Rob Liefeld ended with Marvel.
The comic artist and creator say that more than 30 years later he has severed ties with the publisher who created the famous character Deadpool and Cable.
Liefeld made the decision in a 90-minute episode of his Robservations Podcast and a follow-up interview with Hollywood Reporter, detailing a series of perceived little things at the New York premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine in July.
At the premiere, Liefeld learns that he and his family have not been invited to an afterparty. He also felt snuggled by Disney Brass, including Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige.
“It was embarrassing, reduced and intended to defeat me,” Liefeld said on the podcast that he had not gained access to the afterparty.
And then there was another obvious slight. Liefeld said he took professional photos with the Creative with the Deadpool and Wolverine team, but was later told by his spokesperson that those photos were removed. He believes they were considered courtesy and not intended to be used, but other photos featured not only with Liefeld but with his family were also included in the event Disney. It was introduced as part of the Getty Press Portal.
Shortly after the July premiere, he decided to cut off his relationship with Marvel. “At one point, ‘I got the message, but the message is clear,’ he said on the podcast.
Liefeld learns that when his discomfort with Marvel began in early 2023, he made the controversial decision to change Wolverine’s credits and awarded editor Roy Thomas the status of co-creator I said that. The character was created decades ago before Liefeld worked in the comics, but Christine Ballad, the widow of late Wolverine Coe creator Len Wine, who was upset by the decision. It is approaching.
A year later, on June 3, 2024, Liefeld asked if he could receive special credits at Deadpool and Wolverine in terms of access to the film’s premiere and other promotions, and what else fired an email at Marvel asking if it was offered. opportunity. Liefeld didn’t ask for more money as he probably has the richest deal among Marvel creators.
Marvel generally credits comic creators at the end of the film, but Liefeld has made its prominent Jerry Siegel and Joe Shaster as Superman co-creators, citing the opening credits of Superman in 1978 I wanted to list it.
“The way Marvel’s creators treated wasn’t their strength,” Liefeld wrote in an email. “World, without the characters and concepts we created, and in this particular case, in the world of Deadpool, there are no films to shoot. There are no blockbusters to disperse. …I’m a simple button on Staples Not that. I’m the human imagination behind it.” He asked if he could promote his demands to Feige and Disney CEO Bob Iger. “Common book creators can’t continue to be relegated as an afterthought. This is easy to deal with. Unless I reach out to deal with it, it will never be revealed,” he continued. .
Liefeld did not receive a response, but in Verve, his agent told me that the messages were not received well within Marvel. A day later, he said, “My rep says today, ‘We’re not Fox!” and tell me about it. I hung up the phone again. “He believes the tension that stems from the email has prevented him from being invited to Deadpool and Wolverine’s afterparties.
Liefeld, in his 20s in the early 1990s, became part of a rare group of million-dollar comic book creators. Over the years he developed what led to a reputation his detractors struggled with and the habit of minimizing the contributions of others who have also worked at Deadpool. They point to a 2016 New York Times article in which he downplayed New York Nishieza’s work. 98 From a plot by Liefeld, explaining the 1990 problem.
“While we respect what he has contributed, he doesn’t respect what others have contributed,” says one insider.
However, Liefeld said he is lobbying for a 20th century studio and lobbying to provide both himself and Nishieza’s co-creator in the first two Deadpool films. Masu. He cited writer Joe Kelly, who introduced the anti-hero’s current integrated fourth-wall breaking features seven years after Leifeld created him. And he often believes Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds has promoted the character to a global stage and a new level of popularity.
Finally, Liefeld and Nicieza were given the standard “Deadpool created by Deadpool” credits at the end of Deadpool & Wolverine.
Liefeld was also recognized for the enjoyment of some living comic book creators in the film itself. The film’s signature scene in which Deadpool and Wolverine fight dozens of Deadpool variations known as the Deadpool Legion goes in front of a store called Liefeld’s Just Feet, an internal joke about an artist whose fans say they don’t pull their feet. It will be done. Liefeld was invited to visit the London set.
All this sounds like someone who has actually been given the respect of a well-known comic book creator. However, when asked by Thr about these benefits, Liefeld suggests that during his London set visit, despite his elaborate rejection, he began to feel unwelcome.
He tells THR that it contrasts with how he felt in Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018), created by 20th Century Fox. He noted that he was involved in the test screenings of those films and met with the marketing team at Deadpool 2. I was happy to be there,” Liefeld says.
In his podcast, Liefeld argued for a head-turning opinion about Fazy, which is generally spoken only in Hollywood and comic circles, and is spoken in the finest comic circles.
“Kevin Feige doesn’t treat comic book creators well. That’s my personal experience,” Liefeld said on the podcast.
When asked about the topic, Liefeld told THR: “Do you think we can improve our relationship with comic creators? Yes.” He hopes that Feige will spend a bit of time chatting with him and his family at the Deadpool & Wolverine Premier, and Marvel will be the creator. He says he wants to be recognized in general. He points out that DC Studios’ James Gunn, as an executive and filmmaker, constantly praises comic creators and skips them to the Superman Set.
However, Feige is also known to publicly acclaimed creators. He often saw him hob knob with creators on the Marvel Red Carpet, naming the creators of San Diego Comic-Con. The studio also drove many creators to the set of Fantastic Four. First Step, in October, we held a New York Comic Con panel combining Daredevil and the comic book creator star.
Liefeld is known for being a mercilessly bright promoter of his work and personal brand, and despite his conflicting feelings, he has enjoyed hosting a series of fan screenings for Deadpool & Wolverine this summer did.
He admits he was nervous about dropping the podcast and revealing what he considers as a “loss.” Being rejected by the party is not the type he normally makes public. However, his fanbase seems to have liked his more vulnerable side (or maybe he was spilling Marvelty). Because the episode was the most downloaded in the five-year history of Robsavation. Also, Deadpool Team-Up No. 5 comes a week before his final Marvel work hits the stands.
“You can’t always share your hits. You may need to share mistakes. This was a mistake,” says Liefeld. You didn’t hear anyone angry. Sometimes it was hard to hide how sad I was. ”
Robrifeld with his family at Deadpool & Wolverine Premiere.
Disney’s Normugarai/Getty Images
