The Definitive Anti-Hero Pairing: Deadpool and Wolverine
The Deadpool and Wolverine duo is one of the most fan-favorite, quintessential pairs in the history of Marvel Comics. Both characters have been turned into poster children for the anti-hero trope and carry many of the characteristics thereof: rough around the edges saviors, irreverent types who can sit next to a steaming topical pile with glee yet swaggering confidence. Despite their disparity in origin, their relationship has been a mainstay of comic book canon through the ages, with their shared backstory and contrasting personalities paired with individual power sets lending ample fuel to fans and creators alike.
In this piece we investigate Deadpool & Wolverine crossover comics, the weird history behind them in film together, and why they’re such an interesting pair.
The Beginning of Wolverine And Deadpool
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (James “Logan” Howlett)
Originally introduced by Roy Thomas, Len Wein and John Romita Sr. in 1974’s “The Incredible Hulk” #180, Wolverine was featured as an enemy to the Mighty Green Goliath. Logan (aka Wolverine), one of the most well-known anti-heroes in comic book history, is a member of the X-Men. Famed for his healing factor, adamantium-laced skeleton and claws, Wolverine has a tragic past shrouded in mystery coupled with an animalistic struggle within him.
With a life that has spanned just shy of two centuries, coupled with a barbaric and often tragic history, Wolverine is one of the most complex characters in comics. He’s been inside and out of the X-Men, in and out of X-Force, as well as all sorts of other teams, fighting battles both internal and external for most of his life. Wolverine has grown along with this behavior, often symbolising strength through his display of testosterone, but also as a deeply sensitive and tortured soul that is trying to overcome its own violent tendencies in pursuit of redemption.
Deadpool (Wade Wilson)
Deadpool, co-created by Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld, made his debut in 1990’s The New Mutants #98. When it comes to Deadpool (aka Wade Wilson), you can start categorizing him under mercenary, but he is also definitely an anti-hero in his own right. He started when he was diagnosed
How Deadpool Is Related To Wolverine
The Weapon X Program
Them being tied together directly stems from the Weapon X program, a secret Canadian government initiative to turn mutants into super-soldiers through experimentation.
Wolverine: A pivotal part of Wolverine’s origin story is his involvement in the Weapon X program. The program fused adamantium into his skeleton and claws to turn him into a living weapon.
Deadpool: The relationship between Deadpool and Weapon X is a lot more messy. THE WEAPON X PROGRAM Wade Wilson was chosen as a test subject by the Weapon X program and experimented on with his same healing factor years before, hence the regenerative aspects of Deadpool. But whereas Wolverine had his healing factor boosted by the process of bonding adamantium, Deadpool just happened to be left with one post-treatment — in a multitude of pieces, scarred and insane.
Recent past treatments of either character explore the tortured legacy of experimental government manipulation — Wolverine was a crucial element in Weapon X, while Deadpool has always been an experiment with little to no afterthought. The shared history between them creates an undeniable connection but they each see their pasts through a drastically different lens.
The Comic Book Relationship Between Deadpool, And Wolverine
As for Deadpool and Wolverine, their history in comics has mostly been dominated by rivalry, humor, and the occasional forced camaraderie. The opposites attract trope is classic, and has created funny as well as heartbreaking storylines.
Solar Flares / Conflict: Deadpool, fueled by his desire for attention and validation often rubs Wolverine the wrong way. Even the contrast between his no-nonsense, stoic approach to life and Deadpool’s irreverent, unpredictable personality, will be fodder for plenty of comic book walks in the park. That endless back and forth nature of Deadpool being the irritating little brother has been exasperating and hilarious ever since it started. The undeniable drive of Deadpool to seek quality time with or just irritate Wolverine as often as possible
