Deadpool Universe: Key First Appearances, Allies & Spin-Off Series

Deadpool has built around himself a universe of secondary characters as improbable as they are memorable. From Cable to Domino, from Weasel to Bob, each sidekick reflects a facet of the Scattered Mercenary. Collecting the Deadpool universe means navigating between X-Force, the solo series and the multiple incarnations of the Corps: a teeming ecosystem where humor does not exclude market value.

This guide lists the essential first appearances, spin-off series and crossovers to build a complete collection of the Deadpool galaxy. For key numbers of the main title, see our Deadpool key numbers guide.

Villains and Rivals: First appearances

T-Ray

First appearance in Deadpool #1 vol. 2 (January 1997). Wade Wilson's mystical rival claims to be the real Wade Wilson: a recurring antagonist of the series-defining Joe Kelly run.

Ajax (Francis Fanny)

First appearance in Deadpool #14 (March 1998). The Weapon

Taskmaster

First appearance in Avengers #195 (May 1980). Although shared with other universes, Taskmaster is a recurring adversary of Deadpool. This Bronze Age number is an undervalued key that is gaining visibility.

Supporting Cast: Key Characters

Cable (Nathan Summers)

First appearance in New Mutants #87 (March 1990). Deadpool's unlikely partner in Cable & Deadpool (#1-50, 2004-2008) is a pillar of the X universe. His first appearance remains one of the most important keys of the modern era.

Domino (Neena Thurman)

First appearance (impostor) in New Mutants #98 (February 1991: the same issue as Deadpool!), real Domino in X-Force #8 (March 1992). Founding member of X-Force and regular ally of Wade, his solo series (2018, 10 issues) enriches his mythology.

Weasel (Jack Hammer)

First appearance in Deadpool: The Circle Chase #1 (August 1993). Wade's weapons supplier and best friend is a cult character whose first mini-series Deadpool is highly sought after.

Bob, Agent of Hydra

First appearance in Cable & Deadpool #38 (May 2007). Wade's incompetent henchman-turned-sidekick is a fan-favorite whose first appearance steadily gains value.

Derivative series and spin-offs

The essential satellite titles: Cable & Deadpool (#1-50, 2004-2008: the definitive duo series), Deadpool Corps (2010, 12 issues), Deadpool Team-Up (2009-2011), Uncanny X-Force (Remender, 2010-2012: Deadpool member) and X-Force vol. 1 (#1-40, Liefeld/Nicieza: the origins).

Deadpool Corps and variants

Deadpool's multiverse universe includes Lady Deadpool (Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #7, 2009), Kidpool (Deadpool Corps: Rank and Foul #1, 2010), Dogpool, and Headpool. The series Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe (2012, 4 issues) is a modern must-have, as is Deadpool vs. Old Man Logan (2017).

Collecting Strategy for the Expanded Universe

New Mutants #87 (Cable) and #98 (Deadpool + fake Domino) are the two mainstays: invest here first. Complete with Cable & Deadpool #1 and #38 (Bob). The Joe Kelly run (Deadpool #1-33 vol. 2) remains the definitive and affordable run. X-Force #1-15 provides the foundation for the Cable/Deadpool team-up. For the full story, see our Deadpool story guide.

Organizing your Deadpool universe collection in circles

With so many characters and series, it is better to advance in concentric circles than in alphabetical order. Here is a method that keeps the collection readable.

First circle: the founding allies

Start with New Mutants #87 (March 1990, first appearance of Cable) and New Mutants #98 (February 1991, first Deadpool and a fake Domino). The real Domino only arrives in X-Force #8 (March 1992): do not confuse the two appearances when you tick your want list. Add Deadpool: The Circle Chase #1 (August 1993) for Weasel.

Second circle: the duo with Cable

Cable & Deadpool (#1-50, 2004-2008) is the reference duo series, and #38 (May 2007) introduces Bob, Agent of Hydra. X-Force vol. 1 (#1-40, Liefeld and Nicieza) gives the duo's foundations, and Rick Remender's Uncanny X-Force (2010-2012) offers a modern version where Deadpool is a member.

Third circle: the adversaries

T-Ray appears in Deadpool #1 vol. 2 (January 1997), at the heart of Joe Kelly's run. Ajax follows in Deadpool #14 (March 1998). Taskmaster, for his part, comes from Avengers #195 (May 1980): a Bronze Age issue shared with other universes, so to be filed separately.

Fourth circle: the multiverse

Lady Deadpool (Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #7, 2009), Kidpool (Deadpool Corps: Rank and Foul #1, 2010), Dogpool and Headpool live in Deadpool Corps (2010, 12 issues). Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe (2012, 4 issues) and Deadpool vs. Old Man Logan (2017) are modern reads of their own.

A simple reading order

• Joe Kelly's run (Deadpool #1-33, vol. 2) for the character's voice.
• Cable & Deadpool for the duo.
• Uncanny X-Force for a darker version.
• Deadpool Corps and Deadpool Team-Up (2009-2011) as extras, when you want to widen out.

Warning signs

A character's name is not enough to identify their first appearance: some first appeared in another form or as impostors. Before buying an issue billed as a first appearance, cross-check the series, number and date against your list. For titles shared with other universes, such as Taskmaster's, keep a separate line in your tracking to avoid artificially inflating the Deadpool collection.

Frequently asked questions