Red Tool is the Marvel Comics have endeavored to capitalize on the popularity of competing characters.
Scarlet Witch led to Zatanna, and Superman “inspired” Shazam, the latter pair instigating a landmark copyright infringement case. Perhaps just as infamous is the relationship between Deathstroke and Deadpool. Deathstroke first appeared in DC Comics in 1980, and the almost identical Deadpool made his Marvel debut eleven years later. But if turnabout is fair play, then DC may have changed the copycat game with their 2013 introduction of Red Tool.
The Red Tool's Origin in DC Comics
Red Tool began his wild, meandering journey in Harley Quinn Vol. 2 #3 and was created by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner. Harley eats a mysterious berry growing on a houseplant gifted from Poison Ivy. Sounds safe, right? Well, it turns out the berry makes everyone she comes in with fall madly in love with her. Within five minutes, half the city is chasing her down the street in an amorous rage. Harley breaks into the local hardware store, aptly named “We B Tools,” and manages to use a weed whacker to fight her way free. In the mayhem, however, the salesman on duty is mauled by the love-stricken hoard. Meet Wayne Wilkins.
Flash forward twenty-three issues, and poor Mr. Wilkins is convalescing in a local hospital. He’s suffered head trauma, nerve damage, and his left arm, which was severed in the skirmish, has been replaced with a bionic prosthetic. Wayne doesn’t blame the medical staff for his condition, but he is nursing – no pun intended – conflicting feelings for the woman he perceives as responsible: Harleen Quinzel. It seems that Wilkins can’t decide if he loves or hates Harley, and this confusion causes him to lash out. After several violent incidents, Wayne escapes from the hospital. He heads straight for his home, opens his shed, and declares, “I love tools!” The Red Tool is born.
Red Tool’s origin gets a little more complicated in Harley Quinn Vol. 3 #21 when Wayne Wilkins divulges that he’s actually a time traveler. Apparently, at some point in the future, Harley Quinn kills Batman. Thus, Wilkins pulls a Kyle Reese and travels back in time to kill her before that happens. Red Tool lets her live, however, when he discovers that future history books may not be accurate and that Harley may not be Batman’s murderer. The fact that he falls head-over-heels in love with her doesn’t hurt, either.
Red Tool's Powers Explained
Like Deathstroke and Deadpool, Red Tool exhibits enhanced strength, durability, stamina, and reflexes. Due to nerve damage and multiple surgeries, Wilkins feels no pain when injured. His left arm has been severed and replaced with a stronger, more durable bionic prosthetic which is advantageous in hand-to-hand combat. While Wayne’s weapons skills are far above average, he tends to prefer hammers and screwdrivers to clubs and knives. He is a tattoo artist, graphic designer, and probably very handy around the house.
Was Red Tool Supposed To Actually Be Deadpool?
No. Red Tool is supposed to be a reaction to Deadpool. He is revenge in comic book form. And revenge is always best served cold. Eleven years after DC created Deathstroke, Deadpool arrived. Twelve years after Marvel Comics revealed Deadpool, Red Tool showed up. DC Comics decided to playfully one-up their copycat competitor. Slade Wilson begat Wade Wilson begat Wayne Wilkins. They’re the Russian stacking dolls of villainous assassins. And with a hammer painted on Wilkin’s mask and hardware-shaped word bubbles, DC is deviously calling Deadpool a tool. The gauntlet has been thrown down. Now the ball is in Marvel's court.
