Here Is Why Deadpool Looks Like Spider-Man

In this article, we will examine why Deadpool’s costume resembles Spider-Man’s. You’ll find out why that is, but also what is the exact relationship between Spider-Man and Deadpool, i.e., why Deadpool likes Spider-Man so much and if the two of them are (still) friends.

Why does Deadpool look like Spider-Man?

The origins of the Deadpool character are, like the character himself, quite humorous. Namely, Deadpool was – surprise, surprise – designed as a sort of mock character, a parody of several other characters, with writer Fabian Nicieza stating that “this is Deathstroke from Teen Titans” once he saw Rob Liefeld’s original sketch and description of the then-unknown character.

This is how Deadpool became a parody of DC’s Deathstroke, and Nicieza soon came up with the name Wade Wilson as an inside joke and a reference to Deathstroke’s real name, Slade Wilson. Luckily for us, the name stuck.

Despite being as much a parody of Deathstroke as possible, Slade Wilson is not the only character that inspired Deadpool. Artist Rob Liefeld explained that he drew inspiration from Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Snake Eyes, stating:

“Wolverine and Spider-Man were the two properties I was competing with at all times. I didn’t have those, I didn’t have access to those. I had to make my own Spider-Man and Wolverine. That’s what Cable and Deadpool were meant to be, my own Spider-Man and my own Wolverine.”

And also adding:

“G.I. Joe was my first obsession. Those were the toys in the sandbox with me, kung fu grip, eagle eye, I had them all. G.I. Joe is a world of characters that I have always aspired to participate in. Snake Eyes was a profound influence on my creating Deadpool.”

These statements do, actually, explain a lot and add a lot more to the character’s lore than any mythology. Although initially a parody of Deathstroke, it seems that Deadpool does have a much deeper set of influences, which adds more substance to his colorful backstory and explains why he is so special and quirky, i.e., why we love him so much.

Why does Deadpool like Spider-Man so much?

Now that we’ve established why Deadpool’s costume looks so much like Spider-Man’s (oh, there was even a planned joke for the ‘Deadpool’ movie where Deadpool said that his mask was actually Spider-Man’s, only turned inside out, but it was ultimately cut), we can dig a bit deeper into the relationship of the two.

We know that Deadpool is a big fan of Spider-Man. He admires him, genuinely loves him, and wants nothing more than to be best friends with him. The first time they met was in ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #611 (2010), and since then, the two have collaborated on many instances and have proven to be a great team.

They even had their own series in which their friendship deepened. They’re both quite similar in many ways – they fight against crime, they love to joke and throw witty remarks, they don’t take life very seriously, but know when they have to, they have a similar costume – and these similarities function as a solid foundation for their friendship.

Surely, Deadpool is way more brutal than Spider-Man, but with time, Spider-Man learned to live with that side of Deadpool, and he managed to ignore it completely. They work great as a team, which is important in this instance.

Also, Deadpool never forgets Spider-Man’s birthday, and each year, he sends him a very special gift that shows just how much he likes him.

Are Deadpool and Spider-Man (still) friends?

Well, they are! Okay, we will disregard all the occasions when they fought one another and Deadpool’s killing spree in ‘Killology,’ during which even Spider-Man perished. Still, they really are great friends, and numerous examples confirm that. Interestingly enough, Deadpool has a top-five free pass list, and Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man, is number five on that list, so go figure.

Despite not always agreeing with him, Spider-Man likes Deadpool deep down. He considers him a friend; they even teamed up to save Christmas on one occasion, so go figure out how close they are. They even have a daughter together. You’ve read that correctly – Deadpool and Spider-Man have a daughter together.

Okay, it wasn’t any natural process. Still, the supervillain Itsy-Bitsy was given Deadpool’s and Spider-Man’s DNA by an evil scientist so, technically, as the bearer of their genetic code, she could be described as their daughter. Oh, she also wants to kill them like all teenage daughters do. Okay…

But, the real depth of their relationship was revealed when Deadpool used a magic spell that summoned his “heartmate.” Deadpool thought it would be Shiklah, but the spell summoned none other than Spider-Man, proving what had been suggested earlier in the comic books – that Deadpool loves Spider-Man romantically.

Nothing has happened between the two, but Deadpool loves Spider-Man, and they are portrayed as true soulmates, so we can freely assume that they are still great friends.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!