Deadpool #3 Review

 

Writer: Cody Ziglar

Artist: Rogê Antônio

Colorist: Guru-eFX

Letterer: Joe Sabino

Cover Artists: Taurin Clarke; Greg & Tim Hildebrandt; Rob Liefeld; Matthew Waite

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: June 12, 2024

 

The Touch is a mystic cult of Kung Fu psychos obsessed with death. Their leader, Death Grip, gets a high from killing. So he sets his sights on a seemingly impossible target, the ever-lovin-and-regenerating Deadpool. How does Death Grip plan to kill the Merc With A Mouth? Let's leap into Deadpool #3 and find out!

 

Story

Deadpool thought he had scored an easy gig. He would hang out at Streaming Con, guard his client Derek, and sell a few signed headshots to help pay Taskmaster’s field tax. Instead, Crossbones blasts into the meeting hall, and unlike Deadpool, he’s shooting off more than his mouth. Crossbones gets Deadpool dead to rights, but no one counts on Ellie crashing the party.

 

Deadpool thought he’d stashed his daughter safely away in Arizona. But Ellie is determined to be his Pain In The Ass daughter. She spliced her foster mother’s SHIELD LMD hand with the cellphone Deadpool gave her and built a teleporter. His daughter distracts Crossbones, but Taskmaster, Princess, and Deadpool must now act to protect Ellie from Death Grip’s agent.

 

 

 

In Deadpool #3, Death Grip’s rival has something he wants. When Solem learns Death Grip's target, he gives the Muramasa Blade away with his blessing. Muramasa was a master swordsmith of feudal Japan who imbued his swords with magic. Death Grip won’t be bothered if Crossbones fails. Killing Deadpool would be the ultimate rush!

 

Despite Ellie's desire to learn what makes her dad tick, she presents Deadpool with a dilemma. She knows he is a mercenary, but he doesn't want her to watch him kill people. But sending Ellie back to Terry and Emily's home would accomplish nothing. Ellie would watch more New Toobe videos and find another way to return. Whether Deadpool likes it or not, he’s stuck with his daughter.

 

In Deadpool #3, the mirthful Merc realizes he must look over both of his daughters, even if they have a healing factor. Reeling from losing Valentine, Deadpool realizes he can't bury his longings in work. While Cody Ziglar packs his story with action, mysticism, and laughs, it’s all about family, friendship, and acceptance of others, regardless of their appearance or what they can do for you. 

 

 

 

Art

Rogê Antônio conveys the heat of battle as The Touch storm Solem’s palace. Bullets fly, feet kick, and a blast from Death Grip's hands reduces an opponent to a smoking skeleton. Death Grip covers his face with cloth and symbols and conjures a blue blast with his wrapped hands. The way the mask hangs over Death Grip’s nose and mouth evokes Davy Jones playing his organ aboard the Flying Dutchman. Crossbones’ assault on Streaming Con is equally explosive. Crossbones wields weapons with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s muscles, including a rifle evoking Jesse Ventura’s in Predator. Deadpool reacts to Crossbones’ intrusion on his firm’s first assignment with a half-page of stabby panels. Crossbones and Deadpool hurtle toward the ceiling in a vertical half-page. But Ellie's appearance stipples Crossbones with white and bathes him in blue and purple energy.

 

Guru-eFX lavishes a loaded palette of appealing colors on Rogê Antônio's art in Deadpool #3. Taskmaster's blue-and-gold shield looks good beside Princess' red fur and Derek's purple jacket, while Crossbones' explosives fill the meeting hall with glowing yellow smoke. Blue and purple rule The Touch's compound, while the gleaming red Muramasa Blade fills Death Grip's eyes with white light. All the trash and stains in Deadpool's gray and green corporate headquarters suggest where he should spend Derek's check. But the streak of light blue that crosses the rubble-filled storage closet shows what Deadpool values most.

 

Joe Sabino skewers dialogue balloons with black uppercase lettering in Deadpool #3. The Merc With A Mouth always speaks in yellow fields, while his canine daughter speaks white words into red balloons. The font size makes for easy reading, while the sound effects enliven battles, help us hear Death Grip's power, and remind us that even a child can wield surprise as an effective weapon. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

While Taskmaster adds expenses to his invoice, he protects Ellie, finds a connection between the girl and himself, and agrees to avenge Deadpool if The Touch silences the Merc With A Mouth. What strange magic does Deadpool's Human daughter wield in Deadpool #3?

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch. 

 

 

Amazing Spider-Man #42 Review

 

Writer: Zeb Wells

Penciler: John Romita Jr.

