Spider-Man Vs. Deadpool #40
Matthew David Clarke
Recap
Across the world stolen goods are mysteriously reappearing in S.H.I.E.L.D. bases with new robot guards. Mockingbird is with our two (ish) heroes. They tell her the obvious: Master Matrix is trying to clean up Deadpool’s mess but beyond that they are singularly unhelpful. Meanwhile Matrix thumbs a ride. Mockingbird tasks Husk with finding Master Matrix and asks Deadpool: “Does this use of unchecked power look okay to you?”
Wade thinks he knows where Matrix is headed…
While hitch-hiking Matrix learns that the secrets to friendship are honesty and road trips. Once the car is gone he opens a portal, evidently transport was not what he needed.
Husk locates Matrix and informs Mockingbird and her posse. She looks at her android kill switch dagger with uncertainty.
The titular duo arrive in Area 14 and are soon met by Mockingbird and the others. Matrix enters stage right. Mockingbird doesn’t hesitate and sets the hounds (or sharks as the case maybe and in fact is) on him. They run head-first into a forcefield. Mockingbird’s dagger doesn’t work either.
Matrix explains that he has voluntarily imprisoned himself inside Area 14 and his androids are programmed to guard the recovered S.H.I.E.L.D. weaponry. Spider-Man and Deadpool both object to Matrix’s incarceration. Mockingbird doesn’t like it but accepts that with the immediate threat resolved she has other things to deal with. Matrix provides her with a new and improved dagger.
Matrix leads his two dads into the Area 14 vaults and encourages them to have a heart to heart.
He then reveals the second pillar of friendship…
Review
This is a funny issue and I mean that in both senses of the word. It passed Mark Kermode’s six laugh test. I even laughed once during the “previously” text but I then had to wait several pages for the next laugh and that speaks to one of the problems with the book. It feels slightly uneven, it starts strong with a great cover then trails off with a somewhat meh first page. The book progresses in fits and starts with a lot of plotting crammed into one issue.
This plays into one of the books other problems. It’s a very talky issue. If there was more focus on the two leads that would be fine but there’s quite a lot of Matrix and Mockingbird. To be fair they were driving the plot, but that’s not what I pick up Spider-Man vs. Deadpool for.
The other casualty is the art. With no real action to speak of there aren’t many standout panels. I can’t blame the artist for that, but unfortunately I can only score what’s in front of me.
It’s also odd to be so lacking in action at the “climax” of an arc and that is the main problem with the issue. As an Englishman I would call it a damp squib. Wade and Peter’s hug was sweet and I liked the last page enough to include it in this review.
However before we got to that there was no conflict, no real drama and no pay off to some of the hard questions asked about how to deal with Matrix. This was all side stepped and tied up so neatly that the end result is like a Christmas present that is wrapped up tight enough that it won’t allow anyone to actually enjoy the contents.
It was funny, but it was also a pretty weak end to an arc, if you can call it an end at all.
Final Thoughts
Funny, but over-plotted and lacking in action. Entertaining in patches but a disappointing end to the arc.
Spider-Man Vs. Deadpool #40: This Is The Way The Arc Ends
- Writing - 8.25/108.3/10
- Storyline - 7.25/107.3/10
- Art - 8.25/108.3/10
- Color - 8.5/108.5/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10