#alewing

Review: DEADPOOL/BATMAN #1

  Writers: Zeb Wells, Chip Zdarsky, Kelly Thompson, Kevin Smith, Al Ewing, Frank Miller, Ryan North Artists: Greg Capullo, Terry Dodson, Tim Townsend, Rachel Dodson, Gurihiru, Adam Kubert, Dike Ruan, Frank Miller, Ryan Stegman Colorists: Alex Sinclair, Terry Dodson, Gurihiru, Frank Martin, Moreno Dinisio Letterers: Clayton Cowles, Joe Caramagna   Reviewed by: Joshua Raynor   Summary Deadpool/Batman #1 is a high-profile one-shot special that marks a long-awaited crossover between Marvel and DC. Written by Zeb Wells with art by Greg Capullo, the issue centers on Deadpool being hired for a job in Gotham City. When Deadpool arrives in Gotham, he immediately clashes with Bruce Wayne (and later, the Dark Knight). His mission: “take down” Batman — but things don’t go as smoothly as he might have hoped. Despite the rocky start, Deadpool and Batman reach an uneasy alliance when they decide to team up to stop The Joker, who has stolen dangerous materials to make Joker Venom and threatens to wreak havoc on the city. Beyond the main story, the one-shot includes a series of backup stories that feature other DC/Marvel pairings. These include Daredevil & Green Arrow, written by Kevin Smith, Rocket Racoon & Green Lantern, an adorable Jeff the Land Shark & Krypto story, plus more!

Positives After two decades, the powerhouse comic book companies, DC & Marvel, have joined forces once again to bring fans the highly anticipated crossover... Deadpool/Batman #1! And in my humble opinion, they did not disappoint. And choosing to start this new partnership off with two of the most popular comic book characters today was a brilliant move. The fact that these two are wildly different — both in tone and personality — made for a really fun, exciting read. One of the strongest aspects of the issue is how it plays off the contrast between Deadpool’s chaotic, fourth-wall–breaking humor and Batman’s disciplined, brooding detective persona, both of which Zeb Wells nailed. Rather than forcing them to be too similar, the issue leans into their differences, creating both tension and comedy. Greg Capullo’s artwork is another major highlight. Known for his gritty, kinetic style — especially on Batman — Capullo brings Gotham to life in a way that feels both familiar and fresh. His action sequences are sharp and cinematic, giving the story real visual energy. His artwork does an amazing job of grounding the more outlandish elements of Deadpool’s presence in a suitably dark yet dynamic Gotham.

Negatives While the main story is absolutely fun, it's not groundbreaking at all. It's a fairly predictable story, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but as this is the first of a new series of crossovers for DC and Marvel, I was hoping for a harder punch, so to speak. Also, some of the backup stories (which I will talk about next) are far more interesting than this one, and there are a few of them that I would have much rather had as the main story, allowing them to be fleshed out more.   Backup Stories The backup stories in this issue are not just throwaways — they bring real value. They manage to set up a new universe to play in, called the "Infiniverse," which I hope we continue to see explored in upcoming crossovers. And one of them even hearkens back to the Amalgam Universe days. Now, let's take a look at what worked in each of these stories.

Captain American & Wonder Woman — "The Gun & The Sword" Chip Zdarsky and Terry Dodson offer a nostalgic and heartfelt pairing, setting their story in World War II to explore a bond between Steve Rogers and Diana Prince. The narrative treads familiar territory — patriotism, warrior ethics, and sacrifice — but manages to feel earnest rather than trite. Dodson’s vintage-style art helps evoke the era and underscores the gravity of their shared mission, while Zdarsky’s writing tries to highlight how these two iconic figures inspire one another across time. Jeff! & Krypto — "Catch" Kelly Thompson and Gurihiru deliver an adorable, nearly-wordless romp with Jeff the Land Shark and Krypto the Superdog playing volleyball near the Fortress of Solitude. There’s something delightfully simple yet emotionally resonant here: it’s not about saving the world, but about innocent friendship and joy. Gurihiru’s soft, expressive artwork captures every wag, splash, and playful bounce, making this short story a warm and whimsical palate-cleanser that adds genuine charm to the issue. Daredevil & Green Arrow — "The Red and The Green" Kevin Smith gets to once again dive into these two iconic characters, and manages to bring us an interesting tale of how they meet and work together to take on both the League of Shadows and The Hand. The contrast between Oliver Queen’s archery-based tactics and Matt Murdock’s acrobatics and martial arts is handled well, giving each hero room to shine, and Adam Kubert’s art brings the fight scenes to life in a vivid and gritty way. This feels like a classic “two lone-wolf heroes come together” story that resonates both with their shared sense of responsibility and their very different approaches to heroism. My only issue with it is that, due to the page constraint, the ending feels extremely rushed. This is one that I would have loved to have seen as a main story in its own book, allowing it some more time to breathe. Rocket Raccoon & Green Lantern — "Rocket Raccoon Has A Green Lantern Ring Now"

