The Unbelievable Gwenpool #4 Review
Welcome back readers to Gwenpool, the story of a Marvel fan-girl who is learning that actually living in the Marvel Universe isn’t as exciting as it looks in the movies. While initially, Gwen wanted to be a hero, reality came crashing down on her when M.O.D.O.K. murdered her friend Cecil and forced Gwen to work for him. Still, Gwen did her best to make the best of her new situation as one of M.O.D.O.K.’s mercenaries and even survived an encounter with Thor. However, the drawback of living outside of one’s native reality is the lack of a social security number along with the means to set up a bank account and make money. To that end, Gwen enlisted the assistance of Dr. Strange to help integrate her into this reality, at least enough to give her a social security number and a birth certificate. The unintended consequence of that however, was that Gwen’s integration into this reality allowed M.O.D.O.K. to realize that she was just an ordinary girl with nothing special about her, meaning she’s a liability and must be taken down.
We open with Gwen being trained by her fellow M.O.D.O.K. mercenary, Batroc, who seems to be developing a soft spot for Gwen. While Gwen still has a long way to go her marksmanship and hand to hand combat skills appear to be improving.
Later, at a meeting, M.O.D.O.K. sends the team out on a mission but demands that Gwen stay behind. M.O.D.O.K. confronts Gwen about what he believes to be her deception. M.O.D.O.K. would have just killed her outright, but she did still manage to kill one of his best agents so he gives her a chance to explain herself. Gwen explains that she killed him by pushing the agent into a furnace while he was distracted. Gwen further exposits on the fictional nature of the Marvel Universe and how she believes that she is protected by plot convenience due to her being a main character. Believing he’s being taken for a fool, M.O.D.O.K. vaporizes Gwen on the spot, but, as if to prove her claim, Gwen survives thanks to a shield generator she bought with M.O.D.O.K.’s money. Gwen may be naïve, but she’s not stupid and she’s been fully expecting M.O.D.O.K. to turn on her for some time now and has prepared herself for it. She may not be able to survive the attack, but at least she might be able to take M.O.D.O.K. down with her. To Gwen’s credit, she manages to hold her own very well, utilizing the skills that Batroc taught her along with her general knowledge of the comic book world. However, M.O.D.O.K. soon gains the upper hand due to his superior firepower. With no other choice, Gwen pulls out her ace in the hole, Cecil’s skull, which we learn was enchanted by Dr. Strange. By shattering the skull, Gwen releases Cecil’s ghost which possesses the computers in M.O.D.O.K.’s rocket chair and sends him out into space.
As Gwen and Cecil have a nice reunion, Batroc and the others return wondering what the hell just happened. What’s more, a call comes in from a client who understands the organization has recently seen a change in management, the implication being that Gwen is the new leader.
What Works: This is probably the most action heavy issue so far and the action is solid. Gwen and M.O.D.O.K.’s fight is a blast as it manages to be both humorous and intense at the same time.
In addition, I really like the characterization of Batroc in this title. It’s just nice to see some depth and humanity given to someone who, by the comic’s own admission, is a two-dimensional henchman character.
What Doesn’t: I got nothing.
Overall:
5/5
I have yet to find a flaw with this series. This is a comic that needs your attention, and I will continue to do everything in my power to promote it.