Marvel makes you relive Deadpool’s worst era in Wolverine Team-Up

Contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII! The last one Deadpool Team-up in Marvel Comics with Wolverine brings back one of the worst aspects in mercenary history. Like many other Marvel fans, I was not thrilled by Wade Wilson’s time as “Deadpool” in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), to say the least. Since I was young, this was my first introduction to the character – and it’s the worst introduction possible.

A few years later I started reading a whole bunch of Deadpool’s comics and found a completely different and much more fun character. However, with Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII, The same mistake was made with Wade’s favorite character. While the three-issue series delivers some great commentary on Wolverine’s journey and Deadpool’s perception of him, Deadpool as a character ultimately falls flat — on purpose.

Although Wade’s larger than life, quirky personality and talkative nature can be tiring for Wolverine, it’s what makes him who he is. The series provides one of the best, albeit grotesque, mergers of the two’s power, but it also strips away the core aspects of Deadpool that make him so beloved.

Deadpool undergoes the X-Men Origins: Wolverine treatment

It actually makes sense for Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII, though

Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII Has the creative team of Joe Kelly, Adam Kubert, Frank Martin and Joe Sabino. The series involves the mer with a mouth trying to reinvent himself by undergoing an experimental procedure that threatens his life. It nearly kills him, but ultimately proves the combined strength of his and Logan’s healing factors. However, instead of being a team-up that showcases the fury of both unlikely heroes as they join forces against a world-threatening enemy, the “WWIII” Company stands for Wade Wilson the third – as in the third reinvention of Wade.

The series, especially the second issue, shines in the moments when it focuses on Wolverine and his perception of Wade as Deadpool against the Wade he is faced with after the intervention of Delta, the villain of the day. After being directed by Wade to follow him, Wolverine finds Wade a shell of himself with discussions that are very out of character. With a depressing outlook and a serious attitude, this version of Deadpool is highly depressing and unusual due to his usual chaotic nature. Wolverine recognizes this and is determined to return the mercenary to its former glory.

Deadpool grows on Wolverine once his signature qualities are forcibly taken away

Deadpool’s chaotic nature, butler and tendency to be destructive are what make him so exciting to follow as a sometimes hero. His struggle to do heroic deeds but make money to support himself presents an interesting dichotomy. He can get away with many things other Marvel characters can’t, effectively irritating iconic heroes like Wolverine. Taking his core traits away leaves a husk of what Deadpool is and what his potential could be.

Even though it leads to incredibly heartwarming moments with Wolverine, as well as immense growth and appreciation from the iconic X-Men for Deadpool, Wade’s “being” is less than stellar. As a team-up, the series is not their best traditional partnership. As a way to bring them closer than ever, it succeeds by removing Deadpool’s core characteristics – handling it much better than X-Men: Origins Has, since it actually has an emotional purpose, leaving a real impact.

Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII is available now from Marvel Comics.