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Liefeld does not own the artwork. He sold it to a collector 25
years ago, although he said he is thrilled that the character he
created is doing so well financially.
"I just keep smiling," said Liefeld about the auction.
Ryan Reynolds plays Deadpool in box-office hit "Deadpool &
Wolverine," a movie from Walt Disney-owned Marvel Studios. The
film ranks as the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time
with more than $879 million in global ticket sales.
When New Mutants #98 was released in 1991, the comic book cost
$1. Now the original editions have become one of the most
sought-after comics for collectors, with issues selling from
$350 to $55,000 on eBay.
"Selling artwork was part of the income stream back then,"
Liefeld told Reuters. "I sold this 25 years ago. I have zero
regrets."
Liefeld created Deadpool as a combination between Spider-Man and
G.I. Joe. Immediately after his first appearance, Marvel Comics
was flooded with fan mail.
"Marvel contacted me and said, this is the most fan mail we've
had on a new character in 15 years," said Liefeld. "They were
flooded with letters, fan letters, which they sent me. And the
box that that mail arrived in ... I thought I was getting a
washer and dryer," he joked.
The current record holder in comic-book auctions is a copy of
Action Comics #1, which features the first appearance of
Superman and sold for $6 million earlier in the year, also at
Heritage Auctions.
(Reporting by Rollo Ross; Editing by Rod Nickel)
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