Comic: "What If Venom Possessed Deadpool"
Published by: Marvel Comics
Written by: Rick Remender
Artist: Shawn Moll

Reviewer: Immortal Goat
Posted: 4/18/2011

Plot: In this issue of "Marvel: What If?", Deadpool is tasked with taking out the Beyonder on behalf of Galactus, and in the process, is fused with the Venom symbiote.

Review: Anyone who is anyone has heard of Deadpool, the Merc with the Mouth, and Venom has always been a fan favorite. I just happened to walk in to my local comic shop on a whim, and when I saw this comic, I knew it had to be mine. The possibilities this combo could provide seemed endless, and hey, it was only $3.00, so I couldn't lose.

The story is a very imaginative one, featuring cameos from many big names in the Marvel universe, along with a few real-world personalities that are used to amusing effect. The writing is what you've come to expect from a Deadpool comic, with plenty of snarky comments, pop-culture references, and poking fun at the multiple realities used so often in Marvel comics. Oh, and Jheri curls. No, seriously.

However, the way the story unfolds may not be what you first expect from a comic featuring Deadpool, who is known for shooting first and asking questions later, if at all, and the Venom symbiote, whose trademark brutality is unquestioned. That isn't to say that these things are not present in the comic, they are, but instead of a brutal blood-bath, we are actually treated to a surprisingly insightful view on Deadpool's psyche. This book explores Deadpool's strong desire to simply be relevant in a world full of Superheroes. He just wants to be noticed. He wants to do good things, and he wants to be adored.

I was actually quite intrigued by this view of the character. Sure, he's been played as a sympathetic character in the past, but few other stories drove this point home quite like this one has. Behind the mask, guns, swords, snark, and the occasional bit of cross-dressing, there is a tragic character. Still, as the book likes to point out, he's still an asshole.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but that doesn't mean I don't have a few gripes. I don't recall a single instance where Deadpool actually breaks the fourth wall, and I did miss his tendency to argue with the voices in his head. Still, I can overlook these faults simply because the book did what it intended to do. It entertained me. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of the "Marvel: What If?" series as they continue to publish them.

Overall rating:
(Scored on a 0.5 - 5 pickles rating: 0.5 being the worst and 5 being the best)