In modern comic publishing, it's common (and expected) for individual comic book issues to be collected into compilations of trade paperbacks and/or hardcovers, as well as other special compilations. Unlike the individual source issues, the collected editions typically stay in print for long periods and are less 'collectible.' If individual issues are out of reach or are not of interest to you or if you just need reading copies, the following collected editions of Deadpool comic books are the most recent in-print editions and are the perfect alternative to get started right away with Deadpool. The following compilations are presented in a chronologically-based suggested reading order with softcover editions before any hardcover editions (unless the only in-print editions are hardcover--these are integrated into the softcover list).

Deadpool has a ton of published material. All of his long-running solo series have been collected into trade paperback series, and it can be confusing and a little daunting.

The first ongoing solo series from 1997 with 69 issues is generally referred to as 'Vol 1' and was collected in the DEADPOOL CLASSIC [2008-TPB] series. This trade paperback series is still running at present, collecting the various appearances and mini-series that followed 'Vol 1' before 'Vol 2.'

The second ongoing solo series from 2008 with 63 issues is generally referred to as 'Vol 2' and was collected in the DEADPOOL [2008-TPB] series, but is more recently reprinted in the DEADPOOL BY DANIEL WAY: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2013-TPB] series.

The third ongoing solo series from 2013 with 45 issues is generally referred to as 'Vol 3' and was collected in the DEADPOOL [2013-TPB] series, but is more recently reprinted in the DEADPOOL BY POSEHN AND DUGGAN: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2018-TPB] series.

The fourth ongoing solo series from 2016 with 36 issues is generally referred to as 'World's Greatest' and is collected in the DEADPOOL: WORLD'S GREATEST [2016-TPB] series.

The fifth ongoing series, DESPICABLE DEADPOOL [2017] is collected in the DESPICABLE DEADPOOL [2017-TPB] series.

The sixth ongoing series, DEADPOOL [2018] is collected in the DEADPOOL BY SKOTTIE YOUNG [2019-TPB] series.

The current ongoing series, DEADPOOL [2020] is collected in the KING DEADPOOL [2020-TPB] series.

There are stand-alone compilations of just about every one of Deadpool's mini-series as well. A testament to Deadpool's popularity, a great many of all of these volumes are still in print. (So you've got some reading to do!)

The compilations of the longer-running series are presented below generally in the order that the original material was initially printed. (If you need help picking one to start, check out the Selected Key Storylines section further below.)

The first appearance of a character in comic book form is often the most valuable issue featuring that character. It's a nice place to get started in Deadpool, if it's within your budget.

• NEW MUTANTS [1983] #98  (1st appearance of Deadpool)

• DEADPOOL [1997] #-1   (flashback issue details Deadpool's origin around the time of his cancer diagnosis)
• DEADPOOL/DEATH '98 [1998]    (Deadpool recalls the origins of his healing factor and his name)
• DEADPOOL [1997] #33   (potentially mind-bending revelations about the true idendity of Wade Wison)
• OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE: WOLVERINE 2004 [2004]    (3-page character profile on Deadpool)
• WOLVERINE: WEAPON X FILES [2009]    (3-page character profile on Deadpool)
• WEAPON X: FIRST CLASS [2009] #2   (contains 10-page story where Deadpool takes the reader on a tour of the Weapon X facility and explains his origin)
• X-MEN ORIGINS: DEADPOOL [2010] #1   (Deadpool pitches his origin story to a Hollywood scriptwriter)
• ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS: X-MEN [2010] #1   (1-page summary on Deadpool)

Series beginnings are always great places to get started in comic books. Here is the Main Publication History for Deadpool comic books. Deadpool was introduced in NEW MUTANTS [1983] #98 and made follow-on appearances in X-FORCE [1991]. He had many guest appearances and cameos across the Marvel line at the time, but launched into his own self-titled mini-series with DEADPOOL [1993] #1-4. This was followed by another mini, then an ongoing, and viola...he has been churning out material ever since. (The AGENT X [2002] series is included on this list, as a central feature of the series was the question of whether Agent X was--in fact--Deadpool himself. Marvel's publishing-wide relaunch, MARVEL LEGACY, includes a return to legacy numbering for its long-running titles. In Marvel's calculation of the starting point of DESPICABLE DEADPOOL [2017] #287, they included all 15 issues of AGENT X's run.) The popularity of Deadpool has allowed Marvel to keep him in print in one series or another continuously throughout the years. The list below focuses on ongoing and mini-series which starred Deadpool as a main character. A few ongoing series where he was a team member are also included. See the Secondary Publishing History for a list of guest appearances and one-shots that starred Deadpool in a prominent manner.

