How did Deadpool become so popular all of a sudden?

[Triforce]

I 've been a Deadpool-fan since his first limited series but his solo book never was a big seller. During Gail Simone's run, it even changed to Agent X and things were looking bad.
The character couldn't carry its own book and was paired up with Cable for the excellent Nicieza run in Cable / Deadpool.

At some point, Wade gets his own book again and things just take off! What happened? No he's got 3 ongoings and a miniseries or something. Not even mentioning guest-appearances all over the place!
Is this just because of him being in the Wolverine-movie? I can't imagine that being the only reason. Other possibilities: Daniel Way's book is simply really good, his fun-factor appeals to readers in these times of crisis :biggrin: or was it all because of Nicieza's run that Wade was ready for the spotlights again?

[worstblogever]

At some point, Wade gets his own book again and things just take off! What happened? No he's got 3 ongoings and a miniseries or something. Not even mentioning guest-appearances all over the place!
Is this just because of him being in the Wolverine-movie?

Probably 2 things.

The first being cross-promotion. Since he got movie time, Marvel will keep the hype around the character, to see if they can't justify a DP spin-off movie.

The second is, they must just have writers and artists who want to take a shot at the character, at the moment.

[witness]

I 've been a Deadpool-fan since his first limited series but his solo book never was a big seller. During Gail Simone's run, it even changed to Agent X and things were looking bad.
The character couldn't carry its own book and was paired up with Cable for the excellent Nicieza run in Cable / Deadpool.

At some point, Wade gets his own book again and things just take off! What happened? No he's got 3 ongoings and a miniseries or something. Not even mentioning guest-appearances all over the place!
Is this just because of him being in the Wolverine-movie? I can't imagine that being the only reason. Other possibilities: Daniel Way's book is simply really good, his fun-factor appeals to readers in these times of crisis :biggrin: or was it all because of Nicieza's run that Wade was ready for the spotlights again?

I definitely don't think you can under-estimate the Nicieza effect. The man made Gambit appealing (and to this day is one of the few writers who can actually write Gambit) and he is still one of the best writers the X-men have ever had too.
I suspect a lot of Deadpools broad appeal comes from his wisecracks (always popular with "casual" consumers) but there's no doubt the Wolverine movie helped Immensely too.

[striderhirryu2]

Ryan Reynolds?

[Nathan]

Deadpools always been a big draw, well maybe not towards the end of his first solo, but the people who count in marvel like him as do the fans so its smart buisness, what isnt smart is putting out 3 on- goings Deadpool, Merc with the mouth & Team up, Marvel will run this into the ground

[Jeff-X]

I wish they'd make one DP book that has a bit of a brooding depressed undertone. Every book I've picked up has DP running around almost like a cartoon character and I really miss the times when he would kind of just go home and feel crappy during Joe Kelly's CLASSIC run.

I always saw the jokes and everything as his coping mechanism for the crap he's gone through in his life; losing Mercedes, the cancer, Weapon-X, Killebrew's experiments...

It'd be nice if Slayback pieces himself back together soon too. T-Ray sucks.

[Electric i]

Deadpools always been a big draw, well maybe not towards the end of his first solo, but the people who count in marvel like him as do the fans so its smart buisness, what isnt smart is putting out 3 on- goings Deadpool, Merc with the mouth & Team up, Marvel will run this into the ground


Agreed. Remember how Marvel ran Wolverine into the ground in the 90s?

[Greg Anderson]

I'd say it was due to Cable/Deadpool. I'd say that's when more people started checking out the character and I noticed non-comic readers who knew Cable from the show who checked the book out randomly and loved Deadpool. Then he was put in X-Men Legend and I'd say the video game crowd definitely gravitated to him after that. So slowly but surely in the past few years, his fanbase has been growing due to being exposed in a few bit of media.

And don't forget that he was also in the Hulk Vs. movie where a few more people got introduced to the character. I also know a few people who don't read comics but love comic based films, this being one of them. And then came Ryan Reynolds as the character in the movie.

