Deadpool & Wolverine’s Deadpool Corps, Explained

Deadpool & Wolverine reinvigorates the Marvel Cinematic Universe, putting together an epic adventure through the multiverse starring two iconic mutants. The film unites Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), as the two superheroes desperately try to save the X-Men universe from being destroyed after the death of its anchor being (the Wolverine variant seen in 2017’s Logan). Along the way, they encounter numerous recognizable Marvel heroes, including several pre-MCU characters whom audiences thought they’d never see again.

As exciting as Deadpool & Wolverine‘s superhero cameos may be, the first live-action appearance of the Deadpool Corps is just as important. Deadpool and Wolverine encounter various Deadpool variants in the film’s third act, as they all flee from their respective worlds in anticipation of the multiverse’s destruction at the hands of Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin). Among these are a host of different variants, many played by famous stars, including Blake Lively and Matthew McConaughey. While it might seem like a hilarious gag conceived specifically for the Deadpool sequel, the Deadpool Corps is actually a group that exists in Marvel Comics and could have a big impact on the future of the franchise and the entire MCU.

The Deadpool Corps Exists In Marvel Comics

As its name would suggest, the Deadpool Corps is a collection of Deadpool variants from alternate universes. The team first appears in 2010’s Prelude to Deadpool Corps #1 by Victor Gischler, Rob Liefeld, Matt Yackey, and Clayton Cowles. Unlike in Deadpool & Wolverine, the Earth-616 Wade Wilson was essential in the formation of the Deadpool Corps, putting the team together at the behest of Tath Ki, a.k.a. the Contemplator, an Elder of the Universe who warns him that the multiverse is about to be destroyed by a cosmic entity named the Awareness. Deadpool then traveled the multiverse, putting together various variants of himself whom he thought would be particularly helpful in the battle to come. Chief among their ranks were several notable variants, including Lady Deadpool, Kidpool, Dogpool, and more. Eventually, the Deadpool Corps prevails over the Awareness, which is unable to keep up with their unpredictable tactics and incohesive minds.

The various Deadpool variants of Deadpool Corps unite several times during their brief history, fighting villains like the Champion and the Grandmaster. However, the team was doomed to a sudden and tragic end when they became the target of the villainous Dreadpool, a variant from Earth-12101 who killed the Marvel Universe. Dreadpool, together with his band of evil Deadpool variants, began killing off the members of the Deadpool Corps. Most members of their ranks were killed when they were fed to Galactipool, a Deadpool variant with the powers and presence of Galactus. However, some members of the Corps managed to warn Earth-616’s Deadpool in time, allowing him to escape and eventually defeat Dreadpool in the Deadpool Kills Deadpool storyline.

Other Marvel Heroes With A Multiversal Corps

Deadpool isn’t the only Marvel character with a team of multiversal variants. Most notably, the Spider-Man variants of the multiverse come together to form the Spider-Society, which protects the Great Web of Life and Destiny from existential threats. The team has shown up in various crossover events and was portrayed in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, where they are led by Miguel O’Hara. An offshoot of this team features Spider-Gwen as the leader of a group of Gwen Stacy variants known as the A-Gwen-Gers.

Mister Fantastic also participates in a multiversal team involving his alternate-reality variants called the Council of Reeds. Unlike the Deadpool Corps or the Spider-Society, the Council of Reeds is less action-oriented and more focused on protecting the multiverse and coming up with solutions to more cerebral threats. They are often involved in combating the villainous Council of Kangs, a group of Kang the Conqueror variants who strive to take over the multiverse. They also contest with the Parliament of Doom, which includes various Doctor Doom variants.

Other multiversal groups include the Captain America Corps, a temporary group of freedom fighters that only briefly crossed over with Earth-616, the Council of the Guardians of All Galaxies, which combines alternate versions of the Guardians of the Galaxy, and the Legion of Howards, which is comprised of Howard the Duck variants.

Will The Deadpool Corps Return In The MCU?

In the ending of Deadpool & Wolverine, the titular heroes are forced to fight the Deadpool Corps, led by Lady Deadpool, after the variants arrive on Earth-10005. Deadpool and Wolverine defeat their enemies, seemingly killing them all–until it is revealed that they (unlike Nicepool) have healing factors. Just when it seems like the battle is about to start again, the Deadpool Corps is distracted by Peter (Rob Delaney), who arrives in his Deadpool costume. As it turns out, every Deadpool variant has its own Peter–and loves him just as much as Wade does. Wade and Logan manage to escape as the Deadpool Corps cheers for Peter. This is the last that audiences see of the Deadpool Corps in the film, implying that they all survived and returned to their homeworlds.

The Deadpool Corps could return in future Multiverse Saga titles, especially as things get continually chaotic in the various alternate realities of the MCU. The team could feasibly show up in Avengers: Secret Wars, but would potentially steal too much attention from the other heroes slated to lead the film. It would make more sense for a future Deadpool movie to focus on the group. The MCU could even adapt the infamous Deadpool Kills Deadpool arc, killing off each member of the team in memorable and gruesome ways. Such a movie would fit with the MCU’s chaotic and irreverent depiction of the character–and would likely prove very entertaining for audiences.

Deadpool & Wolverine‘s introduction of the Deadpool Corps may have simply been a fun reference to the comics, but could mean big things for the future of the character in the MCU. Audiences can’t wait to see what multiversal adventures the Merc With A Mouth might have next–and what other variants of himself he might encounter along the way.