The Good
Deadpool interacting with Loki and Thor isn't the dynamic we expected, but it most definitely is the one we deserve. Writer Peter David is unleashing a story that's all kinds of absurd and he's clearly having a good time working on it. From Wade teaching Loki how to become a master of war to something silly like Deadpool randomly being impaled and then kicked by a child, this book is all over the place and a lot of fun. It may not always have you laughing out loud, but the developments kept a nice grip on my attention. Swatting aside little matters like continuity allows David to go all out with this story. Deadpool has finally convinced Loki to invade Midgard Earth. Why? For a book deal, of course! It's all so ridiculous and fully aware of it as it embraces all of the silliness. The clear personality difference between Wade and Loki/Thor is often the highlight and there's quite a few lines between them which put a smile on my face. And the way it concludes? That's some great handling of a comedic beat. It's simply a good time.
Peter David packs the script with a ton of characters and it's ridiculously impressive how much work artist Scott Koblish and Val Staples are able to put into every panel. There's pages that are overflowing with characters and yet none of it feels rushed. Each troll is full of personality and the way they handle Loki's drastic expressions is wonderful. This isn't a comic where crowds have blank faces or feel quickly added into the panel. Each and every individual has a noticeable amount of depth and it really is something worth praising. It was also nice seeing how they handled a couple of cameo heroes. Here's hoping we'll see even more familiar faces in the next chapter.
The Bad
First and foremost, DEADPOOL'S ART OF WAR is a comedy. There's plenty of amusing developments and a few especially funny moments, but overall, a good amount of the material probably won't make you crack up. It's entertaining, just not consistently hilarious or memorable. It's pure comedy, so if you're expecting any kind of depth or compelling material, you're going to be disappointing (not really sure why anyone would expect that based on the title, though). Assuming the rest of the story keeps up this level of quality, I have a feeling this will be a great read when it's collected.
The Verdict
Now, I'm sure there are some people currently thinking "I love Peter David, but I don't like Deadpool. What do I do?" With total confidence, I say give this a shot. This isn't reference spewing and obnoxious Deadpool. Instead, it's the plot that's wacky and watching all of these characters become a part of it really is an enjoyable time. Throw in Koblish and Staples' consistently terrific visuals and this is something worthy of your focus. Some may be hesitant because they think the lead is relentlessly abrasive and annoying, but this is a lighthearted and fun story that almost anyone should be able to enjoy.