This is a comic that could almost have been written for people fed up with superhero comics and their years and years of continuity, projecting their feelings onto the page and living vicariously through Deadpool. Deadpool aka Wade Wilson aka the Merc with a Mouth (because hes a mercenary assassin who is constantly talking while hes fighting, not unlike, oh, every other superhero but especially like Spidey who also has a full-face mask), is a character unique in Marvel in that he frequently breaks the fourth wall and addresses the reader. Not only that but hes self-aware enough to know hes a character within a comic being read by people! That in itself makes Deadpool worth reading as its a literary device youd see in an indie comic or a Vertigo series, but for Marvel to put that out? Thats really cool. But heres where that weariness of superhero comics idea comes into play because Deadpools sick of being a comic book character. Hes sick of the Marvel Universe. Hes sick of constantly regenerating and never being allowed to die. And he wants to put an end to it all. The answer? Kill everyone and dont stop until everyone is dead. In every conceivable alternate dimension, just kill everyone until theres no one left. Even the readers! Kill them most of all! And, like the best comics do, this comic delivers on its title - Deadpool does kill the Marvel Universe! Several characters put up a fight and Deadpool winds up mutilated in numerous, disgusting ways but if you know the character, youll know he has a healing factor that negates any damage done - no matter how horrific - meaning he cannot be killed and will keep going. The other thing you should know about Deadpool is that he is utterly (and lovably) insane, just full-on voices in his head crazy. So if the cover might seem horror-oriented, or you think this is a comic meant to be shocking and taken seriously, dont be mistaken - this is a comedy. Pitch black and blood spattered comedy, yes, but comedy nonetheless. I mean, would Deadpool really be able to kill all of these characters? Thor, Hulk, Black Bolt? Really? And even if he defeated them, how on earth (or space) did he kill Galactus, Silver Surfer, and Thanos!? But he does, because thats the point of this comic. Its downright silly and frivolous, and nothing in this book will have a lasting impact on the other Marvel titles - but thats the fun of it. Deadpool is the character you read when youve read your fill of Avengers, X-Men, Punisher, Spider-man, and want a bit of out-there crazy comics fun. Think those other comics take things too seriously? Deadpools your guy to read next, then! For example, remember those Silver Age Marvel comics where the Watcher appeared at the start and narrated the comic to you, the reader? That happens in issue #1 and Deadpool winds up butchering the Watcher at the end of the comic! That in itself should tell you this series is doing some great self-referential, post-modern stuff despite being a mainstream comic (that final page!), and makes it worth reading for that aspect alone.
This is the first book in the Deadpool Killology (the second being Deadpool Killustrated where he kills literatures famous characters, and the third being the forthcoming Deadpool Kills Deadpool which is self-explanatory) and I highly recommend jumping on board this entertaining, blood-soaked journey that Deadpool is on by starting with this book. If you love Marvel comics, why wouldnt you want to see your favourite heroes biting the dust by one of the most impressively unhinged characters in the Marvel repertoire? For the superhero comics reader looking for something a little different, Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe is definitely worth your time.
Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe by Cullen Bunn and Dalibor Talajic is out now in paperback and online at Comixology and Marvel Unlimited