Greetings shippers welcome back and it’s time to dive back into the realm of a ship
we’ve discussed before that’s right more Spideypool the pairing of Peter Parker aka
Spider-Man and Wade Wilson aka Deadpool.
Last time we discussed how changes in canon can add to the tapestry that is this pairing,
taking a specific look at the addition of Peter B Parker from Spider-Man Into The SpiderVerse
so if you missed it you know the drill click the card or the link will be down below.
We also have a whole Marvel playlist for you to check out for all you Marvel needs.
This time we’re going to be taking a look at the Spider-Man and Deadpool Teamup comic
simply titled Spider-Man/Deadpool except for when it was briefly called VS very briefly.
We’ve mentioned it’s existence but haven’t taken a direct look at it and with the comic
now concluded it’s the perfect time to examine it as a whole.
Before we get started if you haven’t already please follow on social media to stay up to
date know when we’re streaming and just come on over and chit chat about fandom it’s
a good time I swear.
Now onto the comics.
The Spider-Man/Deadpool comic owes some of its existence to the prevelance and popularity
of these twos ship.
Granted Spider-Man and Deadpool are two of Marvel’s most popular characters so a team
up book seems like the logical next step but it was that plus the guaranteed built in fan,
especially fangirl fangirl as in concept not gender factor that guaranteed it would go
forward.
And The spideypool ship is referenced heavily throughout more so at the start but it is
mentioned through to the end.
Now these two have always had an intriguing relationship one we outlined in the first
video we ever did on them where we outlined how their ship came to be.
So if you missed that check it out again card link.
Cliff notes these two shared a lot of banter and a slight antagonistic relationship that
could fluctuate in level of antagonism based on writer and what was going on around them.
It created a prominent potential for friends to lovers and some fans grew to lo love the
banter between the two both being resident wise crackers and snark masters.
While some felt this made them too similar and likely to get on each others nerves others
felt these two had the potential to really get one another and an interest and ship was
born.
The aesthetics of the two and Wade’s quite vocal crush on spidey helped as well.
Because of this some readers felt the relationship was canonically homoerotic and wanted that
explored further while others felt that Deadpool’s character was plain erotic and he would flirt
with anyone and anything anytime anywhere the sam I am of flirts.
So when the spiderman deadpool comic was announced at comic con in 2015 alongside an acknowledgment
that creators at marvel were aware spideypool was a thing (look for quote) it caused many
to dub the comic the spideypool comic and to be examining it with close shipping and
non shipping lenses for these twos relationship.
This comic ultimately ran for 50 issues a feat in the modern era at the time of this
recording of comics.
Running from 2016 to 2019.
With the first creative team being a return of the classic team up of Joe Kelly and Ed
McGuinnes who first launched deadpool into the public consciousness in 1997 though he
had been a character for years prior this was his first solo outing and served and was
the beginning of the characters rise to popular dominance.
So fans were excited to see these two reunited for these twos teamup and the first issues
arc being dubbed isn’t it bromantic promised a lot in terms of how much the comic would
focus on these twos relationship in fact some called the entire outing pandering.
Which technically was true but pandering need not always be a negative if tastefully employed
whether this series did that will have to be left to readers discretion.
I will tell you this readers at the videos conclusion.
Kelly and Mcguinnes would create an overarching plot for these two centering around Deadpool
trying to change his mercenary ways and become closer to his idol and crush Spider-Man while
Peter battled demons of his own as Mephisto tried to get his claws into him once more.
However this story was not a straight shot and was interrupted by small mini arcs done
by guest writers and artists as well as a couple of crossovers from other books running
at the time which could at times make the read a bit choppy and break up some of the
suspense though if one was only reading to see these two interact that was always a given
so it may have been less frustrating and of course with any series it is par for the course
in this era for them to be interrupted because of events which once a rarity now occur on
a near yearly basis.
The Kelly stuff focuses heavily on the evolution of these twos relationship and their journey
towards being genuine friends illustrated by the depth of sacrifice Deadpool is willing
to make for spider-man and Spidey’s gradual understanding and appreciation of deadpools
nuanced nature.
Though his frustration with the merc never fully leaves him.
However Kelly and Mcguiness left the book in issue #18 after the conclusion of their
arc.
And after two small adventures with other writers the book was taken over by Robbie
Thompson in issue 23 who would be joined by various artists for the rest of the run.
The book was also briefly retitled Spider-Man VS Deadpool which lasted until issue 41 when
it became slash again.
This was for a few reasons which can be outline by examining how different these two runs
were for they could be considered two runs even though they are the same comic as they
are different writers and comics tend to be broken up by writer.
This is due to more than the shift in creative team for the spidey and deadpool feel fairly
similar to the first half if a bit less fleshed out.
It is instead due to the the dreaded inevitable character and relationship reset that plagues
all comics.
What this means is that comic book characters with rare exceptions tend to progress to a
certain point stop then reset to their base.
Meaning that while Kelly’s run ended with a heartfelt moment between the two characters.
Peter with his life in hand running parker industries Wade dampened and having broken
a vow but still trying for himself, his daughter and spidey.
After the two random adventures when the complex narrative restarts.
