#crazy dcac

[li-izumi]

Fourth Walls, Insanity, and Self-Loathing in Cable & Deadpool

Deadpool continues his fine tradition of Fourth Wall breakage, and it becomes further entwined with Deadpool's madness (or at least, how others view him). Of course, Deadpool IS insane.  He also hates himself, and all of these points mix and merge throughout the Cable & Deadpool series.

There are a LOT of instances of Fourth Wall breaking, mentions of Deadpool’s insanity, and his self-loathing found in this run. Rather than list them all (which can be found with a tag search) I’m going to just list out some of the highlights below.

Deadpool is aware of the tropes and methods of the comic medium which he expresses with this fourth wall breaking:

#10 [Deadpool]: Well, that was the coolest expository dialogue I have ever had!

[Deadpool]: That fight lasted as long as Deathlok’s last comic

#11 [Weasel]: And you’re saying Cable’s body was mostly made out of this stuff? [Deadpool]: It’s a bit more complicated an’ it requires a LOT of expository dialogue [Weasel]: Wade…are we still allowed to do flashbacks? [Deadpool]: Who’s gonna stop me?

#13 [Deadpool narration about Prester John]: Prester John fought the Fantastic Four and Thor, had an Evil Eye, or used an Evil Eye, I have no idea, ‘cause the handbook I usually refer to was pretty vague. Don’t know how he got here, but he’s big and has a funny mustache and Patrick gets to draw funky armor and a horse, so here he is.

[Deadpool narration]: Something about the way they looked at each other, then looked at me, got me thinkin’ now would be a the perfect time for…a sub-plot cutaway! If you’ve only been reading comics for a few years, a sub-plot is a time-tested story-telling device for sequential fiction that alludes—which means hints—to a developing storyline that slowly escalates on a monthly base until it becomes the main story. Adding an additional layer of complexity—or pencil-gnashing editorial anger, take your pick—is the fact that this cutaway also alludes (that still means hints) to current events happening to my good pal (okay, he hates me) Wolverine.

#16 FOURTH-WALL [Deadpool narration]: Funny, hit a new world and my first thought is “Cable took it over”. Wonder if that means anything to the themes and subtext of the story? Probably not.

#20 [Deadpool]: DRAT! Everyone gets my voice on account of the hollow crinkly De-MEE sound it makes the funky yellow balloons. But you have me at a disadvantage, good sir.

#22 [Cat]: We know who we are, Wilson. [Deadpool]: I was doing it all for the kids who didn’t read the recap page. [Diamondback]: What? [Deadpool]: Hmm, thought I was cured of that “fourth wall” thing…

#27 [Deadpool]: Isn’t expository dialogue informative and fun?

#31 [Deadpool]: Now stay out of this so I can square off for the match-up that might actually increase my sales!

#38 [Deadpool]: Of all the possible agents to use as my beast of burden, Bob, Agent of Hydra, one would almost think we were forcing you down our readers’ throats as some kind of possible LIMITED SERIES or something. [Bob]: Huh—? [Deadpool]: Never mind.

#43 [Deadpool]: Man… I really thought you woulda come back by now. I mean, it’s been a few weeks. How long does it take to travel through time or clone yourself or whatever other lame explanation they’re going to come up with when you return…?

#49 [Weasel]: Isn’t Magneto dead? [Deadpool]: Wait ‘til the crossover…

#50 [Deadpool]: Hey, Irene! Irene Merryweather! Ireen Merryweather, former reporter and chief of staff to my former best bud, Cable, (who died and left me with a solo team-up book, then came back to life in a big, successful crossover that I wasn’t invited to participate in)

And at one point there's even a running gag involving his narration box/speaking out loud:

#30 [Deadpool narration]: Weird how he could read my captions like that? [Deadpool narration]: Hey, that’s twice now. What’s going on here? [Bertha]: You’re saying everything out loud! [Deadpool narration]: I am? [Bertha]: Yes! [Deadpool narration]: Oh. Weird. Coulda sworn I was in first person narrative form.

[Deadpool narration]: Hmmm. Must be talking out loud again. [Deadpool]: Gotta find out what’s wrong with my first person narra—-YEEEOWWWW!

[Deadpool narration]: I could take them all out at once. That would get me my own solo book, or better, my own MOVIE. First person captions are working again. [Random woman]: y’talkin’ t’yourself, dude. [Deadpool]: Okay, maybe not.

