blind Al are doing a training op to test S.H.I.E.L.D.’s security. They are blissfully unaware that Punisher has his sights set on him, figuratively and literally.
The (not so) Calm Before The Storm
Although it happens on the closing page, the biggest moment of this issue is Frank and Wade actually crossing paths. Frank catches Wade off-guard and blows him up into a dozen pieces. Although this obviously isn’t going to keep Wade down and out, this is huge because you can just tell that the next issue is going to be violent. It’s Deadpool, the one who can’t die, vs. the Punisher, the one who doesn’t care if he does. That combination is a recipe for absolute mayhem and zero regard for each other’s well-being. Also, seeing as this is part 1 of a 4-part arc with more violent characters getting added to the mix in later issues, things will only continue to escalate.
The Art
I’m so happy Shaw and Sinclair are on this book. Shaw’s art is a great depiction of the high-energy and chaotic world of a Deadpool book. Sinclair’s colors contextualize the art with vibrant colors that highlight the action. A great example of this is the face-off between Deadpool and a Badpool in a diner. Shaw’s panel layouts do a nice job of breaking up the page fluidly. His linework draws your eye to focus right on the action. Sinclair’s colors make the action in the foreground pop while the background colors aren’t busy at all. Throughout this book, Sinclair does a wonderful job of making Wade’s suit jump off the page. His reds aren’t just good for the bloodshed, lol.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been enjoying the thrill ride that is Wade Wilson: Deadpool, and issue 8 is no exception. I’ve said it before, but I’m seeing a different side of Percy’s writing in how he handles Wade, and I love it. I’ve only read his books with brooding characters like Ghost Rider, Wolverine, and Punisher. Deadpool is a nice addition while still keeping the frenzied action of his earlier work. I am excited to see how he handles the relationship between Wade and Frank, considering both of his characters he is currently writing are crossing over. This is looking into the future, but I am also very excited to see him write Bullseye in this arc.