Marvel’s newDeadpool&Wolverinecrossover proves one common issue with legacy characters doesn’t spare even the most famous heroes. Wolverine and Deadpool have a long history as rivals, colleagues, and friends. Now, their shared mentor roles are set to pull them closer together.
In Marvel’sWolverines and Deadpools #1, written by Cody Ziglar, Logan and his daughter Laura Kinney investigate a massacre that places them on the same path as Wade Wilson and his own daughter, Ellie Camacho.The Wolverines and the Deadpools are bound to team up in one of their deadliest missions to date.
Laura Kinney has grown into her Wolverine title over the years, and Wade Wilson’s daughter has been following in Laura’s footsteps recently. OnceEllie Camacho became Deadpool herself, a double team-up between the Wolverines and the Deadpools seemed inevitable.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Double Team-Up Highlights Marvel’s Problem With Duplicate Hero Names
Wolverines & Deadpools #1; Written by Cody Ziglar; Art by Rogê Antônio and Guru eFX
Laura Kinney and Ellie Camacho are both standout characters in their own right, but as thrilling as Marvel’sWolverines and Deadpoolscrossover might be, it highlightsMarvel’s redundant naming pattern for legacy heroes.Marvel’s insistence on branding them as the “other” Wolverine and the “other” Deadpool keeps Laura and Ellie in their fathers’ shadows. They’ve inherited Wolverine and Deadpool’s titles, skills, and costumes, but they struggle to be more than extensions of their mentors.
Ellie Camacho is only starting to develop her own superhero identity, but she might eventually settle on “Deadpool” like Laura settled on “Wolverine”
Laura Kinney, in particular, has explored other titles and identities, even returning to her X-23 fame temporarily after adopting the Wolverine name for the first time. Yet, Laura has gone back to the Wolverine title and joined her father once again. Ellie Camacho is only starting to develop her own superhero identity, but she might eventually settle on “Deadpool” like Laura settled on “Wolverine”.
Legacy Heroes With Duplicate Names Are Likely To Remain Under Their Mentors' Shadow
Legacy Characters Have Little Room To Grow Past Their Predecessors' Name
Legacy heroes who inherit their mentors' exact names face an uphill battle for identity, no matter how well Marvel writes them. Sharing a codename with their predecessors leads to constant comparison, both within the story and among readers. It’s inherently harder to discuss or market these characters without having to clarify which version is being referenced. That association often stifles the newer character’s ability to stand as a distinct hero rather than a replacement.
This struggle becomes clearer when legacy characters are commonly referred to as “the new” or “the other” version of their mentors.Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes have each held the Captain America title, yet Steve Rogers remains the default Cap. Similarly, Jane Foster remained tied to the original God of Thunder during her time as the Mighty Thor. Compare the latter to Beta Ray Bill, who flourished as a distinct character despite sharing Thor’s power.
The more a legacy character mirrors their predecessor, the harder it is to escape their shadow.
That said, several legacy heroes have surpassed their predecessors. Carol Danvers and Johnny Storm have stronger brand identities today than Mar-Vell and the Golden Age Human Torch, for example.Kamala Khan is now more famous as Ms. Marvelthan Carol Danvers herself.Miles Morales has developed a unique voice and aesthetic despite sharing the Spider-Man title with Marvel’s most famous superhero. With enough narrative focus, legacy characters can transcend name limitations, but it takes exceptional work.
Legacy Heroes Deserve An Identity Of Their Own
Characters Like Laura Kinney & Ellie Camacho Have The Potential To Be Unique Heroes
Even if legacy heroes inherit similar titles and abilities, they still benefit from having clear and unique traits that set them apart. A well-defined personality and distinctive visual design can make all the difference. Beyond that, a clever twist on their superhero name can signal both their connection to the original and their individuality.
Characters like She-Hulk and Spider-Woman demonstrate how this works in practice. Their names clearly communicate a relationship to Hulk and Spider-Man, but they don’t have the exact same titles. Jennifer Walters and Jessica Drew also have very different skills, stories, and personalities. Similarly, Ironheart and Silk honor their predecessors, but they claim a new identity entirely. Eventually, Marvel’s newWolverineandDeadpoolmight find new superhero names of their own.
