The meta-relationship between Marvel’s Deadpool and DC’s Deathstroke just became even more layered with famed comic book writer Christopher Priest confirming his “Arkham” storyline was meant to be read as an unofficial crossover. Though the merc with a mouth and the man known as the Terminator exist in two different superhero franchises, the connection between the super-powered contract killers runs deep.
While co-creator Rob Liefeld likes to point out distinctions between Wade Wilson (Deadpool) and Slade Wilson (Deathstroke), most comic book readers believe the former is a parody version of the latter. The striking similarities between their names aside, both are near unbeatable mercenaries with superpowers, both employ a mix of swords and guns, and both wear similar costumes. It’s not a stretch to argue that at the very least Liefeld was heavily inspired by the Marv Wolfman/George Perez villain when he created Deadpool.
In a recent interview with Newsarama, Priest discussed flipping the script on the Marvel anti-hero by creating a parody of Deadpool in his Deathstroke series, a fourth-wall-breaking mercenary named Death Masque. And the similarities between Wade and Devon (Death Masque’s alter ego) are even more glaringly obvious than those between Deadpool and Deathstroke.
The Death Masque who shows up in Deathstroke’s ‘Arkham’ is obviously Deadpool, and us daring Marvel to sue us,” proclaimed Priest in the interview with Newsarama. In Deathstroke #40, Death Masque prattles about an alien invasion (that may or may not just be in their imaginations) and mentions a “Mr. Liefold” and a man with a typewriter (Priest referencing himself)—ending with a quip that “it would be freaking ironic if they sued us.
Death Masque also breaks the fourth wall in the same story by suggesting Deathstroke will never get his own movie, a reference to their respective cinematic universes. Add in Death Masque’s not-so-subtly familiar ninja inspired costume and it’s pretty clear the intention was to take a playful jab at Marvel. It seems apparent that Priest is a believer in the theory that Deadpool is a sassy satire of his much older and meaner DC counterpart, Deathstroke, and wanted to turn the tables.
Priest’s run on the Deathstroke comics is full of the kind of self-referential meta-storytelling he’s been known for since back when he actually wrote Deadpool stories. Priest first introduced Wade’s unique ability to break the fourth wall in 1999’s Deadpool #34, which has since become a staple of the character. In that same issue, Deadpool is stuck in limbo with a group of characters from Priest’s previously canceled books. Flash-forward to Deathstroke #40 and Priest is still up to his old tricks. At one point Death Masque shouts “Wakanda forever!” a reference to his previous work on Black Panther.
This isn’t the first time DC has parodied Deadpool. In Harley Quinn #26, Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner created a new character to add even more chaos to Harley’s life—the Red Tool, AKA Wayne Wilkins. Palmiotti, who also worked on Deadpool, has playfully shrugged off the similarities between the two red and black mercenaries, including their love of sexual innuendo and dark sense of humor. With there now being three different Deadpool–esque characters (including Deathstroke himself) in the DC Universe, it would be interesting to see what would happen if Christopher Priest ever decides to make a three-man crossover in honor of the merc with a mouth.
