ISBN: 9780785196198
Deadpool has found success, both in our world and in the comic world. At this point he runs his own merc crew, and is a legit Avenger. While I appreciate more serious toned comics and reflections of real world issues through super powered storytelling, the Deadpool comics are treasures (IMHO) for embracing the ludicrousness of super powers and the comic trademark–complete lack of accountability.
In this collection Deadpool uses his Avengers access to hunt down Sabretooth who killed his family. Or did he? No, Deadpool himself lit the match (literally), under the mental control of the mysterious Butler. Sabretooth was merely a witness to Butler’s techniques. But in one of the most supportive Bro fights ever Sabretooth decides to let Deadpool continue brutally mutilating him, and attempting to kill him, to save him from the horror of realizing the truth.
If that wasn’t enough positive masculinity they stop several times in their ridiculously bloody battle to do things like, have dinner, chat with kids and fans, and save cops from certain death.
In the end this is a story of two men who have survived some pretty insane stuff, looking for healing, but not sure how to ditch habits to get there. It’s bloody and over the top, and the trademark Deadpool quips and jokes read like a person laughing because the choices are laughing or screaming. It stops just short of becoming completely self aware of its own comic absurdity. But it’s weirdly sad and sweet–in between visuals of disemboweling and partial decapitations.