Deadpool: Assassin # 1 2018 NM

Deadpool: Assassin #1 (2018) is the debut issue of a six-part Marvel Comics limited series written by Cullen Bunn with artwork by legendary penciler Mark Bagley. Released in June 2018, the comic returns Wade Wilson to his hyper-violent roots as a high-stakes mercenary, blending pitch-black humor with an escalating war against other elite killers.

Plot & Synopsis

In this issue, Deadpool teams up with his old tech-support pal Weasel, who acts as his broker for mercenary jobs. However, Wade is executing these missions with a tighter, renewed moral compass. He only agrees to take out targets who are genuinely evil or "deserve it," actively punishing other killers-for-hire who fail to live up to any sort of ethical standard.

The primary action kicks off with a highly volatile mission that sends Deadpool directly into the heart of a castle filled to the brim with lethal Hand ninjas. Wade gets brutalized and stabbed multiple times, putting his infamous mutant healing factor to a severe test.

The Broader Conflict

This initial mission sets off a massive domino effect. Deadpool's chaotic actions in the first issue put him on a direct collision course with the Assassins Guild based in New Orleans (the Big Easy). By executing his targets and causing chaos in their territory, he draws the ire of the Guild's leadership. This sets up the rest of the miniseries, where the Guild sends an army of colorful, villainous ne'er-do-wells—most notably the blade-wielding speedster Harvester—to hunt down Wade and anyone he cares about.

Themes & Style

• Classic Action: The issue marks a deliberate tonal shift away from Wade's time trying to be a mainstream superhero, leaning heavily into the bloody, bombastic mercenary operations of his early 90s days.
• Creative Synergy: The book contrasts Cullen Bunn's characteristically witty, fast-paced dialogue with Mark Bagley's bright, highly dynamic, and detailed comic art.
• Parental Advisory: Due to the extreme gore, dismemberment, and explicit violence, the book carries a Parental Advisory (15 and up) rating.