Deadpool Edges Out Harry Potter As Google Play's Top New Book Of 2016

By Precious Gem de Peralta
Deadpool comic book
Google Play released its tmost popular books of 2016. The Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe edged out Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The list also included The Girl On A Train, The Art of War and Me Before You: A Novel. Alex Sztenderowicz via Flickr

Google Play has just released its "Best of 2016" that include the most popular apps, games, music, movies, TV shows and books. The box-office success of the Deadpool movie reflected its comic book counterpart. The Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe graphic novel by Cullen Bunn just edges out the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne.

As much as the film Deadpool had a successful box office run with around $782.6 million worldwide gross, the Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe comic book handily took the top spot in Google Play's book section. The story is being narrated by Uatu the Watcher that follows Deadpool rebelling against his comic book creators. X-men sends Deadpool to the Ravencroft Asylum to cure his insanity. He is being treated by Psycho-Man who is disguising as a doctor.

According to Wikia, Psycho-Man attempts to brainwash Deadpool by "shutting down his inner voices". Instead of successfully turning Deadpool into his minion, Pscyho-Man's plan backfired as he was killed. Deadpool went on a murdering spree that involves Uatu and the Fantastic Four. In the story's ending, he confronts the Marvel creators who are writing the book.

On the other hand, the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is actually a two-part West End stage play. Its script was released as both printed and digital books. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the book sold over 2 million copies in the US and Canada within its first two days of publication. The story takes place 19 years after the events of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The titular character Harry Potter has become an employee of the Minister of Magic by this time. However, this eighth Harry Potter story does not revolve around him.

Instead, it will follow the journey of one of his sons, Albus Severus Potter. As Albus stays in Hogwarts for his first year of school, he has to live by his own insecurities and shadow of his famous father. The Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is yet to have its film adaptation. The Harry Potter prequel, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was just released in theaters last month. As of Dec. 1, it has a worldwide gross of $507.1 million, according to Box Office Mojo.

Other books that made the list are Paula Hawkins' The Girl on the Train, Tzu Sun's The Art of War and Jojo Moyes' Me Before You: A Novel.

  • ‘Wang Mingdao’s Diary’ reproduction highlights complexities of contemporary Chinese Christianity

    On December 9, the China Graduate School of Theology (中国神学研究院) hosted a public lecture titled “A Courageous Witness in the Times—Launch of Wang Mingdao (王明道)’s Diary.” The lecture, themed “Faith Patterns in Beijing’s Christian Churches Through the Lens of Wang Mingdao’s Diary,” featured Dr. Ni Buxiao (倪步晓), Associate Director and Assistant Professor at the Christian Faith and Chinese Culture Research Center of Alliance Bible Seminary (建道神学院), as the keynote speaker.

  • Floating library ‘Doulos Hope’ arrives in Taiwan; spreading love and hope from a former cruise ship

    Doulos Hope, the international floating book fair ship, has returned to Taiwan and is now docked at Kaohsiung Port, open to the public from December 18, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Originally built in 1991 and renovated in 2022, the ship features over 2,000 books on various topics, including faith, science, and art. It is operated by a diverse crew of 140 volunteers from 25 countries, offering services such as education, healthcare, and community outreach. The ship's mission is to spread hope and

  • Chinese Online School of Theology publishes annual ministry report: Expanding Chinese theological education through new strategies

    In the 2023-2024 academic year, New York-based Chinese Online School of Theology (COST) has seen significant development in expanding its ministry in theological education and mission outreach. They have promoted a series of new events and projects to explore different strategies that expand theological education for Chinese ministers. The following are some highlights from the 2023-2024 annual report:

  • Dr. Fenggang Yang: How foreign forces transformed traditional Chinese legal systems

    In a recent lecture to Chinese Christians, scholar Dr. Fenggang Yang (杨凤岗) gave an in-depth analysis of the historical evolution and contemporary significance of the modern legal system in Chinese society. He explored the tensions and integrations between traditional law and modern rule of law, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of China’s traditional legal system and emphasizing the role of foreign influences in introducing modern legal practices into Chinese society.

Top Stories