The Secret Behind Rob Liefeld's Marvel Exit

 

   Rob Liefeld, the creator of Deadpool and Cable, is breaking up with Marvel after over three decades.  It's a dramatic split, fueled by a series of perceived slights and a feeling that Marvel, under Kevin Feige, doesn't value its creators enough.

    The breaking point seems to have been the premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine.  Liefeld and his family weren't invited to the after-party, a regular occurrence in the past.  He felt ignored by Marvel bigwigs, including Feige himself, on the red carpet.  To add insult to injury, professional photos of him with the film's creative team were reportedly deleted.

    Liefeld felt this wasn't just a one-off incident.  He points to a change in Wolverine's credits earlier this year, awarding co-creator status to someone who wasn't involved in the character's original creation. This upset him, particularly because he's close to the widow of one of Wolverine's actual co-creators.

Feeling undervalued, Liefeld emailed Marvel asking for better recognition in the film's credits and more opportunities at premieres and promotional events. He wasn't asking for more money – he already has a lucrative deal.  His email, however, was apparently not well-received.  He claims his agents were yelled at and hung up on by Marvel representatives.

    This, he believes, is why he wasn't invited to the after-party.  He feels the whole situation shows a pattern of disrespect towards comic book creators at Marvel.  He contrasts this with his positive experiences working with 20th Century Fox on the earlier Deadpool films, where he felt included and appreciated.

    Liefeld's criticism extends to Kevin Feige, Marvel's head honcho.  He publicly stated that Feige doesn't treat comic book creators well, a bold claim considering Feige's generally positive reputation.  While Feige is known for publicly acknowledging creators, Liefeld believes more could be done to show appreciation.  He cites James Gunn at DC as a positive example of an executive who actively celebrates and involves comic creators.

    Liefeld's decision to go public with his grievances, through a podcast episode that became his most downloaded ever, shows his frustration.  He admits it was a difficult decision, revealing a more vulnerable side than he usually shows.  While he acknowledges the positive aspects of his involvement with Deadpool & Wolverine, including a fun cameo in the film and a set visit, these positives couldn't outweigh the underlying feeling of being undervalued and disrespected.

    The situation highlights a larger debate within the comic book industry: the balance of power between studios and the creators whose work forms the basis of billion-dollar franchises.  Liefeld's story, whether you agree with his perspective or not, certainly raises important questions about how creators are treated and recognized for their contributions.  His departure from Marvel is a significant event, marking the end of a long and successful relationship, and leaving many wondering what the future holds for both Liefeld and the relationship between Marvel and its creators.  It's a story that continues to unfold, and one that will likely resonate with many creators in the industry.