Customer Reviews

Deadpool Classic, Vol. 1

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a huge Deadpool fan, specifically of Joe Kelly's run on Deadpool (which ran from issue #1 to 33 of the ongoing series).

The PROS of this collection:

+It collects some key early appearances of Deadpool and provides background for the new reader

+Marvel is finally acknowledging the popularity of this character

+This edition features the writing of Fabian Nicieza, Mark Waid and [briefly, for one issue] Joe Kelly, as well as art by Joe Madureira, Ian Churchill and [all-too-briefly] Ed McGuinness

The cons of this collection:

-Rob Liefeld's art is terrible (but at least it's only one issue). Liefeld is one of the biggest hacks in the industry and I usually avoid anything he's (crudely) drawn.

-The printing on Deadpool #1 (Kelly and McGuinness) is a little "off", by which I mean the lines are fuzzy and the art is slightly distorted

Overall, I hope Marvel collects the Deadpool run by Kelly and McGuinness because it is one of the few times I've laughed out loud while reading comics (right along with Ennis's Preacher and Arcudi/Mahnke's Major Bummer). It's also one of the storylines that I truly believe deserves the "Omnibus" treatment of being collected into one huge edition.

This TPB is a very good start for the Deadpool enthusiast or new devotee and despite its flaws I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

I think it's great Marvel made a classic tpb for Deadpool. It's a great thing for fans who are interested in his beginnings. Unfortunately, this trade isn't great for longtime hardcore fans, as it's missing several early issues, unfortunately 4 of these set up his first limited series, which is in this trade.

Casual fans may not care, but as a long time Deadpool fan, many of the issues aren't included. In addition to the X-Force (3, 4)/Spider-Man (16) crossover (where Deadpool kidnaps Black Tom, setting the X-villain up for a tree experimentation and Deadpool's limited), it's missing Deadpool's battle with Weapon X noob Kane (XF 2), two fights with Cable and Domino (XF 14 and 15) and Secret Defenders 15 (with Luke Cage, who has been gaining popularity in his New Avengers appearances). It's unfortunate that these aren't in a "classic" trade.

The art is terrible (Liefeld), but it's also short on that stick as it focuses on his limited series, featuring then rising superstar Joe Madureira. Also notable is issue 1 (which seems out of place here and would have been better off in a DP Classic 2, with a run of those issues).

You get Deadpool's first appearance in New Mutants #1, his first two mini-series, and the first issue of the classic Joe Kelly run. Good stuff. Sure, it skips a few of his X-Force appearances, but those will probably end up in an X-Force Classic one of these days where they will work better anyway. Support this book so we can get the complete Joe Kelly run collected.

Caution: This book is comprised mostly of Deadpool issues prior to Joe Kelly's run. The 4th wall-breaking and funny Deadpool most fans know and love, is only in the final issue of the book (which happens to be written by Mr. Kelly). This is also NOT the place to look for an origin story.

He's not for everyone, but Deadpool is right up your alley if you enjoy irreverant jerks solving problems that heroes face, and have what should ACTUALLY happen occur. I would have liked a little bit more background, but that comes later so no biggie.

In 1991, George H. W. Bush was president, Rob Liefeld & 501 jeans were all the rage, and Marvel's Merc with a Mouth officially had his beginning. We see this 3rd thing here.

Highlights here for me...
*New Mutants 98- Deadpool begins! Say what you want about Liefeld & his art, his #1 character is amazingly popular.
*Circle Chase mini series- His 1st solo adventure. Fabian Nicieza writes, and is credited with giving this Merc his famous Mouth. Joe Madureira draws a solid Deadpool. It's a 4-issue mini of Marvelous Mayhem.

Say what you want about Liefeld's art, he only draws 1 issue here. I actually *like* the way he draws Deadpool, but the real visual highlight for me is Joe Mad's rendition of the character. I bought Madureira's 4-issue mini series when it came out in about '93, which was before he became insanely popular. Image may have had all the attention back then, but Joe Mad eventually helped put the artistic spotlight back on Marvel. On top of this, the real significant thing about this Circle Chase mini is Fabian Nicieza's characterization. He's the one who gave Deadpool a redeeming aspect to his personality, and showed everyone he can actually be a Merc with a Heart. Joe Kelly picks this up & runs with it, and next thing you know, Wade Wilson starts to become one of Marvel's more popular characters. The nicest thing about this paperback is seeing where it all begins.

P.S. To see *additional* early Cable & Deadpool, try the extremely slim X-Force and Spider-Man: Sabotage, copyright '91-'92. Deadpool makes an exceedingly brief cameo.

This is where it all starts. They give you his first ever appearance and they give( what i consider ) great artwork. I am on my own in my thinking that Ed mcguinness' art work is not very good. To me it looks like a cartoon and child-like. That is why i was happy when they only gave us one issue featuring his artwork. The series has comedy, action and great art work to keep you interested. I would highly recommend it.

The price is twenty bucks and you get the following. First appearance of Deadpool, TWO full four comic first stories of Deadpool, and the official Deadpool #1. This book isn't missing anything, and would be a great collection for diehard fans. I love this book because I couldn't track down the first stories. They are a perfect representations of how you want a smart mouthed assasin to be. I fully advise anyone to buy this if you want to see a guy with gadgets whoop keister and take llamos.

I am not a big Deadpool fan. I generally find him to be a one joke character, and I don't really understand Marvel's obsession with him. My brother has loaned me the first three volumes of Deadpool Classic, though, so I am trying to read them with an open mind. And I still don't really get it. This first volume has the character's first appearance (in which he is 90s cool and doesn't crack any jokes), then his first limited series, which is more about generic 90s mercenary action, then a second limited series, which is more of the same, but with less of a reason to exist. Finally, though, this volume includes the first issue of the Joe Kelly ongoing series, which does a great job setting the new tone for the character. There are plenty of jokes - none of which are actually funny, but all of which set the tone for a book that doesn't take its main character too seriously. The new series introduces a supporting cast and a mysterious over-arching plot, and it's a step in a very good direction. I also love the big cartoony McGuiness figures, which also serve the more comedic nature of the book. I would not recommend this volume, but at least at the end it presents a much more palatable character than the red/black figure haunting the earlier pages.

I must say that it's a bit unfair Marvel didn't continue publishing Deadpool by Joe Kelly after Mission Improbable TPB. Oh well.

This TPB collects some great stuff (Madureira mini series, Deadpool number one) with some that were not so great (Ian Churchill did great art but story was so so).

If you want to follow Deadpool in Deadpool Classics v2, you need this one OR Mission Improbable if you can't find Classics v1.