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Admittedly, I was at first very intrigued when Marvel made the bold decision to take away Deadpool’s healing factor, but the more I sat with it, the more I realized how crucial Deadpool’s regenerative abilities are to his character, and I think removing it is a massive misstep on Marvel’s part.
As of Deadpool #10 – written by Cody Ziglar, with art by Rogê Antônio – it has been confirmed Deadpool’s healing factor is severely weakened, and he now faces mortality like every other killable hero. While I think it’s a daring move to forgo Deadpool’s healing factor as it’s essential for characters to change, every comic fan has witnessed the trend of removing superhero characters’ outlandish powers and it rarely ever sticks.
As countless examples have proved, the best stories come from creatively rising to the challenge and writing compelling stories that work with the character’s quirks, not limiting the character.
I’m Honestly Frustrated That Marvel Took Away The Most Essential Part Of Deadpool’s Character
Deadpool #10 – written by Cody Ziglar, with art by Rogê Antônio; Color By Guru-eFX; Lettering By Joe Sabino
One of the most thrilling parts of Deadpool’s fighting style is his insane healing abilities, as he uses his body in ways that most heroes can’t, taking any type of damage while managing to wisecrack and bounce back with ease every time. His healing factor is also what makes most of his dynamic pairings like Wolverine work, because nobody wants to see Wolverine and Deadpool fight without their quick healing. Though his healing factor is still somewhat present, just half as powerful, I still think it presents a massive detriment to Wade Wilson’s entire persona.
Deadpool’s decreased healing still leaves a lot of questions regarding how it will affect the other aspects of his character.
Now instead of regrowing his limbs, Deadpool is simply barred from the fight for long periods of time. Wade’s fighting style isn’t the only facet his healing factor affects; his other memorable traits such as his humor and his appearance are all byproducts of Deadpool’s healing factor. Deadpool’s scarred features are due to his cancer and the only element stopping him from succumbing to his illness is his ability to repair himself. The same can be said for Deadpool’s humor; the reason he breaks the fourth wall is because insanity is a byproduct of his brain constantly reforming.
Deadpool re-learning how to fight and being trained by Taskmaster alongside his daughter is an intriguing concept and it’s one of my favorite parts to come of Deadpool’s healing getting worse, but I truthfully hope Deadpool’s declining healing factor arc doesn’t last long. Deadpool’s decreased healing still leaves a lot of questions regarding how it will affect the other aspects of his character. If Deadpool’s healing factor is diminishing, what’s stopping his cancer from killing him? There is still the issue of whether there will be real risks that come from this development.
Deadpool’s Character Works Despite His Inability To Die & That’s What Makes Him More Compelling
Taking Away a Hero’s Healing Factor Is A Dramatic Shortcut
I firmly believe just because a character can’t die, doesn’t mean they lack risks; some of the most interesting stories have emerged from heroes who are immortal but have other stakes aside from their own demise. While the danger of death is a very real one, this trope has been done time and time again with Deadpool receiving this arc before. In Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII #2, Deadpool’s cancer becomes stronger than his healing abilities, and in Deadpool #54 “Dead: Part 5,” Deadpool is injected with a serum that counteracts his healing factor.
I, for one, am excited to see Deadpool’s daughter return to take on her father’s mantle, as it adds a layer of risk to Deadpool’s actions.
Making Deadpool easier to hurt takes away his uniqueness and makes him more like other characters, as his fights become less compelling when he has the same abilities as any other sword and gun-slinging mercenary. Gerry Duggan’s Deadpool vs Madcap stories are a good example of why it’s more thrilling to find a way Wade can still be hurt despite his abilities. I, for one, am excited to see Deadpool’s daughter return to take on her father’s mantle, as it adds a layer of risk to Deadpool’s actions while also illustrating a more empathetic side to his normally careless demeanor.
I’m Confident Deadpool Without His Healing Factor Isn’t Deadpool & Marvel Is Going to Backtrack ASAP
In Taking Away Deadpool’s Regenerative Properties, We Lose Wade Wilson’s Originality
Immortality is a curse in itself and there are so many ways to explore that concept with characters like Deadpool, Wolverine, or even the Hulk. The Immortal Hulk #8 – written by Al Ewing, with art by Joe Bennett – depicts the Hulk being detained, cut into parts, and stuffed into jars all while still alive, a horrendous fate for an immortal. Stories that show immortal heroes facing fates worse than death give a sense of dread that I have always found more interesting than stories that present death as the ultimate peril.
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Marvel Just Nerfed Deadpool’s Greatest Power: “Your Days of Growing Back Arms and Legs Are Over”
Deadpool might have cheated death again, but this time it comes with a high cost: his healing factor is cut in half, in a major change for the hero.
Taking away Deadpool’s healing factor is a mistake because it’s integral to every part of his inner workings and has become synonymous with his stories, removing it means Wade Wilson wouldn’t be the same anti-hero fans have come to love. The inclusion of Deadpool’s daughter Ellie does help make his current arc much more interesting, as it adds a journey of selflessness along with his declining healing factor. While Deadpool’s regressed regeneration is a big change, I’m certain Marvel will backtrack on this choice because his healing factor has become too intertwined with Deadpool as a fan-favorite anti-hero.
Deadpool #10 is available now from Marvel Comics!
“}]] I’m mad Marvel nerfed Deadpool’s healing factor. Read More