Deadpool knows marketing – just look at the lead-up to his feature film debut! So it shouldn’t be too surprising to see Wade Wilson and his merry band of mercenaries insert themselves into Marvel’s Inhumans Vs. X-Men event. Just, not in a way you might expect.
Deadpool & The Mercs for Money #7 (Marvel Comics)
Let me just say, I’m not a big Deadpool fan. While I think his costume’s great, I didn’t fall in love with his movie. Aside from Rick Remender’s Uncanny X-Force run, I can’t think of too many times I’ve enjoyed seeing the mutant mercenary in comics. With that said, and the fact that this is my first time reading an issue of Deadpool & The Mercs for Money, I promise to be as objective as possible with my review.
Hopefully, Deadpool himself won’t slash his way out of this comic and come after me.
Why am I reviewing this comic, you’re probably wondering? Well, as an X-Men fan, I need to read anything with an IVX banner. That’s Comics 101 – you must read every tie-in. At least, that’s what publishers want you to believe. Also, from a talent standpoint, it’s written by Cullen Bunn, whose Uncanny X-Men #17 was my favorite book released last week.
So is Deadpool & The Mercs for Money #7 required reading for anyone buying Inhumans Vs. X-Men? I’m sorry to say it isn’t. While some of Bunn and artist Iban Coello’s story is set in the present day, the bulk of the issue takes place in yet another dystopian future. Look, I know Hasbro has action figures to make, but how many times do we need to see dark, alternate versions of the X-Men?
The issue begins five years in the future, with the Mercs on two missions: Protect others from the Terrigen Mists and find Negasonic Teenage Warhead. It’s not long before Deadpool, Domino and the rest of the gang start to battle a group of Inhumans – you know, because it’s an IVX tie-in.
Part of my problem with Deadpool as a character is his immaturity. Poop jokes never really did it for me, so hearing Deadpool talk about how Hit-Monkey will need to be outfitted with another robotic poop-flinger doesn’t do much for me. Poop and groin jokes aside, Bunn does manage to slip in some good lines here and there, helping characters like Machine Man and Gorilla-Man stand out in Wade’s world.
Fortunately, Coello’s art is nowhere near as offensive as Deadpool’s jokes and is right at home in a comedic superhero book. His smooth pencils reminded me of the work of Paco Medina, who also spent some time illustrating Deadpool’s adventures.
I’m clearly not the target audience for this series, which in my eyes, just continues to overexpose Deadpool, Wolverine-style (and look what happened to him – he’s dead). Storywise, this is the type of event tie-in that really doesn’t need to exist, in my opinion. Deadpool & The Mercs for Money could have continued with their regular adventures without wading into the X-Men’s battle (pun intended) and revisiting the tired, dark-future concept.
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