[Deadpool narration]: Nnff— Bubba bubba bubba! Thought the first person narration was working again. Obviously it’s not. Oh, there you go.

[Deadpool]: Uhoh. [Deadpool narration]: Uhoh. [Deadpool narration]: Did I say that out loud? Echo. [Deadpool]: Echo.

Deadpool doesn't just have knowledge of the general comic tropes, but specific comic events he shouldn't have knowledge of:

#50 [Spider-Man]: Great. You got SIDEKICKS now. [Deadpool]: I call them loyal supporting cast, Mr. Holier-than-thou-fugitive-from-the-law, Spider-Man. And I don’t have to make a deal with Mephisto to have it, either. [Spider-Man]: ? [Deadpool]: Never mind.

Summer Fun [Deadpool]: I see my reputation precedes me… [Big Bertha]: They’re talking about Squirrel Girl. She’s sort of beaten M.O.D.O.K….and Dr. Doom… And Thanos…single-handedly… [Deadpool]: Oh, c’mon, those stories can’t actually count in CONTINUITY!

Besides just comics, his fourth wall awareness can also include the Marvel and related movie universes:

#24 [Deadpool]: Oh, Spider-Man! What a relief! [Spider-Man]: You SHOULD be scared of me, Deadpool. [Deadpool]: But you were so ADORABLE in your movies, Toby Maguire-teary doe eyes, disheveled hope and that sweet lisp…

And just in general, Deadpool's narration has information Deadpool doesn’t have:

#16 Deadpool narration: What with me bein’ brainwashed to fight the biggest threat on earth—

#35 [Deadpool]: Y’know I’m really beginning to wish the RECAP PAGE were part of my regular continuity, ‘cause then I might have a clue about who is responsible for this!

The problem is Deadpool's awareness of comics/his fourth wall breaking is seen by others as just another symptom of his insanity:

#18 [Deadpool]: I am NOT going back to any more alt-nate worlds! I mean, Days of Future Past was a classic and all, but it’s really all been done to death now… [The others look at him puzzled]

#38 [Deadpool]: Geez, this detail stuff always works better when it’s done between panels. [Bob]: Are you…I mean…is there something wrong with you—I mean…MENTALLY? [Deadpool]: You have no idea.

#47 [Deadpool]: This guy stole my identity—even though he says I stole his—and even though I know it’s all still open for debate depending on which writer you like best, I personally would really prefer that I still be me and he not be me by not being alive! [Poor Deadpool; Doctor Strange and Bob look puzzled by Deadpool’s breakage of the Fourth Wall]

#49 [Irene]: Wade, Listen, since Cable died… [Deadpool]: He’ll be back. Probably once they have a big crossover. [Irene]: What? Never mind.

Of course, Deadpool is legitimately insane, and we see more of just how damaged he is and some of the reason he's insane:

#14 [Cable]: She reviewed your Weapon X program file. You’ll never be…your cognitive functions will never be normal as long as the healing factor keeps your cancer at bay. [Deadpool]: But if we took the healing factor out of my body, the cancer will kill me? [Cable]: Yes.

#15 [Scientist 1]: His mental functions are…difficult…to sequester, Black Box. [Scientist 2]: Like trying to grab an eel with oily palms

#39 [Deadpool]: I’m a mess because the healing factor regenerates my DECAYING brain cells at such a hyper rate that it screwed with my mind.

People realize he's insane, of course, but even knowing that, they don't believe him when he says he doesn't remember, or that he doesn't know why he did things:

#14 [Cable]: This whole “brain damage” defense will only take you so far. [Deadpool]: Been working pretty good so far. [Cable]: You think? [Deadpool]: Sure, look how peachy my life is.

#18 [Cannonball]: We identified what was done t’you Wilson, but we still don’t know who did it. [Siryn]: Why can’t you remember Wade? It only happened to you a day ago. [Deadpool]: I just—I just can’t… [Siryn]: Wade, stop this! You’ve always REFUSED to focus, but you were never an AMNESIAC—You’re just playing a game! [Deadpool]: I AM NOT! I know I didn’t used to be this bad, but I forgot when it started happening!

Except, his brain is seriously messed up and he legitimately has holes in his memory:

#18 [Toddler Cable]: I read his mind. I saw black spots. Lots of them. I think I can clean them up.

Cable does heal Deadpool, though it burns out his powers again. Still,

#19 [Cable]: You weren’t kidding. [Deadpool]: What? [Cable]: When you said you were just as much of an idiot BEFORE the brain damage. [Deadpool]: OH. No—Totally the truth.

