Deadpool & Wolverine is the movie everyone is talking about this summer. It is expected to boost both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and box office sales.
People are speculating about which other superheroes and pop culture figures might appear in the film and how it will set up future Marvel projects like the upcoming Avengers movies. However, the main draw of the film is seeing Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson/Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine together again on the big screen.
They both appeared in Jackman’s first Marvel spin-off film, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, fifteen years ago. However, they only shared a brief moment together. Fans of Reynolds’ Deadpool movies know that X-Men Origins: Wolverine is known for changing Wade’s character in big ways.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been successful in changing comic book character dynamics. The promotional materials for Deadpool & Wolverine suggest that Reynolds and Jackman will stay true to the original characters this time. Their dynamic seems to reflect the amusingly dysfunctional, yet endearing relationship seen in the comics.
When we look back at the comics featuring Deadpool and Wolverine, we see that Deadpool, originally created as a parody of other mercenary characters, was more morally ambiguous than he is today.
This shaped his first meeting with Wolverine. Superheroes often fight when they first meet due to misunderstandings but usually end up working together. In their first comic encounter, Deadpool acts as a clear villain.
In the 1994 comic Wolverine #88 by Larry Hama, Adam Kubert, and Fabio Laguna, Logan is checking on Garrison Kane, a fellow victim of the Weapon X program, at the request of their mutual friend James Hudson.
Deadpool plans to kill Kane because he believes Kane “stole” his ex-girlfriend, Vanessa Carlysle/Copycat, even though Vanessa was willingly with Kane. Logan helps Vanessa and Kane fight Deadpool. Deadpool escapes by throwing a grenade without showing any remorse.
Deadpool and Wolverine Are Typically Reluctant Allies
The characters’ first more traditional team-up happens in Wolverine Annual #1 in 1995. In the second story, written by Chris Golden with art by Ben Herrera, Logan is asked by their mutual ally Maverick to help rescue Wade from a paramilitary group led by Doctor Westergaard.
Westergaard wants to use Wade’s healing factor to cure the Legacy Virus affecting the mutant community. Maverick suspects the group plans to sell the cure for profit. Logan is hesitant to help because of Wade’s past crimes, but Maverick convinces him not to let Wade suffer torture similar to their own past experiences.
During their escape, Wade and Logan exchange sarcastic comments. Wade later shows some humanity by giving Hank McCoy’s Beast a sample of his genetic material, hoping it can help Maverick with the Legacy Virus.
Since then, Deadpool and Wolverine’s relationship has often been shown as a reluctant alliance. Logan is usually annoyed by Wade’s crude humor, although he occasionally responds with his own jabs.
Recently, Deadpool’s self-aware comments about the comics and Logan’s fame have changed their dynamic. Deadpool now eagerly works with Logan, while continuing to make jokes about him.
Despite their usual tension and occasional conflicts, they often show loyalty and maybe even some affection for each other, though they rarely admit it. This is evident in darker X-Men comics like X-Force, where they work together on dangerous missions, showing their shared beliefs and willingness to take on morally questionable tasks.
Most of the released footage from Deadpool & Wolverine and the humorous fake feud between Jackman and Reynolds suggest their onscreen dynamic will be similar to what fans have seen before.
In X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Logan was annoyed by Wade’s constant jokes. However, when Wade became the mind-controlled Weapon XI, Logan tried to appeal to Wade’s true self before fighting him.
The trailers for Deadpool & Wolverine highlight Logan’s annoyance with Wade, but also show Deadpool’s excitement to work with Wolverine.
The film might include many jokes about Reynolds and Jackman’s real lives. Deadpool comics sometimes joke about Reynolds, but the movies are known for referencing both actors’ lives and careers much more frequently. The new film will likely push these jokes to new extremes.
