First Deadpool Comic Cover Expected to Fetch $7.5 Million
The cover artwork for “New Mutants #98,” featuring the first appearance of Deadpool, is projected to set a record as the most expensive comic book-related artwork ever sold, with an estimated value of $7.5 million.
According to Reuters on August 7, Heritage Auctions will offer the original hand-drawn cover by artist Rob Liefeld this week. Published in February 1991, this comic marks Deadpool’s debut. If the cover sells at the expected price, it will surpass the current record holder for comic-related items.
The highest recorded price for a comic-related item to date belongs to a copy of Action Comics #1, which features Superman’s first appearance. Heritage Auctions sold that comic in April for $6 million. At the time of its release, “New Mutants #98” was priced at just $1. Today, first editions of the comic are highly sought after, with prices ranging from $350 to $55,000 on eBay.
Rob Liefeld, who co-created Deadpool with Fabian Nicieza, was only 23 when he designed this cover. Liefeld combined elements of Spider-Man and G.I. Joe to create Deadpool. After the comic’s release, Marvel received a record number of fan letters, with Liefeld recalling, “Marvel contacted me to say this was the highest volume of fan mail they’d received for a superhero in 15 years.”
In reality, Liefeld does not own the original artwork, as he sold it to a collector 25 years ago. He has stated that selling his art was a necessary part of his income at the time, noting, “I don’t regret selling the piece.”
According to Robb Report, the current owner of the cover has turned down multiple purchase offers over the years. However, with the current popularity of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” they believe now is the ideal time to sell and have approached Heritage Auctions.
“Deadpool & Wolverine,” directed by Shawn Levy, continues the story from the second film. In it, Wade Wilson/Deadpool (played by Ryan Reynolds) attempts to live a normal life but is kidnapped by the Time Variance Authority and introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Unable to combat the new threats alone, Deadpool seeks help from Wolverine (played by Hugh Jackman).
