Gail Simone is ramping up her profile as she’s about to launch two major runs for Marvel and DC Comics. Superman, a short run for three issues, and Uncanny X-Men which is going to mark a new era titled From The Ashes. She took to Twitter / X on Monday to give comic readers her thoughts on how Deadpool should be written as a character.
The X-Men relaunch is being met with mixed reactions by fans, ever since editor Tom Breevort announced that “the message is the premise” and derided fans who would be critical of X-Men becoming a launching platform for leftist identity politics. Though Gail Simone has not indicated she would be pushing such content during this line-wide relaunch, having the editorial staff making bizarre comments makes fans nervous about the direction of Marvel Comics’ mutant franchise.
No character is more beloved to many than that of Deadpool, as evidenced by the huge views the new Deadpool trailer has been getting since its release this week.
The creation of Deadpool as a comic character is a tale that weaves together the talents of Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza. Deadpool first appeared in The New Mutants #98, published in 1991, where he was co-created by the duo. Liefeld, known for his dynamic and highly stylized art, was responsible for Deadpool’s initial visual design. This included the character’s iconic red and black suit, as well as his penchant for wielding a variety of weapons. Meanwhile, Nicieza contributed to the character’s personality, giving Deadpool his sarcastic and irreverent nature.
Deadpool’s initial role was as a villain, hired by the villain known as Tolliver to go after Cable and the New Mutants. This set the stage for his later appearances, where his character evolved into more of an anti-hero figure. Over the years, Deadpool’s character was further developed by a number of writers and artists, each adding their own unique spin to the Merc with a Mouth. Notably, Joe Kelly played a significant role in shaping Deadpool’s character, especially in terms of his fourth-wall-breaking humor and his tragic backstory involving a love interest named Vanessa.
Gail Simone tweeted about the character, “Here is my central core thought while writing Deadpool. It is no secret that I don’t like endlessly ‘zany’ Deadpool. He was described as ‘serial killer Daffy Duck’ to me early on, that’s the version I don’t care for.”
She continued, “I also don’t care for endlessly bleak, ‘nothing matters,’ kill everyone Deadpool. I think that could be a thousand other characters, and it’s far from the magic potion that makes Deadpool fun.”
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The Uncanny X-Men writer then said, “So the Deadpool is a subverted version of both of those. He is a goddamn loudmouth, whose humor comes from tragedy. But he’s so endlessly high energy that it saves him from being insufferable and dreary. And ALSO so internally sad and broken that he’s not a constant punchline.”
“That’s the recipe I like. They get it right in the movies. Take away the cancer, the death, the pain, the tragedy, and it’s a non-stop quipster that would wear on the nerves fast. Take away the enthusiasm he has for even the goofiest shit, and you have an empty whining ghost,” Gail Simone added. “All the best Deadpool jokes are about thirty seconds and a change in perspective from being tears.”
“Additionally, part of his appeal is, he himself is the most frequent target of his insults and loathing. If he makes fun of himself, it stings less when someone points out what a miserable existence he leads. He’s not a one-dimensional character. He is a stand-up comic doing his set in a cemetery where a mass funeral is going on.”
Gail Simone concluded by saying, “If that blend of elements isn’t there, he’s either Jim Carrey at his worst, or Batman’s ten thousandth parents flashback on an endless loop.”
What do you think of Uncanny X-Men writer Gail Simone’s concepts for Deadpool? Is it good for Marvel Comics? Leave a comment and let us know.
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Women aren’t very good writers.