• NEW MUTANTS [1983] #98   (1st appearance of Deadpool)
• X-FORCE [1991] #2, 4, 5, 10, 11, 14, 15, 21-24   (follow-on early appearances in this series)
• DEADPOOL [1993] #1-4   (THE CIRCLE CHASE, first solo mini-series)
• DEADPOOL [1994] #1-4   (2nd solo mini-series; Mark Waid's 1st work at Marvel)
• DEADPOOL [1997] #1-6, -1, 7-12, 0, 13-69   (1st ongoing solo series, 'Vol 1')
• DEADPOOL/DEATH '98 [1998] #1   (origin story)
• AGENT X [2002] #1-15   (Agent X character is--or isn't--Deadpool)
• CABLE/DEADPOOL [2004] #1-24   
• CABLE AND DEADPOOL [2006] #25-50   
• DEADPOOL [2008] #1-63   (2nd ongoing solo series, 'Vol 2,' from Daniel Way)
• DEADPOOL: SUICIDE KINGS [2009] #1-5   
• DEADPOOL: MERC WITH A MOUTH [2009] #1-13   
• DEADPOOL [2009] #900   (one-off discountinuous number initiates ongoing DEADPOOL TEAM-UP [2010] series with descending numbering)
• DEADPOOL TEAM-UP [2010] #899-883 (numbering DESCENDS)   
• PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS [2010] #1-5   
• DEADPOOL CORPS [2010] #1-12   
• DEADPOOL MGC [2010] #1   (reprints DEADPOOL [2008] #1)
• DEADPOOL: WADE WILSON'S WAR [2010] #1-4   
• DEADPOOL [2010] #1000   (another, one-off discontinuous number)
• DEADPOOL PULP [2010] #1-4   
• UNCANNY X-FORCE [2010] #1-35   (team member)
• DEADPOOL MAX [2010] #1-12   
• UNCANNY X-FORCE: THE APOCALYPSE SOLUTION [2011] #1   (reprints UNCANNY X-FORCE [2010] #1-3)
• DEADPOOL MAX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE [2011] #1   (reprints DEADPOOL MAX [2010] #1-3)
• CABLE AND DEADPOOL MGC [2011] #1   (reprints CABLE/DEADPOOL [2004] #1)
• DEADPOOL MAX 2 [2011] #1-6   
• DEADPOOL KILLS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE [2012] #1-4   
• DEADPOOL [2013] #1-45   ('Vol 3' from Duggan and Posehn)
• THUNDERBOLTS [2013] #1-32   (team member)
• DEADPOOL KILLUSTRATED [2013] #1-4   
• DEADPOOL KILLS DEADPOOL [2013] #1-4   
• NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEADPOOL [2014] #1-4   
• DEADPOOL ANNUAL [2014] #1-2   
• DEADPOOL VS. CARNAGE [2014] #1-4   
• DEADPOOL: DRACULA'S GAUNTLET [2014] #1-7   
• DEADPOOL VS. X-FORCE [2014] #1-4   
• DEADPOOL BI-ANNUAL [2014] #1   
• HAWKEYE VS. DEADPOOL [2014] #0-4   
• DEADPOOL'S ART OF WAR [2014] #1-4   
• DEADPOOL'S SECRET SECRET WARS [2015] #1-4   
• DEADPOOL VS. THANOS [2015] #1-4   
• UNCANNY AVENGERS [2015B] #1-23   (team member)
• DEADPOOL [2016] #1-36   ('World's Greatest')
• UNCANNY AVENGERS ANNUAL [2016] #1   (team member)
• DEADPOOL AND CABLE: SPLIT SECOND [2016] #1-3   
• SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL [2016] #1-50   
• DEADPOOL AND THE MERCS FOR MONEY [2016A] #1-5   
• DEADPOOL AND THE MERCS FOR MONEY [2016B] #1-10   
• DEADPOOL V GAMBIT [2016] #1-5   
• DEADPOOL ANNUAL [2016] #1   
• DEADPOOL: BACK IN BLACK [2016] #1-5   
• DEADPOOL: TOO SOON? [2016] #1-4   
• DEADPOOL THE DUCK [2017] #1-5   
• DEADPOOL BAD BLOOD [2017-HC]    (original material)
• DEADPOOL VS. THE PUNISHER [2017] #1-5   
• DEADPOOL KILLS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE AGAIN [2017] #1-5   
• DESPICABLE DEADPOOL [2017] #287-300   (return to legacy numbering for MARVEL LEGACY publishing-wide relaunch)
• DEADPOOL VS. OLD MAN LOGAN [2017] #1-5   
• YOU ARE DEADPOOL [2018] #1-5   
• DEADPOOL [2018] #1-15   (flagship relaunch from writer Skottie Young)
• DEADPOOL: ASSASSIN [2018] #1-6   
• CABLE AND DEADPOOL ANNUAL [2018] #1   
• BLACK PANTHER VS. DEADPOOL [2018] #1-5   
• DEADPOOL: SECRET AGENT DEADPOOL [2019-SC]    (original story)
• DEADPOOL [2020] #1-   (flagship title relaunch from writer Kelly Thompson)
• DEADPOOL: THE END [2020] #1   

