Deadpool Cover Art Could Sell for $7.5 Million
- The cover art for Deadpool's debut comic could fetch a record $7.5 million.
- This comes as the character gains popularity with the release of 'Deadpool & Wolverine'.
- The auction of this artwork highlights the growing market for comic book memorabilia.
As the latest installment in the Deadpool franchise, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” shatters box office records, the original cover art of the superhero's first comic book appearance is poised to make history itself. Heritage Auctions is set to auction the artwork, created by Rob Liefeld in 1991, with an asking price of $7.5 million. If it sells for this amount, it would become the most valuable comic book cover art ever sold. Deadpool, portrayed by Ryan Reynolds in the film adaptations, has garnered a massive fanbase since his debut. Liefeld recalls Marvel's surprise at the overwhelming fan mail received for the character, noting it was the most they had seen for a new character in 15 years. Initially introduced in “The New Mutants,” Deadpool was part of Marvel's lowest-selling mutant title, but his popularity surged, leading to increased sales that eventually outpaced even the X-Men series. The recent success of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which grossed $211 million domestically in its opening weekend, has further solidified the character's status in pop culture. This achievement marks the biggest opening of 2024 and the largest ever for an R-rated film. The owner of the cover art, who acquired it nearly two decades ago, has decided that now is the right time to sell, according to Heritage Auctions. Since his comic book origins, Deadpool has transitioned to the big screen, making his first appearance in 2009's “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” and leading his own films starting with 2016’s “Deadpool.”