[Jmacq1]

Deadpool seems to have been a very popular "in character" for Marvel for quite a while. (By "in character" I mean a character that's got a fairly large and devoted following among comic readers but is virtually unknown to non-comic readers).

With Marvel hoping the movie will have pushed the character more into the mainstream, they're pushing him in the comics too. But I agree that he's getting way too overexposed at this point.

[cable guy]

I definitely don't think you can under-estimate the Nicieza effect. The man made Gambit appealing (and to this day is one of the few writers who can actually write Gambit) and he is still one of the best writers the X-men have ever had too.
I suspect a lot of Deadpools broad appeal comes from his wisecracks (always popular with "casual" consumers) but there's no doubt the Wolverine movie helped Immensely too.

Very interesting point.

Cable, Gambit and Deapool have all enjoyed a boost in popularity from him.

As far as Deapool goes I think the sky is the limit with him the more I think of it. people that dont read comics that I tell about him are fascinated. If there is a movie with him he will really take off to the mainstream public. My buddy loves him just from MUA video game.

[NewMutant]

Well he was already a popular cult favorite, but he simiply got the Marvel bump. (Similar to the Colbert bump ;)

As with the Avengers, Marvel decided Deadpool should be bigger. So they focus time and money on him.

You can see where Deadpool would be the next person to go to after Wolverine. And it doesn't hurt that he was in the Wolverine movie, plus XML2, MUA, and MUA2.

[CrimsonComedian]

The way you guys determine popularity is a bit off, unfortunately. The greatest medium for exposure is TV and movies. That's why there is such an enormous gap in recognition for characters that were on TV/movies (Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Wolverine, X-Men, Hulk, Ironman, Fantastic Four) and quite simply, everyone else. Nicieza's run was fabulous, I've posted many times in response to "whats your favorite series of all time past or present" that Cable & Deadpool was my answer. But the thing that got Deadpool his popularity among the mainstream audience is 1) Wolverine: Origins and 2) Hulk vs Wolverine. Quite easily.

[Leogam]

I always enjoyed it more when Wade was a crazy sadistic villian who would blabber on with wisecracks while he commited his murders. Anyway I read now that he's going to join X-Force

[Optic Rage!]

It's a shame the Deadpool from the movie was Deadpool in name only.

[Don't pee in the (Dead)pool]

It's a shame the Deadpool from the movie was Deadpool in name only.

The same can be said for pretty much every character in that movie.:wink:

[RolandJP]

Wolverine coat tail ride. Any character seen with Wolverine for more than 12 issues is the new IT GIRL

[Optic Rage!]

The same can be said for pretty much every character in that movie.:wink:

True, Gambit made me cringe whenever he spoke.

[CrimsonComedian]

Wolverine coat tail ride. Any character seen with Wolverine for more than 12 issues is the new IT GIRL

Thats just bull. It gains them recognition to be seen with him, but they have to be good characters in order to sell their own solo for a long period of time. Deadpool's one of the best superheroes in the history of comics and its time to accept it.

[Free-Man]

True, Gambit made me cringe whenever he spoke.

I actually liked the kid who played Gambit. The accent didn't really bother me, because it could've been a lot worse.

[Don't pee in the (Dead)pool]

Thats just bull. It gains them recognition to be seen with him, but they have to be good characters in order to sell their own solo for a long period of time. Deadpool's one of the best superheroes in the history of comics and its time to accept it.

I've got your back on this one, amigo! Deadpool is going places and Wolverine is stagnating. Hell, Logan doesn't even have his own book any more.
Mind you, he just gets jobbed out in virtually every other Marvel title instead...:biggrin:

[Swashbuckler]

I can't stand Deadpool and don't find him amusing or funny at all. I hate that Marvel is pushing him so far. I hope he's pushed right over the edge and into obscurity.

[peopleofpaper]

Marvel can make anything happen if they really want to. I saw Marvel wearing army pants and flip flops so I bought army pants and flip flops.

[[]D[]/\/\[]D @ Nite/So-tite]

I can't stand Deadpool and don't find him amusing or funny at all. I hate that Marvel is pushing him so far. I hope he's pushed right over the edge and into obscurity.

