Rob Liefeld’s Wild Comic Book Gamble

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Recently, Rob Liefeld journeyed to Arizona to inspect his newly printed comics. As he held them, he marveled at their craftsmanship, appreciating the paper quality and the tactile sensation of the spines. After a few hours, he hopped on a plane back to California, lugging 80 copies of five different editions of Youngblood, the comic that kick-started Image Comics in 1992.

Typically, it’s rare for an author to personally choose every aspect of a book and even rarer to deliver the copies themselves. However, Liefeld decided to do something different for the 33rd anniversary of Youngblood, as each edition of this comic is only available for purchase on his website or during a one-day signing event at Golden Apple Comics in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

At the eleventh hour, Liefeld found himself brainstorming an idea. He had made up his mind in late February that he wanted to honor the Youngblood milestone by releasing a fresh book. However, he realized that the usual publication process with a publisher wouldn’t be feasible under these circumstances.

Every 24-hour window on his platform offers a unique opportunity; once an edition vanishes, it disappears forever, leaving behind only cherished memories for those who managed to grab it.

The book you’re referring to is set to be published by Image Comics, coinciding with their 33rd anniversary on Wednesday. However, some interior pages might undergo changes, along with new cover designs. Additionally, due to the nature of mass production, the quality of paper and other aspects may not match that of a small-batch release.

Liefeld mentions that this product can’t be distributed conventionally due to its heavy cardstock and exceptional interior paper quality. In the words of John Hammond from Jurassic Park, ‘We didn’t skimp on costs.’

Liefeld likewise confirms that he’ll disclose the total sales (grosses) for this book, similar to how a movie studio shares box office earnings.

The person behind Deadpool and Cable fame was instrumental in turning the comic book world upside down in 1992. Alongside six other artists, he departed Marvel Comics to establish Image, a publisher that revolutionized the concept of creators owning rights to their own work. Today, Liefeld observes another period of change for the industry, particularly concerning issues with the print market. He believes reaching out directly to fans to create custom books could be one potential solution.

Says Liefeld: “I’m just out here experimenting. Why not?”

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2025-04-15 23:24