Why Deadpool is my Favorite Comic Book Character

I’ve loved Deadpool for years, long before the 2008 X-Men Wolverine: Origins movie had a chance to butcher his character. I’d read a few of his comics in my earlier years (this was before you could get your hands on every comic off the internet and had to pray they had a copy at the store) but, thanks to the announcement of the movie FINALLY being made, I decided to catch myself up on as much Deadpool as possible in preparation for the film. (A special shout out to my bud, Author Jon Messenger, for showing me Comixology!)

Years I’ve spent admiring the awesomeness of Wade “The Merc With A Mouth” Wilson, but I never really understood why I loved this character so much… until I took the time to read all the original ’97 comics and most of the ’12 comics (a work in progress, I assure you).

If you pay attention to Deadpool you’ll see there’s more to the mercenary other than crude jokes and gunpowder. There’s a real man underneath that mask; a man who feels pain just like the rest of us. Deadpool has faced a lot of torment in his life, from the Weapon X program to the way everyone treats him around the Marvel Superhero world. Constantly being told he’s not worth it, being targeted by mercenaries every other day, and being abandoned by nearly every single person he’s ever loved. There’s a whole arc where he discovers he’s got a daughter, and then even she’s ripped away from him in the most brutal way possible. (No spoilers, I promise.)

The reason Deadpool is my favorite “hero” (I use the word loosely, of course) is because despite everything, he’s always fighting. Knock him down twice, and he’ll get right back up both times to make a comment on your shoes. He’s not indestructible, but he’s definitely built like a brick shithouse.

He’s an inspiration to me, and many others I’m certain, for his tenacity and his determination. Sure, he’s a wacko at times (well, most of the time) but he’s got redeeming qualities. He knows when not to kill someone, when not to follow through on the job if it affects the greater scheme of things. Deadpool is so much more than a wacky mercenary with an extraordinary healing factor; he’s a hero in his own right.

As an author – as a human being - you must have thick skin. You must be able to handle criticism, be able to bounce back from pitfalls. If you trip, you must get up. You can’t let anything bring you down, especially yourself, and Deadpool is the perfect example of that. Despite everything, he keeps fighting. If he can do it, why can’t we?

-Michael

 Pictures are Copyright of Marvel Comics/Studios