One of Marvel’s most underrated villains has a striking similarity to fan-favorite Deadpool, and has an even more tragic backstory.
Deadpool is without a doubt the first name that Marvel fans think of when it comes to unhinged, fourth-wall-breaking, utterly unkillable characters, and for good reason. The Merc With a Mouth certainly embodies all of those attributes, although he isn’t the only one. In fact, there is another character who not only checks all those boxes but does so in a way that surpasses anything Deadpool could ever offer. Of course, the name Madcap doesn’t carry nearly as much weight, although that doesn’t mean it won’t, assuming he ever makes a comeback.
The menace known as Madcap made his first appearance back in 1985’s Captain America #307 (by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary) as, like so many other characters in the Marvel Universe, the victim of utter tragedy. Formerly a man of devout faith, the future Madcap was caught in A.I.M.’s best attempt to dispose of one of their own inventions – Chemical X07. While everyone else on his mission bus was gruesomely killed by the corrosive substance, Madcap himself was reduced to a pool of gore before miraculously returning to life. In the aftermath, Madcap found himself not only disillusioned with his faith, but with the world in general.
Marvel’s Madcap is Even More Dangerous Than Deadpool
Filled with a desire to prove the sheer futility in all things, as well as an inexplicable healing factor and the ability to make others lose their own sense of reality, Madcap quickly became a whole new breed of danger unto himself. He armed himself with his trusty bubble gun and embarked upon a campaign of cartoonish violence filled with just as ridiculous of antics. Over the years, Madcap faced off against heroes ranging from the Power Pack to Daredevil, and even She-Hulk. But it was after his first encounter with Deadpool that he proved just what he was truly capable of.
Despite Wade Wilson’s penchant for absurdity, even he couldn’t hold his own against his dichromatic counterpart. Besides having a greater healing factor than Deadpool, Madcap’s total irreverence was beyond anything Wade could ever embody on his own. Even when faced with the strongest Avengers, Madcap simply could not be put down no matter how much damage was done to him. This made him both a perfect foil and foe for the Merc With a Mouth, while also giving him a killer edge that has never been duplicated.
Madcap’s Return Poses a Serious Threat to the Marvel Universe
Luckily, Madcap’s last appearance in 2018’s Despicable Deadpool #294 (by Gerry Duggan and Scott Koblish) saw him willingly become a part of the Collector’s vast display. The fact that he hasn’t been seen since then has certainly made Deadpool’s life easier, not to mention those of anyone Madcap might have encountered along the way. Unfortunately, it has also opened the door for Madcap to return stronger than ever. This is especially true since he has proven that not even the Collector can contain him.
If anything, sending Madcap to space only opened the door for him to discover all the wonders that the rest of the Marvel Universe has to offer. This could easily see Madcap come back with a reinvigorated sense of purpose, which would absolutely spell doom for anyone caught in his way. As an agent of unfettered chaos, Madcap is already as dangerous as they come, with only his jovial nature keeping him from posing the same kind of threat as other immortal villains. If someone, or something, were to turn Madcap into a genuine force for evil, there is no telling how or if he could ever be stopped.