The heart breaking thing is Deadpool's awareness of his insanity, and that fuels some of his self-hatred:

#35 [Deadpool]: This ain’t my normal looney tunes world! This is like extra- crispy, handfuls of Viagra kinda crazy! [Deadpool]: None of you can be real…I mean besides the fact you’re all DEAD…except maybe Tiamat…kooky guy…

We see pretty early on hints of Deadpool's self-loathing. He agrees to let the One World church use his healing ability to perfect their Facade virus. Their experiments are long and very painful for Deadpool.  Cable is aware of how much suffering Deadpool is in, and while he refuses to free Deadpool, he does offer him some words of kindness:

#3 [Cable]: I’m here. I’m with you. Just think, don’t speak. [Deadpool]: Yeah. Thas nice t’know…an’ hey, I’m sorry—you know—for pretty much EVERYTHING. I mean, you think I got a shot— you know, at HEAVEN—just in case this don’ pan out? [Cable]: Of course you have a chance, Wade. I’d like to think we all do

Much of Deadpool's hatred is based on his looks:

[Cable]: The ultimate cynic bought into all of this? [Deadpool]: And you don’t? Look at me! Remember pudding-face Wade?

Deadpool doesn't think much about himself:

#4 [Cable]: You opinions, Wade! He’s giving you religion, he’s giving you unity, taking away hate—and thought—he’s taking away your right to an opinion! [Deadpool]: Case you ain’t noticed…my opinions only work to cover up the fact that I got nothing.

#19 [Cable]: I could never lose hope, Wade. Ever. [Deadpool]: An’ I could never afford to HAVE it. Ever.

Sometimes he expresses his self-loathing in a childish way, he throws it out in such a way it's easy for others to dismiss:

#12 [Alex]: I hate you! [Deadpool]: Hah, gotcha beat. ‘Cause I hate me, too!

#15 [Prester John]: Cable justifiably cast you from this island haven for the murder of Haji Bin Barat—you are not wanted here! [Deadpool]: Got that beat, ‘cause I’m not wanted anywhere!

But it's clearly not just Deadpool making jokes, because he makes the same sort of comments in his narrations:

#38 [Deadpool narration]: HATE Alex Hayden. Hate he’s got GORGEOUS Girl Friday’s who help him. Hate he gets COOL JOBS. Hate he’s BETTER at being me than I am. HATE.

Of course, Deadpool has some pretty terrible things in his past. He's a mercenary, a killer for hire, and while he's trying to do better, he's still haunted by the sins of his past:

#35 [Ajax-Ghost]: Yeah, Wade, he didn’t do anything, but you have. You killed me. You killed ALL of us. How many have you killed, Wade? Lost track probably, right? [Deadpool]: No, I haven’t! [Ajax-Ghost]: So how many then? [Deadpool]: Okay, I have! [Ajax-Ghost]: Well, then, Wade, what does that REALLY say about you then? Is it that the number got so high you just stopped caring…or is it that you never cared to begin with and that’s why the number got so high?

[Ajax-Ghost]: Yes, that’s what I thought. You’re so far lost you don’t even know the answer.

[Deadpool Narration]: Did I stop caring…or did I never care at all…?

Then we get to Daniel Way's Wolverine Origins storyline (no, not that Wolverine Origins). Here we see the early renditions of the type of fourth-wall breaking, insanity, and self-hatred that he will further develop in his solo-run of Deadpool.

We get early Pool-o-vision hallucinations:

#21 [Deadpool]: How—? Oh. I, ah…drifted, didn’t I?

We get the proto white-box/yellow-box narrations:

"#21 [“white” box]: Dear Diary, I think I might actually be crazy. [Yellow box]: WHAT?! I’m not crazy! [Deadpool]: I just have a vivid imagination, is all…

#22 [“White box”]: He probably thinks you’re a complete moron. Face it…no one really has a high opinion of you, Wade. [Yellow]: I’m a mercenary! No  one’s supposed to have a high opinion of me! [“White”]: How convenient. [Yellow]: What? Okay should I, like lie down on the couch for the rest of this, or…? [Deadpool]: Hey! You guys wanna quiet down up there? In case you’ve forgotten, we’ve got some serious work to…

And beneath that wild and zany humor and craziness, Deadpool is covering for the fact that he really doesn't like himself:

[Deadpool catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror, looks grimly, until he puts his mask on. With the mask on, he gives himself two thumbs up and a cheery “hey-oh!”]

