Deadpool & Cable Modern Era Epic Collection: Ballistic Bromance

This book was the best comic investment I've ever made. Within its covers are 18 issues of stunning, unique art and great storytelling. I have had my sights on Deadpool for a while, but as is common for comics sometimes, it was confusing to know where to dive in. I'd only seen bits and pieces of the original classics, so I was absolutely delighted to see a remake of such admirable quality. This is my first Deadpool purchase, and my first step into Marvel. If I had to look for a complaint, I would say there were one or two occasions (out of 18 full issues) where the panel flow was not as smooth as it could have been. But this is in no way reflective of the majority of it, and I highly recommend it!

I cannot recommend this collection enough. Cable & Deadpool was a fantastic run and in this book we get issues 1-18. Fabian Nicieza offers new and thought provoking stories nicely mixed with the comedy and action we come to expect from a Deadpool comic. Deadpool's riotous quips and pop culture references are worth the price alone. Whilst you may not understand some of Deadpool's more obscure references you will laugh out loud on more than one occasion. Nicieza writes a Wade Wilson that is hilarious yet smart, deadly and a competent mercenary. Wade is a jerk yet the person he has become is somewhat justifiable when you learn what he has been through. Diagnosed with fatal cancer he joined the notorious Weapon X program desperately seeking a cure. It was there that he was inhumanely experimented on and left physically and mentally fractured. Nicieza does a great job with character development here particularly the friendship between the two main players. Both Cable and Deadpool grow and face many questions. I have never really been interested in Cable. Extremely powerful characters are rarely identifiable with readers yet Nicieza does well to make him interesting and accessible which highlights his strength as a writer. He is presented as a man who is desperate to help the world avoid a tragic future having himself seen the worst. He is written as a strategic leader but is also given a heart and even some wit to counter his serious nature. The art is of an excellent quality. Patrick Zircher takes over from issue 3 and it really strengthens the book. I particularly enjoyed the double page spreads of Wade in all his merc glory. There are a few notable guest appearances from some Marvel heavyweights and some less familiar characters including the X-men, Silver Surfer, the Cat, Mr Sinister, Domino, and Fixer to name a few. We also get some appearances from characters that fans of Deadpool will specifically appreciate like Weasel, Siryn, and Agent X. Also collected here are the letter pages which are replied to by the Merc with a mouth himself. The recap pages are also present starting from issue 11 which is a definite plus as most are full of comedic value and often break the fourth wall. Unfortunately the interview with Deadpool and Irene and the Happy Days theme rewrite, the recaps from issues 8 and 9 respectively, are notable absences. Great collection, highly recommended. I will be buying the next two collections when released.

If you are a Deadpool OR Cable fan, I HIGHLY recommend this. Very well written, illustrations are very slick. Although its a collection, it really reads just like a graphic novel. I will be getting the second and third books in this series.