Deadpool (character)
Deadpool is a fictional character from Marvel Comics, co-created by writer Fabian Nicieza and artist Rob Liefeld, making his first appearance in 1991. His real name is Wade Wilson, who becomes an antihero after undergoing experimental treatments that grant him superhuman healing powers while leaving him scarred. Initially introduced as a villain, Deadpool evolved into a beloved character known for his witty humor, self-awareness, and ability to break the fourth wall by directly addressing readers.
Deadpool's powers include rapid healing, superhuman agility, and advanced combat skills, making him a formidable mercenary and assassin equipped with various weapons. The character's popularity has led to multiple comic series, video games, and feature films, including the highly successful 2016 movie "Deadpool," starring Ryan Reynolds, which closely aligns with the character's comic book origins. Following this, a sequel was released in 2018, and a third film is set for 2024. His unique blend of humor and action, alongside a penchant for self-referential storytelling, has solidified Deadpool's status as one of Marvel's most recognizable characters.
On this Page
Deadpool (character)
Deadpool is a fictional character co-created by writer Fabian Nicieza (b. 1961) and artist Rob Liefeld (b. 1967). The character was originally featured in several titles published by Marvel Comics, making his first appearance in 1991. According to the story world Deadpool inhabits, the character's real name is Wade Wilson, and he gained superpowers after participating in classified experiments carried out by the Canadian government. While Deadpool was originally a villain, he has developed into an antihero and a fan favorite over the years.
In addition to Marvel comic books, Deadpool has made appearances in several other media, including video games and feature films. Actor Ryan Reynolds has portrayed the Deadpool character in multiple motion pictures, including the commercially successful 2016 release Deadpool. A sequel to the 2016 film, Deadpool 2, was released to theaters in 2018. In 2022 a third film in the Deadpool series was announced.
Background
Deadpool was reportedly inspired by two major sources: Deathstroke the Terminator, a villain in the DC Comics universe, and Marvel's own immensely popular superhero Spider-Man. Deathstroke the Terminator bears numerous similarities to Deadpool—Deathstroke's real name is Slade Wilson and Deadpool's is Wade Wilson; and the two characters have comparable fighting abilities. Deadpool also wears a full-body costume similar in color and style to Spider-Man's, and the two Marvel superheroes share some personality traits, such as a fondness for clever one-liners and a habit of mocking opponents during fight scenes.
Deadpool made his first appearance in a Marvel comic titled New Mutants, debuting in the ninety-eighth issue of the series, which was published in 1991. Though the New Mutants series was scheduled to end after its one hundredth issue, Deadpool's immediate popularity with fans prompted Marvel to rethink its plans for the character's future development. Following his 1991 debut, Deadpool returned in the second issue of X-Force, a sequel series to New Mutants. Though Deadpool had initially been slated to make his first X-Force appearance in the series' fifth issue, fan demand was strong enough for Marvel to accelerate his return.
According to the character's back story, Wade Wilson's mother died when he was young, and he was raised by an abusive father before serving in the military. Following his brief military stint, Wilson became a mercenary before developing an advanced and aggressive form of cancer. In an attempt to cure the disease, Wilson went through an experimental process carried out at Department K, a secret Canadian government facility that developed special weapons. In the Deadpool story world, Department K also has ties to Weapon X, a secret superhuman enhancement project operated by the Canadian and American governments. The experimental treatment at Department K accelerated Wilson's natural healing ability to superhuman levels, curing his cancer but leaving his entire body heavily scarred.
Wilson took on the Deadpool moniker after being sent to a superhuman treatment facility, where he and other patients were subjected to horrific experiments. The patients at the facility took part in a "dead pool," in which they bet against each other to see who could survive the longest. After mercy-killing a friend who was lobotomized during the torturous experiments, Wilson's heart was torn out of his chest as a punishment. This, in turn, triggered his superhuman healing factor, which regenerated his heart. After coming back to life, Wilson adopted the name Deadpool, took revenge on his torturers, and escaped.
Overview
Deadpool's self-awareness makes him unique. He knows he is a comic book character and routinely breaks the so-called "fourth wall" by addressing the reader directly. Creators have used the self-referential nature of the Deadpool story world to comment on the inherent absurdity of the universe he inhabits, which was a novel concept in the genre.
In terms of his powers and abilities, Deadpool can heal wounds very quickly and regenerate severed limbs and destroyed internal organs. His superhuman healing abilities are not limited to physical harm suffered during combat; he is also immune to most poisons and drugs and has incredible stamina and endurance. Deadpool's reflexes, speed, agility, and strength are also far beyond the levels normally seen in human beings, and his healing powers also grant him an extended lifespan.
