Deadpool #5: It’s a Dog Eat Dog World

Alyssa Wong has hit the mark with this conclusion to Deadpool’s first arc in this new series. This issue was full of incredible action, hilarious dialogue, and enough double-crossing plot twists to keep you satisfied through and through. Narratively, this issue is a satisfying conclusion that sets up many great things to come. This also means that the next issue will be a  great jumping point, with the new status quo being finely and firmly established. Deadpool and Valentine are now officially an item, Deadpool has a Carnage dog, and Doc Oc has proven he is still the master planner. This is everything you could ask for from a new Deadpool series and more.

In terms of this issue’s comedy, Doc Oc steals the show. He has a ton of great one-liners and somehow comes off as the most reasonable. The issue devolves into a fight between Harrower, Deadpool, Harrower’s plant dog, and the newly formed Carnage dog, which drives Doc Oc over the edge. He proclaims, “God, this is getting weird. Forget revenge; I’m just going to… go….” Doc Oc doesn’t often get to jump in with the jokes, but seeing him in this light was a breath of fresh air for this take on the character. It has never been funnier to see a villain walk out mid-fight because of how crazy everything has become.

Deadpool series are often known for their comedy and over-the-top action, but this one will be remembered for its powerful representation. Valentine continues to be a fun new character who has a lot more agency than other LGBT+ characters often do. This book has been progressive in many ways, with Valentine being a robust and capable person whose presence is felt throughout each page they appear on. A scene early on in the issue depicts Valentine regrouping with Lady Deathstrike at the Altier base, where The Horned Emperor attempts to scold them for the mess Deadpool created. Valentine stands tall throughout the entire sequence, commanding the conversation very powerfully. 

The highlight of this series continues to be Martin Coccolo’s gorgeous art. Coccolo delivers in the brutal, gore-filled action panels and in the quiet and quieter moments. Each page is a treat to the eye, with the characters popping off the panels explosively. Neeraj Menon’s colors build off this, using different shades and textures to highlight the nuanced differences between Deadpool and Carnage. The two characters have a definitively different art style, with Carnage having a horror feel and textured ripples across his dark red flesh.

These two characters are drawn and colored in substantially different styles, highlighting their horror and comedic roots and telling the story in a fun visual way that doesn’t entirely rely on dialogue and exposition. In contrast, Deadpool’s costume is a lighter red, with a mostly smooth texture. This partnership’s excellence is beautifully illustrated with the cover, where Carnage is exploding out of Deadpool’s head. 

Joe Sabino covers the letters here in a fun and inventive way. Carnage and Cletus share a body but also have different patterns of speech bubbles. This helps highlight his insanity but also differentiates the two characters in a way that isn’t often done with Carnage. This exciting take on the character sets up a possible new status quo shift for the future.