Deadpool Breaking Bones Against Colossus Was So Much Worse in Comics

Marvel’s Deadpool is known for being an irreverent, wisecracking, fourth wall-breaking antihero – but he’s also known for his impressive resistance to pain and a supercharged healing factor. The self-proclaimed Merc with a Mouth can survive everything from being stabbed, shot, bisected and even blown up in an explosion. But what happens when Deadpool fights Luke Cage, the Indestructible Man? The result is a mild annoyance from Cage – and a sickening moment from Deadpool.

Deadpool first appeared in 1991 as a creation by Rob Liefeld as just another mercenary with an admittedly striking red and black design and a healing power on par with Wolverine. It wasn’t until years later that other writers found Deadpool’s signature style – breaking the fourth wall while making plenty of jokes during a fight (similar to Spider-Man, albeit considerably more vulgar). A pattern would soon emerge of Deadpool taking on bigger and stronger opponents, making fun of them, and then losing handily to them in a fight.

In Deadpool Annual #1, Deadpool has inadvertently merged with the villain Madcap; a lightning strike from Thor reduced both to ashes, but as the ashes healed, the two entities became one. As Madcap temporarily takes over Deadpool’s body and Deadpool fights for control, Luke Cage enters the fray to return one of Deadpool’s bombs (“I’m here to return it to you. Up your ass.”) One insult later, Deadpool attacks Luke Cage with everything he’s got: knives, katanas, his pistol, etc. Everything bounces harmlessly off of Luke Cage, and a flying kick gone wrong sends Deadpool’s tibia breaking his skin and exiting through his knee.

This situation is quite similar to Deadpool’s encounter with Colossus in 2016’s Deadpool film directed by Tim Miller. Deadpool does his best to harm Colossus, but only succeeds in breaking both his wrists when he attempts to punch the mutant’s metal skin. But as far as Deadpool’s bones breaking through his own skin, this is certainly not the worst punishment the Merc with a Mouth has withstood. Later on in the issue, while Madcap and Deadpool think of a plan to separate, Madcap goads Luke Cage and Thor into tearing Deadpool in half. This allows both bodies to regenerate and allow Madcap and Deadpool to finally go their separate ways.

Deadpool has taken quite a bit of punishment over the years from friend and foe alike. It’s highly unlikely that he will ever be killed, seeing as he can use his healing factor to regenerate from mere ashes after an attack by the God of Thunder. Nevertheless, watching Deadpool survive immense pain is part of the perverse, dark comedy of his series.