Wichita State University Libraries
Marc Sumerak, Elena P. Craig, and Ted Thomas. Cooking with Deadpool. San Rafael, California: Insight Editions, 2021. 143 pages, $29.99 978-1683838449 https://insighteditions.com/products/marvel-comics-cooking-with-deadpool
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cookbooks, from comics to movies to video games, have become popular items. Cooking with Deadpool is a great
addition to the genre. The book, totaling 63 recipes, contains six sections:
Small Bites for Big Mouths; Side Jobs; Maximum Efforts; What the People Really
Want; Waking Up with Wade; and Sweetest Things. X-Men’s Cable even has a few
recipes in here. Each recipe includes an introduction by Deadpool, which are
highly entertaining, as well as provide some history about the Marvel universe,
or the dish itself. Other information included with the recipes are serving
totals, the occasional helpful tip, and detailed instructions. While Deadpool
helps the reader out with handy tips within some recipes, there are more in-depth
explanations in Just the Tips, such as folding the perfect chimichanga before
popping it into frying oil, making an accurate knife selection for the job, and
spatchcocking a chicken. Provided at the end of the cookbook is a menu section
that helps the reader combine different recipes to host the perfect meal. Deadpool,
also known as Wade Winston Wilson, is the Merc with a Mouth, and Sumerak has a
solid grasp on how to write the character, even in a cookbook. Along with the
recipes and tips, Deadpool delivers snarky one-liners and casual poses.
As I read through
the recipes, something that was refreshing is that all of the ingredients can
be found at your local or big box grocery store. This makes the ingredients,
and the meals, quite accessible. From creating the shopping list, to
preparation and cooking, to serving, everything in here is understandable for
the beginning chef and gourmand alike.
The design
of the hardcover cookbook is fantastic. It can stand up to kitchen use well.
The spine allows for the book to lay flat on a counter or other flat surface.
The glossy pages are also easy to clean if anything happens to drip onto them
in the preparation of the delicious recipes.
A Review of Selected Recipes (photos by Lizzy Walker)
Ya Basic Chimi: This one was easy
to prep, except for folding the chimichangas. Even with the detailed
instructions, toward the end steps of the process I couldn't get the wrap to
cooperate. This could be because I can't even do origami well, or there is a
step missed in the instructions. Regardless, with the aid of some well-placed
toothpicks to keep them sealed, frying them up was easy. Accompanied with
homemade salsa, these chimis were more than basic.
Pool-tine: I have to admit, I used
a tip provided by Deadpool and used frozen steak fries instead of making my
own. The gravy was delightful, and the instructions were clear and easy to
follow. Combining the flavor of the steak fries, cheese curds, and gravy was
the perfect meal after a long day. This one will become a staple in my
household.
Smells Like Victory: Combining two
different pancake flavors is a brilliant idea. In this case, it was chocolate and
malted milk pancakes. I did omit the malt powder, since I didn’t have any on
hand. The chocolate batter cooked a bit faster and the pancakes came out
thinner than the plain pancakes, but the texture and flavor were great
together.
With relatively simple to make
recipes, Deadpool’s witty remarks, and special appearances by Cable, Cooking with Deadpool would make an
excellent addition to a cookbook collection. The creative team behind this
cookbook is great. Marc Sumerak is a Harvey- and Eisner Award nominated comic
writer, and he earned his BFA in Creative Writing at Bowling Green State
University. Between writing and editing comics, his body of work is impressive.
Elena P. Craig is a food stylist and cookbook developer working in the field
for over 25 years and she enjoys telling food stories. Ted Thomas provided the
beautiful photography that accompanies the recipes.
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