DC’s version of Deadpool pays homage to his original inspiration

Dead Pool is one of Marvel’s most popular characters, but many fans may not be familiar with the variant that exists in the DC Universe. While Death blow was often cited as the inspiration for the Merc with the Mouth, an alternate universe version of the Teen Titans Villain makes the connection quite literal.

2006s Superman / Batman annual #1 by Joe Kelly and Ed McGuinness presents a “reimagining” of the moment when Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne discovered their secret identities on a cruise. In the opening scene, Deathstroke attempts to assassinate Bruce Wayne, but unbeknownst to Slade Wilson, he becomes embroiled in some multiversal machinations involving the Antimatter Universe’s Crime Syndicate.

While Deathstroke was hired to take out Wayne, his counterpart from the Antimatter universe comes on the cruise to save the billionaire playboy. He is never allowed to say his name, but his snippy attitude and overall appearance are very similar to a certain other mercenary at the other big company: Deadpool.

DC has its own version of Deadpool, but it’s not Deathstroke

Superman / Batman annual #1 by Joe Kelly, Ed McGuinness, Ryan Ottley, Carlo Barberi and Sean Murphy

While Deadpool co-creator Rob Liefeld has often stated that the character was inspired by GI Joe – The Movie‘s Snake Eyes as Deathstroke, later comics have made the connection clearer. Deadpool co-creator Fabian Nicieza gave the character the alter ego “Wade Wilson”, a direct reference to Deathstroke’s real name, Slade Wilson. Of course, Deadpool was further developed by several developers in the following years, including Kelly and McGuinness, who worked on Superman / Batman annual #1.

Kelly is the writer who gave fans the Deadpool they know and love today, and his run with McGuinness on Dead PoolDeadpool’s first ongoing series spawned some of the best Deadpool comics of all time. That both creators took the opportunity to recreate some of that magic in the DC Universe was a nice nod to their previous work, and Fans were able to see what would happen if Deadpool interacted with Superman and Batman. It’s even funnier to see the no-nonsense Deathstroke becoming increasingly annoyed with his Antimatter counterpart, eventually claiming that he would rather die than listen to the assassin any longer.

Will DC bring back its own version of Deadpool soon?

Now it’s time to reintroduce the “Antimatter Deathstroke”

Although the antimatter Deathstroke is sent back to his own universe at the end of the story, this “DCU Deadpool” was never seen again. Deadpool and Wolverine is currently a box office hit this summer, it seems like an opportune time to bring back the antimatter Deathstroke in some form. If DC can get Kelly and McGuinness to collaborate on the story, all the better. With any luck, DC will bring back its version of Dead Pooland antimatter Death blow will have his big day again.

Superman / Batman annual #1 is now available from DC Comics.

Dead Pool

The mercenary with the big mouth first appeared in an issue of New mutants in 1990 and has since gained his own series and a huge cult following. With his incredible healing and regenerative powers, Deadpool was initially portrayed as an X-Men villain but later evolved into an anti-hero. After getting his own film series in 2016, the third Deadpool film finally brings the witty, fourth-wall-breaking character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

First appearance

The new mutants

Alias

Wade Wilson

alliance

X-Men, Avengers, Astonishing Avengers, Deadpool Corps, Frightful Four, Great Lakes Initiative, Heroes for Hire, Mercenaries for Rent, Secret Defenders, Six Pack, Thunderbolts, Weapon X, X-Force

Race

mutant

Video games

Dead Pool

Powers

Healing factor, regeneration, superhuman strength and agility,

Birthday

22 November

Height

1.88m

Comic books

Deadpool #1

status

Lively

Summary

The big-mouthed mercenary first appeared in a 1990 issue of New Mutants and has since had his own series and a huge cult following. With his incredible healing and regenerative powers, Deadpool was initially portrayed as an X-Men villain but later evolved into an antihero. After getting his own film series in 2016, the third Deadpool film finally brings the witty, fourth-wall-breaking character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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