The Good
Don't let the cover fool you, DEADPOOL #35 isn't just about laughs and fun. I mean, there's plenty of that to go around and one gag had me cracking up, but this chapter mostly focuses on Wade Wilson's situation with his daughter and continues the very excellent The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
This issue really is proof that co-writers Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn are perfect for the character. The very first page balances character, heart, and levity so well. While Dracula apparently needs help setting up a spiffy Spider-Slayer, Deadpool attempts to answer some of his daughter's very difficult questions. It's a little heartbreaking because we want to root for him and see him finally get true happiness. We see he still isn't really sure how to handle the situation but that won't stop him from trying his best and it keeps me really curious about how this will all play out.
There's plenty of amusing cameos as the writers give us a true follow-up to The Good, the Bad, the Ugly. The brief interaction between Kurt and Kim struck an emotional chord, as did Kim seeing where "the magic happens." It's great to finally see the "North Korean X-Men" being brought into the picture and we're left on a note that leaves us asking quite a few questions. While the dynamic with his allies and family takes a bit of a more serious approach (don't worry, there's plenty of jokes along the way), the conflict with Dracula is pure comedy gold. The resolution is so amazingly over-the-top and a display of Wade's more unconventional tactics. Additionally, even this scene adds a little bit of depth towards the end of it. It's really impressive how well they can balance the tone.
Artist Mike Hawthorne has returned (along with colorist Jordie Bellaire!) and this chapter proves why his style is right at home with this book. Hawthorne's able to give us a great version of Wade in any and every situation. Smiling or laughing through his mask? He looks lovable. The conversation with his daughter or when Dracula sees his face? It just drains you of your empathy. As previously shown, he can handle the comedy just fine and, as you of course know, that's critical in this book. In different hands, some of the jokes Duggan and Posehn set up may fall flat, but Hawthorne and Bellaire pull off the visual comedy extremely well and, when it wasn't a heartfelt moment, this experience kept me smiling and laughing.
The Bad
Very minor gripe: I get that Deadpool hurting himself after jumping out the window is meant for laughs, but jumping out of a second floor window really shouldn't be an issue at all for the guy. What Agent Preston said would have still been meaningful without him slipping up.
The Verdict
DEADPOOL #35 is a nice reminder why I love this run. There's comedy that'll make me burst into laughter, displays of depth with Deadpool, and they've been doing so much worldbuilding. While other books may jump from one story to the next without any significant connections, every single story in this book -- since Deadpool battled zombie presidents -- has elements carrying over and playing a big role in Deadpool's life. Simply put: Duggan, Posehn, and Hawthorne's DEADPOOL is awesome. This is must read stuff if you like the Merc with a Mouth.