Introducing these titular characters long before their epic team-up in the highly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine movie, Marvel has treated readers, like myself, to a bevy of epic Deadpool and Wolverine comics over the decades. Ultimately, both a blessing and a curse, the quantity of quality source material on DP and Wolvie is considerable.
Luckily, I have sifted through and compiled a list of the best Deadpool and Wolverine comics for sage fans wishing to accrue knowledge or brush up. These unforgettable stories showcase the numerous reasons the Merc with a Mouth and Canucklehead function so well together and remain beloved characters. Lastly, more sensitive readers take heed as a prevailing theme with Poolverine mash-ups is Mature Audience content, and many comic reads below contain it in spades.
Giant-Size X-Men (1975)
Famously introducing the second iteration of the wildly popular superhero team, the X-Men, Giant-Size X-Men (1975) would offer readers their first sighting of Wolverine since his iconic dual in Incredible Hulk #181. Furthermore, debuting the iconic blue and yellow getup and the sentient island Krakoa, a key plot piece in modern Marvel, Giant-Size is a must-read on the crazy Canuck.
Here, Len Wein and Dave Cockrum lay the foundation for Wolverine, establishing his future run-ins with the clandestine Weapons Plus program and eruditely placing him on his longest-tenured, most identifiable team. Ultimately, Giant-Size sees the core tones for Wolverine start to take shape, kicking off an origin that will reverberate through the years.
New Mutants #98 (1983)
This vintage, nostalgia-laced read represents a comic fan’s introductory meet and greet with everyone’s favorite slightly unhinged anti-hero, Deadpool. Penned by legendary creators Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza, New Mutants #98 (1983) catches up with Deadpool, hired by Mr. Tolliver to terminate Cable, a mutant telepath from a dystopian future. Ultimately, Deadpool is thwarted by Cable’s associate, the fortuitous Domino, revealing scant info on Deadpool aside from his iconic dark humor, gregarious inclinations, and considerable mercenary skills.
In this best comic read on Wade T. Wilson, the creative team exhibits a thorough understanding of 90s comic culture, presenting an anti-hero type with a dark sense of humor and introducing interesting new characters for the upcoming X-Force series. Coincidentally, New Mutants #98 also marks the first comic meeting of Cable, Deadpool, and Domino, the Deadpool 2 trio whose relevance continues in Marvel today.
Wolverine #88 (1988)
Featuring their first official meeting in Marvel Comics, Wolverine #88 (1988) establishes a back story between these Weapon Plus legends. When Pool’s search for his ex-squeeze Vanessa coincides with Wolvie’s search for fellow Weapon Plus’er Kane, violence ensues. Initially, after getting the better of Wolvie and leaving him impaled, Pool locates his quarry, only to eventually retreat when the combined might of Kane, Vanessa, and the Canucklehead proves too much.
Vividly realized with the over-the-top art that characterized the decade in comics, Wolverine #88 gives readers the first taste of Wolverine’s no-nonsense attitude mixed with Pool’s gregarious, mile-a-minute yap. Finally, seeing the controller-spawning Pool set on a vendetta of love, out proving he has a heart, is the cherry on top in this best read detailing the first meeting of these two titans of Marvel.
Wolverine Annual (1999)
Marking a seminal moment in their shared history, Wolverine Annual #1 (1999) gives readers the first Deadpool and Wolverine “team-up” in Marvel. After taking a contract to assassinate an inconspicuous supernatural novelist, Pool crosses paths with Wolvie as he attempts procurement of a signed copy of the novelist’s new book for Kitty Pryde. Ultimately, these trained killers must pool their resources after being set upon by the monstrous werewolf, Lycus.
Featuring the colorful dialogue fans have come to expect from these Marvel icons, Wolverine Annual #1 represents one of the best comics reads on the Regeneratin’ Degenerate and the Mutant with Muttonchops. In particular, the talented team of Andreyko, Frezzato, and McDaniel wisely continues building on the uneasy relationship budding between these Weapon Plus experiments, ultimately ending with the most apropos of conclusions; over beers at the local bar.
Wolverine Origins #21-25 (2006)
Gifted with the best cover art on these fan faves, Wolverine: Origins (2006) warrants attention. Taking place in issues #21-25, the creative team of Way and Dillon vividly showcases the knock-down, drag-out fighting audiences can expect in Deadpool & Wolverine. Here, in this best Deadpool and Wolverine comics read, everything from an explosive duck to a falling baby Grande comes to brilliant fruition as DP pulls out all the stops to collect a ridiculous bounty on his Weapon Plus brother.
