This unnecessary Deadpool series’ crossover with Marvel Comics’ Inhumans Vs. X-Men event comes to end this month. In my opinion, this two-issue story arc was two issues too long.
Deadpool & The Mercs for Money #8 (Marvel Comics)
If you missed my review of last month’s Deadpool & The Mercs for Money #7, here’s a quick recap:
- I’m not a Deadpool fan
- I am an X-Men fan, hence why I’m reviewing issues 7 and 8
- This story seems to be just another dark X-future tale
- There’s no reason for this book to tie into IVX other than for Marvel to make some extra cash
Somewhere in the world, a die-hard Deadpool fan is screaming into his Deadpool-themed pillow. Well, to Rob Liefeld I say, relax, you can unleash your fury on me in the comment box below. Just let me get through my review first.
In Deadpool & The Mercs for Money #8, by writer Cullen Bunn and artist Iban Coello, we pick up where we left off, bouncing between the current-day Marvel Universe and a possible future where the Mercs are still alive. Last issue, they encountered a future version of the X-Men, including Nightcrawler, Goldballs and Polaris, who has vowed to carry on her late father Magneto’s work.
I’d just like to note, this issue’s recap page doesn’t feature any boxes that help you identify the characters you’re going to read about. I think that’s on purpose, because characterization doesn’t really seem to be a priority here. You’ve got a character like Goldballs who doesn’t speak once or even use his powers in this comic.
Why? Because it doesn’t matter! This entire comic is pointless. It’s the kind of dark-future story you’d see on a Saturday morning cartoon. You know, one that raises the stakes but completely resolves everything right before the end credits. It’s the worst kind of story – one with no ramifications. It’s lazy.
Did I mention this comic also features the dreaded dialogue, “none of this ever happened?” Then why am I reading it?
Look, I realize as someone who doesn’t love Deadpool, I’m not this book’s target audience. I know if I don’t appreciate the appeal of Wade Wilson, it’s likely I’m missing something in this issue that would make someone else love it. But I do love is comic books as an art form. And knowing that series cost fans a lot of money every month, I can’t stay silent when I read an issue with a $3.99 price tag that really doesn’t deliver.
As a writer who’s poured his own blood, sweat and tears into artistic work through the years, it also pains me to criticize the work of fellow creators. I have zero complaints about Coello’s artwork and I’ve praised many of Bunn’s other comics before, so I mean no disrespect. But when I put my reviewer cap on, my loyalty to readers has to come first.
With that said, Bunn manages to include a few fun lines in this comic, but not enough for me to overlook this story arc’s primary purpose: to lure IVX readers into a pricey trap.
So if you’re a Deadpool fan, you’re going to read this comic no matter what I say. But if you’re reading IVX and think skipping this comic will make you miss a key plot point, don’t worry.
And to all the Deadpool fans who hated my review … “None of this ever happened.”
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