Deadpool may have the ultimate healing factor, but a newly introduced weapon confirms that the technology to permanently kill Wade Wilson already exists in the Marvel Universe. No matter how many times he’s shot, stabbed, blown up or irradiated, Deadpool will always shake it off and keep going because of how quickly his body repairs itself. He can even survive as a disembodied head, pushing the limits of biology with how crazily difficult he is to dispatch.
In X-23: Deadly Regenesis #1 by Erica Schultz and Edgar Salazar, the titular hero (who is Wolverine’s biological daughter) finds herself facing off against Haymaker as he attempts to kill her. However, he knows that her healing factor puts them on an uneven playing field, since she can recover from any mortal wounds. So, to bring her down to his level, he launches a mysterious red gas in the form of a smoke grenade.
When X-23 cuts through it, she unleashes the chemical and quickly realizes that it’s nullified her healing factor. This is a huge moment in the Marvel canon, establishing a weapon that can help take out the most unkillable heroes.
X-23 Introduces a New Anti-Healing Factor Weapon
This gas is a major problem for Wolverine and X-23, but even more dangerous for Deadpool. Wade’s cancer is kept in a state of balance with his healing factor (which is itself dangerous without an opposing force.) Without one, the other surges out of control, meaning that if Wade got near this gas, his cancer would be free to advance. What’s worse, because of the balancing act between the two, it’s likely that the cancer’s progress would remain even once his healing factor returned, rather than reverting to its previous state, since his healing holds the disease at bay, but doesn’t ‘cure’ it.
Deadpool Needs His Healing Factor More Than Other Heroes
Currently, the chemical weapon has no name as it was introduced in the final pages of X-23‘s first issue. However, nothing is ever forgotten in superhero comics, and this anti-healing weapon is sure to return, adding to the very short list of weapons that could feasibly kill Deadpool. Deadpool’s entire fighting style is based on sacrificing his body to get an advantage, so it would be fascinating to see him faced with this weapon. In fact, Deadpool and X-23 (and especially her clone sister Honey Badger) are on good terms with Wade, making it possible she may call on his help against this same enemy in future stories.
X-23: Deadly Regenesis is available now from Marvel Comics!
