All 20 Versions of Deadpool, Ranked From Weakest To Most Powerful

Summary

• Deadpool’s variations showcase bold, violent, and meta humor elements, always staying true to his core character.
• The mainstream Marvel Universe version sets the standard, while alternate versions like Dogpool and X-Force offer unique takes.
• From quirky Kidpool to dangerous Dreadpool, each variation adds depth and diversity to Deadpool’s character universe.

The Marvel icon Deadpool has so many variations because he’s simply such a popular character. Whether the Mutant has been reimagined by other artists and writers, brought together in alternative ways throughout the Multiverse, or switched identities completely, the core of the Merc with the Mouth is always the same.

Deadpool’s versions thus could alternate based on everything from narrative potential to the shifting of reality itself. They’re always bold, always violent, and ready to drop meta jokes at any point. The character continues to evolve in unique ways and there’s no telling where Marvel might take Wade Wilson next.

The mainstream Marvel Universe incarnation of Deadpool (the Earth-616 version) and many of the entries on this list came together in one of the most over-the-top Multiversal crossovers of all time, featured in the trilogy of miniseries known as the “Deadpool Killogy”:
Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe
,
Deadpool Killustrated
, and
Deadpool Kills Deadpool
.

20 Classic Deadpool (The Mainstream Marvel Version)

First Appearance: New Mutants #98 (1983)

Deadpool is quirky, unpredictable, incredibly intense, and boasts quite a warped moral compass – though he has one, unlike several of the variants featured on this list.

The Deadpool that has been established in the comics, and indeed the Ryan Reynolds iteration seen throughout his big screen appearances (soon to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse), have both firmly set the general tone and vibe of Deadpool that audiences now know. The character is quirky, unpredictable, incredibly intense, and boasts quite a warped moral compass – though he has one, unlike several of the variants featured on this list.

Wade Wilson, the hero known as Deadpool, one of the funniest characters in Marvel Comics, and his interactions with other heroes – from his perennial ally Cable, to Wolverine, to Marvel’s earliest heroes like Captain America – are always legendary. The mainstream continuity version of Deadpool sets the standard by which all other versions of the character are judged.

19 Dogpool (The Man’s Best Friend Version)

First Appearance: Prelude To Deadpool Corps #3 (2010)

No other Marvel character quite straddles the line between being badass action hero and functioning as goofball comedic relief the way Deadpool does. Some of the entries on this list emphasize the brutal killer side of him, while others are more representative of his unrepentant silliness. Dogpool is without a doubt the latter.

That isn’t to say that Dogpool couldn’t hold his own in a fight – just that a wild-eyed, slobbering canine version of Marvel’s most unhinged hero hilariously embodied the unpredictable spirit that has elevated Deadpool into one of the most recognizable superheroes in mainstream culture. Like many iterations of Wade Wilson featured on this list, Dogpool has been underutilized as a character – which is to say, the memorable four-legged Merc With a Bark is overdue for a glorious comeback.

18 X-Force Deadpool (The Version That Has To Place Nice With Others)

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Force #1 (2010)

The 2010 X-Force roster’s inclusion of Deadpool featured a slight shift in the character. Though he is known as one half of the iconic Cable & Deadpool duo, and his team-ups with characters like Spider-Man have gone a long way toward defining the Merc With a Mouth as one of Marvel’s premiere character. Putting Deadpool in a team book, especially one bearing the X-mantle, was an interesting move, and it required him to be on his best behavior.

The secrecy of the team certainly benefited Deadpool, and in subsequent years, the character has been brought back into the X-Force fold again and again, usually because he’s desperately needed. As costumes go, the X-Force variation is iconic; the blacks and grays certainly rival the traditional red, reflecting something about the character’s identity that even his traditional look doesn’t.

17 Ultimate Deadpool (The Scariest Version Ever)

First Appearance: Ultimate Spider-Man #91 (2006)

The Ultimate Marvel Universe featured an alternative version of the most notable characters in the Marvel Universe. Deadpool was known as Wadey Wilson in this timeline. The Ultimate Universe lived up to its concept with its take on Deadpool, giving him a vastly different look, as well as a significantly divergent origin, personality, and ideology from what fans were familiar with.

With a see-through plastic mask showcasing the damage he endured from the Wakandan Wars,this Deadpool was actually an anti-mutant hunter, a human supremacist with no problem dispatching his targets. When an Evil Deadpool Corps was formed, bringing together the most heinous versions of Deadpool from throughout the Marvel Multiverse, it was no surprise that Ultimate Deadpool was one of their first recruits, considering he proved to be one of the most incredibly intense and vile takes on the character.

