It finally happened. After decades of fans wishing and dreaming, Marvel and DC have come together again, and they’ve kicked things off with a bang. Or, more accurately, with a CRASH, as the Merc with a Mouth himself, Deadpool, smashes through a window into Wayne Manor. Marvel/DC: Deadpool/Batman #1 is a landmark one-shot because it’s so much more than a simple crossover. It’s a collision of worlds, a battle of creative philosophies, and a truly unique event.
The main story, “The Dead of Knight,” is written by Zeb Wells with art by the legendary Greg Capullo. It kicks off with Deadpool, who is as hilarious as ever, breaking into Bruce Wayne’s home. He’s been hired for a job and thinks Bruce, being a billionaire, might be looking to get someone “disappeared.” Bruce, of course, isn’t that kind of billionaire and isn’t interested. This initial interaction is brilliant, with Deadpool’s Ryan Reynolds-level humor grating on Bruce’s nerves in the most entertaining way. The line “I’m not that kind of billionaire” is a particularly great jab, hinting at the absurdity of the “normal” billionaire archetype in our current world.
The plot thickens when it’s revealed that the Joker is the one who hired Deadpool to hunt down Batman. The Joker has synthesized enough Joker Venom to infect a small country and plans to unleash it on Gotham City. While the villain plot feels a bit standard, it’s the character interactions that make it shine. Deadpool’s chaotic energy and fourth-wall-breaking humor are a perfect foil for Batman’s grim determination. The dialogue is snappy and entertaining, with Deadpool constantly getting under Batman’s skin. The bit with the Bat-Signal appearing in the sky, which Deadpool thinks is a bit much, is hilarious, as is his surprise at the Joker’s double-cross.
Greg Capullo’s art is exactly what you’d expect from the man who defined modern Batman’s look. His style gives the book a classic ’00s feel. The pages are full of detail and dynamic action, especially in the main fight scene, which is gritty and explosive with classic sound effects like KRACK and THUNK dropped in for good measure. The contrast between Batman’s dark, shadowed world and Deadpool’s bright red suit is also visually striking, with colorist Alex Sinclair perfectly capturing both Gotham’s moody atmosphere and Deadpool’s vibrant chaos.
Beyond the main story, which is a fantastic showcase for the title characters, the real magic also comes from the six one-shot backup stories. These shorts offer a nice glimpse into the larger, interconnected universe that fans have been waiting for. Some of them are a delight, while others are kinda forgettable.
First up is “The Gun & The Sword,” which features Captain America and Wonder Woman. Written by Chip Zdarsky with art and colors by Terry and Rachel Dodson, this story reimagines the two heroes meeting during World War II. While Dodson’s art, with its beautiful watercolor feel, sometimes looks a bit rushed, the story itself is a poignant tale about two icons of justice finding a deep connection as they navigate a world in chaos.
Next, we get a wonderfully cute and hilarious story called “Catch” by Kelly Thompson and Gurihiru. It’s a six-page spread showing Jeff the Land-Shark and Krypto the Superdog playing a game of volleyball in the Fortress of Solitude. The art by Gurihiru is absolutely adorable, bringing these two unlikely friends to life with charming style. With almost no dialogue, the short perfectly captures the fun and innocence of their game.
Kevin Smith and Adam Kubert give us “The Red and the Green,” a team-up between Daredevil and Green Arrow. The two heroes meet in Hell’s Kitchen and exchange witty banter while fighting ninjas. The dialogue is classic Kevin Smith, and the concept of Green Arrow being DC’s Daredevil is a perfect fit. The exchange about how New Yorkers love irony and Green Arrow and Daredevil’s jab at each other feels very modern and also surprisingly funny. Adam Kubert’s art is fantastic and action-packed, with every motion accounted for. The choice of Count Vertigo as the villain is brilliant, as his ability to mess with senses is a perfect challenge for a hero like Daredevil. Finally, the boxing glove arrow at the end was a great final touch. No notes; it’s simply perfect.
In “Rocket Raccoon Has a Green Lantern Ring Now,” Al Ewing and Dike Ruan showcase a lighthearted cultural exchange between the Guardians of the Universe and the Guardians of the Galaxy. The short is a gag fest, perfectly capturing Rocket’s mischievous personality and his struggle being an upstanding citizen. It’s a fun, albeit too-short, glimpse into a great potential team-up series.
Then, we get a dose of pure, dark grit with Frank Miller’s “Showdown,” a story featuring Old Man Logan and Batman from The Dark Knight Returns. Miller handles the writing, penciling, and inking, and the raw, unpolished art style fits the grim tone perfectly. While it’s a decent entry, it’s one of the weaker ones, with the two angry heroes mostly just trading insults and blows in a grim alley.
Finally, the book ends with “Enter: Logo!” by Ryan North and Ryan Stegman, which introduces a new “amalgam” character. Logo is a combination of Lobo and Wolverine, a “bubstiche” who is the “biggest, baddest” guy in the universe. This short is a fun throwback to previous Marvel/DC crossovers and is a great way to end the book, although it’s also one of the weaker entries.
Marvel/DC: Deadpool/Batman #1 is an absolute pull for any comic book fan. We are literally living through history with this comic. While the main story is solid and a great showcase for the titular characters, the real magic lies in the variety and quality of the backup stories. They provide a taste of a larger, interconnected universe that fans have been waiting for. It’s a nostalgic and fresh take on the crossover, and it leaves you wanting much, much more.
Overall, this is an issue to be celebrated, not just for the big-name team-up, but for the delightful variety of stories that come with it. It’s a comic that proves that when Marvel and DC come together, the results can be truly special.
‘Deadpool-Batman’ #1 Review: It’s Even Funnier Than It Sounds
Overall, this is an issue to be celebrated, not just for the big-name team-up, but for the delightful variety of stories that come with it. It’s a comic that proves that when Marvel and DC come together, the results can be truly special.
