Batman/Deadpool #1: Meta Morrison Madness

Look, sometimes comics are just meant to be fun, and that’s exactly what Batman/Deadpool is. There’s no social commentary, no deeper meaning – just two beloved characters from different companies getting together and letting readers see what happens. It happened once before in September from Marvel, of course, and was a great fun time – but this one-shot is written by Grant Morrison, one of the most legendary writers in all the medium. This crossover feels different, maybe even – dare I say – important.

Or maybe it’s just Batman and Deadpool running amok while Morrison plays around with being meta, which is something they’re pretty good at.

To be sure, Morrison writing Batman again is a treat unto itself. But throwing the writer’s known proclivity for breaking the fourth wall into the mix a la Deadpool (and with their own mischievous means, as readers will see) into the mix makes for a singularly awesome tale, one that takes what’s best about both its leads and takes readers along for a zippy, hare-brained tale that features other great Morrison creations such as Damien Wayne and a surprising _______ as the antagonist.

None of it makes sense, which is to say, when turned on its ear, all of it makes sense in the most Morrisonian way possible. But is it good? Your mileage may vary, depending on your love of fourth-wall breaks. I enjoyed it immensely, with the exception of Morrison cloyingly calling back to their seminal Animal Man run a few times. As ever, Morrison delivers a Batman of singular purpose and poise, and their Deadpool ain’t half-bad either, yapping constantly without being obnoxious about it. The lead story here is killer, and a worthy addition to Marvel’s outing a couple of months ago. And as for that Dan Mora kid – what more can be said about him that hasn’t been said countless times? He’s a generational artistic talent, one of the top of the field today and this comic is no exception. Getting to let loose with ideas and concepts unlike any other comic he’s worked on, Mora delivers some of the best work of his career in Batman/Deadpool.

As for the rest…

John Constantine: Hellblazer & Doctor Strange

These two characters are polar opposites in terms of personality and approach to magic, but that disparity is what writers James Tynion IV, Joshua Williamson, & Scott Snyder highlight in their tale of two very, very different magicians. No, I’m not sure why this story required three writers, nor do I know what the division of labor was, nor do I care. It’s just plain fun to watch John Constantine and Stephen Strange in the same room together, butting heads and talking shop. And with Hayden Sherman of Absolute Wonder Woman fame drawing it, you know it’s an absolutely gorgeous yarn, to boot.

Laura Kinney: Wolverine & Nightwing

This is probably the backup story that’s gotten the most hype, with writer Tom Taylor returning to the fold for Laura and Dick, two characters he’s most strongly associated with due to his classic runs on both. Bruno Redondo and Adriano Lucas, both veterans from Taylor’s Nightwing run, join in on the fun that highlights the not-so-obvious parallels between the two lead characters. As ever, Taylor’s storytelling is heavy on character beats that hit the sweet spot just right. Throw in Gabby Kinney, Jonathan the Actual Wolverine, and Nightwing’s dog Haley, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a flawlessly executed story. To the entire creative team of this one: no notes, kudos all around.

Harley Quinn & The Incredible Hulk

This team-up is easily the oddball of the bunch, as Harley and the Hulk don’t exactly have a lot in common. (Point in fact, it would have made much more sense to have Harley and Deadpool team up, but that’s a gripe for another day.) Mariko Tamaki’s story is light on plot, involving Harley and Hulk having a random encounter, after which Harley-style wackiness ensues. The highlight here is having the great Amanda Conner return to draw Harley Quinn; the two first paired up almost two decades ago and it’s been the defining run for the character ever sense. Hulk is more or less there to move the plot forward, so sorry fanboys but you’ll have to get your Banner fix elsewhere. “Harley & Hulk’s Amazin’ Saturday!!!!!” isn’t anyone’s idea of a deep story, but it’s goofy and fun and deserves to be recognized on its own strengths for leaning into that.

Static & Ms. Marvel

As with Amanda Connor and Harley Quinn, the biggest treat here is having not one but two classic creators reunited with the character that helped make them who they are today; namely, G. Willow Wilson and Kamala Khan and Denys Cowan and Milestone’s Static. (As an aside, the fact that a Milestone character made it into this huge corporate comic is a minor miracle.) Wilson writes Ms. Marvel like she never left, and Cowan draws Static like it was 1995 all over again. This story dips a little bit because it feels like it should have been longer; there’s a bit that makes it seem like there’s more story to tell beyond the characters’ initial meet-cute at a monster rampage. But Static and Ms. Marvel play off of one another so well you’ll hardly notice, except when the story ends and you’re left wanting more.