A forgotten Marvel hero returns, setting off a chain of events that leads Deadpool to call in favors from a number of his friends. Your Major Spoilers review of Deadpool Team-Up #1 from Marvel Comics awaits!

DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #1

Writer: Rob Liefeld
Artist: Rob Liefeld/Chance Wolf
Colorist: Juan Manuel Rodriguez
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Editor: Mark Basso
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: August 28, 2024

Previously in Deadpool Team-Up: When the Merc with a Mouth needs assistance, he’s got friends (and frenemies) from across the Marvel Multiverse, including Major X, Crystal, Ghost-Spider, and more! There’s even the return of a lost Marvel Comics character, which necessitates the ultimate team-up mission!

IN CONCERT WITH THE DRAGON LORD

We open with Deadpool face-to-face with the Queen of the Dragons, accompanied by The Dragon Lord, a Marvel hero not seen since 1981 (and not to be confused with the OTHER Dragon-Lord, who appeared in the pages of Avengers Academy a few years ago). His new ally is pretty useless, as the same forces who stole the dragon eggs he’s looking for have stolen Dragon Lord’s staff of power as well. Their battle with Baron Skagerrackrakor turns against them just in time for Wolverine to arrive and turn the tide. With his magic staff returned to him, Dragon Lord opens a portal to the dimension where the dragon eggs are hidden, but Wade and Logan leap through just in time to face… Crystar, The Lord of Crystallium!

As an aside, if you’re wondering why Marvel continues to have the rights to Crystar and his friends, it’s because he was a Marvel creation translated into toy form, unlike the Transformers, Micronauts, Shogun Warriors, etc.

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT LIEFELD

A couple of years ago, Archie Comics released a Shield special from Rob that showed off some adjustments to his style, including backgrounds that seem painted, and this issue continues. The downside is that those seemingly computer-generated, textured color backgrounds make up the majority of this issue. There is one lovely full-page splash of Deadpool crashing out a window in Tokyo with the city behind him, but even that is covered with a strong blur effect. On the whole, though, if you have complaints about Rob’s signature style, this issue won’t be to your liking. But if you’re a lover of classic Rob, this book is going to be right up your alley, including DP’s dialogue. Perhaps my favorite part of the issue is the use of Lady Anime, a character who somehow has a “cartoon filter” to make her look like… Well, exactly what the name implies. The fact that the artist can’t quite get that to translate visually is a bit of a problem, though.

BOTTOM LINE: NOT BAD

The use of Crystar and Dragon Lord appeals to me (as I am a nerd of approximately the writer’s age), and parts of Deadpool Team-Up #1 are successful in capturing the free-wheeling goofiness of Ryan Reynolds’ movie Deadpool, though neither the art nor the script is quite as sharp as I might have liked, earning 3 out of 5 stars overall. I’m interested in seeing where this is going, especially the inclusion of Ghost-Spider and The Hulk, so I’ll likely be back for future issues, while those who love this art may rank the issue even higher.

Dear Spoilerite,

At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.