If you've already enjoyed some of the series listed in the Main Publication History above, series from this secondary publication list are very good places to further your exploration. The popularity of Deadpool has allowed Marvel to keep him in print in one series or another continuously throughout the years. Deadpool has had countless (unless you want to count them below) mini-series, cross-overs, and one-shots.

• X-FORCE ANNUAL [1992] #1-2   (early appearances)
• NOMAD [1992] #4, 15   (early guest appearances in Fabian Nicieza's NOMAD series)
• AVENGERS [1963] #366   (early guest appearance, story continued from AVENGERS ANNUAL [1967] #22)
• SILVER SABLE AND THE WILD PACK [1992] #26, 30   (early guest appearances)
• SECRET DEFENDERS [1993] #15-17   (fleeting team member until Dr. Strange corrects reality)
• WOLVERINE [1988] #88   (1st Deadpool/Wolverine battle)
• X-CALIBRE [1995] #1-4   (introduction of Dead Man Wade (the Age of Apocalypse (AoA) version of Deadpool))
• WOLVERINE '95 [1995]    (contains 18-page Wolverine/Deadpool story)
• X-FORCE MEGAZINE [1996] #1   (reprints NEW MUTANTS [1983] #98-100)
• DAREDEVIL/DEADPOOL '97 [1997]    
• DEADPOOL TEAM-UP [1998] #1   (one-shot, part of Deadpool Month)
• BABY'S FIRST DEADPOOL BOOK [1998] #1   (one-shot, part of Deadpool Month)
• ENCYCLOPAEDIA DEADPOOLICA [1998] #1   (one-shot, part of Deadpool Month)
• WOLVERINE 1999 [1999]    (contains 25-page Wolverine/Deadpool story)
• WOLVERINE [1988] #154-155   (ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER, Wolverine/Deadpool story/art by Liefeld)
• X-MEN UNLIMITED [1993] #28   (contains 11-page Deadpool story in the style of Frank Miller's SIN CITY)
• BLACK PANTHER [1998] #23   (crossover with DEADPOOL [1997] #44)
• IDENTITY DISC [2004] #1-5   (minor part in this mini-series)
• ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN [2000] #91-94   (introduction of the Ultimate Universe's Deadpool, Sgt Wadey Wilson)
• DEADPOOL/GLI--SUMMER FUN SPECTACULAR [2007] #1   
• WOLVERINE: ORIGINS [2006] #21-25   (THE DEEP END)
• MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS [2007] #10   (contains 8-page Deadpool story, FUN WITH NINJAS)
• MARVEL ZOMBIES [2008] #1   ('introduction' of Marvel Zombie Deadpool's head...commonly referred to as Headpool)
• DEADPOOL: GAME$ OF DEATH [2009] #1   
• THUNDERBOLTS [2006] #130-131   (crossover with DEADPOOL [2008] #8-9)
• SUPERMAN/BATMAN ANNUAL [2006] #1   (wait...wha?!? Deadpool's not actually in this comic, but Joe Kelly riffs on a ripoff by writing a Deathstroke that acts just like Deadpool)
• CABLE [2008] #13   (Deadpool explains how he survived 800 years to be in this time-travel tale)
• AMAZING SPIDER-MAN [2003] #611   (guest appearance, cool cover)
• X-FORCE ANNUAL [2010] #1   (contains 12-page Deadpool story, UNDEADPOOL)
• CABLE [2008] #25   (Deadpool recounts his massive role in the SECOND COMING storyline)
• VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT [2010] #8   (guest appearance)
• DEADPOOL CORPS: RANK AND FOUL [2010] #1   
• HULKED-OUT HEROES [2010] #1-2   (introduction of Hulkpool as part of World War Hulks)
• LADY DEADPOOL [2010] #1   (one-shot focusing on Lady Deadpool)
• X-MEN ORIGINS: DEADPOOL [2010] #1   
• 5 RONIN [2011] #1-5   (cool alternate version of Deadpool in feudal Japan)
• WHAT IF? IRON MAN: DEMON IN AN ARMOR [2011] #1   (contains 6-page WHAT IF THE VENOM SYMBIOTE POSSESSED DEADPOOL, Part 1 of 4; Remender's introduction of Venompool)
• WHAT IF? WOLVERINE: FATHER [2011] #1   (contains 6-page WHAT IF THE VENOM SYMBIOTE POSSESSED DEADPOOL, Part 2 of 4)
• WHAT IF? SPIDER-MAN [2011] #1   (contains 6-page WHAT IF THE VENOM SYMBIOTE POSSESSED DEADPOOL, Part 3 of 4)
• WHAT IF? DARK REIGN [2011] #1   (contains 6-page WHAT IF THE VENOM SYMBIOTE POSSESSED DEADPOOL, Part 4 of 4)
• VENOM/DEADPOOL: WHAT IF? [2011]    (collects the 4-part WHAT IF THE VENOM SYMBIOTE POSSESSED DEADPOOL story)
• AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL [2008] #38   (IDENTITY WARS, Part 1 of 3)
• DEADPOOL FAMILY [2011] #1   
• DEADPOOL ANNUAL [2011] #1   (IDENTITY WARS, Part 2 of 3)
• FEAR ITSELF: DEADPOOL [2011] #1-3   (FEAR ITSELF (2011) tie-in)
• INCREDIBLE HULKS ANNUAL [2011] #1   (IDENTITY WARS, Part 3 of 3)
• DEADPOOL/AMAZING SPIDER-MAN/HULK: IDENTITY WARS [2011-HC]    (collects the 3-part IDENITITY WARS story)
• FEAR ITSELF: UNCANNY X-FORCE [2011] #1-3   (FEAR ITSELF (2011) tie-in)
• WOLVERINE/DEADPOOL: THE DECOY [2011] #1   
• DEADPOOL MAX X-MAS SPECIAL [2012] #1   
• AVENGING SPIDER-MAN [2011] #12-13   
• DEADPOOL: THE GAUNTLET [2014] #1   
• DEATH OF WOLVERINE: DEADPOOL AND CAPTAIN AMERICA [2014] #1   
• MRS. DEADPOOL AND THE HOWLING COMMANDOS [2015] #1-4   
• DEADPOOL: LAST DAYS OF MAGIC [2016] #1   
• TRUE BELIEVERS: DEADPOOL VARIANTS [2016] #1   (collects Deadpool variant covers)