16 Grootpool (The Version Readers Lost Too Soon)

First (& Last) Appearance: Deadpool Kills Deadpool #4 (2013)

Grootpool is another genius Deadpool variant that deserves more attention. Appearing as more or less a one-off joke in Deadpool Kills Deadpool, this fusion of the Merc With a Mouth and Guardians of the Galaxy’s Groot was sadly killed off in the same issue as his first appearance. However, given the popularity of both characters, an appearance by another version of the character seems inevitable.

The joke at the core of the Grootpool character concept also seems too good not to do more with. Deadpool is one of the most loquacious characters in the Marvel Universe – that is to say, it is at times difficult to shut him up. As MCU fans are familiar with, Groot is known for only saying his name; in his brief appearance, Grootpool carries on this trait.

15 Kidpool (The Version That Had So Much Potential)

First Appearance: Prelude to Deadpool Corps #2 (2010)

There have been several stories featuring young versions of Deadpool, but the lightsaber-wielding Kidpool is the most memorable. Initially the resident troublemaker at the “Xavier Orphanage for Troubled Boys,” Kidpool subsequently went on to be a key member of the multiverse-hopping Deadpool Corps.

Kidpool is a great example of putting a familiar twist on exactly the right character. De-aging, or featuring childhood versions of superheroes is nothing new – but when applied to Deadpool, it takes everything great about the character and doubles down on it. Wade Wilson is always childlike, in a way; naturally, Kidpool accentuates that aspect of him. At the same time, Kidpool’s irreverence, and his self-awareness, are potently funny in their own way when coming from an adolescent, rather than a man approaching middle age.

14 Deadpool 2099 (The Version With Something To Prove)

First Appearance: Deadpool #6 (2016)

Marvel’s 2099 timeline has seen a few notable superheroes come into their own. Spider-Man 2099 might be the most famous among them, but Deadpool 2099 shouldn’t be ignored. Warda is the daughter of Wade Wilson and Shiklah – and despite growing up hating her father, she decided to take on the Deadpool mantle.

With a futuristic costume that fits right at home in the 2099 landscape, this iteration of the Merc with a Mouth actually has her own dragon that flies with her in battle. While she may have began her career as a villain – much like her dad – she later redeemed herself, and overcomes her difficult relationship with her father in the process. Based on what readers have witnessed from Deadpool 2099 so far, she has the potential to be the true hero Wade never quite managed to be.

13 Lady Deadpool (The Truly Heroic Version)

First Appearance: Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #7 (2010)

Wanda Wilson might have come from a different Earth, but she has had plenty of adventures on Earth-616. Essentially the female equivalent of Wade, Lady Deadpool is even more skilled with a blade than her male counterpart, and is without a doubt far more blatantly heroic than the Deadpool most audiences are familiar with.

The character is a resistance member on her Earth, fighting against a fascist state led by a villainous variant of Steve Rogers. Even after claiming victories in her reality, she protected so many more by sacrificing herself in the service of defeating the Evil Deadpool Corps, warning Wade Wilson of the threat in the process. Despite limited appearances, Lady Deadpool has been portrayed as an incredibly well-rounded character, making it likely she will return at some point in the future.

12 Gwenpool (The Fan-Favorite Version)

First Appearance: Deadpool’s Secret Secret Wars #2 (2015)

When looking at comedy characters, Gwenpool must be one of the most beloved and fun-loving. While there’s usually a murderous edge to other versions of the Merc With a Mouth, Gwenpool is a little friendlier, and perhaps even more bizarre. There are countless variations of Gwen Stacy in the Multiverse, but this is one that really stuck with fans.

A fourth-wall breaker in her own right, there’s a meta nature to the character based on her actually originating from the “real world,” according to the character’s origin story. She later retconed the Marvel Multiverse into believing she’s a Mutant, and has been shown to have quite the adorable relationship with Jeff the Land Shark. Kind and considerate, she’s a far cry from the traditional Wade Wilson – which has gone a long way toward distinguishing her as a truly unique version of the character.

Gwen-Pool’s character creation was unique – she began as one of a number of variant covers featuring versions of Gwen Stacy dressed up as different Marvel heroes, building on the immediate popularity of the recently introduced Spider-Gwen. Gwen-Pool later made her first appearance in a back-up story from an issue of
Howard the Duck
, of all places. She has since gone on to star in several of her own series.

