Appearing in "Dead Man's Switch (Part I of VI)"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Four Winds
- Higashi
- Ryoko Saguri (First appearance)
- Gendo Sonoda (First appearance; dies)
- Outlaw (Inez Temple)
- Paul Steinen
Locations:
Items:
Synopsis for "Dead Man's Switch (Part I of VI)"
A man bearing an x-shaped scar named Alex Hayden arrives at the doorstep of Sandi Brandenberg. He has no memory of who he is, but demonstrates remarkable healing ability. Sandi believes this man may actually be her old contact, Wade Wilson, also known as Deadpool. Alex stays with Sandi for several days, but has no luck with recovering his memories. One of Alex's clients, the Taskmaster, pays a visit and embroils himself in an altercation with Alex.
Sandi convinces the Taskmaster to take Alex under his wing and train him to be a mercenary. Taskmaster is not convinced that Alex is anyone other than Deadpool, a man her personally despises. However, he puts Alex through his paces and after several weeks of intense training, Alex begins to hate his mentor almost as much as his mentor hates him.
I gotta start lining up some paying work,Can't sleep on your couch forever -- I think you cat is developing an fatal attraction 
Eventually Alex becomes ready to embark upon a career as a mercenary. Choosing the code name Agent-X he hires himself out to a man named Paul Steinen. Paul owns an animal preserve called Alpine Park, but recently all of his animals have escaped. Agent-X scours the city recovering various animals including orangutans, tigers, falcons and elephants. Steinen pays for the services by giving Agent-X the deed to his theme park.
Never again. I don't care if I'm starving. No more animal jobs. I stink in five species!
Meanwhile, a Japanese crime lord named Higashi takes control of the Eastern Wind. His assistant, Saguri, is concerned that Higashi is not making a strong enough show of force in front of his underlings.
Notes
- 1st appearance of Alex Hayden.
- The Four Winds crime cartels made reoccurring appearances in Deadpool (Vol. 3).
Legacy Numbering[]
- Based on the Marvel Legacy renumbering infographic, this issue corresponds to Deadpool (Vol. 3) #78.
Trivia
- According to the U.S. Postal Service Statement of Ownership seen in issue Agent X #9, the publication title for this series was originally called Deadpool (Agent X). At the time of publication, it was believed by both readers and characters in the series that the titular Agent X was actually Deadpool. This rumor owes largely to the fact that both characters share similar career choices and personalities.
- The illustrations in this comic series are crafted in the style of modern anime tradition.
- The Taskmaster possesses t-shirts of various super-heroes including, Captain America, Spider-Man and Elektra. He also uses hand-held bladed weapons simulating Wolverine's Adamantium claws.