Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld sees the mockery he faced from Marvel editorial as a “badge of honor”, highlighting his triumph despite the ridicule. 

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any crazier, Deadpool 3, starring Ryan Reynolds, has burst onto the scene with all the subtlety of a firecracker in a library. But this story isn’t just about the Merc with the Mouth trading quips and clashing swords with Wolverine. Earlier this year, Rob Liefeld, the genius who brought Deadpool to life, announced he’s hanging up his spurs.

After over 30 years of churning out legendary characters like Cable, Domino, and Stryfe, Liefeld has put down his pencils and hung up his cape.

His journey—filled with triumphs, controversies, and a fair share of Marvel pranks— has earned him the title of one of the most polarizing yet influential creators in comic history. Recently, he confessed he was once the target of good-natured ribbing for creating Deadpool.

In a delightful twist of comic book irony, Rob Liefeld, the artistic wizard who brought Deadpool to life and set the stage for Ryan Reynolds-Hugh Jackman team-up in the MCU (Deadpool 3), recently took to X to share a humorous blast from the past.

Despite being the frequent target of good-natured ribbing, especially from Marvel editorials, Liefeld’s creation not only weathered the storm but flourished, becoming a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Liefeld’s Twitter stroll down memory lane revealed a classic anecdote about his time at Marvel. Apparently, Marvel editor Ralph Macchio decorated the former’s office door with a photo of Liefeld sporting a bullseye and crossed-out eyes.

To back up his tale, he shared a screenshot from Marvel Comics: The Untold Story, where Jim Starlin, another heavyweight in the Marvel world, mentioned the editorial staff’s occasional lack of respect.

Starlin is known for his cosmic epics and for reshaping Marvel characters like Thanos and Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Nebula, and Shang-Chi. Moreover, he took his artistic talents to DC Comics, where he illustrated many of their iconic characters, including the formidable Darkseid.

So, while Liefeld was busy crafting characters that would eventually join forces in the grand Marvel universe, he was also dodging playful shots from his colleagues.

Why Did Rob Liefeld Decide to Retire From Deadpool?

In a February post that has comic fans scrambling to find their tissues, Rob Liefeld announced he’s hanging up his Deadpool mask for good. After a staggering 33 years of orchestrating the chaotic escapades of the Merc with a Mouth, Liefeld is ready to step away from his creation and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

On X, Liefeld broke the news with a blend of nostalgia and humor, saying:

I am retiring from Deadpool. It’s official. Yup, after 33 years of not only introducing Deadpool but chronicling many of his most popular adventures it’s time for the Deadpool Daddy to say farewell. 

But before fans start weeping, Liefeld also reminisced about the wild ride of creating the Deadpool Corps and all those quirky Deadpool variants, saying, Creating the Deadpool Corps. and all the different variants of Deadpool were a lot of fun.

Deadpool & Wolverine have raked in a jaw-dropping $1.28 billion globally, making it not just a box-office juggernaut but also the reigning champion of R-rated films. It’s not just a high-flyer in the world of cinema; it’s also strutted its stuff to become the second-highest-grossing film of 2024. With numbers like these, it’s safe to say this film has truly hit the jackpot!

Catch Deadpool & Wolverine in theaters.