Deadpool & Wolverine: All the Easter Eggs and References to Marvel Comics!
Deadpool & Wolverine All the Easter Eggs: Deadpool & Wolverine has arrived on the big screen and has restored confidence in all of us Marvel fans disappointed by the latest works of the MCU, and we at the editorial staff really liked it. Our Wade Wilson has revealed himself to be the true Jesus Christ of Marvel, saving both his timeline and, above all, the fans’ hope of seeing truly beautiful films at the cinema. After all, we can say that Deadpool has always been loved by everyone. The return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine certainly contributed a lot. In this sense, the film has confirmed the actor’s words regarding the fact that we would see an angrier Wolverine.
Deadpool & Wolverine All the Easter Eggs and References to Marvel Comics!
Nothing is missing in this film, starting with endless fights between two superheroes who cannot die, in what is a succession of claws and swords. A gripping story that combines, thanks to Deadpool’s ability to break the fourth wall, with the true story of the crisis that Marvel has undergone lat ely, and in fact, there is no shortage of jokes about the flops of the multiverse. A film that has had a very heavy promotion with scathing trailers and countless gadgets, such as an extravagant Xbox controller. However, to be a true comic book movie, Deadpool & Wolverine also has plenty of references to past films and Marvel comics. Since this is an article that talks about the easter eggs present in the film, spoilers will follow so be careful. So, dear nerds who are reading, yes exactly, now we too will break the fourth wall by asking you directly, here are the easter eggs that you may not have noticed.
1. All Wolverine Variants
Shortly after the beginning of the story, we find Wade Wilson who is desperately looking for a Wolverine who can help him save his world and so in an attempt to succeed he searches for him in various timelines, thus ending up meeting countless variations of Wolverine, all taken from specific comics. One of the main differences in Wolverine between the comics and the film adaptation is his height. Jackman is 1.88 meters tall, while Logan should be about 1.60 meters tall. The difference is a lot and has always been a criticism of the films by fans. Deadpool, therefore, meets a Wolverine who reflects this characteristic. The gag is very funny when this version stands up and Wilson realizes how short he is. In reality, he looks more like a dwarf, even compared to what we saw in the comics.
From the classic Marvel crossover Age of Apocalypse in 1995, first introduced in X-Men: Alpha 1, we also see Weapon Omega fighting in an alley. This is an extreme version of Wolverine from a dark timeline where the superhero is more feral than we know him, so much so that in the film Deadpool he is beaten up, with a red and black costume and very long hair that makes him look almost like a lion. One good thing for Logan in this alternate version is that he managed to join his Jean Grey. Another variant of Wolverine that we discover on screen at a poker table in Madripoor is Mr. One-Eyed. Logan here is dressed in a smart white suit, wears an eye patch, goes undercover and no one knows he is Wolverine, despite his extremely recognizable hair and attitude. The character first appeared in 1989 in the magical saga Wolverine and the Tiger.
It was certainly exciting for us readers to see the movie Logan, which is a free interpretation of the mini-saga Old Man Logan from 2008 by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven, but this time we see the Wolverine of this comic, older, on his farm, with a cowboy hat and a shotgun with which he shoots Deadpool as soon as he arrives in that multiverse. Another variant encountered by the protagonist is one that perfectly recalls one of the most famous covers of the X-Men. We are referring to The Incredibles X-Men 251 from 1989, created by Marc Silvestri in which Wolverine appears nailed to a cross and surrounded by skulls, recalling the X of the group of superheroes to which he is affiliated. Finally, the last variant is taken from the very first appearances of the Canadian clawed and the green goliath, namely Hulk vs Wolverine. It is seen for the first time in Incredible Hulk 180. Here Wolverine does not have the classic yellow and blue suit but wears a brown one while fighting against Bruce Banner, in his original gray color. In the film there is a quick shot of the Hulk reflected in Wolverine’s claws, a tribute to Todd McFarlane’s 1987 cover of The Incredible Hulk 340.
2. The Deadpool Corps
That’s right, Deadpool & Wolverine doesn’t just feature the clawed variants, but also the chatty mercenary ones. 100 Deadpools who are part of the Deadpool Corps, also present in the comics of the same name. The team first appeared in the 2010 miniseries Prelude to Deadpool Corps. The most talked about and rumored character of all is Lady Deadpool, introduced in Are You There, Deadpool? It’s Me, Deadpool. The female version of our protagonist has generated a lot of hype among fans because she is played, even if her face isn’t seen, by Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds’ wife. And she’s not the only one of the variants to have made a cameo in the film. Cowboy Deadpool is also played by Matthew McConaughey.
Other versions of Deadpool are Dogpool, who first appeared in Prelude to Deadpool Corps 3, and Headpool, a floating zombie head who makes his appearance in Marvel Zombies 3 and is voiced in this episode by Nathan Fillion. Also, it’s not just Ryan Reynolds’ wife who stars in the film, there’s another member of the family, his daughter, who plays Kidpool, a smaller Wade Wilson, who appeared in Prelude to Deadpool Corps 2. It’s a shame that Pandapool, one of the funniest members of the Deadpool Corps, doesn’t make an appearance.
