The original artwork featuring Deadpool's comic book debut is currently on auction, with a potential to set a new record in the comic art world. The piece, created by Rob Liefeld for New Mutants #98 in February 1991, is listed at Heritage Auctions for $7.5 million.
If sold at the asking price, this artwork would become the most valuable comic book art ever auctioned. The current record holder is a copy of Action Comics #1, featuring Superman's first appearance, which sold for $6 million earlier this year.
Liefeld, who was 23 when he created Deadpool, no longer owns the artwork, having sold it to a collector about 25 years ago. Despite this, he expressed enthusiasm about the character's financial success:
"I just keep smiling."
The character's popularity has soared since its creation. Deadpool, whose real name is Wade Wilson, is known for breaking the fourth wall and his exceptional healing abilities. The recent film "Deadpool & Wolverine," starring Ryan Reynolds, has become the highest-grossing R-rated movie globally, earning over $879 million.
Interestingly, when New Mutants #98 was first released, it cost only $1. Now, original editions are highly sought after by collectors, with prices ranging from $350 to $55,000 on eBay. This dramatic increase in value reflects Deadpool's journey from a potential supervillain to a beloved antihero.
Liefeld revealed that he created Deadpool as a combination of Spider-Man and G.I. Joe. The character's immediate popularity was evident when Marvel Comics received an unprecedented amount of fan mail. Deadpool's unique traits, including his pansexuality and his daughter Ellie Camacho in the comics, have contributed to his enduring appeal.
Since his debut, Deadpool has starred in his own solo series, joined various teams like X-Force, and even married a demon queen named Shiklah. His first film appearance was in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), but it was the later solo films that cemented his place in popular culture.
As the auction progresses, comic enthusiasts and collectors alike eagerly await the outcome, wondering if Deadpool's debut will indeed set a new benchmark in the world of comic book art.