(Marvel Comics, 2013)

Review by Heather Antos

Written By: Brian Posehn & Gerry Duggan
Art By: Declan Shalvey
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire

Deadpool #19 concludes the five issue arc called The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly - and this issue is exactly that.

The Good

It’s always hard when an arc is coming to an end in comics. Somehow, the writers have to manage tying up all the loose ends in an entertaining conclusion yet leave some strings pulling towards the next story. Writers Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan did a good job of doing just that for Deadpool #19.

Chapter five relies heavily on plot rather than action as we finally get to see the brains behind the brawn as Deadpool’s skills as a tactician come in to play. The usually wordy Wade Wilson tones it down a bit, listening as his creator, Butler, digs a bit deeper into the merc’s past. The writers still manage to throw in some surprise twists and turns to put a smile on the reader throughout this dark issue, and hint at some possible involvement with S.H.I.E.L.D. in the next!

The Bad

To be fair, had this been any other story other than the one featuring the Merc with a Mouth I would’ve said that the scripting was beautifully done. Given that, the witty Wade Wilson that we as Deadpool fans have come to know and love has taken quite the serious tone for the final chapter.

But why so serious?

Joker lines aside, the first half of this issue felt rather depressing as I had no clue where the writers were going with this story. No one liners, no breaking of the fourth wall - everything felt slightly askew. And while this might not have been bad for a mid-arc issue to draw readers towards an exciting conclusion, it made the build to the -ahem- execution of Deadpool’s revenge rather sluggish.

The Ugly

To say that I would’ve preferred art provided by a kindergartner and his box of 96 Crayola crayons would be a slight exaggeration. However, to say that the art in Deadpool #19 was (personally) the biggest disappointment in the entirety of the arc would not fall far from the truth.

From the very first page I was confused by the art. The pencils and ink are heavy and thick, making the panels feel rather dark. The minimalist approach to the flashback scenes weren’t too horrible, but the bright yellows of Wolverine’s and the vibrant reds in Deadpool’s costumes stick out like a sore thumb compared to the pitch black (and stark white) backgrounds. Had Marvel brought in an intern Penciller and Colorist? It certainly looks that way.

Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire, however, have been on the Deadpool team for the entire five issue arc. So what’s with the sudden change? If there was a rush for publishing deadlines I would’ve much rather preferred the issue to be delayed for better art.

By the way, what’s with Butler all of a sudden looking like a stressed out Colonel Sanders?

The Final Word

Overall, Deadpool #19  was a solid final chapter to “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly,” sadly with some all around unfortunate choices in the art department. Deadpool fans will enjoy the step back in the mercenary’s mysterious past where we finally get to see just how Wade Wilson became exactly who he is - and how he exacts revenge on his creator.

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Follow Heather Antos on Twitter:  @HeatherAntos