Deadpool is coming to theaters on February 12, making it the perfect Valentine’s Day date film. Ryan Reynolds takes on the role of the Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool, but where does this character come from and just who the heck is he? Luckily, we’re here with some recommended reading to make you a Deadpool expert in no time at all.

The New Mutants #98 (1991)

Deadpool first made his appearance back in 1991 in New Mutants #98. Artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza created Deadpool as a parody of the DC Comics’ character Deathstroke. This isn’t the over-the-top character we know and love though. Deadpool is a bit more subdued here. Sure, he’s a tad humorous, but he’s more about the mission of trying to take out Cable. This story is available digitally and part of Deadpool Classics Volume 1.

Deadpool #1-4 (1993)

Deadpool got his first mini-series back in 1993, which ran for four issues. Written by Fabian Nicieza with art from Joe Madureira, this volume explores the relationships Deadpool has with other heroes and villains around him, including Black Tom and Juggernaut. This series also delves a bit into Copycat, who is played by Morena Baccarin in the upcoming film. While there is a story about searching for a will, this series reads more as a Deadpool 101 for that time period in the character’s life, and it’s the start of the comedic version of the character, although he’s still more of an assassin here. This story is available digitally and part of Deadpool Classics Volume 1.

Deadpool #1-4 (1994)

A year after Deadpool’s first solo mini-series, a new four-issue miniseries debuted from Marvel, starring a more serious Deadpool. This time, a familiar face from Wade Wilson’s past, Black Tom, is looking to steal Deadpool’s healing factor. Black Tom has a little help from his friend Juggernaut as well. Legendary writer Mark Waid penned this story and was joined by Ian Churchhill. Deadpool’s second outing was a bit more praised by fans, and Waid really started delivering what would become Deadpool’s comical personality. This story is available digitally and part of Deadpool Classics Volume 1.

Deadpool #1-33 (The Joe Kelly run)

In 1997, writer Joe Kelly created the Deadpool we all know and love today. He took the character that Waid, Nicieza, and Liefeld all put together in their runs, and Kelly turned it up to 11. All the funny quips, the breaking the fourth wall, and just the overall silliness current Deadpool fans have come to know and love started here. Joining Joe Kelly on the opening issues of this series was Ed McGuinness, which is fitting for the tone of the book, as McGuinness’ style is overexaggerated and large. Kelly left the series at issue #33, and all of his issues are above and beyond essential reading for Deadpool and Marvel fans. Currently, you can check these stories out in the Deadpool Omnibus by Joe Kelly.

Deadpool #65-69 (Gail Simone’s run)

Closing out the volume that Joe Kelly started, which defined the character, is writer Gail Simone and artist Udon. What makes this short but great run worth your time is the fact that Gail Simone has such a great handle on Deadpool’s personality. While he may not always do something that’s heroic, there’s still a decent character deep in there that’s trying to do the right thing, even if the right thing, to him, is something completely absurd. It’s also a lead-in to the series Agent-X, but it’s a nice piece of closure for Deadpool during this time. This story is available in Deadpool Classics Volume 9.

Cable & Deadpool (2004)

Two years after the volume that redefined Deadpool ended, Cable & Deadpool came out and actually gave Deadpool a really cool role: Cable’s buddy. While this team-up didn’t always end with the buddy/buddy relationship fans had hoped for, what readers were treated to was a great story. Writer Fabian Nicieza, one of the creators of Deadpool, came back to the character and Nicieza embraced what the character had become. Alongside Nicieza were artists like Patrick Zircher, Rielly Brown, and Mark Brooks to flesh out what would eventually be remembered as a pretty fantastic action/adventure series. This series has all been collected in numerous volumes, on sale in both physical and digital formats. Check out the first 12 issues to get a real feel for the series.

Wolverine Origins: The Deep End

One of the weirdest stories to come out of the Wolverine Origins series was “The Deep End,” which pitted Wolverine and Deadpool against each other in a game of cat and mouse, which sometimes felt a bit more like a Tom & Jerry cartoon rather than a Wolverine story. Writer Daniel Way and artist Steve Dillon did some incredibly humorous things with the character and really leaned on the idea that Deadpool is crazy and actually hallucinates. Fans start getting a feeling that this guy is pretty delusional as well, and this story ended up being one of the highlights of this series. This story is available in Wolverine Origins Volume 5, as well as Deadpool by Daniel Way: The Complete Collection – Volume 1.

Deadpool: Bullseye

Daniel Way’s version of Deadpool was a big enough hit to land the writer an on-going series in late 2008. The series, featuring art from Paco Medina, continues where Wolverine Origins left off. Deadpool comes across Skrulls and at one point in time, has the craziest back and forth battle with Bullseye, who is dressed as Hawkeye. Way’s run lasted more than 60 issues and this story is located in Deadpool by Daniel Way: The Complete Collection – Volume 1.

Uncanny X-Force: The Apocalypse Solution

While many of Deadpool’s stories are a bit more humorous in nature, there are still some standouts that really pack a punch, like Deadpool’s involvement with the Uncanny X-Force. A secret society has resurrected Apocalypse and this covert-ops team of mutants has the task of killing him by any means necessary. Writer Rick Remender and artist Jerome Opeña put together a story that is pretty intense and utilizes Deadpool in a way fans haven’t seen since he first appeared in the comics. You can read this story, as well as some other great ones, in Uncanny X-Force by Rick Remender: The Complete Collection Volume 1.

Deadpool: Dead Presidents

Rounding out the modern era of Deadpool is the volume by Gerry Duggan and comedian Brian Posehn, with art from Tony Moore. The first story in the volume has Deadpool taking on resurrected dead Presidents, including George Washington. It’s absurd and over-the-top, just the way Deadpool should be. This volume leads into a whole new era of stories from Duggan, who is the current series writer. This story is collected in Deadpool, Vol. 1: Dead Presidents.

Deadpool & Cable: Split Second

Writer Fabian Nicieza returns with artist Reilly Brown for this Marvel digital comic, which is currently being put out in print, monthly. Nicieza revives the fan-favorite team-up as Cable has to protect a man whose death changes the future, and the assassin who has been hired to kill him is none other than Deadpool. Everything fans loved about the original series is here. Currently, it’s also available digitally, and the first two of three issues are available in print.

Deadpool (2016)

Currently, writer Gerry Duggan is working on the newest Deadpool series with artist Mike Hawthorne. They’re taking the character to some weird and familiar territory, which includes heading to the year 2099 and an entire issue in Spanish. The series is also diving into more recent events like following Deadpool’s wife and Wade Wilson working with Steve Rogers, since they both are members of the Avengers. You read that right. Currently, there’s no collection for this, but the single issues can be purchased at your local comic shop or through whatever digital format you like.