Deadpool first appeared in comics in February of 1991. He was given life by Rob Liefeld who created the script, did the art and even inked this new anti-hero. The effort to create this sarcastic and fun hero was a tad lopsided. Liefeld created Deadpool in New Mutants #98. However, according to many fans, the real first Deadpool, is when he was written by Joe Kelly. In December of 1996, Kelly wrote for Deadpool #1 starting the series. This also happens to be the first appearance of T-Ray, Blind Al, and Patch key characters. Joe Kelly's run gave us a wisecracking, foolhardy, trolling superhero, without a care in the world. The most fervent fans of this character began to love Kelly's Deadpool. He had a very unique take on this red ninja. His run on this Deadpool series was so popular when Marvel tried to cancel it at issue #25 fans did a write-in, as well as an internet campaign; they just wanted to keep Deadpool running. This led to Marvel reversing the decision and Joe Kelly continued work on Deadpool until issue #33. We have two Deadpools and only one is the real deal. Which of these two comics has the greatest current trend return?

New Mutants #98

The first real appearance of Deadpool is in New Mutants #98. It ran up a bit going into the first movie. The second movie bombed in my opinion. The only good thing about Deadpool 2 was the scene when everyone in the team is killed by freak accidents after sky jumping into action. Simply, hilarious. I know that reads awful, but it is the truth. I never laughed so hard in the movie except at that fateful scene.

New Mutants #98

The returns for New Mutants #98 have been phenomenal in some grades, not so much in others:

  • Grade 9.9 has returned a positive +165.3% trend
  • Grade 9.8 has a more modest positive +4% trend
  • Grade 8.5 has returned a positive +10.3%
  • Grade 6.0 has returned a positive +28.8%
  • Grade 3.5 in the readable copies has returned positive +20.2%

 

In comparison, Joe Kelly's Deadpool has a huge fan following, obviously and is the Deadpool we all know and love in the theaters. That being said, it might be a favorite of Deadites everywhere; but it lacks in the return department. Across the board, the numbers below basically doom this book over the long haul. The following returns for Deadpool #1:

  • Grades 9.8 has returned a negative -20.9%
  • Grades 9.6 has returned a negative -23.4%
  • Grades 8.5 has returned a negative -40.8%
  • Grades 7.5 has returned a negative -19.4%

 

 

 

The trends look as flaccid as Deadpools reforming hand in Deadpool 1 the movie. Perhaps if we look a little deeper and use the ole "maximum effort" we can scare up some potential short-term returns.  Deadpool #1 short-term:

  • Grade 9.8 has returned a negative -2.3%
  • Grade 9.6 has returned a positive +5.4%
  • Grade 9.2 has returned a negative -22.1%
  • Grade 9.0 has returned a negative -17.9%

No luck for you, Deadites, the Joe Kelly number one Deadpool may hold a place in your heart but it comes up short in your checking account. The first appearance of Pool in New Mutants #98 even over the short-term six months or less dominates the Joe Kelly book. There is simply no way around it; Rob Liefeld created Deadpool and his first appearance is the primary vehicle for comic book returns for this franchise.