They're pushing him because he's popular.

[Personamanx]

I really, really hope that MWAM gets canned. There are very few books I wish this on but MWAM is on of them. A lot of people are not liking Way's version or Style of writing Deadpool (I kinda Like it) but MWAM to me is just a poorly done Rip-off of the main Deadpool book.

Also Yeah Wade is getting too overexposed. 3 titles is a little much though I am excited for "Deadpool: Team-Up".

[Jeff-X]

They should get Christopher Priest or Joe Kelly back. I can't stand Way.

[Sighphi]

Marvel is pushing him.
He WAS doing good in the Cable & Deadpool comic but after that ended because of the Wolverine movie to a degree Marvel decided to push him like mad.

Joe Q was in a Sirius Satellite radio show a couple days ago was talking about Marvel stuff and while discussing Thor and his movie he said his job now is to push the character to where he becomes a staple of Marvel, which he already is but..... i guess he means to say that he wants to make sure all the noobs get to know the character like he was a long time ago.

[RolandJP]

Marvel is pushing him.
He WAS doing good in the Cable & Deadpool comic but after that ended because of the Wolverine movie to a degree Marvel decided to push him like mad.

Joe Q was in a Sirius Satellite radio show a couple days ago was talking about Marvel stuff and while discussing Thor and his movie he said his job now is to push the character to where he becomes a staple of Marvel, which he already is but..... i guess he means to say that he wants to make sure all the noobs get to know the character like he was a long time ago.

As long as the Movie tie-in includes a cheap electronic sound-effect Mjöllnir hammer toy.

[CrimsonComedian]

I don't see why everyone's complaining. Right now guys like Cyclops, Namor, and Emma are being overpushed in the X-Verse. Deadpool's hasn't been a major player in any shape or form in the main continuity in a while. He never was, people just liked him because of how awesome he was. He got some solos because of how awesome he sells. If garbage like Cyclops, Namor, or Beast were likeable they'd have solos too.

Deadpool's a great character that can get popularity and fans without being plastered over every title(you know who I'm talking about). The MU is all about Norman Osborn, Dark Avengers, and Cyclops/Namor/Emma at the moment. Deadpool is one of the most underpushed characters of all time. Look at guys like Thor, Captain America, and Ironman over in the Avengers. They get massive push and were major players in all the world events the past few years even though two of them have the personality of drying paint. What was Deadpool doing despite being the much more appealing character? I can't believe people would even entertain the notion that Deadpool is getting overpushed. Lets wait for him to be a major component in an all encompassing world event storyline before we give that any thought.

[Don't pee in the (Dead)pool]

I don't see why everyone's complaining. Right now guys like Cyclops, Namor, and Emma are being overpushed in the X-Verse. Deadpool's hasn't been a major player in any shape or form in the main continuity in a while. He never was, people just liked him because of how awesome he was. He got some solos because of how awesome he sells. If garbage like Cyclops, Namor, or Beast were likeable they'd have solos too.

Deadpool's a great character that can get popularity and fans without being plastered over every title(you know who I'm talking about). The MU is all about Norman Osborn, Dark Avengers, and Cyclops/Namor/Emma at the moment. Deadpool is one of the most underpushed characters of all time. Look at guys like Thor, Captain America, and Ironman over in the Avengers. They get massive push and were major players in all the world events the past few years even though two of them have the personality of drying paint. What was Deadpool doing despite being the much more appealing character? I can't believe people would even entertain the notion that Deadpool is getting overpushed. Lets wait for him to be a major component in an all encompassing world event storyline before we give that any thought.

Co-signed. Well said!:biggrin:

[Don't pee in the (Dead)pool]

True, Gambit made me cringe whenever he spoke.

The only decentish performance was Liev Schreiber's turn as Sabretooth.
He was the best part of the film in my opinion and a vast improvement on Tyler Mane.

