DC have published the second crossover of 2025 with Marvel, Batman/Deadpool, a bumper-size issue matching up some of the biggest characters from both publishers. Despite the length of the comic, it somehow feels a bit lightweight in comparison to Marvel’s issue.
You can read a review of Marvel’s Deadpool/Batman here. Spoilers ahead for Batman/Deadpool!
With regards to bagging the big name creators, it definitely felt like DC got the lion’s share. Headlining Batman/Deadpool was Grant Morrison, writing the titular story, with Dan Mora illustrating.
Morrison, a veteran of writing Batman, clearly understood the brief, with the team-up of Batman and Deadpool feeling fun and having some great one liners. Morrison fully leant into the meta trope that is present in so many Deadpool comics, with the Merc’ with a Mouth counting the four walls.
“I can see you!”
Deadpool
It has been a while since Morrison wrote for DC, let alone Marvel, so new readers may have found some parts confusing or weird, such as the two universes having sex. Like with most of their work, it is best to just roll with it and accept you might not get every reference or theme.
With that said, there is plenty for most casual readers to enjoy in this story, from Batman addressing the Slade/Deathstroke comparison to a fight on a giant typewriter and Deadbat. Mora’s illustrations and Alejandro Sanchez’s colouring brought Morrison’s story to life in glorious, action-packed panels.
The next story paired John Constantine and Doctor Strange together. The story highlighted that while both are powerful magic users how different their approaches are.
Constantine sought out Strange as the magic of both Marvel and DC becomes entangled. In the usual Constantine style, he was immediately trying to betray Strange for his own benefit. It takes using the Eye of Agamotto for Constantine to understand Strange. Both ultimately work together.
The story is good, not great. Interesting rather than strictly entertaining. As Ghost Rider and Swamp Thing battle in between panels of the main characters, one of the subjects being discussed is how DC’s universe is darker than Marvel’s. Combine this with Strange being portrayed as more elitist than everyman Constantine and it felt like the story had a clear preference in who the writers preferred.
What is interesting is the names behind this story with James Tynion IV, Joshua Williamson and Scott Snyder being credited as writers. Hayden Sherman should be commended for some great panel layouts, with curved designs suggestive of the magic of the two universes meeting.
Tom Taylor’s Sticks and Snikts storyline has Wolverine (Laura Kinney) and Nightwing take on Killer Croc. While they have different abilities, the two find common ground in both walking in the footsteps of two of the biggest heroes. Taylor throws in some supporting characters in Gabby Kinney (Honey Badger) and Batgirl, adding some decompression time to wrap up a well worked story.
The last two stories were hard to recall without a reread. The first, written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Amanda Conner, is a Harley Quinn issue that has Hulk involved mainly as a prop. It is light-hearted and fun but it was a shame to not see Hulk not used more other than visually.
Like Tamaki’s story, the final story, from G Willow Wilson, is guilty of not having the main characters interact enough. Ms Marvel and Static only have a few bubbles of dialogue between them across the last page and a half of the story.
Given the characters, it was appropriate to see the living situations of both Kamala Khan and Virgil Hawkins mirrored, however doing this used up precious space in a five page story. It was another story that felt unsatisfying and sadly did not reach the standard of illustrations set by some of the other stories.
A mixed bag in the end for Batman/Deadpool, with some highs, particularly in the opening story, but more forgettable lows. If it were fair to compare the issues, then Marvel’s one had more going for it. The Captain America/Wonder Woman and Green Lantern/Rocket Raccoon crossovers left people wanting more; it’s hard to imagine many wanting more from this issue.
Buy Batman/Deadpool Cover A – Forbidden Planet UK (I earn a commmission)
Buy Deadpool/Batman Insignia mashup variant – Forbidden Planet UK (I earn a commission)
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