For some reason - perhaps because it's marking time before issue #25 - Cable & Deadpool has broken with the normal modern format and produced a freestanding single issue.

Come to think of it, Fabian Nicieza's been straining at the limits of that format for a while now, both in this book and in New Thunderbolts.  With an increasing number of books shifting away from the rigid formula of arcs lasting between four and six issues, which had resulted in far too many stories being stretched beyond their natural lifespan, it does look as though Marvel's finally conceded the point here.

Anyway, what we have here is an issue guest starring Spider-Man.  There's also a plot, which has Cable sending Deadpool to thwart a secret government anti-Cable project.  But basically, it's Deadpool versus Spider-Man, and that's the central point of the issue.  They have a big fight, with the joke being that artist Patrick Zircher is drawing Spider-Man largely in suspiciously familiar poses, complete with slight changes in art style.

And... er, yeah, that's basically it.  There's a cute subplot with Deadpool making a hamfisted attempt to romance Irene Merryweather ("You're looking mighty fresh for a woman in her pre-menopausal years!"), but basically it's just an excuse for Spider-Man to guest star. 

The story doesn't really work.  Deadpool and Spider-Man fight to a standstill, and then somehow end up agreeing to work together thanks to some nudging from Cable.  Jump forward to the next panel, and it's all over - mission achieved behind the scenes.  I've read this a few times now and I'm not honestly sure what any of these characters gained from working together, or even what Deadpool contributed at all.  It feels very much as though there's an act missing.

It's still good fun, and the visual gag works very nicely.  But I'm left wondering whether I've missed something - namely, the last bit of the plot.

Rating: B

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