[tetragene]

Deadpool was always a cult favorite among comic readers--but the same can be said of quite a few characters. If it weren't for the very popular XML/MUA games and the exposure he got being played by a popular hunky actor/funny man in that Wolverine movie then nobody outside of comic fans would know who he is. That's the way it always is--that's why some characters will never be "popular", because they are never brought outside the comics medium. Hell, look at what the X-Men cartoon did for characters like Jean and Jubilee... :tongue:

I can't stand Deadpool and don't find him amusing or funny at all. I hate that Marvel is pushing him so far. I hope he's pushed right over the edge and into obscurity.

finally, we agree on something.

[.LuckyStar.]

I'm not sure about "popular". I've never heard of Deadopool until he got a book with Cable. None of my friends knew who he was when we watched Wolverine. I guess he's like Emma, overexposed in comics, but not reaaally popular to the general public or whatever.

[G. Wayne]

Cable/Deadpool slowly became the Deadpool show until the book was canceled, which at the time, looked like a move to pave the way for the new Cable series, and Wade was on the backburner.

Then Deadpool gets featured M:UA, gets his own series, and sort of gets into XO: Wolverine.

Now small role in Hulk Vs, he has a spinoff movie in the works, is featured in the ads for M:UA2, and has -three- books. Meanwhile, Cable has been running around with Bishop and had a crossover with X-Force.

All a matter of timing, I guess, and in theory, Marvel listening to what the fans want. (And in true Marvel fashion, almost overexposing what the fans want in the process.) Though current "Pool-O-Vision" inner dialogue Deadpool is a long way from the pop culture spewing chatterbox he was prior to Cable/Deadpool, but I digress.

[The Sword Is Drawn]

I don't believe for a second that Deadpool is as popular as Marvel are making out, with the insane amount of coverage he is being given. I hear a lot of complaint about that overexposure, but the bottom line is that Marvel smell a movie. And when Marvel smell a movie they will do ANYTHING to get the characters exposed regardless of what anybody reading comics may think about it.

You know I actually like Deadpool. But he always worked best as an occasional character. In large doses like this he's just frickin' annoying.

[Triforce]

Interesting thoughts.
I also found this article just now:

http://bleedingcool.com/2009/09/18/speculator-corner-the-top-twenty-five-deadpool-pool/

I'll have to check my longboxes, but I think I may have sold New Mutants #98, Encyclopedia Deadpoolica, Baby’s First Deadpool Book and Deadpool Team Up Starring Widdle Wade like two years ago for the 'old' prices. D'oh!

New Mutants 98 was always valued quite high because of the first appearance but those other books (except Team Up) were just kind of dumb actually and I'd never expected them to gain such values!

[CrimsonComedian]

Jealousy is not the answer.

[RolandJP]

http://www.bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ryan_reynolds_deadpool_x_men_origins_wolverine.jpg

[XSE Drake]

The Cable/Deadpool series certainly was a slow-burn when it came to building Deadpool's popularity, but the book never really sold all that well. I think Deadpool's resurgence owes a debt to a few other factors. His series launched during Secret Invasion, and his tie-in issues were among the best of the event. Let's not forget that Deadpool has also been a playable character in both Ultimate Alliance video games, as well as Legends 2. Throw into that mix his appearance in the Wolverine film, and you've suddenly got a whole lot of people suddenly aware of who Deadpool is. He's also one of the few bright spots in what is a very dark Marvel Universe at the moment.

[ShredHead]

Agreed. Remember how Marvel ran Wolverine into the ground in the 90s?

How was Wolverine ran into the ground in the 90's? Punisher and Ghost Rider I can see but Wolverine only had one title and for awhile wasn't even on an X-Men roster.

As for Deadpool I just think its his time for a push some people in some way saw Deadpool liked what they saw and now Marvel is giving people what they want. Hopefully this wont turn out like Punisher or Venom from the 90's now they were ran into the ground so much people got sick of them. Poor Eddie Brock never recovered.

