Grimlock ♥ Ultra Magnus

So, first of all, I uploaded the wrong cover to this book and forgot to add this source link to my edits.  Um, oops.   So it may continue to have the issue one cover, sorry too the confusion!

That being said, I don't feel like Gwenpool added anything to this.   Not that she took away from anything, either, but her usual schtick is breaking the fourth wall and making a point about our world and how it's different from hers.   The thing is, the Champions were created as a counter-point to punching, and then leaving the cleaning up to other people.   They've tackled real world issues like racism head-on, in a way that calls for more complex solutions.  

Her usual antics didn't really add as a counterpoint because the Champions themselves are the counterpoint; when she's with Rocket Raccoon who's fairly violent, and blithely goes through his life unaware of the comic book tropes, well, yes, Gwenpool does act to point out those differences.   Then again, Rocket tends not to tackle bigotry, and he certainly wouldn't do so in the same way the Champions did.  

So when the Champions take this super seriously, and honestly try to find more productive ways to root out and eliminate bigotry, Gwenpool screaming about supervillains make this seem like the message - evil doesn't need supervillains, don't you know? - seem embarrassingly obvious.   Thanks, we go it.

Then again, Gwenpool is hilarious in this, even if the storyline itself is not only more somber, but particularly timely given the jerkface who is president right now.   The message and the way that the Champions deal with both the threat and Gwenpool herself are both on board with what this series is trying to do.   Even with Gwenpool's over the top antics, this was a fantastic way to get the message across.   

I'd suggest Marvel pulling Gwenpool from future Champions series, though.   Given the fact that they are both counterpoints to the 'normal' comic storytelling, they don't work together.   More specifically, the way they counteract the typical comic book narrative is grating when both work together.   Waid did what he could with this, but this is the first Champions story that is lower than a five just due to narrative issues.   Loved the art, loved the general storyline, love this series.   I was actually happy to see this crossover, until I read it and realized it didn't work as well as I thought it would.