This section contains a curated list of some of the best storylines for Deadpool, any one of which can be a good place to get started. Tales about Deadpool can focus on--or mix to varying degrees--either of his iconic characteristics: wise-cracking humorous/ridiculous storylines and insanely violent plotlines. The contemporary Deadpool evolved over time, with his first appearance and his first years--if not for the costume--almost unrecognizable compared to the modern interpretation. Today, he is as valuable a creative resource to juxtapose against other Marvel characters, as he is to tell his own stories.

A key issue can be an acceptable place to get started with Deadpool, but they are more of a collector's checklist, as they can carry high price tags. Nearly every first issue of a Deadpool series tends to be a hot back issue. The first appearances of Domino and Copycat are marked with 'retcon' in parentheses, since at the time of Domino's first appearance, nobody (possibly including even the writers) knew that she was Copycat in disguise. So, their pre-retcon first appearances are marked with 'retcon' as well. It's a little bit of a mess, but you should have as much info as possible, so you can decide the relative importance of these issues. Another series of key issues with dubious importance is the evolution of Deadpool's breaking of the 4th wall in Joe Kelly's 1997 ongoing series. It's definitely an important aspect of the character, but it's also definitely hard to say where it started, since it did evolve throughout the series. The list below notes several instances with specific descriptions of the interactions. Again, you can decide which--if any--are key issues to you. Finally, the list of alternate Deadpools is long, especially when you consider the Deadpool and Evil Deadpool Corps. Some have more backstory and published material than others.

