Deadpool Volume 1 (2022) 

Writer – Alyssa Wong 

Artist – Martin Coccolo 

On a rainy Saturday afternoon, I traveled to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Beechview location to borrow a copy of Camelot 3000. I perused the new graphic novels section and I went home with a few titles, which included Deadpool by Alyssa Wong. 

Deadpool has an audition to join the illustrious Atelier group of assassins. He has forty-eight hours to find and assassinate Doc Ock. In the middle of his mission, he is kidnapped by the Harrower who has plans for the Merc with a Mouth – she is going to use Wade’s body to grow a symbiote and the sample that is implanted inside him is one that he’s familiar with – Carnage! 

I didn’t know what to expect when I started this collection but there’s a very funny short story from New Mutants #30 that has Deadpool babysitting some of the young mutants on Krakoa before he is banished from the island by the ladies that comprise the team. Wong’s volume contains a lot of action with some comedic bits sprinkled in for good measure. There are a lot of body horror elements that give this volume its Parental Advisory warning on the back cover. There are also some animals that are mutated thanks to the Harrower so keep that in mind before diving in. You’ll never look at giraffes the same way again.

The Harrower and Valentine Vuong are two new characters that are introduced to Deadpool’s wacky world as the foil and love interest respectively. In addition to Doc Ock, we also have the reappearance of Lady Deathstrike to the adjacent X-Men universe as Deadpool’s partner in the Atelier’s mission. I really liked the characters that are part of the Atelier and they have a big part to play in the next volume. Their character designs are both weird and mesmerizing at the same time. A lot of the credit is due to Mr. Coccolo’s art, which I enjoyed from start to finish. From over-the-top fight sequences to quiet moments, like Wade and Valentine having breakfast, Coccolo’s attention to detail and line art will stick with you long after you finish this collection. Even now, Ock’s bowl cut and Wade licking his plate after he finishes eating still lingers in my mind’s eye. 

Wong does a great job bringing a fresh take to the Regeneratin’ Degenerate, while reminding us about all the things we love about him in the first place. Adding the wrinkle about Carnage is a nice call-back to their run in with each other during the Absolute Carnage crossover. I passed on this comic quite a few times at the LCS when it was released. When I finally decided to pick up an issue of this volume, it was the final issue of this run. Talk about rotten luck! 

Deadpool and Wolverine is hitting the box office later in the Summer and this first volume is worth checking out, especially if you are a fan of Mr. Wilson or if you want to see what all the fuss is about with the character. 

I really think this volume is more enjoyable in physical format, so check your local library for its availability. If that isn’t possible, its available instantly on Hoopla. Deadpool Volume 2 by Alyssa Wong is also available on Hoopla if you want to binge all ten issues in one sitting. Once my borrows refresh, I’ll be adding the next volume to my reading queue.