Deadpool - Volume 1: Dead Presidents (Marvel Now)

I am a late convert to Deadpool. For years I have actually said I disliked him as a character as a concept and as a phenomenon. I do not like comedy comics, I do not like slapstick and I do not like ‘silliness for silliness sake’. I remember Deadpool’s original debut into the mutant universe as being typically nineties – all big guns, healing factors and mysterious backstories – nothing particularly remarkable. Deadpool’s rise to ‘cult-status’ has therefore passed me by and I would – previously – have said I was thankful for that. But... The more I read of Deadpool the more I find myself sucked in to the ridiculous but grounded universe he inhabits with interest and a half smile on my face as I read. This first volume in an extended run is a fine jumping-on point with a new set-up for the titular star as a tool for SHIELD and is written with an inexplicably satisfying combination of drama, pacing, humour, plot and even characterisation. The magically-returned-from-the-dead zombie-Presidents are a far more serious threat than they have a right to be and there is gravitas alongside the ...well...absurdity of it all! Worth the entrance fee alone for the exchange between ghost-Benjamin Franklin and Doctor Strange that has been – literally- decades in coming! I never thought I would say it and I find it hard to explain why but..., I heartily recommend this book and I am picking up the next in the series straight away!

5 STARS!!! GREAT ARTWORK VERY WELL WRITTEN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS AWESOME CAMEOS FROM MARVEL BIG SHOTS NEW AND INTERESTING TAKE ON DEADPOOL'S CHARACTER DIFFERING FROM WAY'S PORTRAYAL, HERE DEADPOOL COMES ACROSS AS MORE SANE AND HUMANE WHICH IS A NICE TAKE VERY AMUSING STORYLINE AND CONCEPT THAT IS FABULOUSLY EXECUTED BY THE CREATIVE TEAM. GREAT STARTING VOLUME TO GET INTO DEADPOOL SIMPLY A MUST HAVE FOR ANY DEADPOOL OR MARVEL OR EVEN JUST GENERAL COMIC BOOK FAN!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

In a fit of desperation at how divided America has become, a kilted SHIELD mage resurrects the US's dead presidents - only for the zombies to come back filled with the desire to kill and maim. Led by George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, they begin a campaign of carnage across the country - and only Deadpool can put them down (as it obviously wouldn't do to have Captain America punching presidents). It's a wild set-up - and it's brilliant. Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan write a pitch-perfect Wade Wilson - a man both smarting from the realisation that he is doing the dirty work that nobody else can bring themselves to, and firing bullets and punchlines left, right, and centre. Although this is bloody work, he never seems to revel in it; this isn't a murderous Wade, but a heroic one (albeit that he isn't squeamish). He even grows close to his SHIELD handlers, who move swiftly from finding Wade frustrating and scattergun to respecting his willingness to throw himself into harm's way. And boy, does he get harmed. Whether it's being pancaked on the top of a quinjet or speared by an elephant (really), Deadpool's healing factor is working overtime here. (In a knowing aside, he moans, "I'll live, but you knew that. Why don't you ask about the emotional toll this kind of abuse puts on me?") In fact, barely a page goes by without such a tart comment, or indeed several jokes - some of which are laugh-out-loud funny. Highlights: Gerry Ford summing up his uselessness by accidentally tripping into the path of helicopter rotors; President Taft's zombie bath ("Away, Sudsy!"); Nixon attempting to tear up the Watergate; and, my personal favourite, the opening to issue 4, where Wade dresses up as Marilyn Monroe to distract, and murder, JFK. (The goons loading up guns onto a nearby boat push past Kennedy muttering "Look out, Quimby" - genius.) Deadpool books are always supposed to be funny, but many of them simply aren't. Posehn and Duggan's hit rate is seriously high. This is the start of a really decent run, one which does change the Deadpool status quo. The foreshadowing starts here with Doctor Strange whispering a problem in Wade's ear; but there are bigger problems, including yet another voice in the Merc's head by the end of this edition, and - more than that - his general turn towards being less of a psycho and more of a hero. While pummelling Wade in the middle of an octagon, zombie President Lincoln complains, "You don't seem to do anything well except heal yourself, and appear everywhere! I don't understand your appeal!" Maybe he should read this book.

