Warning: Spoilers for Deadpool #3!The Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool, has a new secret weapon, and it has the Incredible Hulk’s name written all over it. Most readers are familiar with the idea that the angrier the Hulk gets, he not only gets stronger, but bigger – and now he isn’t the only one “Hulking up.”

Deadpool #3 – written by Cody Ziglar, with art by Roge Antonio, GURU-EFX, and VC’s Joe Sabino – establishes that Deadpool is adopting the same general principle: get angrier, get stronger. While anger may not supercede his real power of being unkillable, Deadpool does confirm that if he wasn’t already unkillable, “the rage makes [him] feel that way.”

Exploring the anger inherent in Deadpool’s character adds an entirely new layer to the typically jovial and comedic self-aware anti-hero, making the latest Deadpool series a must read for fans of the Merc with a Mouth.

Deadpool Reveals That Anger Makes Him Stronger, Just Like Hulk

Deadpool #3 – Written By Cody Ziglar; Art by Roge Antonio, GURU-EFX, and VC’s Joe Sabino

What set the fight between Deadpool and Crossbones in Deadpool #3 in motion was the Merc’s newest rival, Death Grip. The antagonist is utterly fascinated with Wade Wilson’s unkillable regeneration ability. While he locates the Muramasa Blade that Deadpool can’t survive, he hired Crossbones to keep Wade busy. What neither Death Grip nor Crossbones counted on was Deadpool’s daughter, Ellie, barging in the middle of things via a teleportation device she created herself. Now, with Ellie in Crossbones’ sight, “parental instincts kick in” for Deadpool.

It is earlier in the fight with Crossbones that Deadpool notes how his mounting frustration is making him stronger. However, it is when Ellie is endangered that Deadpool #3 really drives his idea home. His fury seeps off the page when he realizes his daughter is in harm’s way; he says the mere presence of his daughter in the line of fire “jump-started something in [him.]” His rage is so grandiose that he postpones his fight for a later date, not wanting his daughter to see the full extent of his violent streak.

Deadpool’s Hulk-Esque Rage Adds a New Layer to His Comedic Character

His Anger Makes Him Scarier

Deadpool is best known for his signature quips, jokes, and comedic timing. It’s a trademark for his character and can add unexpected layers to that character, exposing the real tragedy his jokes hide. Deadpool #3 indicates how scary Deadpool can be when he’s motivated by anger. In the issue, he goes into protective dad mode, and to protect his daughter, he might’ve been moments away from ripping Crossbones head off, had the fight progressed. Just as the Hulk gets stronger through anger, Deadpool gets more violent.