Deadpool’s healing factor has long been one of his most talked-about traits. While his powers have allowed him to survive events that would have killed any other human, fans have long speculated whether he could survive more extreme scenarios, such as decapitation. Luckily, Marvel has an answer, and it's more complicated than one might think.

Deadpool Corps: Rank and Foul #1, a handbook-like one-shot all about Deadpool's strange lore, dives into the absurd world of Deadpool’s regeneration abilities and finally gives fans an answer to the burning question about whether he would survive decapitation. The issue reveals that Deadpool can indeed survive decapitation, but there are some major caveats.

Specifically, Wilson can only survive headless for about twelve minutes. After that, his brain will die unless reattached. While other mutants have impressive regenerative abilities, Deadpool’s healing factor seems to have a few unexpected tricks up its sleeve, allowing him to survive in even the most extreme circumstances.

Deadpool Can Lose His Head Without Dying - But There Are Limits

The Pros and Cons of Being Headless

While twelve minutes may sound like a short window, it’s important to that Deadpool’s healing factor can work wonders within that timeframe. Even with his head severed, his body can keep functioning, and Wade himself can continue to talk, which is both eerie and impressive. His healing factor is always working to keep his cells alive, meaning that as long as his head remains intact for a short time, his body will continue fighting to keep him alive.

The concept of decapitation and survival also appeared in the Marvel Zombies universe, introducing the character of Headpool. In this alternate reality, Headpool is Deadpool’s decapitated head, which somehow remains alive, despite being zombified. However, the zombie virus plays a major role in this scenario. The virus actually neutralizes his healing factor, preventing him from growing a new body. This is a crucial difference between Deadpool’s ability to survive decapitation and the events in Marvel Zombies.

Deadpool’s Healing Factor Is Unique in Marvel Lore

He's Not Like The Other Mutants

The question then becomes about whether Deadpool’s healing factor is unique in its ability to sustain him after decapitation. One has to wonder whether the healing factors of other mutants, like Wolverine, would "cure" decapitation. Theoretically, Wolverine’s healing factor might allow him to survive decapitation for a similar period, but there’s no concrete evidence to show exactly how that would play out. Time and time again, Deadpool shows death to be nothing more than a minor setback. His ability to keep his head straight, even when it isn't attached to his body, proves that Deadpool is by far the toughest mutant in the Marvel universe.

Deadpool Corps: Rank and Foul #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.