Deadpool is a specially trained, highly efficient mercenary and a master assassin and marksman, and as such, he is very skilled in several combat disciplines. While he displays a preference for guns and swords and is frequently depicted with an arsenal of weaponry at his disposal, Deadpool is also adept at unarmed combat. Deadpool even commands a personal teleporting machine as well as holographic technology that allows him to alter his appearance.
After New Mutants and X-Force, Deadpool's cult following led to two of his own comic miniseries, published in 1993 and 1994. In 1997, Deadpool became the central character in his own ongoing series for the first time, and the character's fan base continued to grow. Other ongoing Deadpool comic series followed in 2008, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2022, respectively, and the character also made crossover appearances in several other Marvel story worlds.
The self-referential nature of the Deadpool story world has produced some unique material, including Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe, in which the character rebels against his own creators by killing other comic book superheroes, Deadpool Killustrated , and Deadpool Kills Deadpool. In Deadpool Killustrated, the character infiltrates classic works of literature to destroy the ideas that would later inspire other Marvel characters, while Deadpool Kills Deadpool follows the character through every other alternate comic book universe he has ever inhabited, killing every version of himself.
Beyond comic books, Deadpool has appeared in video games such as Deadpool and Marvel vs. Capcom 3. In 2009, Deadpool was featured in a motion picture for the first time when he appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. However, Deadpool's portrayal in the film diverged strongly from the original Marvel source material, prompting a backlash from fans. As a result, actor Ryan Reynolds, who played Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, insisted on creating a movie that adhered more closely to the character's canonical origins. The resultant film, Deadpool, was released in 2016 to both critical and commercial success.
Deadpool's enduring popularity has earned him a revered place among Marvel's best-known characters. The "Merc with a Mouth," as Deadpool is alternately called, remained active in several Marvel comic series, and a sequel to the 2016 film was released in 2018. In late 2022 a third film in the series, Deadpool 3, was announced, with a scheduled release date in 2024.
Bibliography
David, Peter. Deadpool's Art of War. New York, NY: Marvel Entertainment, 2015.
"Deadpool." Comic Book Database, PERLINK "http://www.comicbookdb.com/search.php?form‗search=deadpool&form‗searchtype=FullSite" http://www.comicbookdb.com/search.php?form‗search=deadpool&form‗searchtype=FullSite. Accessed 13 Dec. 2016.
"Deadpool (2016)." Internet Movie Database, ERLINK "http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1431045/" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1431045/. Accessed 13 Dec. 2016.
"Deadpool (Wade Wilson)." Marvel Universe Wiki, ol‗(Wade‗Wilson)" http://marvel.com/universe/Deadpool‗(Wade‗Wilson). Accessed 13 Dec. 2016.
Dockterman, Eliana. "Everything You Need to Know About Deadpool." TIME, 4 Aug. 2015, INK "http://time.com/3983576/who-is-deadpool-trailer-ryan-reynolds/" http://time.com/3983576/who-is-deadpool-trailer-ryan-reynolds/. Accessed 13 Dec. 2016.
Dominick, Nora. "Ryan Reynolds Hilariously Just Announced That Hugh Jackman Will Join Him In "Deadpool 3" As Wolverine." Buzzfeed, 27 Sept. 2022, www.buzzfeed.com/noradominick/ryan-reynolds-hugh-jackman-deadpool-3. Accessed 27 Apr. 2023.
Lowry, Brian. "'Deadpool 2' Gleefully Revels in R-rated Mayhem." CNN, 23 May 2018, www.cnn.com/2018/05/14/entertainment/deadpool-2-review/index.html. Accessed 4 June 2021.
McMillian, Graeme. "The Comic Book Origins of 'Deadpool.'" Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2016, PERLINK "http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/deadpool-who-he-is-how-863465" http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/deadpool-who-he-is-how-863465. Accessed 13 Dec. 2016.
Scheer, Paul, et. al. Deadpool: The Ones with Deadpool. New York, NY: Marvel Entertainment, 2015.
Willaert, Kate. "You Don't Know Merc: A History of Deadpool." A Critical Hit, HYPERLINK "http://www.acriticalhit.com/you-dont-know-merc-a-history-of-deadpool/" http://www.acriticalhit.com/you-dont-know-merc-a-history-of-deadpool/. Accessed 13 Dec. 2016.