What would happen if Deadpool, the Merc With A Mouth, who’s always been knowing for being dangerous, insane, and annoying, dropped the last piece of that description? If he actually focused, instead of droning on and on with bad jokes, and got on with the things in life that were really important: such as stabbing, maiming, and generally destroying anything in his wake? The answer is Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe, a new Marvel Comics mini-series, written by Cullen Bunn, with artwork by Kaare Andrews and Dalibor Talajic.

This mini-series, reminiscent of the one-shot in the mid-nineties featuring The Punisher,  has one major premise: the death of the super-hero. In Frank Castle’s case, it was for vengeance, but this time, Wade Wilson does it because he’s crazy. His mind, not exactly the picture of balance, has been broken even further by a doctor who is really the mysterious Psycho Man, a very angry, very evil, and very tiny villain who shocks Deadpool’s brain into focus, calling his humor “inefficient”. This plot is brought on to create an army to take over the world, which doesn’t go over too well, leading to Wilson doing exactly what the title of the book says, going after the heroes of the Marvel Universe, and viciously murdering them all.

As premises go, this is pretty straightforward, and in line with the plot of the book, removes much of Deadpool’s trademark humor. What is left is pretty violent, bloody, and straightforward as Wade does what he was trained to do, starting his journey with one of the Marvel Universe’s most popular teams, the Fantastic Four. Cullen Bunn captures the heart of the story (what little there really is) well, almost immediately informing the reader that the slapstick silliness of the Deadpool series, written by Daniel Way, isn’t going to show up. Bunn’s homicidal maniac version of Deadpool is a completely different take on the character, while still keeping the core of Deadpool intact.

Talajic doesn’t impress anyone too much with the art, but it’s solid and helps drive the story. It’s not as polished as the work by Paco Medina on the main run, but it’s a great effort, and some of the gruesome scenes are downright disturbing, at some points. Deadpool looks a bit skinnier and the characters are a lot more flat than in usual Marvel books, but it gets the job done.

While not the style that most fans of the character know from the Deadpool stories of the past, this mini-series is definitely a new look for the Crimson Comedian. Brutal, dark, and chock full of violence, Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe leaves little to the imagination in terms of story direction, but delivers in presenting an accurate depiction of the protagonist in a new, bloodier light.

The Good: Dark, Brutal Storyline, Deadpool Himself

The Bad: Flat Artwork, Basic Plot

The Ugly: Mister Fantastic

Score: 8.0