Deadpool's creator Rob Liefeld criticizes Kevin Feige and announces that he will no longer collaborate with Marvel.

      Rob Liefeld, the creator of Deadpool, is parting ways with Marvel. After a 30-year collaboration with Marvel Comics, Liefeld has decided to end his association with the company. He is well-known for co-creating prominent Marvel characters like Deadpool and Cable. Liefeld shared his decision during the latest episode of his podcast, Robservations.

      On the podcast, he mentioned that the July premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine in New York served as the catalyst for his departure from Marvel. Allegedly, he and his family were not invited to the afterparty following the premiere. Furthermore, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and other Disney executives did not recognize him on the red carpet.

      Liefeld expressed on his podcast that the lack of an afterparty invitation was intended to “embarrass, diminish, defeat” him. He also raised concerns about how photographs of him and his family taken with Disney creators at the premiere were merely taken as a courtesy, with no intent to use them. When he inquired about the photos, a publicist informed him they had been deleted, but later, pictures of him appeared in Disney’s Getty press portal.

      Following the premiere in July, Liefeld realized it was time to move on from Marvel. He stated, “At some point, you go, ‘I’ve received the message, and the message is clear.’” His issues with Marvel began in 2023 when the company granted co-creator status of Wolverine to editor Roy Thomas, although Wolverine was originally created decades earlier by Len Wein, which reportedly upset Wein's widow.

      In June 2024, Liefeld requested special credit for Deadpool & Wolverine but did not request additional payment. He referenced the opening credits of the 1978 film Superman, which highlight Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster as co-creators, as a comparison. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Liefeld stated that Marvel's treatment of its creators “has never been their strength” and highlighted that Feige “does not treat comic book creators well.” He expressed hope that Feige could enhance his relationship with comic creators.

      Liefeld pointed out James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, as an executive who exemplifies commendation for comic creators. Additionally, Deadpool & Wolverine includes an Easter egg dedicated to Liefeld. During a scene where Deadpool fights variants of himself, the action occurs in front of a shop named Liefeld’s Just Feet, a humorous nod to his reputation for not drawing feet accurately. Liefeld also visited the Deadpool & Wolverine filming location in London.

      Liefeld's last Marvel comic, Deadpool Team-Up No. 5, is set to be released on February 12, 2025.