Slicing and dicing his way through the critically acclaimed Deadpool & Wolverine, Deadpool has carved his way through the Marvel Universe since his first appearance in New Mutants (1983) #98. As a result, Deadpool has featured in some of the best knockdown, drag-out fights in Marvel, yielding many must-read comics for fans new and old.
Over the years, Deadpool has gained a loyal fanbase with his violent tendencies, fourth wall breakage, and comedic, expletive-laced dialogue. With these themes in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the best Deadpool Vs comics for your reading pleasure.
Deadpool Vs Carnage (2014)
In Deadpool Vs Carnage (2014), Cletus Kasady returns to his serial killer roots and begins slaughtering people. Local authorities are baffled by the seemingly random nature of the murders, but Deadpool, thanks to his uniquely warped mind, identifies the pattern as Carnage.
Limbs fly in this bloody showcase of Marvel’s crimson killers. Deadpool vs Carnage is a well-paced series that capitalizes on the characters’ established traits and only hints at the marketable potential of this murderous mashup.
Deadpool V Gambit (2016)
Full of twists and turns, Deadpool V Gambit takes readers on a sensational heist with the titular heroes as they fight, then join forces to combat a hidden threat. The comic makes use of flashbacks and gritty art to reveal Deadpool and Gambit’s shared history in a surprisingly engaging story.
Deadpool v Gambit presents the ultimate battle of nonsensical tomfoolery vs roguish charisma, marking it a must-read among Deadpool comics. The team behind this one deserves credit for conceiving this Void-inspired pairing long before its live-action debut.
Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe (2011)
Certainly not for the faint of heart, Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe begins its bordello of blood with a visit to Marvel’s first family, the Fantastic Four. After being committed, Deadpool completely snaps, taking the fight to the best of the best across the Marvel Universe, like the Avengers and X-Men.
Heralded as a must-read for Deadpool fans, this macabre masterpiece showcases how deadly Deadpool’s unstable yet insightful psyche can be when weaponized and the ensuing mayhem and murder. It takes all the cosmic clairvoyance Deadpool can get to succeed in killing his Marvel Universe, and that still wasn’t enough, which explains 2017’s Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe Again.
Deadpool Vs Thanos (2015)
Deadpool Vs Thanos steps into Marvel’s cosmic arena, highlighting the bitter feud between Deadpool and the universal conqueror Thanos. Specifically, Deadpool vs Thanos focuses on the genre-spanning Merc with a Mouth and the Mad Titan putting aside their differences to save their mutual love interest, Lady Death.
Deadpool vs Thanos offers insight into the the pair’s long-standing beef. Of course, Thanos’ jealousy over Lady Death preferring Deadpool results in multiple graphic fights, culminating with an epic brawl for the ages between a seemingly invincible Titan and a Canadian with a bunch of guns.
Deadpool Vs Old Man Logan (2017)
Deadpool vs Old Man Logan (2017) presents fans with a small sample of how comics have handled the rivalry featured in Deadpool & Wolverine. After a violent clash that tests their respective healing factors, these former Weapons Plus experimentees unite to help a mutant flee from Genform.
Deadpool vs Old Man Logan features some interesting twists, including the severing of Pool’s vocal cords, the teleportation of Logan’s claws unto Deadpool, and a berserker rage worthy of its moniker. The book also delves into the titular pair’s shoddy-at-best paternal skills, proving these ’90s anti-heroes have become more than the weapons they were meant to be.
Deadpool Kills Deadpool (2013)
Another hit from the creative team behind Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe, Deadpool Kills Deadpool tears down the fourth wall to build on the themes from its predecessor. This wildly enjoyable tale pits the Deadpool of Earth-616 versus alternate-reality versions of himself, led by the metacidal Darkpool, all of whom are hellbent on eradicating the Progenitor of All Things.
Featuring the deadliest variants imaginable, like the species that endangers you, Pandapool, the cinematic darling Dogpool, and the devourer Galactipool. Deadpool Kills Deadpool is a thrilling crisis of infinite Deadpools that features a wildly diverse collection of mercs to duke it out.
Black Panther Vs Deadpool (2018)
Spread across bright, watercolor-esque panels and told with a vibrant visual style, Black Panther Vs Deadpool sees Deadpool undertake a quest to save the Fantastic Four’s mailman, Willie Lumpkin. This noble quest takes him to the nation of Wakanda, leading to an audience with the Wakandan King, Black Panther, and his sister, Shuri.
Unfortunately, Black Panther misjudges Deadpool’s intent. The result is a lengthy, violent battle between the two that sees Deadpool at a fairly significant disadvantage after his healing factor is nullified. More than that, Deadpool vs Black Panther highlights the personal and moral differences between two characters who usually wouldn’t say two words to each other.
Deadpool Versus The Punisher (2017)
Two of Marvel’s most homicidal heroes face off in Deadpool Versus The Punisher. This graphic gorefest sees the Punisher off to take down The Bank, an underworld financier. Unfortunately, this leads Punisher into direct conflict with the Bank’s long-time acquaintance, Deadpool.
Deadpool versus The Punisher underscores these killers’ differences, weighing the Punisher’s relentless quest for vengeance against Deadpool’s mercenary ways. More than that, this story is full of the humor and violence fans expect from these two. Deadpool Versus The Punisher delivers a coup-de-grace of mayhem and is easily one of the best Deadpool Vs comics.
Venom Annual #1 (2023)
Venom Annual (2023) #1 is easily one of the best Deadpool fights in comics. Set during the Contest of Chaos event, Deadpool is transported to a magical carnival by Agatha Harkness, who is pitting heroes against each other to find a champion for her reborn Darkhold. For his fight, Deadpool must compete against the maniacal symbiote Venom (who, at this point in time, is bonded with Eddie Brock’s son, Dylan).
Driven to fight on by Harkness’s malicious magic, Deadpool and Venom tear each other apart while seeking out Agatha’s reality-bending balloons. Venom Annual gives readers a delightfully ghoulish one-off story, melding Deadpool’s dark sense of humor with Venom’s urgency to locate his father, delivering one of the best Deadpool Vs comics.
Deadpool Vs X-Force (2014)
Deadpool Vs X-Force reveals the story behind the mission preceding his must-read first appearance. With time travel antics similar to Deadpool & Wolverine‘s, Deadpool vs. X-Force offers entertaining context to Deadpool’s first battles with his eventual besties Cable, Domino, and X-Force.
This series puts Deadpool’s moral ambiguity front and center as he sacrifices X-Force members for his own goals, following a directive to rewrite U.S. History. Deadpool vs. X-Force is an incredible early-days Deadpool story and a must-read if you’re a fan who thinks Cable deserved a Deadpool & Wolverine cameo.
Published: Aug 4, 2024 10:58 am