by Michael DeLaney

This article contains SPOILERS. If you haven’t read the issue yet, proceed at your own risk!

In the world of popular fiction, there’s a very low risk of the main characters — or the most recognizable ones — dying. We know that our protagonists are safe in any given story, so there’s a higher likelihood that any supporting cast member will meet their end. As entertaining and touching as Despicable Deadpool 295 is, I can’t help but feel that it’s just another story where the characters we like stay safe while the nameless ones die off.

Stryfe has been blackmailing Deadpool into becoming his hitman for some time now. Stryfe’s hit list has consisted of Cable, Evan Sabahnur AKA Genesis, and finally a woman named Marietta Nelson. Deadpool spared Cable’s life through some time travel trickery and even here he prevents young Evan from meeting his end by temporarily neutralizing his mutant powers, thus fooling Stryfe. But this last woman Marietta — whose importance we don’t yet understand or realize — is the only person that Wade actually kills.

Gerry Duggan and Matteo Lolli stage a very emotional and solemn death scene for this mystery woman, with Wade expressing his regret both visually and audibly. He grants her mercy in the way he kills her, which is the most honorable way to do it — but he kills her nonetheless.

I’m not sure why this bothers me so much, but why does this woman have to die whereas Cable and Evan “fake die”? Maybe we’ll figure out why when we discover her identity.

Otherwise Despicable Deadpool 295 is an enjoyable addition to the recent run of the Morose Merc with a Mouth post-Secret Empire. There’s a nice showcase of Kitty Pryde’s powers as well as a Colossus cameo and reference to the Deadpool movie, which really works. I’m also curious as to how long Wade will be so grim — maybe Cap will give him the what for next issue.

The conversation doesn’t stop there. What do you wanna talk about from this issue?