Is Deadpool related to Deathstroke? Marvel & DC Comics similarities explained

Fans have spoken about the alleged similarities between Marvel’s Deadpool and DC’s Deathstroke for almost 40 years, but Deadpool’s creator insists there’s two are not related in any way.

The upcoming movie Deadpool & Wolverine has become the hottest thing in the world, seemingly overnight. The trailer, already one of the most anticipated of its time, has shattered records, becoming the most-watched movie trailer on YouTube. 

The film brings one of Marvel’s most popular characters, Deadpool, back to center stage. The Merc With a Mouth has nearly 35 years of excellence behind him, with stories dating back to 1990. 

He’s not without his controversy, though. One of those most asked controversial questions ties to his origins and his alleged creation as a parody of one of DC Comics’ most popular villains, Deathstroke the Terminator.

Why fans think Deadpool is a parody of Deathstroke the Terminator

Most of the Deadpool and Deathstroke comparisons come from the visual similarities to them. Though the character’s costumes are markedly different – what with Deathstroke having buccaneer boots, chainmail, and a split mask design as opposed to Deadpool’s more traditional superhero costume – there’s undeniably a similarity in their silhouette thanks to the full-body costume and array of pouches, firearms and swords. 

That similarity is so apparent that it’s become the primary source of comparison. It was even alluded to in 2018’s Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, where the Titans insist Deathstroke is actually Deadpool. 

It doesn’t help matters that the naming conventions trip people up, too. Not only are their codenames similar, but Deadpool’s real name is Wade Wilson, whereas Deathstroke’s is Slade Wilson.

Most comparisons stop there, though. The stoic and focused Deathstroke is a far cry from the wild and energetic Deadpool. Still, with Deathstroke having debuted nearly a decade earlier, the general consensus among fans is that Deadpool is meant to be a tongue-in-cheek parody of Deathstroke.

Neither Marvel nor DC has ever officially commented on whether Deadpool and Deathstroke are related. However, DC did have some fun with it by introducing an antimatter universe take on Deathstroke with a striking similarity to Deadpool in 2006’s Superman/Batman Annual #1. 

Rob Liefeld says Deadpool isn’t related to Deathstroke

While neither Marvel nor DC have commented on the comparison, the co-creators of Deadpool – Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld – have spoken on the matter over the years, which is where a lot of the confusion stems from. 

Nicieza’s most quoted comment is attributed to an Eaglemoss-published Marvel Comics Figurine Magazine, where he says his immediate response to seeing Rob Liefeld’s Deadpool design was, “This is Deathstroke from the Teen Titans.” It’s Nicieza who named Deadpool Wade Wilson as an in-joke to the similarities.

Liefeld, on the other hand, has gone on record in the last several years, stating he was unaware of the comparison until the mid-00s. At the 2018 LA Comic Con, Liefeld was quick to dispute the claims, saying that Deadpool’s creation is not related to Deathstroke. Instead, it’s the result of making a character based on what readers were responding to at the time. 

“Let me tell you guys how it went,” Liefeld energetically tells the crowd. “Hey, [Marvel], Todd McFarlane, he’s kind of blowing up on Spider-Man. I need a Spider-Man in my book. I also like Wolverine. He’s my favorite character. Black and red, black and red. Can I tie him into Wolverine’s origin? Can I do Spider-Man with guns and knives? ‘Liefeld, Cable’s blowing up for us. We’re selling a million copies of New Mutants. Whatever you want to do.’ Yeah!”

While the fan debate over the similarities continues even to this day across social media (where Liefeld continues to debunk said claims), the current word of mouth from Deadpool’s co-creator is that he was in no way inspired by Deathstroke. 

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