3. An Iconic Sign
Right in the scene where Deadpool and Wolverine turn the corner in slow motion before fighting the Deadpool Corps, above their heads we can see a sign with the word Liefeld. Even though the film is full of product placement between Heineken, Honda, and Johnnie Walker, in this case, it is not a brand or a brand, but the person without whom this film would not exist, or at least its protagonist. We are talking about Rob Liefeld, the creator of Deadpool. Liefeld began working as an artist for Marvel Comics in the 80s, after leaving DC Comics, and collaborated on the creation of the New Mutants series, where he created the characters of Deadpool and Cable. In 1991, after 12 issues, he transformed the New Mutants into X-Force together with Fabian Nicieza. In this scene of the film, they wanted to pay homage to the creator of the anti-hero with this sign with his name.
4. The Desecrated Tomb and the Adamantium Skeleton
The desecration of Wolverine’s body is the funniest and most dynamic way to start the movie, fueled by the soundtrack of Bye Bye Bye by Nsync. A similar scene also appears in the comics, to be more precise in Deadpool Kills Deadpool, although it is not exactly Wolverine’s skeleton. Among the members of the Deadpool Corps, there is one who is the fusion between the founder of the group and the Canadian clawed. This variant has the adamantium skeleton and claws, and is dressed in the Deadpool costume, but has the details of the Wolverine mask.
When Deadpool searches for the killer who is decimating the members of his team, he doesn’t have time to save them all and this fusion between the two mutants dies in the fight. His body is devoured by insects thrown with a grenade and only his bones are left. So you can see his skeleton which is a clear reference to the one seen at the beginning of the film that Deadpool uses to fight against the TVA. Also in another volume, entitled Badder Blood, the mercenary loses the hilt of his katanas and inserts them between his fingers to imitate Wolverine.
5. Comics Lost in the Void
Deadpool and Wolverine are mowed down while in the TVA and then transported to the Void. Shortly after we can see the protagonist lying on the ground and next to him we can see a comic book. It is Secret Wars and the cover seems to be that of the fifth issue. No, we don’t mean the next Avengers movie, but a 9-issue crossover comic book miniseries written by Jonathan Hickman and illustrated by Esad Ribić, published in 2015. The title recalls another 1984 miniseries Secret Wars (Secret Wars), from which several narrative ideas are also taken. It’s probably just an easter egg, or who knows, maybe it’s actually one of Alioth’s favorite comics.
6. Cameos Revisited
When the two protagonists find themselves lost in the void, countless characters begin to appear who return from a forgotten past. Numerous cameos, therefore, crowd the screen starting from the famous Chris Evans, who does not play the good Cap as the film itself suggests, but rather the Human Torch from the 2005 film. We also find Juggernaut, from X-Men: The Last Stand and not the one from Deadpool 2, Sabretooth from the original chapter on mutants, as well as Toad, Pyro, Callisto, and even Azazel from X-Men: First Class. We also see very fleetingly Psylocke, the Russian (Punisher’s enemy) and Lady Deathstrike from X-Men 2 and a grown-up X-23.
However, in a very important moment of the plot, we find old icons forgotten by most and who reappear after almost 20 years or more. Jennifer Garner reprises the role of Elektra, the Greek heiress armed with sai who supports Ben Affleck’s Daredevil from the film of the same name. We then move on to Wesley Snipes and his Blade, with whom he throws a wink at the enormous production problems of the reboot, and a character who in this case has been completely revisited and given a new look. We are talking about Gambit who in the cinematic canon we saw in X-Men Origins – Wolverine with the face of Taylor Kitsch. Now, however, not only is he embodied by Channing Tatum, but the costume, the characteristic coat, and the powers are much more faithful to those of the comics, as you can see from the image just above.
7. The Vehicles
By now we understand it. The Void is not only the place where all the action of the film takes place but also where it is possible to trace the greatest number of references to Marvel comics, in addition to the previous feature films. In the background, between one scene and another, it is possible to notice the Shield Helicarrier, Thanos’ 0-shaped spaceship, the Milano, the Guardians of the Galaxy’s spaceship, and a Leviathan from Avengers.
Rather, when we see the procession of vehicles of Cassandra Nova’s henchmen, we find something very particular. In addition to Red Skull’s car and Iron Man’s Hot Rod, we see Deadpool’s Chimichanga truck. This yellow truck is a reference not only to the two previous films but above all to some of the most disparate comics in which the chatty mercenary decides to open a business by buying this characteristic van. However, what surprised us the most was Fantasticar from the Fantastic Four. Although it is very similar to the one from Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, we see it dirty and with some writing defacing it. This is a clear reference to the book Old Man Logan in which the sons of Hulk fly around the wastelands with a group of Fantasticars.
8. Cassandra Nova’s “Den”
The main antagonist of the film is Cassandra Nova, sister of Charles Xavier who appeared in Grant Morrison’s New X-Men and one of the most beloved and iconic villains in comics. In the film we see her hiding inside a rather particular lair which also inspires a very funny gag about Paul Rudd’s age. The villain of the moment is barricaded with her army of criminals inside the lifeless and now skeletal body of Ant-Man.
Although the costume we see the gigantic corpse wearing is the one from the film version, the scene is meant to be a reference to one of the most beautiful and impactful panels of the comic Old Man Logan. In this alternative version of the Marvel Universe, the superheroes have been defeated and killed en masse, with a few small exceptions, and the supervillains have won and now control a world in disarray. Logan and a now blind Hawkeye speed by in their car, when they find themselves in front of the gigantic corpse of Ant-Man. Furthermore, Cassandra herself, a powerful telepath, also refers to another passage of the Millar and McNiven miniseries, namely when the traveling duo finds themselves clashing with Emma Frost. She too, in fact, is hidden inside a fortress built from waste materials (if we can say so) and is an Omega-level telepath.
