Deadpool The Duck #2 Review: Deadpool The Duck Tales, Woo Hoo?


Deadpool The Duck #2 continues the adventures of the freshly combined Deadpool and Howard The Duck. Naturally, given Deadpool's rather erratic behavior and Howard's pessimistic personality, they don't agree on a lot. Also, to Howard's frustration, Deadpool is the one in charge of controlling their body. If Howard comes out of this adventure with at least one unbroken limb, then I'll be shocked.

I really like the way that Deadpool The Duck is portrayed. It reminds me of the days when Rick Jones and Mar-Vell were the shared hero Captain Mar-Vell, with one hero on earth while the other is in the Negative Zone. They could still speak to each other, probably leading to at least one weird off-panel moment where someone mistook Rick for a ghost whisperer. I hope that Howard takes control for a bit in the future, mostly for some more variety. In fact, the similarity is even remarked upon in the comic.

Say, Howard, are you okay? You seem a little...NEGATIVE. ...No need to fire me, I'll see myself out. That was bad and I should feel bad.

On the plus side, the comic is very funny. It almost perfectly meshes with the standard tone for the two characters. Jacopo Camagini, the artist, has a great knack for the necessary goofy facial expressions in reaction to a talking duck assassin. Howard looks grumpy for most of the time, the regular humans just seem weirded out, and Deadpool just has a bemused grin on his face. The coloring, done by Israel Silva, is also wonderful.

Combined, the two factors elevate the story even more, adding in background gags and putting more depth into the writing. In fact, there is one panel in the issue that might just win the award for my favorite standalone joke in the series. The way that the panel is drawn to every so slightly have Deadpool tip out of it while he snarks to the reader is perfect. Every time I look at it, I read it in a Daffy Duck voice.

"You better not start doing a Duck Amuck kinda situation here, Marvel! Save it for Slapstick!"
On the negative, some of Deadpool's smaller moments in the issue aren't very funny. They just feel odd for the sake of being odd or simply gross. One example would be a running joke involving Deadpool vomiting. I just don't find that kind of humor funny. In the right situation, it could make me laugh, but it just feels overplayed here.

Deadpool The Duck #2 is written by Stuart Moore, drawn by Jacopo Camagini, colored by Israel Silva, and lettered by VC's Joe Sabino. You can find it at your local comic book shop.

Zachary Krishef is an evil genius. Do not question his knowledge of Saturday Night Live trivia or Harry Potter books.