Deadpool #2: Daddy’s Issues

Deadpool is on his way to becoming a businessman, but can he balance fatherhood and his new agency? Deadpool #2 (written by Cody Zigler, with art by Rogê Antônio, colors by Guru-eFX, and letters by VC’s Joe Sabino) begins to answer this question as Wade Wilson sets out on his first mission with his new agency and his new associate Task Master. Meanwhile, Wade’s daughter, Ellie, has her own mission: get her father’s attention. This issue is action-packed and wacky with all the love and family drama you would expect in a Deadpool comic.

Writer Cody Zigler is doing an amazing job at highlighting what makes Deadpool a special character: his (regenerative) heart. Deadpool stories are always marketed as raunchy, overly comical, bloodbath comics, which they are. But what really makes Deadpool comics so great is the heart and love underlying the plot. The complex relationships Deadpool has with the people he loves is the most interesting aspect of his stories and brings dimension to the character. Zigler is not shying away from relationships in this series as Deadpool’s daughter, Ellie, and symbiote dog-daughter, Princess, are key characters in this series. Zigler does an amazing job at explaining the complexities of these father-daughter relationships and humanizes the unkillable merc with a mouth, creating a story and character worth reading.

With the usual Deadpool comedy in this issue, his fourth wall-breaking act is an effective way to make a simple story effective and tell rather than show. In this issue, we see both Deadpool’s and Zigler’s plan to have Death Grip and his group (funnily named The Touch), become more prominent as the series goes on. It’s a smart way to “tell” how the story will build while staying true to the character and not making the storytelling simplified. If I had one complaint for this issue, it would be that there were not enough laugh-out-loud lines. This could just be so Deadpool doesn’t come off as incredibly annoying, but I do wish some funnier quips were written this issue.

The art in this issue perfectly reflects the loud and brash Deadpool. Rogê Antônio and Guru-eFX strike the perfect balance of serious and comical in this issue with their art. The dynamic panels and coloring of this issue parallel the regenerating degenerate’s personality and draw the reader in. This issue is a feast for readers’ eyes and an overall fun time.