10 Deadpool & Wolverine Comics to Read Before Deadpool 3

Breaking news popped out just recently, revealing that one of the fan-favorite X-Men characters – Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine – is returning to action to join Wade Wilson in Deadpool 3. What the story will look like is still unknown, but luckily for us, there’s tons of comic book material that could potentially be used in the movie to create an absolutely epic storyline.

Deadpool and Wolverine go way back. Not only did they appear in tons of comics together, mainly as a part of the same team, but they have also had numerous fights and their own title, where they are actually best friends. So, to get you pumped and prepared for Deadpool 3, here’s a ranked list of the ten best Deadpool and Wolverine comics to read before the film.

10. Cable & Deadpool Vol. 1: If Looks Could Kill (2007)

Although there’s hardly even a reference to Wolverine in this storyline, I included Cable & Deadpool Vol. 1: If Looks Could Kill on the list to help you remember the events of Deadpool 2. Just like the movie, Cable and Deadpool start off as enemies, but soon realize their interests and goals are similar, providing us with an awesome, funny, witty tag team you’ll love reading about.

Cable has plans to change the world’s future for the better, whereas Deadpool is a mentally unstable mercenary who wants to be a part of that humane plan. He helps out, sure, but usually just banters incessantly and annoys poor guy Cable. The paperback edition collects the titular issues into one, and was published back in 2007.

9. New Mutants Vol. 1 #98 (1990)

New Mutants Vol. 1 #98 was actually the first time that Deadpool ever appeared in Marvel Comics. He was actually the antagonist of the issue and didn’t really meet Wolverine in that particular instance. However, it was the beginning of the X-Force, and the pair would hit it off in later issues.

We also learn a bit about Wolverine and Deadpool’s connections from the Weapon X experiments and a lot more that eventually played a crucial role in their friendship. Many things from Deadpool’s early appearances could prove to be highly important for Deadpool 3 and the reintroduction of the Logan-Wade tandem.

8. Wolverine And Deadpool #104 (2004)

This particular series was published by Panini Comics, as a part of the Marvel UK Collector’s Edition line. It reprinted some of the popular Marvel Comics stories revolving around – you guessed it – Wolverine and Deadpool.

Interestingly, the title was initially Wolverine Unleashed, then Wolverine and Gambit, and finally Wolverine And Deadpool with issue #104, which also marked the start of Volume 3. The series is actually still ongoing and includes stories from Wolverine and Deadpool solo comics, as well as stories from the Uncanny X-Force, Marvel Team-up, and more.

7. Deadpool Vs. Old Man Logan Vol. 1 #1 (2017)

This particular issue is just as cool and interesting as any other Logan-Wade team-up. It happens in the future, where Wolverine is an old guy, and Deadpool is still alive due to their unique healing factors. Logan is tracking down a dangerous new Omega-level mutant, and Deadpool wants to help, but Logan just won’t let him.

So, Deadpool retaliates and becomes a huge pain in the butt, as he usually is. It’s a great storyline that’s hilarious at one moment, but super dark in the other. I chose it for this list because it could very well reflect what’ll happen in Deadpool 3. You know, an older version of Wolverine unwillingly teaming up with Deadpool. We’ll have to wait and see.

6. Uncanny X-Force Vol. 1 #1 (2010)

Although the X-Force was formed years before, it was this particular title that made the team so popular. It includes both Deadpool and wolverine, along with some other notable names, and follows their adventures through a series that is actually still ongoing.

The first issue – the one I’ve mentioned here – has Wolverine, Archangel, Deadpool, Psylocke, and Fantomex team up to try and destroy Apocalypse once and for all. It’s a great comic, but if you get a chance, read the entire series – then you’ll understand why it made the X-Force so popular – and why fans are rejoicing to see Deadpool and Wolverine together on the big screen.

5. Wolverine: Origins Vol. 5 – Deadpool (2008)

This paperback edition is actually a collection of Wolverine: Origins #21-27, published in late 2008. It’s an epic storyline about the two insanely powerful healers that can survive just about everything, going head-to-head in a death battle.

Even if one of them somehow wins, they get to deal with Daken – Wolverine’s psychopathic, serial killer son, who also has the healing factor, but lacks any inhibitions. We see Deadpool and Wolverine team up quite often, which is why I enjoyed this particular storyline so much, as it showcased them on opposite sides, going against each other, and against a greater evil.

4. Wolverine #23 (2022)

So, we know that both Wolverine and Deadpool can regenerate from just about anything. Like, even if they get disintegrated, and there’s only a single particle of their body left, they’ll eventually heal and completely recover. But, what happens if they are pulverized at the same place, at the same time, and their particles get mixed up and start healing over one another?

Well, you get Wolverine #23, where Danger – the physical manifestation of the Danger Room from the X-Mansion pulverizes the two guys, and they start meshing together into this hideous, horrifying creature. Luckily for us, their cells quickly pick up on who’s who, and the two separate, but there were these few panels, long enough to give you nightmares.

3. X-Force Vol. 6 #30 (2022)

This is one of the most recent X-Force comics, published about a month ago. In it, Deadpool rejoins the X-Force which includes Wolverine, Domino, Sage, Black Tom, Omega Red, and Beast, to fight Kraven the Hunter.

I’m not sure how it could play into the MCU, but with recent rumors about Kraven the Hunter getting introduced into the MCU as well, it might not be a bad idea to give this issue a peep before Deadpool 3. The series is still ongoing, too, with X-Force Vol. 6 #32 set to come out on October 12, 2022.

2. X-Men Origins: Deadpool (2010)

This one-shot from 2010 is different from all other entries on this list and one of my favorites from the list as well. Just before the issue came out, the idea of a new Deadpool movie came out. So, the issue revolves around Wade Wilson, who heard the news, too, and he breaks the fourth wall, trying to make sure his movie rocks.

He even goes as far as to start writing a script himself. Anyway, we learn so, so much about Deadpool, his life, origins, and connections to Wolverine and the Weapon X experiments, all from the standpoint of a fourth-wall-breaking Deadpool who may or may not be a reliable narrator. It’s an epic comic to read before Logan and Wade officially reappear together on the big screen.

1. Deadpool: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (2013-14)

Finally, this is not a single issue, per se, but rather a storyline encapsulating Deadpool Vol. 5 #15-19. It’s probably my favorite Deadpool/Wolverine storyline ever, as it takes us deeper into their relationship, as well as through Wade Wilson’s life, showing him in a rarely vulnerable spot, and revealing a lot about his life.

So, the storyline follows Deadpool, Wolverine, and Captain America, who travel to North Korea to free a group of test subjects subjected to Deadpool’s DNA, as well as other X-Men, in an attempt to create new mutants to be used as weapons. You go from a super bright, funny situation to the darkest moments of Deadpool’s life in a matter of pages.

It’s an epic storyline that I’d like to see in the new movie – not in the sense that they travel to North Korea, but in a sense that showcases the friendship between Deadpool and Wolverine, as well as all the layers of Wade Wilson’s character.