Awash with examples of the no-nonsense temperament fans have come to know and love from the Crazy Canuck, Origins highlights the perfect counterbalance that temperament offers to the zany, not-quite-all-there shenanigans of Mr. Pool. Importantly, Origins concludes on a more serious note as the creative team touches on the need for acceptance burrowed deep at DP’s core and the resulting qualms that arise between these titular characters.
Uncanny X-Force (2010)
One of the best reads on the genre-spanning Deadpool and Wolverine, and their longest team collabo is Uncanny X-Force (2010). Here, the talented Remender and Opena present a thought-provoking, albeit violent series on the mutant assassination squad X-Force. In featuring the fresh black and grey unis and appearances by Shadow King, Deathlok, and Dark Beast among others, Uncanny proves its place among the best Deadpool and Wolverine comics.
In this critically acclaimed run, DP and Wolvie must battle a reborn Apocalypse, the reality-warping demon, Goat Monk, and the ramifications of their actions. Most importantly, dealing with these ramifications throughout the series unites DP and his best bub Wolvie as they slice and dice threats, pick each other up, and display just how far they have come since the Wolverine #88 days.
Wolverine/Deadpool: The Decoy (2011)
Wolverine/Deadpool: The Decoy (2011) is a hilarious one-shot, by the creative team of Moore, Crystal, and Rauch. Here, Wolverine is overpowered by an advanced Shi’ar Starkiller robot, seeking to terminate the deceased love of his life. Frankly, a robot that bests Wolverine will require the most epic team-up and a true-to-form misdirection.
Enter the legendary Wolf of the White Wine, Chiyonosake, aka Deadpool, the most distracting and survivable hero on the Marvel roster, playing the part of Jean Grey? Certainly, a more comedically themed entry to the best Deadpool and Wolverine comics, The Decoy is a quick read, with just the right mix of 4th wall-breaking humor, slicing, dicing, and camaraderie fans have come to expect from these best bubs.
Deadpool: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (2012)
Beginning in Deadpool #15 (2012), the five-part story The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly follows Deadpool, Captain America, and the game-spawning Wolverine as they tangle with an illegal Weapons Plus facility in North Korea. Here, making expert use of flashbacks, this story gives vital insight into what makes these heroes tick as they wrestle with personal loss and the impact governmental experimentation has had on their lives.
Alas, though a Deadpool title, the shrewd inclusion of Wolvie and Cap reveals that there are more binding threads connecting these Marvel mainstays than would seem. Indeed, throughout the story, the inventive team of Posehn, Duggan, and Shalvey seamlessly balance the heroes staunchly contrasting moralities with a well-conceived plot and vivid, MA-rated visuals. The result is this superb comic addition to the best bubs from Canada club.
Deadpool vs. Old Man Logan (2017)
An apt entry into the Poolverine mythos, Deadpool vs Old Man Logan (2017) gives fans a taste of the comic goodness on tap in Deadpool & Wolverine. While merc’n again, Wade crosses paths with Logan while the latter searches for a young mutant on the run from the vile weapons manufacturer Genform. Seeing their checkered histories involving corrupt government programs in their quarry, Wade and Logan quickly decide to team up and assist this mysterious escapee.
This magnific addition by the talented team of Shalvey, Henderson, and Loughridge perfectly encapsulates the pair’s unique ebb and flow. Indeed, the ensuing hijinks will see Wade’s vocal cords severed, Logan’s signature claws teleported onto Wade, and a berserker rage for the ages. Lastly, in tactfully critiquing Wade and Logan’s less-than-stellar fatherly skills, Deadpool vs Old Man Logan reinforces that a book cannot be judged by its cover, resulting in fist bumps on this best comic read.
Deadpool: Badder Blood (2023)
Deadpool: Badder Blood (2023) is yet another standout tale showing Deadpool alongside his best bubs, Wolverine and Cable, and a must-read story on the Merc with a Mouth and the Best there is at what He does. In Badder, DP sets out to save his former friend turned Weapon Plus asset Thumper and halt the unethical experiments of Doctor Van Strutten, showing the heart everyone except him knows he has.
Understandably feeling responsible for his friend’s predicament, DP vows to set things straight, leading to his best frenemies joining forces to save him. Complete with the debut of Arcata, her android Killville, and appearances by Spider-Man and Venompool, Badder hits the mark. Truly, the resulting feeling of nostalgia witnessing Deadpool go full circle and finish where he began, in the skillful hands of his co-creator Rob Liefield, is as undeniable as this comic’s place on this list.
