Warning: Spoilers for Deadpool #1 aheadMarvel's beloved Merc With A Mouth, the unkillable and unconscionable Deadpool, is attempting to get into a mysterious new assassins group in the pages of his latest solo series, as the elegantly and deadly Atelier organization tasks Wade Wilson with murdering the iconic villain Doctor Octopus.
Deadpool's last solo title ended back in 2021, and since then Wade has mainly been making attempt after attempt at ing the X-Men's infamous island nation of Krakoa, desperately begging Wolverine and others to let him an official mutant team so that he can live a life of "luxury" on the island. Finally, Deadpool was offered official hip on Sage and Beast's X-Force team, helping them fight during the recent Judgment Day event. But the new Deadpool solo series will focus on Wade's adventures when he is not working with X-Force.
Deadpool #1 - written by Alyssa Wong (Doctor Aphra, Iron Fist) with art by Martín Cóccolo (The Avengers: War Across Time, Hulk Vs. Thor: Banner of War) - follows Wade Wilson as he attempts to escape the villainous Harrower while also trying to fulfill his Atelier mission in time. Harrower has kidnaped Deadpool with the intention of injecting him with a piece of Cletus Kassidy and the Carnage symbiote, to breed a new Carnage under Harrower's control, but Deadpool quickly makes an escape when he realizes he is about to fail Atelier's test. In a flashback, it is revealed that Atelier is "A secret society of elite assassins and mercenaries. Exclusive and glamorous. Invite only." Readers are then introduced to a whole host of well-dressed and dangerous-looking Atelier . Consisting of the leader Horned Emperor, alongside Last Bite (a new Marvel vampire), Alcaudón, Ms. Gingko, Mirror ("a creature built of light and mirror"), Aster (an exiled fairy), Drop, Lord Deathstrike, and Ravhona, the group puts potential new through grueling trials before potentially offering them permanent hip alongside them.
The Atelier Is All About High Stakes And High Fashion
After giving Deadpool is assigned to assassinate Doctor Octopus, which he's reluctant to do but accepts regardless, he is then introduced to the final member of Atelier, a gorgeous non-binary assassin named Valentine Vuong. A killer who seemingly has diamond or metal arms with terrifying needles on their fingertips, Vong will be Wade's point of for his first assignment. Of course, Deadpool immediately falls in love with them, spouting out some decidedly un-funny flirtations, before spending half a data page coming up with new pickup lines like the iconic, "Wanna be my enbae?"
It is always exciting when Marvel adds in an entirely new villain group, and Atelier is amazing because from the very first page it is clear that Wong and Cóccolo have spent a lot of time creating and solidifying the backstory, style, and powers of each member of the assassin's organization. There are various villainous groups throughout the Marvel Universe, such as the Assassin's Guild, Sinister's Marauders, or any team formed by Taskmaster, but none of these groups come anywhere as close to the elegant fashion displayed by Atelier's . Deadpool #1 ends with Wade breaking into Doc Ock's lab hell-bent on killing him within the time allotment given by Atelier, only for the Carnage symbiote embryo to burst within him at the last moment, leaving a massive cliffhanger for readers.
Hopefully, regardless of Wade Wilson's success on his Doctor Octopus assassination mission, the Atelier group will continue to play a major role in this new era for Deadpool, and the deadly, hilarious Merc will get another opportunity to flirt with the beautiful Valentine Vuong.
Deadpool #1 is available now in stores now.
