Deadpool #20 Review

A Very Special Deadpool

Written by: Gerry Duggan
Art by: Matteo Lolli, Guru-eFX and Joe Sabino
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 12, 2016

I am a new inductee to Deadpool comics, but like I explained in my review for the latest Deadpool
and the Mercs for Money, you'd have to live under some rock nowadays to not know who Deadpool is.  I, in fact, live in a house and know a bit (enough?) about the Merc with a Mouth to jump into this review with no reservations whatsoever.  It doesn't hurt that this is a one-shot issue.  So, did I get a good issue for my first ever Deadpool review?  Let's find out...


The issue opens up with Deadpool saving a life.  Yep, I said "saving" and not something a little more bloody or brutal.  Actually, he stops a young girl from jumping off a rooftop, but at first, I was thrown off a bit by what was going on.  I think Deadpool was too.

The scene (and issue) continues with Deadpool doing his best to show this yet to be named gal that life is worth living...or is he?  That's the best part of this issue to me...Deadpool is doing his best, but Gerry Duggan doesn't make him anything he isn't.  It's just Deadpool being Deadpool and even through the messed up shit that he does, it's very easy to see that he is one hell of a guy.

So, what does he do to cheer the girl up?  They go to a play, they steal some vehicles and they beat the shit out of a bunch of scumbags who really deserve it.  While that might not sound like the best way to make someone less suicidal, it does seem to have a positive effect of Danielle.  Yep, her name is Danielle and when she tells Deadpool, it's a pretty big moment.

The fists, kicks and jokes come at the reader from all angles, but Duggan makes sure to remind you that Danielle needs help...you know, the kind that isn't just the cathartic kind that Deadpool offers.  The best part of the whole issue is the ending where you see that Deadpool realizes this as well.  It's actually heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time when Slade takes Danielle to the hospital, not because she's crazy, but because she needs a little help.  Help he can't give her.

The issue ends with a sad Deadpool thinking of the right thing to say a little too late, the hope that Danielle will get the help she needs and the realization that we probably will never find out if she does.  Please, Gerry, tell us that she does!

I didn't expect a "Very Special Episode" of Deadpool, but I am glad we got it.  Nothing here felt forced...Deadpool dealt with situation the only way he knew how and when the jokes and violence weren't helping, he took Danielle to a place that could.  In just a few pages, Duggan built a bond with Deadpool and Danielle and that's what made the ending so emotional.  Good job.

Matteo Lolli's art was good as well.  It was clean, easy to follow and didn't hijack the story at all.  The best thing I can say about it was that it was a great compliment to what was going on.

Bits a Pieces:

While an issue of Deadpool saving a suicidal girl may not sound great, it really was just that.  Seeing Deadpool do his best and then realize his best just wasn't good enough (that should be a song!) put a smile on my face and made my day.  I can't say this story had a happy ending, but it did have a real ending.  In a book known for it's jokes and gross-out humor, this issue was a very pleasant surprise.

9.0/10