Deadpool Does the Classics

In DEADPOOL #21, we saw everyone’s favorite Merc with a Mouth as we’ve never seen him before; as Shakespool, the Mercenary of Venice! 60 pages—count ‘em—of Deadpool in all his bard-like glory!

This got us thinking: what other stories from classic literature would we like to see done DP style? Check out a few of our top picks.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Who better to deal with craziness and violence than Deadpool? As we all know, Wade doesn’t back down in extreme and chaotic circumstances, and something tells us he’d come out on top. Although we see Deadpool as an antihero, we imagine him as more of a Ralph than a Jack in this novel—but if Jack were to get up to his violent shenanigans, we’re pretty sure Deadpool would smack him down.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Wade would make an amazing Mr. Darcy; both characters have big hearts, though not always obviously, and others often misunderstand them. Plus, we’d love to see the merc’s reaction to all those intricate social niceties.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

If you’re going on an epic, cross-country road trip, how could you not want to bring Deadpool along?  In this story, a bunch of guys get into all kinds of crazy messes that take them down tangents and side trips—perfect for Wade! And while the characters don’t always succeed, the novel’s message drives home the importance of grabbing life by the horns, a message Deadpool would approve of.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

So this may not seem like an obvious choice, but hear us out. As mentioned, Deadpool has a big heart, though we don’t always see it for all the violence. We have a feeling that this novel’s sweet and plucky protagonists would tug at Wade’s heart strings—and we’d love to see that touching story. Plus, if Jo can’t end up with Laurie, DP would totally be a better match for her than Professor Bhaer. 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Ok, Wade would make an amazing stand-in for Nick, who narrates the story. Putting Deadpool in the role of the narrator opens up all kinds of possibilities for fourth wall-breaking antics. And while Nick sees Jay Gatsby as mysterious and enigmatic, Deadpool would probably have a more biting—and hilarious—take on the title character and his wealthy society friends.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

While both Heathcliff and Deadpool feel like outsiders a fair amount of the time, the former’s very serious personality means he comes off as dark and brooding. In that sense, he and Wade have basically nothing in common. So we’d love to see what would happen if we replaced Heathcliff with Deadpool; hilarity—of some sort or another—would ensue.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Deadpool and Frankenstein’s monster both get subjected to the machinations of scientists we might describe as mad, at least to some extent. So in that way, Wade could feel the creature’s pain. If the two of them were to meet, they’d probably have some pretty interesting things to talk about. Really though, we want to see who would win in a fight.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

Wade already perceives reality in a way that’s a little…let’s say atypical. So if he found himself trapped in an insane asylum, it actually might not throw him off as much as it does McMurphy. This would give him an advantage over Nurse Ratched, and we’d definitely enjoy seeing a battle of wits between the two of them.