Deadpool is joining forces with Conan the Barbarian this January just in time to fight Knull and his army of symbiotes. In Savage Avengers #17, by writer Gerry Duggan (Deadpool) and artist Kev Walker (Judge Dredd), the Cimmerian will meet the Merc with a Mouth for the very first time! This issue also ties into Marvel’s King in Black mega-event, a Venom-based crossover that sees Knull, the symbiote god, attack Earth. It’s up to the heroes of the Marvel Universe to stop him, and Deadpool and Conan are ready to join the fight; along the way, Conan might find a way to defeat an old foe.
Since his return to the Marvel Universe two years ago, Conan the Barbarian has encountered many Marvel heavyweights, even joining the “Savage Avengers” team, which includes The Punisher, Venom, Doctor Strange, and Elektra. The series has seen him fight his old nemesis Kulan Gath, an evil sorcerer from Conan’s Hyborian era. Fans have been clamoring for Conan to meet Deadpool, and now they are about to get their wish, helping teammate Venom fight his enemy Knull in the first part of “Black Skies.”
According to Marvel’s January solicitations, the issue opens with Conan in prison on Ryker's Island on New Years’ Day. He manages to quickly break out of the facility with help from Deadpool, and the two go to battle against Knull.
- SAVAGE AVENGERS #17
- GERRY DUGGAN (W)
- KEV WALKER (A)
- Cover by VALERIO GIANGIORDANO
- VARIANT COVER BY E.M. GIST
- “BLACK SKIES” PART 1! CONAN rings in the New Year on Ryker’s Island — which he promptly breaks out of with the help of...DEADPOOL. The two warriors fight together against the symbiotes of KNULL, and Conan makes a surprising discovery that may help him overcome KULAN GATH.
The solicitation goes on to mention that not only will Deadpool and Conan team up against the symbiotes, Conan will also discover a potential method for defeating Kulan Gath. The solicitation did not mention what this discovery was, but it can be speculated it may have something to do with Knull. The symbiote god wields a mighty weapon called the Necrosword, a powerful sword forged from the darkness and capable of killing a Celestial with one swipe - which might come in handy against Kulan Gath and his hordes.
Regardless of whatever Conan discovers, fans are finally a team-up they have been wanting, and the question is how will the two play off each other? How will the stern, brooding Cimmerian take to Deadpool’s constant barrage of wisecracks from Deadpool? Can we expect some ribbing at Conan’s history in other media courtesy of Deadpool’s tendency to break the fourth wall? Writer Duggan has experience with Deadpool, having written his solo book during the Marvel Now era, so it is clear he has a handle on what makes Deadpool great, and how to best play that off Conan. The issue is in stores January 20th, 2021.