[Monty_Cristo]

http://www.bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ryan_reynolds_deadpool_x_men_origins_wolverine.jpg

what's weird is that i don't think Wade would sound or act anything like Ryan Reynolds. i like Ryan Reynolds. i like the idea of Ryan Reynolds playing Deadpool. but i've never once thought of him while reading the comic book character. the latter always sounds like Beetlejuice and acts like the Mask, to me. i kind of wish that Wade were more like the movie counterpart (prior to being rendered mute and barraka-ish).

[limerick]

I don't believe for a second that Deadpool is as popular as Marvel are making out, with the insane amount of coverage he is being given. I hear a lot of complaint about that overexposure, but the bottom line is that Marvel smell a movie. And when Marvel smell a movie they will do ANYTHING to get the characters exposed regardless of what anybody reading comics may think about it.

You know I actually like Deadpool. But he always worked best as an occasional character. In large doses like this he's just frickin' annoying.
But his books are selling well.....very well,in fact.....I like him but I didn't think he could hold 3 books......But he is......Weird!

[Wazza]

I always enjoyed it more when Wade was a crazy sadistic villian who would blabber on with wisecracks while he commited his murders. Anyway I read now that he's going to join X-Force

You should also know he for ashort time joined the G.L.A xD

[Regino]

DP's popularity is in the decline. He only has about 5 titles now, which is a stark drop off from when he had 20 titles, plus 3 minis going at the same time. People were oversaturated with him, but, honestly, the color scheme still works.

[keeper444]

I like the character and comics like "deadpol max" and "wade willson's war" have a diferent apeal to another audience that likes usual marvel comics.

[RLAAMJR.]

Deadpool's appearance in the Wolverine and inMVC3 too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE1mfqNlJDE&feature=related

[The_Greatest_Username]

Deadpool was always a cult favorite among comic readers--but the same can be said of quite a few characters. If it weren't for the very popular XML/MUA games and the exposure he got being played by a popular hunky actor/funny man in that Wolverine movie then nobody outside of comic fans would know who he is. That's the way it always is--that's why some characters will never be "popular", because they are never brought outside the comics medium. Hell, look at what the X-Men cartoon did for characters like Jean and Jubilee... :tongue:



finally, we agree on something.

This is correct.
Deadpool's popularity started to rise after XML2, which allowed for his inclusion in MUA1 and its sequel, which pushed him further to a movie appearance.

[Cavemold]

Getting on the screen. Being in a mega game like mvc3 being in animated movie. And Ryan reynolds movie coming out next year I believe

[Shmoo]

Fun character, not very brooding or angsty. Plus it is the only character marvel can do this to on the cover of its major crossover event.

http://www.toplessrobot.com/assets_c/2011/03/mcninja%20deadpool-thumb-500x570.jpg

[Ayo]

The comic book industry: where twenty years is "all of a sudden."

[Leogam]

I liked it better when he was a crazed serial killer, back in the original
X-Force

[Charging]

Deadpool is awesome.

[Captain Clarkie]

Because there were not enough good Erg stories.

[killerbass]

Why did Deadpool become so popular, after being a C-List hero for so long?

Here's my theory, it was a perfect storm of events:


Back when this thread started in 2009, none of Deadpool's 1997 series had not yet been reprinted (Marvel is still in the process of correcting this...)
Deadpool was becoming popular due to his funny appearances in video games, like Marvel Alliance
Deadpool's appearance in Hulk Vs. Wovlverine DVD
Marvel EIC, Axel Alonso, was (is) in love with Deadpool
For better or worse, Daniel Way simplified the humor that (among others) Joe Kelly and Fabian Nicieza used in the comics that built Deadpool a cult following


Then Marvel beat the horse until it was dead. :smile:

And here we are in 2011.

Where's my jetpack?

--Tom

[satchmo the dragon]

He's the perfect character. Has a mask like spider man. Wise cracks like spider man. Uses words AND guns. Is a ninja. Has a healing factor and weapon x ties to wolverine.

Basically he'd be more popular but marvel is stupid and has dumb stories for him plus the wolverine movie was terrible mainly because they ruined the deadpool chaacter. Deadpool was a license to print money and they figured out a way to ruin it.