The first arc of Deadpool’s Marvel Now! run is almost complete, with issue five marking the big reveal before making what is sure to be their startling conclusion. This arc is pretty ambitious, considering the new direction and creative team on this book is starting from the beginning with a huge, six-issue arc. While this series started off a bit rocky at first, but has thus far begun to round itself out into an entertaining and funny book that is going to become a very fun ongoing series.

In Part Five of the “Dead Presidents” arc, Regan, Washington and the rest of the surviving Presidents are working closer and closer to reaching their goal of destroying the United States, which includes a trip into outer space and some very surprising plot twists. With only Deadpool, Agent Preston and the Michael, the necromancer that started this whole disaster to stop some very deranged zombie leaders, the rest of the world should be very worried for their own safety.

Writers Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn seem to be developing a great chemistry as far as writing one of the most dynamic characters in the Marvel Universe, taking Deadpool from a psychotic assassin to the secret weapon of S.H.E.I.L.D., with unlimited potential as to what they could do with the character. Despite the lack of internalization (something that caught praise and scrutiny from many fans), the humor has improved vastly since the opening issue, which missed the mark quite a bit. It’s still not quite the level that previous books have attained, but it’s on a different scale than the previous incarnations of the character and should be viewed independently. In that sense, the humor is catching on, with some pretty hilarious references to Marvel Comics characters, continuing the trademark “4th Wall” style that Deadpool has become known for.

The artwork by Tony Moore and Val Staples  has also steadily improved, with the detail and colors working much better than in the first couple issues. There is better work in the colors, the shading and the appearance as a whole, and while it’s not quite as shiny and polished as other works, the art style is really beginning to work with the plot and writing of the series itself, making this a very well-rounded series.

Summary: So far, after a rough start, Deadpool is making its way into becoming a major title for Marvel. With improved artwork, writing and humor, the title is beginning to make a name for itself. While some of the humor is still off the mark, hitting into the corny and a bit offensive at times, but it’s improving in the plot progression and with hope, this series will continue its run. With the conclusion of this arc next month, it’ll be exciting to see where it goes from here.

The Good: Great Plot Progression, Improved Artwork And Writing

The Bad: Humor Still Off-Mark A Bit

The Ugly: N/A

Score: 8.5