Deadpool is Marvel’s most unpredictable antihero—a red-suited chaos machine with a twisted sense of humor, a regenerative healing factor, and a tendency to break the fourth wall at every opportunity. Since his explosive debut in the early ’90s, Wade Wilson has evolved into one of Marvel’s most beloved and bizarre characters. But with so many stories across multiple series, it’s tough to know where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled the Top 10 Deadpool Comics Every Fan Should Read. These are the must-reads that showcase his insanity, hilarity, and, yes, even his surprising emotional depth.
#10: Deadpool Vol. 1: Secret Invasion (2008)
Written by Daniel Way and drawn by Paco Medina, this marks the beginning of Deadpool’s modern solo run—and what a start it is. Set during the Marvel Secret Invasion event, this comic pits Wade against shape-shifting Skrulls. Sounds intense, right? But in classic Deadpool fashion, the seriousness of the storyline is flipped on its head as he infiltrates the Skrull ranks with a combination of unhinged tactics and nonstop jokes. This arc helped solidify Deadpool’s unique tone within the broader Marvel universe, where he could intersect with serious crossover events yet still be totally ridiculous. It also lays the foundation for the long-running Daniel Way era, filled with meta-humor, multiple voices in Deadpool’s head, and some truly unhinged adventures. If you want to see how modern Deadpool got started, this is the place.
#9: Deadpool: Suicide Kings (2009)
This miniseries by Mike Benson and Carlo Barberi is often overlooked but delivers one of the most tightly written and action-packed Deadpool stories to date. After being framed for a massive explosion in New York City, Deadpool ends up on the run—not just from the cops, but from some of Marvel’s biggest street-level vigilantes, including the Punisher, Daredevil, and Spider-Man. This isn’t just a “shoot ‘em up” story; it’s a smartly paced thriller with layers of wit, sarcasm, and unexpected team-ups. The best part? Watching Wade constantly outwit or outcrazy every hero who tries to stop him. It’s peak Deadpool chaos wrapped in a surprisingly grounded mystery plot, making it an easy recommendation for new fans.
#8: Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe (2012)
If you want to see Deadpool unleashed, Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe is the dark masterpiece you’re looking for. Written by Cullen Bunn with art by Dalibor Talajić, this alternate-universe tale imagines what would happen if Deadpool went full villain—and succeeded. After being manipulated and driven mad, Wade systematically slaughters every major Marvel hero and villain in increasingly brutal and inventive ways. It’s a shocking, sometimes satirical takedown of superhero tropes and Marvel itself. While it may lack the heart of some of Wade’s other stories, its brutal efficiency and grim tone make it a fascinating “what if” scenario that fans won’t soon forget.
#7: Deadpool: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (2013)
Part of the Marvel NOW! run written by Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn, this arc is perhaps one of the most emotionally resonant Deadpool stories ever. Teaming up with Captain America and Wolverine, Deadpool uncovers a horrifying secret: a North Korean program that used his DNA to create twisted super-soldiers. What follows is a deeply affecting journey where Deadpool confronts both his past and his sense of morality. Don’t worry—there’s still plenty of blood, bullets, and banter—but this story adds genuine emotional weight, showing that Wade isn’t just a punchline. It’s a turning point that adds much-needed depth to the Merc with a Mouth.
#6: Cable & Deadpool (2004–2008)
Before Deadpool was everywhere, this long-running series teamed him with the time-traveling mutant Cable in one of the most unexpectedly brilliant pairings in comics. Written by Fabian Nicieza, this book offers wild sci-fi plots, time jumps, alternate realities, and a buddy-cop dynamic between two totally mismatched partners. Deadpool is manic and chaotic; Cable is serious and calculating. Together, they create one of the most entertaining duos in Marvel history. Across 50 issues, the series builds a surprisingly touching bromance and delivers nonstop entertainment. If you love long-form storytelling and watching opposites attract (and occasionally explode), this one’s a classic.
#5: Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth (2009–2010)
Ever wonder what would happen if Deadpool had to team up with…himself? That’s the premise of Merc With a Mouth, a gleefully absurd adventure in which Deadpool retrieves his own zombified head from an alternate universe—appropriately named “Headpool.” Written by Victor Gischler and drawn by Bong Dazo, this series embraces the wacky sci-fi and multiversal antics Deadpool thrives in. It’s bizarre, it’s bonkers, and it’s beautifully self-aware. This story is for fans who love the weirder corners of the Marvel universe and want Deadpool in his most unhinged, self-referential form.
#4: Deadpool vs. Carnage (2014)
What happens when Marvel’s most chaotic hero battles its most deranged villain? Absolute mayhem. In Deadpool vs. Carnage, Cullen Bunn pits Wade against Cletus Kasady in a story that’s as gory as it is hilarious. The two mirror each other in unsettling ways—both are unpredictable, unkillable, and totally nuts—but Deadpool’s twisted morality clashes with Carnage’s pure evil. The result is a violent, fast-paced slugfest full of inventive kills, sharp dialogue, and memorable visuals. It’s a perfect entry for fans who want a break from team-ups and want to see Wade at war with a true Marvel monster.
#3: Deadpool (2015–2017) by Duggan & Hawthorne
This critically acclaimed run by Gerry Duggan and Mike Hawthorne balances absurd humor with real heart. Spanning multiple arcs—including Deadpool vs. Sabretooth and The World’s Greatest—this series follows Wade as he becomes an unlikely hero in the spotlight. It also explores his role as a father, a mentor, and even a business owner, all while maintaining the mercenary madness we love. This run redefines who Deadpool is and proves that beneath the layers of violence and sarcasm lies a complex, even tragic, figure. A modern cornerstone of Deadpool canon.
#2: Uncanny X-Force (2010–2012)
Deadpool might not be the main star of this Rick Remender-led series, but he plays a vital role in one of the most beautifully written and illustrated X-Men stories ever. As part of a black-ops mutant team with Wolverine, Fantomex, Psylocke, and Archangel, Wade helps take on morally gray missions that test the team’s conscience. The series’ first arc, “The Apocalypse Solution,” forces the team to confront whether they can kill a child version of Apocalypse. Wade’s reaction? Surprisingly human. It’s one of the rare stories where Deadpool’s humanity is subtly explored without undercutting his edge. A must-read for fans who want to see another side of him.
#1: Deadpool (1997) by Joe Kelly & Ed McGuinness
This is the series that truly defined Deadpool. Joe Kelly’s groundbreaking 1997 run mixed humor, violence, and unexpected poignancy in a way no one had seen before. From battling Taskmaster to dealing with his tragic love life and complex origin, this book gave Wade the depth he needed to become a leading man in the Marvel universe. It also introduced key characters like Blind Al and cemented Deadpool’s fourth wall-breaking persona. Often cited as the blueprint for everything that came after, this series is the gold standard. If you read only one Deadpool run—make it this one.
Deadpool is more than just a joke machine with guns—he’s a layered, lovable mess of a character who’s carried some of Marvel’s most creative, chaotic, and compelling stories. These ten comics represent the full range of what Wade Wilson can be: hilarious, horrifying, heroic, and deeply human. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a curious newcomer, diving into these stories will show you why Deadpool remains one of Marvel’s most unforgettable icons.
