The Dark Silliness of Fear Itself: Deadpool

The Dark Silliness of Fear Itself: Deadpool

By Neil Tomblin

Remember rapper MC Hammer? He was the rapper who always said, “It’s hammer time!” This catchphrase resurfaced in Marvel Comics’ Deadpool story arc of “Fear Itself.” “Fear Itself” was a big event that included many different books that feature various Marvel superheroes. The basis of each story deals with magical Thor-like hammers that fall to the sky and endow different Marvel characters with powers. These stories are also an analysis of current events that have brought fear to America. One of the “Fear Itself” stories that stood out for me was “Fear Itself: Deadpool.” This story arc was funny and action-packed.

One thing I kind of never understood about the Deadpool comics is all of the comedy. The name Deadpool sounds so dark and hardcore that one would think to make the Deadpool’s stories dark. Deadpool’s suit even looks hardcore. Instead of getting the ruff stories that are featured in DC Comics’ Deathstrike comic book series, we get the slapstick humor in Deapool’s stories. How does Spiderman get the dark stories, but Deadpool gets the stories that makes Deadpool look like a parody of himself? However, as I began to read more into this Deadpool story, the comedy began to grow on me.

Continue reading The Dark Silliness of Fear Itself: Deadpool

ERIC’S “BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT, NOW WITH MORE SPUNK!” COMICS NOW! NEWSLETTER VOL. 10 #9 – September 2008

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September is upon us, and seeing as how this is often a scholarly month with students returning to school, I’ve started thinking about how so many comic publishers bring comics back because, supposedly, “you demanded it.” I’ve never actually demanded the return of any comic. Even if I wanted to demand the return of a comic, I’m not sure where I’d send it. For example, I’d like to see a Marvel Ultimate rendition of Darkhawk, but I’m betting we’ll never see that comic return. I wouldn’t demand it, though… I’d just like to see it.

Anyway, enough philosophical chitter-chatter; let’s bring on the comics! Continue reading ERIC’S “BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT, NOW WITH MORE SPUNK!” COMICS NOW! NEWSLETTER VOL. 10 #9 – September 2008