11 Octosquatchpool Was An Absurd Mash-Up Of Characters

First Appearance: Edge of Venomverse #3

There’s nothing fans and writers love more than taking two characters and mashing them together. This can get even more absurd when it’s more than just two characters. While readers only get a quick throwaway glance, it’s hard to imagine a Deadpool more physically menacing than Octosquatchpool, the fusion of Sasquatch, Doctor Octopus, and Deadpool.

Presuming that this version of Deadpool has the qualities of all three characters, this means that Octosquatchpool had physical strength great enough that he could generate shock waves with a clap of his hands. The brilliant mind of Otto Octavius, and the healing factor and fighting skills of Deadpool. These three things combined would make Octosquatchpool one of the deadliest versions of Deadpool in terms of pure physical capability. While other versions of Deadpool, like Galactipool are stronger overall, it’d still be a nightmare scenario to fight Octosquatchpool for most Marvel heroes.

10 King Deadpool (The One With A Lot Of Responsibility)

First Appearance: Deadpool #1 (2019)

Back on Earth-616, Deadpool at one point took up quite a different role for some time. In the character’s 2019 solo series, he became Marvel’s “King of the Monsters,” and was dubbed King Deadpool, a role and regal title that came complete with his own royal garb, and a throne to sit atop as he directed his empire. In this era of the character’s history, Wade oversaw all the known monsters of the Marvel Universe, keeping them in check on Staten Island.

The character was slightly different than the traditional take on Deadpool, because of his new sense of responsibility. Sure the costume might have been shifted, but what’s changed the most is his attitude to helping others. He actually cares about his kingdom and although the power has gone to his head slightly, for the monsters he’s a pretty great monarch.

9 Venompool (The Symbiote Version of Deadpool)

First Appearance: Venom/Deadpool What If? #1 (2011)

Characters in the Marvel Universe have been Venomized again and again. It is always a lot of fun to see how a hero might look, and act, once they have bonded with a gooey Symbiote. When Deadpool bonded with the Venom symbiote, birthing Venompool, it combined two of Marvel’s most lethal characters. While Venompool hasn’t been the threat he has the potential to be, the character’s depiction nevertheless answered a must-ask question for Marvel fans.

He becomes a weapon in a way that the Merc with a Mouth simply wasn’t able to. He doesn’t lose all of his humor, but his hunger is insatiable. He’s such a cool design, although this Variant also joins the Evil Deadpool Corps. If more stories were to be told from the anti-hero perspective, he could combine some of the best personality traits of Venom and Deadpool.

8 Dead Man Wade (The Age Of Apocalypse Version of Deadpool)

First Appearance: X-Calibre #1 (1995)

Introduced as part of the 1990s crossover event Age of Apocalypse, Dead Man Wade took the antagonistic version of Deadpool to its most extreme conclusion. At the time of the crossover’s publication, Deadpool was still in the process of transitioning from his initial portrayal as a villainous mercenary into the belovedly irreverent hero contemporary readers are familiar with.

Dead Man Wade lacked even a single ounce of humor. Nor did he possess any remorse for his brutal actions, or any hesitation about committing more. Though he was killed by Nightcrawler in the original Age of Apocalypse storyline, Dead Man was later resurrected as a lieutenant of Dreadpool, bringing him into direct conflict with multiple overtly heroic variants of the character, including the Earth-616 version of Wade Wilson.

Age of Apocalypse
was released in 1995. Deadpool’s first solo series – which firmly established many of the most iconic elements that have come to be synonymous with the character – wasn’t launched until 1997. In other words,
Dead Man Wade represented an extrapolation of the original character’s potential
– thankfully, Marvel quickly decided to take Deadpool in the complete opposite direction.

7 Deadpoo;, King Of The Underworld

First Appearance: Deadpool: The End #1

Deadpool and Lady Death have always had a bit of a complicated relationship. The two are deeply interested in one another, but due to Deadpool’s absurd healing factor, it’s never been possible for Deadpool to die, especially after Thanos cursed Wade with immortality. This has meant their love has always been a forbidden one, but during the events of Deadpool: The End, Deadpool makes a deal with Mephisto.

This deal allows Deadpool to finally die and meet Lady Death, but he doesn’t stop there. After reaching the underworld, Deadpool decides to take over as the new king of the underworld, and he keeps Lady Death by his side during it. In a comic all about giving Deadpool different endings, the idea of the Merc with a Mouth becoming the undisputed ruler of the underworld is certainly one of the more absurd ideas.