Deadpool is killing again so him and Spidey are on the outs and Peter’s whole life has
fallen apart and the world hates him and spider-man so it’s a bit of a tonal shock especially
if one was only following this book that coupled a new writer and artist feel made it feel
like a completely different book.
Hence the vs is because these two are now at odds the slash returns after they have
mostly repaired their friendship.
Thompson’s run was more overarching plot based with character moments thrown in though
it read well as a whole with the moments building, and a highlight were old besties peter parker
and deadpool showcasing a potential future for these two if they could sort out their
present.
The series ends with a road trip that turns into a meta trip to the real world to capture
the comics writer so depending on your tolerance for metaness your mileage will definitely
vary.
So is this comic shippable well firstly let us outline that when one is already entering
a work with a ship already in mind or active it can and most likely will alter how one
reads the work which can even create compartmentalized reviews.
Wherein one rates the story/art and other details on level and the amount of shipping
fodder on another.
So an issue could be good with lots of shippable moments or good with no shipping moments or
the same flipped for bad.
Or of course meh meh is always an option for all the things.
The short answer is yes, this comic is very shippable particularly the Kelly run at the
beginning and Thompson's old man arc and road trip arc though many fans would find moments
outside of these.
The comic for the most part focuses on these twos relationship which in a work which already
has so many pre existing shippers coming in is guaranteed to increase shippability.
It also converted some fans to the concept who may not fully have seen what people were
talking about before, but thanks to the prolonged contact may have been able to enjoy the dynamic.
The issues have bonding moments, heart to heart talks, silly nights out, hugs, multiple
hugs, and sexual jokes in fact issue one opens on an erection joke with the two bound together.
So that brings us back to an earlier question is it pandering.
Well the series does acknowledge spideypool with some plays on the term within the comics
and Deadpool mentioning shipping in some forth wall breaks but it doesn’t do it constantly
and doesn’t engineer moments for the sake them of them as it is a teamup comic so by
definition the two are going to be teaming up.
Some of the adventures are a little zany and out there but the series was meant to have
a comedic tone so these episodes don’t come out of nowhere.
In short if you don’t like that side of fan culture being acknowledged at all no matter
how subtly this may feel too pandery for you however if you don’t mind so long as the
plot keeps going and the focus is on story and character growth then this will feel like
a loving homage and acknowledgement.
Shipper or not one thing this series did was give credibility to these twos friendship
and relationship as characters, there will always be a foundation now for future writers
to explore.
It didn’t happen as seamlessly as with Cable as there was more manipulation of events needed
to get these two together but it has been a treat for fans of these two nonetheless.
Also yes we’ve talked about Cablepool Card link.
However, not everyone came away from this series shipping these two not even those who
shipped them initially and continued to do so just not in this continuity.
The reasons.
Well one of the hallmarks of spidey and Deadpool’s relationship is Deadpool’s zeal and need
to please and be respected by Peter and Peter’s constant genuine annoyance with him.
The frustration and anger peter feels towards wade in this series are not for show it’s
real there are times when he truly dislikes him and he will regularly insult him at times
quite hurtfully.
He also physically hurts him stabbing him and at one point decapitating him.
This is couple with Wade’s low self esteem and views of himself that he deserves to be
treated badly because of who he is so he will tolerate pretty much anything and come back
for more.
He will also acquiesce to almost anything Peter wants making the relationship occur
pretty much entirely on peter’s terms even when wade tries to manipulate things.
Now for some they read this as part of the complex web these two weave and it shows these
two will be there for each other in their worst and darkest moments and can come through
anything however for others it was a complete turn off.
They still enjoyed the characters but as a ship no, for it felt as though Wade deserved
someone kinder and more understanding of him who would help him change rather than give
him ultimatums, and would build him up rather than believe his own low self estimation.
On the flip side people felt it would be bad for Peter that wade brought out the dark parts
in him and drew him down and that he needed to get away to be his best self, and that
at most these two should be casual friends who hung out on occasion.
It depends upon how one reads it both interpretations are entirely feasible different strokes for
different folks.
However, if one is a spideypool shipper this comic is definitely worth checking out ;particularly
Kelly’s arc wherein their relationship is the dominant focus, more interaction between
these two to examine and add to ones lexicon and even if one isn’t a shipper this series
is worth a look.
While not perfect it’s fun and never forgets what it is even if it’s plots could get
waylaid it remained true to what it was a comic about adventures featuring spider-man
and deadpool.
It finds a solid balance between it’s plot and character development and navigates the
canonical changes in marvel around it with as much grace as possible which is saying
a lot.
Let me know if you need a shippable moments from this comic series I will do it Deadpool
will make me or also you know if you want Cablepool moments i’ll do that too all pool
all day.
Thanks so much for taking some time out of your day to spend it discussing shipping and
specifically spideypool with me, I always appreciate it.
Did you read this comic?
If so what did you think if you were a shipper did you ship it more or less if not did it
convert you.
You know the drill number your answers and leave me a big ol essay comment.
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possible and also for voting each month to determine a special video we get some great
ones out of those votes.
If you haven’t already please subscribe and hit that bell notification so that you
never miss a vid and as always stay tuned for there are as many ships out there as there
are stars in the sky.