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Popular Culture and Philosophy #107
Deadpool and Philosophy: My Common Sense Is Tingling
Deadpool is the super-anti-hero who knows he's in a comic book. His unique situation and blood-stained history give rise to many philosophical puzzles. A group of philosophical Deadpool fans delve into these puzzles in Deadpool and Philosophy . For instance, if you know that someone is writing the script of your life, can you really be a hero?
Is Deadpool really Wade Wilson, or did Wilson have his identity stolen by the monster who is now Deadpool? Are his actions predetermined by the writers, or does he trick the writers into scripting his choices? And what happens when Deadpool breaks into the real world to kill the writers? What kind of existence do literary characters have? How can we call him a moral agent for good when he still commits murder left and right and then left again and then right? Since Deadpool gets paid for his good deeds, can they be truly heroic? And which of the many Deadpool personalities are the real Deadpool? And of course, why does Deadpool love to annoy Wolverine so much?
Deadpool challenges us to think outside the box. Deadpool and Philosophy shows us the profound implications of this most contradictory and perplexing comic book character.
Is Deadpool really Wade Wilson, or did Wilson have his identity stolen by the monster who is now Deadpool? Are his actions predetermined by the writers, or does he trick the writers into scripting his choices? And what happens when Deadpool breaks into the real world to kill the writers? What kind of existence do literary characters have? How can we call him a moral agent for good when he still commits murder left and right and then left again and then right? Since Deadpool gets paid for his good deeds, can they be truly heroic? And which of the many Deadpool personalities are the real Deadpool? And of course, why does Deadpool love to annoy Wolverine so much?
Deadpool challenges us to think outside the box. Deadpool and Philosophy shows us the profound implications of this most contradictory and perplexing comic book character.
288 pages, Paperback
Published January 12, 2017
15 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 26, 2017
This collection of essays gave me many new ways to think about Deadpool's existence. Some of it is a bit convoluted, cheesy, or too far of a reach, but I got exactly what I wanted - analysis of Deadpool as a character beyond what we usually see. Also, it's a fun read.
July 17, 2025
I am not a huge comic books fan. I watched Avengers from 2012, and I don’t follow the comics. The problem I have is with the lore. When you look at a comic book series featuring Superman, for example, you have to deal with all the past stories he did. Maybe others don’t see it that way, and that’s why they can read comics at all, but for me it’s a struggle.
Superman has been around since the 1930s as one of the quintessential American superheroes. He’s recognizable in his suit and cape, he lives in the North Pole in a mysterious ice palace with a key only he can lift, and so on. I digress though, we are talking about Deadpool.
Deadpool is a newer superhero, or rather, Deadpool is a newer comic book character. He doesn’t have the onus of lore that Superman or Batman may have, and he’s in a different cinematic universe from either of them.
Anyway, I’m the type to read an endless series of Wikipedia articles on lore, so I know a bit about Deadpool as a fourth-wall breaker. Deadpool and Philosophy is a book by some philosophers who include Deadpool flavored essays. I keep getting distracted from all the Deadpool one liners and can’t focus. The book isn’t terrible, but it isn’t great either. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
Superman has been around since the 1930s as one of the quintessential American superheroes. He’s recognizable in his suit and cape, he lives in the North Pole in a mysterious ice palace with a key only he can lift, and so on. I digress though, we are talking about Deadpool.
Deadpool is a newer superhero, or rather, Deadpool is a newer comic book character. He doesn’t have the onus of lore that Superman or Batman may have, and he’s in a different cinematic universe from either of them.
Anyway, I’m the type to read an endless series of Wikipedia articles on lore, so I know a bit about Deadpool as a fourth-wall breaker. Deadpool and Philosophy is a book by some philosophers who include Deadpool flavored essays. I keep getting distracted from all the Deadpool one liners and can’t focus. The book isn’t terrible, but it isn’t great either. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
March 10, 2020
Frustrating. I really wanted to enjoy this book because Deadpool is a fascinating and hilarious character, but the essays, in general, are just not good. I get that the philosophy is supposed to be light and light-hearted, but it fell flat. Throughout, Deadpool "interjects" or engages with the writers and ideas, and it wore very thing after a short while, even though I understood they were playing with the whole "fourth wall" bit. Also, THE TYPOS. Such a poorly-edited, seemingly slapped together book.
Maybe "Deadpool and Psychology" would make a better pop academia book?
Two stars earned for 1). Helping me think through what will become part of my final paper in my Hegel class; and 2). Introducing me to Bataille's arguments about religion. Worthy and appreciated gifts from the authors and the text.
Maybe "Deadpool and Psychology" would make a better pop academia book?
Two stars earned for 1). Helping me think through what will become part of my final paper in my Hegel class; and 2). Introducing me to Bataille's arguments about religion. Worthy and appreciated gifts from the authors and the text.
May 22, 2018
This is one of the many __ and philosophy books i have read and I have always enjoyed them. This one however was by far the worst one and i felt like very little philosophy was even in the book.
February 9, 2017
Turns out not even Deadpool can make me enjoy philosophy.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews