Deadpool Creator Cuts Ties with Marvel After Premiere Snub

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Rob Liefeld is done with Marvel.

The original comic book artist who brought Deadpool and Cable to life has announced that, following over three decades of working together, he’s deciding to part ways with the publishing company.

In the gaming world, I’ve made my stance crystal clear after the 90-minute episode on my podcast, Robservations, and a subsequent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. It all started at the New York premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine in July, where I felt a few unaddressed slights that left me wanting to share my perspective.

At the movie premiere, Liefeld discovered that neither he nor his family were invited to the subsequent party – an event he had previously attended regularly. Additionally, he felt slighted by executives from Disney, including Kevin Feige, head of Marvel Studios, whom he claims stood close to him on the red carpet but chose not to greet him.

Liefeld stated during his podcast that he felt it was intended to humiliate, belittle and undermine him by denying him entry to the after-party.”

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“According to Liefeld’s podcast, being denied access to the after party seemed like an attempt to embarrass, make him feel small, and weaken his position.

Additionally, Liefeld expressed a slight grievance: he had posed for professional pictures alongside creatives on the Deadpool & Wolverine team, but was later informed by his representative that these photos were erased. He suspects they were only snapped as a kindness and not meant for publication, although images of him alone and with family also surfaced in Disney’s Getty press portal from the event.

Following the premiere in July, he chose to part ways with Marvel, feeling they no longer wished for his presence. “Eventually,” he stated on the podcast, “you realize, ‘The message is clear.’

In early 2023, Liefeld expressed his unease towards Marvel, as they controversially altered the credits for Wolverine, granting co-creator status to editor Roy Thomas. However, it’s important to note that this character was developed years before Liefeld joined the comic industry. Yet, he has a close relationship with Christine Valada, the widow of Len Wein – one of Wolverine’s original creators – who felt displeased by this decision.

Exactly one year from now, on June 3rd, 2024, Liefeld sent an email to Marvel proposing a special credit for him on the project Deadpool & Wolverine, and inquiring about any additional benefits they could offer, such as invitations to movie premieres and marketing events. Unlike other creators, Liefeld does not seek more financial compensation, as he already enjoys one of the most lucrative deals among them.

Marvel usually acknowledges comic creators at the film’s end, but Liefeld desired a more substantial recognition, drawing attention to the opening credits of the 1978 Superman movie, which prominently showcased Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster as the co-creators of Superman.

In an email, Liefeld stated that Marvel’s handling of creators has not been their strong suit. He emphasized that without the realms, figures, and ideas we develop, there would be no movies to produce or blockbusters to sell. Essentially, he is not a convenient solution like the “Easy Button” at Staples; instead, he is the source of all creativity. He then requested that his concerns be forwarded to Feige or Disney CEO Bob Iger. He expressed that comic book creators should no longer be considered as footnotes. This issue can be resolved easily if it’s not brought up, but since he hasn’t spoken out about it yet, nothing will change unless he does so.

Liefeld wasn’t responded to, but his agents at Verve informed him that his message wasn’t positively received by Marvel. The following day, he tweeted, “My representatives were yelled at today ‘We are NOT Fox!’ I get it. Also, they hung up on me.” He thinks the strained relationship resulting from this email might be why he wasn’t invited to the Deadpool & Wolverine afterparty.

In his twenties during the early 1990s, Rob Liefeld joined an elite circle of comic book creators whose work was worth over a million dollars. Over time, he gained a reputation that some critics view as assertive and sometimes overlooked the contributions of others who had also worked on Deadpool. They often reference a widely-discussed 2016 article in the New York Times, where he played down the role of Fabian Nicieza, who is credited as a co-creator for scripting Deadpool’s first appearance in New Mutants no. 98, from a plot by Liefeld, who illustrated the 1990 issue.

One insider remarks, “Though we acknowledge his achievements, it’s apparent that he doesn’t appreciate the efforts of others.

However, according to Liefeld, it was he who persuaded 20th Century Studios to grant co-creator status to both himself and Nicieza in the first two Deadpool films. He frequently acknowledges writer Joe Kelly for incorporating the now essential fourth wall-breaking trait of the character seven years after its creation by Liefeld. Moreover, he often attributes the global success and increased popularity of Deadpool to Ryan Reynolds.

In the end, credit for creating Deadpool was attributed to Liefeld and Nicieza in the closing credits of Deadpool & Wolverine.

In the movie itself, Liefeld received a unique honor that only a handful of living comic book creators have experienced. A notable scene – where Deadpool and Wolverine fight multiple Deadpool characters called the Deadpool Corps – unfolds before the backdrop of a store named Liefeld’s Just Feet. This is a humorous reference to the artist, who fans often tease for not drawing feet well. Moreover, Liefeld was granted an opportunity to tour the film set in London.

It seems this individual has been treated with the esteem fitting for a renowned comic book creator. However, when questioned by THR regarding these privileges, Liefeld hints that during his trip to London, he felt somewhat uncomfortable, although he chose not to provide further details.

Liefeld shares with THR that he felt differently about the project compared to his experiences on Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018), which were produced by 20th Century Fox. He recalls being part of test screenings for those movies, as well as meetings with the marketing team for Deadpool 2. Liefeld states, “They let me tag along, and I caused no trouble. I was content to be there,” expressing his satisfaction with the collaboration.

In his podcast, Liefeld expressed a striking viewpoint concerning Feige, who is often praised with extraordinary accolades within the realms of Hollywood and comic book communities.

According to Liefeld, Kevin Feige has been less than kind to comic book creators based on his own personal experiences,” (Liefeld stated in a podcast).

Regarding this subject, Liefeld expresses to THR, “I believe he could strengthen his bond with comic writers, yes.” He laments that Feige didn’t take a moment to talk with him and his family at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere, and wishes Marvel would give more credit to creators in general. He highlights James Gunn of DC Studios as an executive and director who frequently acknowledges comic creators, even inviting them to the Superman set.

Feige, on the other hand, is not just private about his admiration for creators; he openly praises them. At San Diego Comic-Con, he frequently acknowledges creators, and he’s often spotted socializing with creators on Marvel’s red carpets. The studio even flew several creators to the set of Fantastic Four: First Steps, and in October, they organized a New York Comic Con panel that paired Daredevil’s stars with comic book creators.

Liefeld is recognized for his unwavering enthusiasm in promoting both his work and personal image, and despite any mixed emotions, he had a great time organizing fan screenings for the summer’s Deadpool & Wolverine series.

He confesses he felt anxious about launching this podcast and exposing what he views as a setback. Shunning from a gathering isn’t the kind of event he’d typically disclose. However, it appears his audience appreciated his more exposed self (perhaps it was discussing Marvel secrets), as the episode became one of the most downloaded in Robservation‘s five-year run. It also coincides with his final Marvel project, Deadpool Team-Up No. 5, which will be released next week.

On occasion, not every success can be shared; sometimes, even failures need to be exposed. This instance was a failure,” states Liefeld, who further explains, “I felt it was crucial for me to host this podcast so listeners could recognize my voice. You didn’t hear any anger from me. At times, it was challenging to conceal the sadness I felt.

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2025-02-06 22:55