Deadpool aka The Merc with a Mouth is one of Marvel’s most popular characters. Wade Wilson can be accused of commonly using mental warfare to wear his enemies down before he ever swings his sword or shoots his guns. Deadpool mainly does this through his clever quips and insults but his refusal to die is also something that drives his enemies crazy.
Can Deadpool die?
Deadpool is immortal but not unkillable. In fact, Deadpool has died on a number of occasions throughout Marvel comics history. However, he always comes back to life due to his regeneration abilities that he gained as part of the Weapon X program. The program that Wade Wilson originally joined to cure his cancer only for him to instead receive healing factor superpowers.
How can Deadpool die?
Deadpool can die in many different ways. He has the ability the re-grow limbs and even re-attach his head after it’s decapitated. However, according to Wolverine in comics cannon, if his head is detached from his body for longer than twelve minutes, he will die.
With his healing factor, Wilson’s got about twelve minutes before oxygen deprivation rots his brain.
Wolverine on how to kill Deadpool
That’s not the only way Deadpool has died though. The character has a long history of death over the years. Here are just a few examples of times Deadpool has died in Marvel comics:
- Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, shoots Deadpool in the head and kills him.
- Carnage tears through Deadpool’s stomach, causing him to bleed to death.
- His arteries have been ripped out.
- He has been burned to death.
- He has been decapitated a number of times by many Marvel characters including Hulk and Wolverine.
Why is Deadpool immortal?
While his healing factor keeps Deadpool coming back for more punishment each time he dies, the reason for his immortality is different. This is where things get weird, real weird.
Deadpool, Thanos and Lady Death
In Marvel comics, both Deadpool and Thanos are in love with Lady Death, the cosmic being and personification of Death. No doubt, the strangest love triangle you’re ever likely to read about.
In an attempt to impress Death, Thanos uses the Infinity Gauntlet to wipe out half of all life in the universe, but despite this impressive feat (albeit genocidal) Lady Death still has a strong affection for Deadpool. When Thanos learns of this he uses the Infinity Gauntlet once more to make Deadpool immortal to stop him from ever seeing Lady Death again. The things we do for love, right?
Does Deadpool feel pain?
Deadpool certainly feels pain, yes. However, he does have a significantly higher pain threshold when compared to a normal human. This is largely because he’s been dealing with an incredible amount of pain ever since he first received his cancer diagnosis.
While Deadpool may have gained a healing factor from the experiments on him, his regeneration abilities also work for his cancer. Meaning that Deadpool is in excruciating pain as the cancer continually attempts to break down his body only for his healing factor to repair it.
Deadpool has also been stabbed, shot, burned, punched and kicked so many times over the years that he has built up an incredible tolerance for pain. Something that his military background may also help with.