Inker: Scott Hanna

Colorist: Marcio Menyz

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Cover Artists: John Romita Jr, Scott Hanna & Marcio Menyz; Terry & Rachel Dodson; Greg & Tim Hilderbrandt; Marcos Martin; Alex Saviuk & Rachelle Rosenberg

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: January 17, 2024

 

Spider-Man, She-Hulk, and Tombstone confront Kingpin and Typhoid Mary. A few Hellfire Club troopers remain standing, but most lie sprawled across the floor of Tombstone’s apartment. Kingpin declared their battle was over. His son's battle with the Beetle has also ended. Is Janice Lincoln dead? Will Tombstone sink his teeth into Wilson Fisk’s neck and tear his throat out? Let’s thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #42 and find out!

 

Story

Wilson Fisk has faced many battles in his life. But now he wants to concentrate on his family. So Wilson had a little fun with his long-time rival Lonnie for old-time's sake, but he's sitting this Gang War out.

 

The Beetle can’t believe Fisk’s troops took away the Rose. Now, Janice controls more territory than her father ever did. But to retain it, Janice must fight Madame Masque.

 

In Amazing Spider-Man #42, Zeb Wells douses Peter Parker and Luke Cage in a pool of murky water. Spider-Man joined forces with Tombstone to protect his daughter. Mayor Cage also wants Team Spidey to protect Janice. Cage views Madame Masque as more of a threat to his city than Janice. Plus, Cage and Janice both have strong connections within Harlem. But Janice has become a general. An army marches to her orders. The Beetle plans on becoming a major player in organized crime. Are Luke and Peter being sentimental in backing Randy Robertson's former fiancée? 

 

 

 

Gang War has forced Spider-Man to trade thwipping for clubbing and pummeling opponents. Now, Peter favors the perceived lesser of two evils as masked ladies of crime battle for control of the criminal underworld. Wells’ story shows why good people champion bad actors and end up fighting for causes they don’t believe in.

 

Amazing Spider-Man #42 also speaks to the battle between career and family. Peter Parker has sacrificed everything to fight crime. He’s spent too little time with Miles Morales and Randy Robertson, and his relationships with both friends have suffered. But by far, the most painful consequence of his life choice is losing Mary Jane. By contrast, Wilson Fisk ends up the victor in Wells’ story. Kingpin knows the cost of putting his career first. This time, he's choosing to cherish his family rather than pursue career goals.

 

 

 

Art

After the fury of battle burns out, smoke rises from the ashes in Amazing Spider-Man #42. Tombstone’s drapes may be no more, but plumes fill the air, surrounding Fisk’s forces and Team Spidey. Smoke surrounds Luke Cage as he phones Spidey amid the remains of Alistair Smythe’s robots. Armored soldiers drag Richard Fisk from the battle, leaving Digger and the Beetle's forces encircled in smoke. Smoke wafts off Madame Masque’s face, even after she shields her features behind her mask.

 

Kingpin remains coy, but his declaration brings a smile to Typhoid Mary's face. Even Tombstone's frown eases until Lonnie realizes his actions have only bought Janice breathing space. John Romita Jr. and Scott Hanna make Madame Masque and Janice look like uneasy colleagues as they discuss the future. Both women glance down while making painful admissions. After declaring hostile intent, Madame Mask pauses to touch Janice’s arm before departing.

 

 

 

While a bright red mask covers Spider-Man’s face, Marcio Menyz coats Wilson Fisk and Lonnie Lincoln in crimson. The latter matches Kingpin’s armored forces as they drag the purple-and-black Rose from the battle. While Scorpia, Electro, and Digger are green, Rabbit's dark suit, pink ears, and pink bubblegum mimic the coloring of Beetle's costume. A tattoo on Shotgun's shoulder glows gold when Madame Masque touches it, reminding us of her gold mask. The overhead light in Janice's Harlem headquarters reveals yellow and orange walls. These merge well with MM's mask but contrast with Janice's purple. While She-Hulk's glowing green always draws our eyes, the pink on one character's armor signals an unexpected alliance in Amazing Spider-Man #42.

 

Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase black letters into white balloons. Words grow bold for inflection. Enlarged and colored letters express Spidey’s exasperation. Tiny lettering suggests confusion or surprise, relates coughing, reminds us of Tombstone’s recent hospital stay, and accompanies magical acts. A sound effect enhances a blast to Madame Masque's face, while large undulating letters emphasize Digger’s rage in Amazing Spider-Man #42.

 

Thanks to Marvel for providing this essential chapter of the Gang War saga for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Gang War pauses, letting heroes and villains regroup before a final battle for Harlem. As revelations provide insights into the conflict's origins, Amazing Spider-Man #42 asks what matters most: what you do or who you're with. 

 

Rating 9.2/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.