Right in time for comic book/movie synergy is Wolverine vs. Deadpool. This 311-page collection of nearly every time Deadpool and Wolverine duked it out is a decent primer on the mostly conflict-ridden relationship of the most famous superheroes with healing factors. It’s surely being released to hype people up on Deadpool & Wolverine, the new movie that’ll likely shatter records this summer, so why not dive in and check out its gruesome battles? Hell, why not rank them?
This collection houses mostly ’90s battles between the two heroes, including Wolverine (1988) #88, 154-155; Deadpool (1997) #27; Cable & Deadpool #43-44; Wolverine: Origins #21-25; Wolverine/Deadpool: The Decoy #1, and finally material from Wolverine Annual ’95, ’99. All told, this collection has some of the most important Deadpool creators attached, including Fabian Nicieza, Rob Liefeld, Joe Kelly, Ron Lim, Larry Hama, Adam Kubert, Steve Dillon, and Daniel Way, to name a few.
It all kicks off with Wolverine #88 out in 1994. It’s the first time these two characters fought, marking it as an important one. Written by Larry Hama with art by Adam Kubert and Fabio, it’s a showstopper where art is concerned. It’s sort of shocking that these two didn’t fight until four years after Deadpool was created, but maybe somebody thought that two healing factors in one fight scene were too much!
The story opens with Deadpool trashing an apartment after his girlfriend runs off with Garrison Kane. Wolverine is buddies with Kane and thus won’t let Deadpool maim or kill him. This battle highlights Deadpool’s quickness as he slices and dices Wolverine with ease. The two characters part ways, but one could argue Deadpool won this fight.
Adam Kubert did not miss.
Credit: Marvel
After a few skirmishes with Maverick running about and some demon monster things, Rob Liefeld’s Wolverine #154 kicks into gear like a bare-knuckle brawl to the senses. There’s a shockingly small amount of blood, but the action is intense as Liefeld stretches the pages with long panels and double-page splashes. The story feels iconic, thanks to Liefeld’s art.
Next up is possibly one of the best books drawn by Lim ever. The detail is high, the framing great, and the clean lines so precious. He’s collaborating with Nicieza in a tale that involves Hydra agent Bob and plenty of hijinks. The inclusion of Cyclops is a nice touch.
Wolverine: Origins by Steve Dillon and Daniel Way takes the prize as the best story in this collection.
Credit: Marvel
In Wolverine: Origins, Way and Dillon take the cake as the best brawl of the collection. Over five issues, Deadpool puts Wolverine through the wringer, including dropping a piano on him. There’s also a hilarious recurring gag from Deadpool’s point of view, which usually means Wolverine looks ridiculous. He’s got forks for claws in one panel, and in another, he’s a turtle. The only negative aspect of this tale is its ending, which leans heavily on Wolverine’s son. In hindsight, it meant a lot at the time, but he arrives almost randomly and also takes away from the fight between Wolverine and Deadpool.
Dillon may be the greatest sequential storyteller in comics. His ability to pull off emotion, tension, and pace in a simplistic layout style is unparalleled. His ability to draw faces in a realistic yet almost caricature-like way is also excellent. That helps amplify danger and shock when anyone other than Deadpool or Wolverine is on the page. His comedic timing is also excellent. It’s wacky fun, but this story is gruesome and doesn’t hold back on the violence. When Wolverine cuts off Deadpools fingers, we get an up-close shot of the mangled digits with blood pouring out.
Wolverine vs. Deadpool is a fun collection featuring some of these characters’ best one-on-one battles. From the early ’90s when Logan had bone claws to tales in the 2000s, it’s quite clear these two are very evenly matched and also more than willing not to pull a punch. The winner of the best battle has to go to Daniel Way and Steve Dillon, but there’s a ton of entertainment in this collection from all creators. The lesson is: When Wolverine and Deadpool fight, we all win.
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