Deadpool / Batman #1: When Worlds Collide

Marvel / DC: Deadpool / Batman #1 is a fun collection of stories that teams the iconic characters from the respective comic universes to tell some fun stories without trying to shoehorn in continuity explanations for the characters being able to interact with each other (aside from the Deadpool/ Batman story, which briefly explains how Deadpool arrives in Gotham.)

Deadpool and Batman

The Dead Of Knight, the anchor story for the issue, is a strong story that gives both Deadpool and Batman equal attention while not devolving into the expected tropes that are the hallmark of inter-company crossovers.

Well’s does a solid job of capturing the expected personality aspects of Bruce and Wade, and how these two opposites play off each other without bogging down the story.  The story also explains how and why Deadpool has been able to crossover into the DC Universe in the first place without some lengthy exposition or convoluted acrobatics ensuing.

The story itself is self-contained and satisfying, leaving it open to future meetings (aside from the DC/Marvel issue) of the two characters.

Capullo’s art is solid, and its no surprise that he opted to use the version of The Joker that he drew in his run with Scott Snyder. Sinclair’s colorwork evokes the feel of Gotham and works well with Capullo’s art throughout the story.

• Writer: Zeb Wells
• Artist: Greg Capullo
• Inker: Tim Townsend
• Colorist: Alex Sinclair

Score:

• Writing: 8
• Storyline: 8
• Art: 9
• Color: 8

Overall Score: 8.25

— —

Daredevil and Green Arrow

• Writer: Kevin Smith
• Artist: Adam Kubert

Fans of Kevin Smith’s work on both Daredevil and/or Green Arrow should enjoy this vignette that finds the two street-level vigilantes crossing paths and fighting The Hand in Hell’s Kitchen. Smith’s dialogue, per usual, tends toward the two heroes exchanging quips about the other’s costume.  Smith also doesn’t miss the opportunity to insert his off-color jokes into the mix, and surprisingly, neither hero soils themselves (IYKYK). Given the length of the story, what Smith presents works, but there is definitely a lot of potential for these two to have adventures together.

Kubert’s art is on point in both the small panels and the splash action sequences that take place.

Score:

• Writing: 7
• Storyline: 8
• Art: 9
• Color: 9

Overall Score: 8.25

— —

Captain America and Wonder Woman

This story finds Wonder Woman and Captain America’s paths crossing during World War II and intersecting throughout an amalgam (Yes, went there) of well-known Marvel and DC events that find the characters interwoven into classic scenes from events with slight twists, creating what Zdarsky calls the Infiniverse.

The story plays heavily on the Steve Rogers / Steve Trevor schtick, which long-time readers are sure to catch. The thing that seems slightly out of character is Steve Rogers about to shoot Hitler before Wonder Woman arrives and stops him, allowing for a somewhat historically accurate demise of the Führer. The story is sappy, but it feels almost natural and works overall.

It’s the artwork by the Dodson’s that steals the show, though, as their signature look adds gravitas to the story being told in these few pages.

• Writer: Chip Zdarsky
• Artist: Terry Dodson
• Inker: Rachel Dodson

Score:

• Writing: 8
• Storyline: 8
• Art: 10
• Color: 10

Overall Score: 9

— —

Jeff the Land Shark and Krypto

• Writer: Kelly Thompson
• Artist: Gurihiru

Like the creative duos work on the Jeff The Land Shark Infinity Comics and current limited series, this story is pure fun.

Gurihiru does a great job of showing the action of volleyball match between Krypto and Jeff in a kinetic manner that showcases the playful side of these to Super Pets.

Score:

• Writing: 10
• Storyline: 10
• Art: 10
• Color: 10

Overall Score:10

— —

Rocket Raccoon/Green Lantern

• Writer: Al Ewing
• Artist: Dike Ruan

In the span of two pages, Al Ewing brings the humor of Rocket and the straight-laced Hal Jordan as the two partake in an intergalactic space cop exchange program. Ewing cuts loose with Rocket’s take-no-prisoners approach and Hal’s affinity for space jewelry, leading to some funny and inevitable moments.

Score:

• Writing: 9
• Storyline: 9
• Art: 9
• Color: 9

Overall Score: 9

— —

Old Man Logan/Batman

• Writer: Frank Miller
• Artist: Frank Miller

This two-page story is basically two old men bantering and posturing and is the weakest addition to the issue. Nothing is really added or gained from these pages and is the most forgettable and biggest letdown of the issue.

Score:

• Writing: 6
• Storyline:6
• Art: 6
• Color 6

Overall Score: 6

— —

Wolverine/ Lobo

• Writer: Ryan Q. North
• Artist: Ryan Stegman
• Colorist: Frank Martin

The final installment in the issue harkens to the 90s Amalgam Universe (Logo does mention Super Soldier,  the Superman/ Captain America mashup), where characters from the two universes were combined to make an amalgamation character and then used to tell a new story.

The combination of the two characters is a no-brainer, but the character’s name, Logo, seems a bit lazy, but scores points for the nostalgia factor and the possibility for the return to story

Score:

• Writing: 9
• Storyline:9
• Art: 9
• Color: 9

Overall Score: 9

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This issue sets a high bar for the DC installment to strive for and shows that, given certain circumstances and the right creative teams, the two universes could coexist in a single continuity, yet retain those qualities that set them apart.