Deadpool

Wade Winston Wilson — better known as Deadpool, the Merc with a Mouth — is one of Marvel Comics' most unpredictable and wildly popular anti-heroes. A former Special Forces operative and mercenary, Wade underwent the brutal Weapon X program in a desperate bid to cure his terminal cancer, emerging with a superhuman regenerative healing factor that keeps him alive through virtually anything. The catch? The same process left his body in a state of constant cellular chaos, scarring him beyond recognition and destabilizing his mind in ways that make him as dangerous to his employers as to his enemies. Armed with an arsenal of blades, guns, and gadgets — and an absolutely unshakeable sense of humor — Deadpool operates in the grey zone between hero and villain with gleeful abandon.

For collectors, the key book is The New Mutants #98 (February 1991), written by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza. This issue marks Deadpool's very first appearance and is one of the most sought-after copper age keys in the hobby. Graded copies in high grade regularly command serious money at auction, and even mid-grade copies are considered essential shelf pieces. From that debut, Deadpool quickly carved out his own corner of the Marvel Universe, earning his first solo limited series in 1993 before exploding into an ongoing series in 1997 — a run that defined his modern personality and introduced the now-iconic fourth-wall-breaking humor that separates him from every other character in comics.

Deadpool's story has intersected with virtually every major corner of Marvel continuity. His work alongside Cable in X-Force, his chaotic tenure with the Thunderbolts, and landmark runs by writers like Joe Kelly, Gail Simone, Daniel Way, and later Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan have all produced critically beloved and collector-coveted story arcs. The Duggan era in particular — spanning the 2012 and 2015 relaunches — is essential reading, delivering ambitious crossovers like "Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe" and his surprisingly emotional role in the Avengers Unity Squad during Uncanny Avengers. His expansion into the Deadpool Corps and Mercs for Money titles also introduced variant-heavy issues that appeal strongly to completionists.

Deadpool's collectibility is sky-high and only growing. Between the explosive demand driven by his blockbuster film appearances and the deep back-issue well spanning three decades of comics, there is something for every level of collector — from chasing that first-print New Mutants #98 to hunting down rare variant covers across his many relaunches. His books reward readers who love irreverent humor, surprising emotional depth, and wall-to-wall action, making Deadpool one of the most exciting characters to collect in the entire Marvel catalog.