6 Zenpool (The Enlightened Version)

First Appearance: Deadpool #36 (2014)

If readers have ever wondered what Wade Wilson would be like if he decided to hang up his katanas, get rid of his guns, and decide to become a pacifist, then they have to look no further than Zenpool. After this transformation, Deadpool branded himself as this much calmer Zenpool and was accompanied by a conscience bubble.

Refusing to ever harm a living thing again, Zenpool underwent a costume change linked to his slightly cooler mood, with the whites of his suit seemingly proving quite a spiritual choice. He was content with his lifestyle change for the brief period before the spell prompting this change wore off. Still, Zenpool remains one of the most novel inversions of Deadpool’s traditional character, making him a variant readers would be happy to get more of.

5 Death Mask (The Version of Deadpool Who Became A Legitimate Supervillain)

First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man Annual #38 (2011)

Death Mask is by far the Deadpool on this list most deserving of further exploration by Marvel’s writers. A version of Deadpool who adopted the look and the villainous role of Doctor Doom, Death Mask is one of Marvel’s most underrated mash-up characters, and is an exciting villain waiting for the right story to utilize him.

Death Mask is a version of Wade Wilson that was cured of a debilitating brain tumor by Reed Richards – which had the unintended effect of removing all inhibitations keeping Wade’s genius-level intellect at bay. The tumorless Deadpool also lacked any of the moral compass of his familiar counterpart, leading him to become a ruthless enemy of his reality’s heroes – and more critically, a threat that remains out there in the Multiverse, waiting to strike.

4 Galactipool, The Madness Of Deadpool & Power Of Galactus

First Appearance: Deadpool Kills Deadpool #2

Galactus is one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe, even pre-dating the universe itself. Galactus has the power to teleport anywhere in the universe instantly, rewrite reality, raise the dead, and bestow his power upon other people. In one story, he even went mad and destroyed the Universe with ease. The idea of a maniac like Deadpool with these powers is a terrifying one, but this version of Deadpool, thankfully, didn’t get a chance to do much.

Recruited into the Deadpool Corps to stop Dreadpool, he was shockingly killed when Lady Deadpool flew the Bea Arthur into Galactipool’s head, killing him instantly. While this version of Deadpool may be one with the highest amount of sheer power, the fact he didn’t get to do much means fans never got to see his true potential unleashed.

3 Captain Pool Remade The Entire Universe

First Appearance: Deadpool: The End #1

One of the most common ways for characters to get a major power boost is by fusing with a core aspect of the universe. That’s what Captain Universe is; a being who is merged with the Enigma Force, Marvel’s primal force of light. The Enigma Force was created at the start of the universe as the opposite of Knull, the God of Darkness. Whoever fuses with the Enigma Force is granted incredible power, such as total matter manipulation and the ability to see everything, including the truth.

A few characters have been bonded with the Enigma Force over the years, such as Spider-Man and Deadpool. This version of Deadpool was dismayed by how absolutely miserable his universe had become, with every hero in the world becoming a nihilist. Becoming Captain Pool, he used the Enigma Force to recreate the universe, hoping this new version would be more bright and hopeful.

2 Eternity Deadpool

First Appearance: Doomwar #5

While reshaping the universe is certainly an impressive feat, it’s not as impressive as becoming the universe. In Doomwar #5, Deadpool comes across an alternate version of himself who seems to have become Eternity itself. Eternity is the personification of the universe and is one of the highest beings in the Marvel Multiverse, with very few beings or entities existing beyond the concept of eternity itself.

While Deadpool is no stranger to getting into absurd situations, becoming a living embodiment of an entire universe is by far one of the most powerful forms Deadpool has ever had. While Captain Pool and Galactipool are certainly powerful, they still have to reside within the universe that they live in. Eternity Deadpool is the universe itself, and aside from the absolute strongest and most powerful attacks in Marvel, he’d be completely and utterly immune to everything.

1 Dreadpool (The Most Dangerous Version In The Multiverse)

First Appearance: Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe #1 (2012)

The best can mean many things – and for Dreadpool, it meant proving that he really is the best killer in the Marvel Universe. In fact, as a cynical being who questions his very reality, Dreadpool went on a mission to kill every single character in the Marvel Universe – and once he’d done that, he turned his attention to the Multiverse.

Dreadpool’s nihilistic mission of destruction led to the creation of the Evil Deadpool Corps, as he gathered together the worst Deadpools from different timelines and set them loose on the rest of the Multiverse. This turned out to be a threat that only another Deadpool could contend with. Dreadpool ultimately met his demise thanks to Wade Wilson of Earth-616, but not before he easily secured his title as the most proficient killer in all existence, because of the murderous rampage he achieved.