I am new to Deadpool, recommended by my younger sister who is a long term fan. I finally got round to it with Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe and now this is my second instalment. As you can see I gave the novel 5 stars , as much as I enjoyed DP Kills this surprisingly was a way more rounded and enjoyable Deadpool story with the type of character traits I've been lead to expect. If you have seen the movie (if you haven't stop reading and flee to your closest cineplex) then this is the Ryan Reynolds portrayal on page his voice was what I heard as I read along which is praise for him he definitely has Deadpool down! The story is fantastical and satirical with a well intended but mislead patriot skilled in necromancy raises the former presidents from the dead to make America great again. This is a PR disaster for S.H.I.E.D. in a lose lose situation it's down to fiesty agent Preston to clean this'd up quickly and quietly without The Avengers enter the merc with the mouth. This story had me literally laughing out loud on my commute to and from work with great references to the actions and personas of the various presidents but also hat its heart felt moments which really took me by surprise showing once again Deadpool is a deeper character than he gets creditors for. I would recommend this to fans of the movie or people looking for a sound entry comic for this character and you also might learn something.

I have recently got into comics and all the hype made me by this. If anything it was understated. It was probably the first time i laughed a comic. I would definitely recommend this product. Great for comic new comers.

Having read the more serious Deadpool comics out there, and despite the major personality shifts from funny but impressive Deadpool to all around loopy weirdo, I really enjoyed it. Deadpool comes off as a little more lost in the head and a heck of a lot less serious in Dead Presidents than he does in say, If Looks Could Kill. The ridiculousness of Deadpool having to eliminate the freshly resurrected presidents of America's past is so much fun to sit down and read. I say leave the brooding to Batman. Deadpool readers who aren't going in for too much seriousness, much like myself, should really get a kick out of this series. The art work is just beautiful too. Clean lines, bright colors, and details on top of details makes you absorb the images and process them easily. I really appreciate the overall look and content of this much more comedic Deadpool than I thought I would. If you're looking for something that's just going to make you laugh and not really think too deeply this is the comic for you.

I've been a more surface level Deadpool fan for awhile now. Read a several issues over the years, an issue of Deadpool & Cable, recently. But never could keep track, or get fully invested in following the story-lines. But this, along with Night of the Living Deadpool as really gotten me hooked. The humor is great, Deadpool is funny and crazy, which is what I was originally attracted to. And the story-line is blissfully over the top, waay out there and funny, not just in dialog, but in concept as well. Definitely as I was expecting when I decided to try again with it, except better! Looking forward to see where the writers go with it.

Nice book. If you are a fan of Deadpool then go for it.

L'humour de Deadpool est corosif, acide, avec des références historiques puisque ce tome relate les aventures du 'justicier' contre divers fantômes de présidents américains et le héros reste fidèle à lui-même. De l'exagération à tout va, de l'aventure, des blagues et de l'hémoglobine. Bref, je suis une fan absolue. Ce qui ne gâche rien, le livre a une belle couverture, souple et facile, avec une belle qualité de papier très agréable à manipuler.

Deadpool ist und bleibt einer der besten Marvel Comics & einer der coolsten Anti-Helden. Er ist einer der wenigen Figuren, die sich bewusst sind in einem Comic zu stecken, was immer wieder für witzige und skurrile Momente sorgt. Zu dem Produkt: Der Druck ist von der Qualität genau wie der im Comic-Heft. Wer also nicht 5-10€ je Heft (kleiner Sammlerwert:/) bezahlen möchte ist mit diesem Band gut bedient. Nachteil: man hat eben nur ein Cover & nicht die der ganzen einzelnen Hefte.