The Unbelievable Gwenpool #3 Review

Welcome back people to Gwenpool, the recent sleeper hit from Marvel. Last time, Gwen, a girl from the “real” world who has found herself in the Marvel Universe and subsequently, working for M.O.D.O.K., found herself going toe to toe with Thor and only managed to survive by revealing that she knew her true name. Later that night, Batroc, a member of her team under M.O.D.O.K. has learned that Gwen is actually a fraud who killed her predecessor by pure luck and now plans to tell M.O.D.O.K. Desperate, Gwen decides to reveal her true nature, along with the fact that she knows everyone’s secrets because she read them in the comics. To prove it, she asks Batroc if he remembers anything about his life before his first encounter with Captain America, and much to his surprise, he’s unable to.

Now that brings up an interesting topic. Do the characters of the Marvel Universe have memories of having full lives, or are their memories limited to that which the story requires? Gwen’s presence in this world brings up several metaphysical questions. Another one that comes to mind: even though Gwen herself is from the real world, the world she’s in is still a comic book and someone must be writing it. In the pseudo-real world that Gwen originates from, is the writer of this particular comic aware of her presence? This is just food for thought, but I felt it was worth mentioning.

Anywho, Batroc’s existential crisis will have to wait as M.O.D.O.K. has just murdered the payroll guy because he can’t find a record of Gwen’s existence, meaning that until Gwen can prove her existence and set up a bank account of her own, she can’t get paid.

Later, Gwen is seen taking to the woman who designed her outfit about her current situation, and she has something that might help. That something turns out to be an egg that hatches into a card with “1:00” on it.

Later, Gwen and Batroc continue their discussion. It’s compelling stuff, and actually gives Batroc a degree of depth as he ponders the implications of his reality and muses on the fact that happy endings do not exist in this world.

However, once again, the metaphysical crisis of a Frenchman in purple and orange spandex must be interrupted, this time by Gwen’s one o’clock appointment, which turns out to be with Dr. Strange. Strange says he can give Gwen a hand in setting up an identity in this new universe. After a brief and amusing moment where Strange remarks on his upcoming portrayal by Benedict Cumberbatch, Strange says that he can make it so Gwen always lived in this world, or at least it will appear that way. It’s not a complete rewrite, but it’ll get her a social security number. It’s also implied that Gwen’s relationship with her family isn’t exactly a great one. Strange casts his spell, and it works. Gwen thanks Strange and the sorcerer departs. Unfortunately, Gwen’s integration into the Marvel Universe may have backfired on her as it causes M.O.D.O.K. to discover she’s a fraud.

What Works:

Once again, we have a fun outing. This time around we go deeper into the deeper implications of Gwen’s situation as well as give some character development for Gwen herself. I appreciate a lot of the little touches such as Gwen’s pink word balloons explained as part of her being from another world. I especially liked Batroc’s considering his reality after talking to Gwen, which eventually leads to the two becoming friends. What Doesn’t:

Nothing specific. There wasn’t as much that stuck out as incredible like the first issue, but that’s not a bad thing.

Overall: 4.5/5 I simply cannot get enough of this title. It is original, entertaining and even provocative at times. I cannot recommend Gwenpool enough.