Deadpool/Batman #1 - Comic Book Assessment

      Nathan Cabaniss reviews Deadpool/Batman #1…

      It has been over two decades since Marvel and DC have officially crossed over, a streak that concludes this week with the release of Marvel/DC: Deadpool/Batman #1. The announcement of this collaboration earlier this year surprised many, and excitement has been palpable as fans are eager to see what a modern Marvel/DC crossover entails.

      As the first of two specials featuring the Dark Knight and the Merc with the Mouth, Marvel/DC: Deadpool/Batman #1 serves as Marvel’s offering to this event, with DC planning to release their own one-shot in November. Alongside the main story that teams the two titular characters, the special includes six additional short stories from renowned creative teams, making the most of this first Marvel/DC crossover in decades. The variety of stories suggests readers might feel satisfied, but the pressing question remains: does the crossover meet expectations, or have Marvel and DC missed the mark? Let’s examine each story individually to find out…

      “The Dead of Knight”

      Written by Zeb Wells

      Penciled by Greg Capullo

      Inked by Tim Townsend

      Colored by Alex Sinclair

      Lettered by Clayton Cowles

      In the title story, Batman and Deadpool encounter each other for the first time as Wade Wilson is summoned to the DC Universe by the Joker to capture the Dark Knight as part of his latest plan. While their pairing is primarily motivated by commercial interests, there’s an intriguing contrast between Batman and Deadpool that could be further explored. Unfortunately, “The Dead of Knight” fails to delve deeply into either character, bogged down by exposition and lacking any real excitement throughout the interaction.

      Writer Zeb Wells captures each character's voice well but is too cautious in shaping the narrative around them. The plot seems to follow a predictable path, culminating in a rather unimpressive conclusion. I appreciated the more classic interpretation of the Joker as opposed to his more extreme recent versions, but his tired scheme to poison Gotham City with Joker venom reflects the overall lackluster effort.

      Greg Capullo recognizes the importance of this assignment (or perhaps the market value of his original art) and invests great effort into illustrating the story. Sadly, the script doesn’t fully utilize his talents, as the action and dynamic layouts that made him a star on Batman are noticeably restrained, overshadowed by lengthy expositional dialogue that fails to produce compelling visuals. For example, we learn that the Joker enlisted Klarion the Witchboy, Reverse-Flash, and the Cosmic Treadmill to bring Wade to the DC Universe—all conveyed off-panel and explained afterward.

      It’s not a terrible story, but this initial Deadpool/Batman encounter plays it too safe, never truly finding its momentum in the process.

      “The Gun & the Sword”

      Written by Chip Zdarsky

      Penciled by Terry Dodson

      Inked by Rachel Dodson

      Colored by Terry Dodson

      Lettered by Joe Caramagna

      This Captain America/Wonder Woman pairing stands out as the best story in the collection, effectively comparing and contrasting both characters to illustrate their identities and values. Zdarsky avoids any multiversal complexities in bringing the characters together, situating the narrative in a world where Marvel and DC heroes coexist. Wonder Woman meets Cap during WWII, and together they face an ethical dilemma that influences their heroic journeys for many years. Readers experience quick flashes of significant events in this merged universe, such as Cap emerging from ice with a combined Justice League/Avengers team, culminating in a heartfelt moment that completes Cap and Diana’s arc. Terry and Rachel Dodson's artwork brings the story to vibrant life, creating a cohesive eight-page tale from start to finish.

      “Catch”

      Written by Kelly Thompson

      Art by Gurihiru

      Lettered by Joe Caramagna

      I am a fan of Kelly Thompson and Gurihiru’s It’s Jeff! series, so their collaboration featuring Jeff the Landshark and Krypto the Superdog seemed like a delightful addition. Unfortunately, this single-page gag story is inexplicably stretched over six pages, depicting Krypto and Jeff playing volleyball before being summoned home for dinner. Gurihiru's illustrations are undeniably charming, but the narrative does not hold up as a coherent story.

      “The Red & the Green”

      Written by Kevin Smith

      Art by Adam Kubert

      Colored by Frank Martin

      Lettered by Joe Caramagna

      A Daredevil/Green Arrow crossover penned by Kevin Smith appears to be a no-brainer inclusion for this special. While the eight-page narrative is brief, it offers a fun pairing enhanced by Adam Kubert's impressive artwork. Smith mostly steps aside to allow his artist to shine, focusing on a story where both heroes encounter each other while combating the League of Assassins and the Hand. Some of the humor comes off as cheesy, yet it adds to the nostalgic vibe of the story, evoking the feel of a classic