With Deadpool and Wolverine closing in on us in about a month, our two main characters couldn’t be sporting two different personalities and you didn’t need to see the trailers to know that. One is a wisecracking, fourth-wall-breaking mercenary, and the other is a brooding, gruff mutant with a heart of gold hidden beneath layers of adamantium. So what makes these two work when they just shouldn’t and how did they become a fan-favorite duo like no other?

Taking everything back to their roots, Deadpool, also known as Wade Wilson, made his first appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine when he made his iconic mouthless appearance that has gone down in history as one of the comics to big screen iterations biggest joke. With Reynold’s first appearance being as far away as possible from the Merc with the Mouth mentality of the character, his ‘reboot’ gifted him the personality that Deadpool is known and loved for in the comics. That is to say, a self-deprecating, one-liner goofball who takes just about nothing seriously yet finds himself fighting crime for the good guys. However, all this humor is a coping mechanism for his tragic past and the physical and emotional pain he endures due to his accelerated healing factor and disfigured appearance. This, plus his ability to be a wildcard in every situation he is in, has worked well for the character, as he has accumulated many comic book and movie fans.

As for Wolverine, or Logan, everyone knows Wolverine to have a temper and he is typically seen to be more of the loner type, even though his comic history puts him time and time again as a member of the X-Men. While he is seen to be a lot more serious, it can’t be forgotten that he shares a sense of extremely dry humor, with one-liners that work only because they’re being delivered in the most non-joking manner. However, his tough exterior and gruff demeanor hides a deeply compassionate and loyal heart, making him a reluctant hero who often finds himself doing the right thing, even if it’s against his better judgment.

These two very different types of personalities are meant to clash, and they have. More often than not, Deadpool completely aggravates Wolverine, who sometimes struggles with his childish antics or inability to take situations seriously. Not to mention, Deadpool is known to overcomplicate things due to his lack of seriousness. On the other hand, Deadpool often finds Wolverine far too serious and gruff, and he often pokes fun at Wolverine’s seriousness, calling him out on his brooding nature and lack of a sense of humor.

Yet, all the things that make Deadpool and Wolverine so different don’t outdo the fact that these two still have so much in common. Let’s not forget that these two are both results of the Weapon X program, though one was a lot more willing to take part in it than the other. For Deadpool, the Weapon X program gave him healing abilities similar to that of Wolverine’s natural mutant abilities, meaning both have the power to heal themselves. This is something few people can relate to, which allows the two to have a unique understanding of each other’s pain and resilience, leading to a strange bond. The two also work well to balance one another, as Wolverine provides a sense of stability and reality amid chaos for Deadpool and Deadpool brings a lightheartedness that often diffuses Wolverine’s tension. This balance between the two makes the pairing unique in that it brings out different parts of both characters that help draw the audience into them further.

All this being said Deadpool and Wolverine’s clashing personalities may seem like a recipe for disaster, but it’s this contrast that makes their dynamic so compelling. With Deadpool and Wolverine right around the corner, you know these two very different personalities are going to be on display and bring entertainment the whole time. Make sure you catch these two in theaters on July 26!

Image: “Deadpool and Wolverine”, Maggie Dela Paz, CBR