While this next one is only two pages long, writer Al Ewing managed to pack it with imagination and clever humor. It playfully explores the idea of what might happen if the Guardians of the Universe and the Guardians of the Galaxy ever swapped talent, and the result is Rocket wielding a Lantern ring in the most chaotic way possible. The story pokes fun at long-standing Green Lantern lore while still showing affection for it, making the gag land even harder for longtime fans. It's visually a treat, thanks to Dike Ruan's wonderful art — especially Rocket decked out in a Lantern look that channels pure Guy Gardner energy. This backup delivers quick laughs, deep-cut references, and a great ending that leaves you wanting a continuation of this story.

Old Man Logan & Batman: The Dark Knight Returns — "Showdown" Frank Miller gives us a gritty, tongue-in-cheek clash of these two aging legends that reads like a nod to both characters’ most iconic interpretations. With only a couple of pages to work with, the story doesn’t have room to build a plot so much as stage the fantasy matchup: two grizzled veterans slugging it out, trading razor-edged dialogue, and seeing who still has the fight in them. It’s quick, blunt, and knowingly macho — the kind of “who would win?” scenario fans have debated for decades, now realized with a smirk and a fistfight. Critics of Miller’s evolving style will find the usual rough edges, but the art still carries the raw energy and bold iconography that have kept his work distinctive and memorable. The short length keeps the story from being remarkable or deep, but it’s undeniably entertaining. As a brief indulgence in hard-boiled comic grit — with two giants beating on each other and enjoying every punch — it delivers exactly what it promises. Logo — "Enter: LOGO!"

Ryan North and Ryan Stegman introduce Logo — a fusion of Lobo and Logan a.k.a. Wolverine — in a gritty, visually aggressive style that contrasts amusingly with the playful, self-aware writing. Despite running only a few pages, the story manages to spark real excitement and curiosity, teasing the possibility of a larger Amalgam revival without ever explicitly promising one. Instead of being part of this new "Infiniverse," this story embraces full-on fusion, giving just enough clues, attitude, and fan-service nods to make long-time comic readers wonder whether Amalgam could actually make a comeback. Whether it’s a genuine tease or just a playful jab from the creative team, the effect is the same: Logo ends up feeling like one of the most intriguing curiosities in the entire issue.

  Verdict

Deadpool/Batman #1 is a lively, entertaining start to what could become a landmark series of Marvel/DC crossovers. The main story delivers exactly what fans would hope for: the chaotic humor of Deadpool bouncing off the dark, brooding intensity of Batman, all brought to life by Greg Capullo’s cinematic artwork. While the plot itself isn’t groundbreaking, the fun dynamic between the two leads and the strong visual storytelling make it a thoroughly enjoyable read. Zeb Wells’ writing leans into their differences in tone and personality, creating both comedic and tension-filled moments that make the issue feel fresh, even in familiar Gotham territory.

What truly elevates this issue, however, are the backup stories. From heartfelt nostalgia in Captain America & Wonder Woman, to adorable charm in Jeff! & Krypto, to imaginative and humorous mini-adventures like Rocket Raccoon & Green Lantern, each story brings a distinct flavor to the anthology. The grittier, “legendary showdown” of Old Man Logan & Batman and the playful, fusion-based tease of Logo further showcase the creative ambition of this crossover, hinting at a larger “Infiniverse” playground for future stories. While some backups could have benefited from more pages, together they create a diverse, exciting experience that balances humor, action, and nostalgia. In short, this issue is a must-read for fans of either universe and a promising launch point for future crossovers.

  Score: 4.5/5