The Age of Revelation event has brought about many changes for the X-Men. In the case of two Marvel heroes, it has changed them into monsters. It has also led to the formation of a frightening new X-Force.
The catalyst of these changes is a contagion dubbed the X-Virus. Created by the Mutant leader Revelation, but blamed on the anti-Mutant organization 3K, the X-Virus either kills or mutates those that are exposed to it. In some cases, however, it enhances or alters the powers of Mutants and other superhumans. For two X-Men, the X-Virus has a degenerative effect, transforming them into monstrous parodies of what they once were.
What Marvel heroes have become monsters?
In the case of Wade Wilson, the X-Virus forced a divide within his already erratic brain. The subconscious that controls normal biological processes largely shut down, save for his reflexes and hunger. His conscious mind was still active, but unable to fully control what the body did. For all intents and purposes, Deadpool became a classic zombie.
Undeadpool #1 by Tim Seeley and Carlos Magno explores this altogether disturbing development for the Merc with a Mouth. The issue focuses on Wade, killing and consuming a new group of would-be teenage superheroes. Tragically, they hid in the summer camp Deadpool was hiding in, while fleeing the territory controlled by Revelation. This leads to a correspondingly dark tale, as the Undeadpool thinks of numerous slasher horror jokes, while his body can only grunt like Jason Vorhees.
However, like all good horror movies, the comic closes with a twist at the end. The new Undeadpool had a noble reason for killing the young X-Men wannabes beyond simple hunger. The final pages reveal that the X-Virus had a similarly nasty effect on Cable.
The X-Virus apparently weakened Cable enough that the techno-organic virus infecting him finally won out. The result is a confused being, who still maintains some aspects of Nathan Summers’ personality, while now being loyal to the the Technarchy. Cable seeks to infect other Mutants, but sees it as mentoring young heroes and building them into a new X-Force. This sets up a battle between the two long-time allies, who have effectively become different kinds of zombie.
Undeadpool #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