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• NEW MUTANTS [1983] #98   (1st appearances of Deadpool, Domino (as Copycat)/Copycat (as Domino) (retcon))
• X-FORCE [1991] #2   (2nd appearance of Deadpool)
• X-FORCE [1991] #4   (early appearance of Deadpool)
• X-FORCE [1991] #5   (early appearance of Deadpool)
• X-FORCE [1991] #10   (early appearance of Deadpool)
• X-FORCE [1991] #11   (early appearance of Deadpool, 1st appearance of Domino (as Domino) (retcon))
• X-FORCE [1991] #19   (1st appearance of Copycat (as Copycat) (retcon))
• CABLE [1993] #3   (1st appearance of Weasel)
• DEADPOOL [1993] #1   (1st issue of this series)
• DEADPOOL [1994] #1   (1st issue of this series, 1st Deadpool unmasked, 1st appearance of Dr. Killebrew, 1st Mark Waid work at Marvel)
• WOLVERINE [1988] #88   (1st Deadpool/Wolverine battle)
• DEADPOOL [1997] #1   (1st issue of this series, 1st appearance of Blind Al)
• DEADPOOL [1997] #4   (1st Deadpool breaking the 4th wall (in recap))
• DEADPOOL [1997] -1   (origin material)
• DAREDEVIL/DEADPOOL '97 [1997]    (1st Deadpool/Daredevil team-up)
• DEADPOOL [1997] #11   (Deadpool replaces Spider-Man in panels of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN [1963] #47)
• DEADPOOL [1997] #0   (1st Deadpool breaking the 4th wall (in story))
• DEADPOOL [1997] #14   (1st appearance of Ajax (aka Francis))
• BABY'S FIRST DEADPOOL BOOK [1998] #1   (popular spoof of a children's book)
• DEADPOOL/DEATH '98 [1998] #1   (origin material)
• DEADPOOL [1997] #27   (1st Deadpool breaking the 4th wall (addressing audience (in disguise))
• DEADPOOL [1997] #28   (1st Deadpool breaking the 4th wall (full-blown audience conversation (in costume))
• DEADPOOL [1997] #33   (origin material)
• DEADPOOL [1997] #42   (popular cover homage of G.I. JOE, A REAL AMERICAN HERO [1982] #21)
• DEADPOOL [1997] #50   (1st appearance of Kid Deadpool)
• DEADPOOL [1997] #65   (popular cover of girl in bunny suit)
• CABLE/DEADPOOL [2004] #1   (1st issue of this series)
• CABLE/DEADPOOL [2004] #2   ('RYAN RENOLDS' (sic) reference is the seed of the urban legend that inspired Ryan Reynolds to pursue Deadpool movie role)
• CABLE/DEADPOOL [2004] #24   (1st Deadpool/Spider-Man battle)
• CABLE AND DEADPOOL [2006] #38   (1st appearance of Hydra Bob)
• DEADPOOL [2008] #1   (1st issue of this series)
• MARVEL ZOMBIES [2008] #1   (1st appearance of Headpool (disembodied head of the zombie version of Deadpool))
• DEADPOOL: SUICIDE KINGS [2009] #1   (1st issue of this series)
• DEADPOOL: MERC WITH A MOUTH [2009] #1   (1st issue of this series)
• AMAZING SPIDER-MAN [2003] #611   (popular Deadpool/Spider-Man story)
• HIT-MONKEY [2010A] #1   (1st appearance of Hit-Monkey (in print))
• DEADPOOL [2008] #19   (1st appearance of Hit-Monkey (in Deadpool comics))
• DEADPOOL: MERC WITH A MOUTH [2009] #7   (1st appearances of Lady Deadpool, Major Deadpool)
• PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS [2010] #2   (1st appearance of Kidpool)
• PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS [2010] #3   (1st appearance of Dogpool)
• PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS [2010] #4   (1st appearance of Deadpool Corps (assembled))
• DEADPOOL CORPS [2010] #1   (1st issue of this series)
• X-MEN ORIGINS: DEADPOOL [2010] #1   (origin material)
• DEADPOOL [2008] #44   (1st brief appearance of Evil Deadpool)
• DEADPOOL [2008] #45   (1st full appearance of Evil Deadpool)
• DEADPOOL KILLS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE [2012] #1   (1st issue of this series, 1st appearance of Dreadpool (unnamed))
• DEADPOOL [2013] #1   (1st issue of this series)
• DEADPOOL KILLUSTRATED [2013] #1   (1st issue of this series)
• DEADPOOL KILLS DEADPOOL [2013] #1   (1st issue of this series)
• DEADPOOL VS. CARNAGE [2014] #1   (1st issue of this series)
• DEADPOOL [2013] #27   (marriage of Deadpool and Shiklah)
• DEADPOOL'S SECRET SECRET WARS [2015] #2   (1st appearance of Gwenpool (cover))