Deadpool #32
Writer: Daniel Way
Artist: Sheldon Vella
Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 26, 2011

I am not, overall, a Deadpool fan. I’ve only read a handful of issues of the main title and Merc With A Mouth, while also picking up a few Deadpool Team Up issues here and there. The comic book market has been saturated with Wade Wilson for years, and only one thing convinced me to pick up this book: the art. But I was pleasantly surprised when I actually made my way through the book.

This issue’s main story is about a mercenary, Macho Gomez, trying to kill Deadpool because he stole a kill that Macho was hired for. Turns out things didn’t happen as we are led to believe, and Deadpool has to make a decision about what he should do with his life. Will he stay a hero, or turn back to his mercenary ways?

I’ve gotta tell you, guys, this was a solid issue all around. Daniel Way did a fantastic job of doing a nice one and done story, while also bringing the reader up to speed with what has been going on with Deadpool recently. The issue addresses stories with the X-Men, Secret Avengers, and the whole storyline with Deadpool leaving his mercenary ways behind him in favor of a more heroic role within the Marvel universe, while also starting the next chapter in Wade Wilson’s story. And of course, the Fourth Wall breaking writing is as humorous and fun as it always, and Sheldon Vella‘s art is absolutely perfect for this book.

Sheldon Vella is not the kind of artist that you will typically see in mainstream comics. His style is usually wild and out of control, as seen in his previous work with Supertron, Kill Audio, and his Ghost Rider story in Marvel’s Strange Tales II, but in Deadpool his art is slightly toned down, yet he still keeps his artistic edge. Vella’s beautifully toned color pallet accompanied by his hyperactive pencil work does a perfect job of conveying the eccentricity of the character of Deadpool.

All in all, I’m delighted that I picked up the book, and I hope that Vella gets even more mainstream comic work, because he brings an exciting indie consciousness that translates well to mainstream books. I’d definitely suggest giving it a read, and if you like it, keep picking up the book! It’s a perfect jumping-on point.