7 best Deadpool moments, ranked
5. Deadpool's first appearance (New Mutants #98)
Picture the comic book world of the early '90s, a time brimming with serious, brooding characters clad in spandex, when suddenly, from the creative minds of writer Fabian Nicieza and artist/writer Rob Liefeld, comes a new challenger.
Enter Deadpool in New Mutants #98, slicing through the status quo with a katana of sharp wit and a grenade of irreverence. This wasn't just any introduction to the character - it was a full-blown, no-holds-barred entrance of a character who was about to turn the comic book world on its head. Decked out in his now-iconic red and black attire, Deadpool wasn't just a visual standout among a sea of mutants and heroes. He was the guy who could talk the talk just as well as he walked the walk, engaging enemies and readers alike with his endless barrage of banter and fourth-wall-breaking antics.
In a landscape filled with characters taking themselves oh-so-seriously, Deadpool was the breath of fresh, though slightly deranged, air that readers didn't even know they needed.
But why, you ask, does this moment stand out as one of Deadpool's best? It's simple: New Mutants #98 laid the foundation for Deadpool's ascent from a villainous afterthought to a cultural icon. This first appearance was like the opening act of a rock concert that you never wanted to end. Here was a character who could effortlessly flip between being a menacing mercenary and the comic relief, sometimes within the same panel. His unpredictable nature and moral flexibility were intriguing, making readers invest in his journey from the get-go. On top of that, Deadpool's debut teased the potential for a character that could evolve beyond the traditional hero-villain dichotomy, offering a multifaceted personality that was as complex as it was entertaining.
In essence, Deadpool's first foray into the Marvel Universe wasn't just a debut - it was a promise of the chaos and charm that this "Merc with a Mouth" would bring to the superhero genre, making it a quintessential moment in comic book history.