Why Rob Liefeld Refuses To Work With Marvel Ever Again

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Known for collaborating with Fabian Nicieza to create Deadpool among other iconic characters for Marvel Comics, Rob Liefeld has declared he’s ending his relationship with the company after more than three decades of service. With Deadpool and his ally Cable being some of the most beloved characters he helped create, Liefeld’s decision is likely to cause significant changes within Marvel. In February 2024, he announced his retirement from the Deadpool character, but his full departure from Marvel will undoubtedly stir up a major upheaval at the company.

On a recent episode of his podcast “Robservations,” artist Rob Liefeld revealed that he had made a significant decision stemming from his experiences during the premiere for “Deadpool and Wolverine.” He expressed that Marvel Studios failed to acknowledge him throughout the production, and furthermore, disregarded him and his family at the premiere event. Notably, Liefeld isn’t alone in encountering challenges with Marvel Studios; however, his prominence within the comic book community lends credibility to his account of events.

Liefeld felt snubbed by Marvel and Kevin Feige

On his podcast, Rob Liefeld shared that an incident at the premiere of “Deadpool and Wolverine” led him to leave Marvel. He had been under the impression he would be invited to the afterparty, but only discovered he wasn’t when he arrived with his family for the screening. Furthermore, Liefeld expressed dissatisfaction towards Marvel Studios’ chief creative officer Kevin Feige, claiming that Feige deliberately snubbed him on the red carpet by refusing to acknowledge him. Liefeld felt this was an intentional attempt to humiliate, undermine, and defeat him.

Rob Liefeld, in a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, admitted that these matters are not just about his personal ties to Marvel, but rather they encompass larger issues. He expressed optimism, stating, “I believe Kevin Feige can mend his bond with comic book creators. Yes, I do.” Additionally, Liefeld shared an email he sent to Marvel in 2024, requesting that himself and Deadpool’s co-creator Fabian Nieceza be given prominent credit at the start of “Deadpool and Wolverine”. In this email, Liefeld asserted, “It is crucial that comic book creators are not sidelined. This can be easily rectified. Unless action is taken, these changes will never occur.

In the film “Deadpool and Wolverine,” certain subtle elements pay tribute to Rob Liefeld’s influence on the characters, but he didn’t receive the recognition he desired from Marvel. Typically, it’s customary for comic book creators like Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza to be credited in the end credits of Marvel films, which is exactly what happened in this case.

Liefeld’s not the only one who’s got issues with Marvel

The extensive background and renown of Rob Liefeld in the comic book industry has sparked significant interest in his narrative. He’s stirring up important debates about Marvel’s dealings with the creators whose works have made Marvel iconic. Furthermore, he’s not alone in asserting that Marvel Studios doesn’t always prioritize its creative team’s well-being.

In March 2024, Marvel Studios dismissed showrunner Beau DeMayo, mere days before the launch of his series “X-Men ’97” on Disney+. In September, DeMayo posted a video on his OnlyFans account alleging that Marvel had discriminated against him due to his race and sexual orientation, creating an unfriendly work environment for individuals ranging from writers to visual effects artists.

On February 7, 2025, DeMayo shared that video on his YouTube channel, a day following his remark on Liefeld’s post on X (previously Twitter) where he stated, “Kevin [Feige] doesn’t acknowledge artists at all. We excel in areas they can’t, and then they resent us for it.” However, the true reasons behind DeMayo’s termination might be more intricate than what was conveyed in his video, but it raises concerns when multiple creators criticize Marvel publicly.

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2025-02-08 05:30