[Deadpool catches his reflection in the pool water, and stops short. He pulls his mask back down]

More on this coming soon as we tackle the Daniel Way run next!

[li-izumi]

Deadpool's Insanity in Classic Deadpool

From the beginning, Deadpool is an amoral, talkative, annoying mercenary. It's not until his 39th appearance, the 6th issue of the Classic Deadpool run, that we first get a hint of his insanity:

Deadpool is facing against The Vamp, who has telepathy and can read Deadpool’s mind, somewhat. As The Vamp says: It’s tough to tell which you’re ACTUALLY planning to do...your mind is a FILTHY MESS.

A few issues later, the narration introduces Deadpool as: one of the world’s most skilled and dangerous mercenaries—and, in a field that attracts more than its share of psychos, one of the most mentally unbalanced.

He has his first hallucination at this point, imagining a hippy Siryn happily greeting Deadpool. He explains away the proto Pool-o-Vision as a product of eating too many poptarts:

"Man, I gotta stop eatin’ the whole box of pop tarts. I was okay when there were only six in the box…but eight definitely plays tricks on my mind."

As the Classic series continues, during the mess with Siryn and Typhoid Mary leading up to his defeat with T-Ray, we see more signs of his instability, and his desire for Siryn to reassure and affirm him as a means of acting in the roll of conscious for him as well as keeping him mentally stable. Her role lessens after the first dozen or so issues.

Deadpool admits that he "may not be the most TOGETHER merc in the world", his "head’s a little out of WHACK", he isn't so "FOCUSED" as Warpath, "not all that well in the head", and as Blind Al states, he's "been so UNBALANCED".

Deadpool tells Domino: I am absolutely NOT a psychopath. My psychiatrist assures me I’m only BORDERLINE psychopathic. Then again, maybe I am CRAZY. I’m payin’ that shrink $125 an hour. Which might have been serious, or partly serious, both in terms of him seeing a psychiatrist and/or the diagnosis, but this also might have him just joking around to Domino

It's not to the flashback of Deadpool's time at Weapon X that we see why he's gone crazy, and just how damaged he's become. His mind is fractured during the protracted period of abuse he is subjected to.

We get a few more comments here and there addressing his bouts of insanity from Blind Al and other associates like Alestaire until we get his full-on PTSD breakdown from his decision to support free-will over mindless bliss after his defeat of the Messiah. As part of this breakdown, Deadpool envisions "a lady on a giant saber-toothed rabbit pouring bourbon into a pitcher of milk while Patsy Kline’s “Crazy” plays softly in the background".

This break-down is significant enough that Deadpool does seek treatment, admittedly from Dr. Bong, but the newly practicing psychiatrist does help Deadpool work through his stress--which somehow involves a knock-out fight with Wolverine--but Deadpool does overcome this particular hallucinatory breakdown, though he continues to be unhealthily obsessed to the point of making a giant sculpture of the woman's face out of doll heads.

This leads into the storyline with Mercedes Wilson, Wade Wilson's "wife" and T-Ray that is stupid and contradictory.

The next sign of Deadpool's madness also involves his growing awareness of the Fourth Wall. During his story arc with Loki and Thor, Deadpool frequently repeats how: "none of this is really happening. There is a man, with a typewriter..."

Deadpool's insanity is common enough knowledge, as his housemate Frank the Constrictor notes: "If you and Creel are trying to GASLIGHT Deadpool, you’re WAY too late. The man’s NUTS, in case you haven’t NOTICED."

Deadpool is aware of his insanity. When he helps a traumatized teen girl he admits that he should spend some time in an institution himself, and later when Copy-Cat has reentered his life he tells her: "I think we BOTH need help".

The Classic Series ends with Deadpool having another major breakdown, this time caused by a brain-virus planted into his mind by Black Swan. Deadpool's mental abilities quickly degrade over several issues. He mixes up words, he can't aim his gun, and he is wracked with intense migraines. Ultimately he destroys himself during his fight with Black Swan.

He spends the next several months a shell of himself, his personality having been stolen into Black Swan and the newly created Alex Hayden. The little we see of him at the end, he was mentally that of a small child. Who REALLY likes his winkee.

It is during the Gail Simone run that we start to see the yellow narration box being used as another voice for Deadpool, in a way reminiscent of how it is used, along with the White Box, in Daniel Way's run of the series.