‘Deadpool’ Co-Creator Cuts Ties With Marvel

Rob Liefeld, the mind behind Deadpool, has severed ties with Marvel following his dissatisfaction with how he was handled during the premiere of Deadpool and Wolverine.

The 57-year-old creator, known for his comic book work, is the brain behind the wisecracking superhero character. He’s had a long history with Marvel, but expressed disappointment at feeling overlooked during the premiere of Deadpool and Wolverine, the first movie in the series to be released post-Disney’s acquisition of Fox and the character’s integration into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Last July, Liefeld expressed a sense of being overlooked by Disney executives, even the head of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige, during that particular event. He was disheartened to find out later that neither he nor his family were extended an invitation to the post-premiere party.

On his “Robservations” podcast, Liefeld expressed: “It was intended to humiliate, belittle, and overpower me… At a certain point, you think, ‘I’ve gotten the message, and the message is unmistakable.’

Rob Liefeld, one of the creators behind Deadpool in 1991, expressed his desire for increased input in the film’s marketing and advertising, as well as asking for a unique credit distinct from the typical credits given to comic book creators that usually appear at the end of the movie.

In his email, he stated: “Marvel hasn’t excelled in treating creators justly. The worlds, characters, and ideas we generate are what create the foundation for their films – specifically, Deadpool’s world. There would be no movies to produce or blockbusters to release… I am not a quick solution like the one at Staples. Instead, I embody the human creativity that lies within.”

“Marvel’s treatment of creators has never been their strength. Without the worlds, the characters and the concepts that we create – and in this specific case, the world of Deadpool – there are no films to shoot. No blockbusters to distribute … I am not the easy button at Staples. I am the human imagination behind at all.”)

Liefeld emphasized: “It’s high time comic book creators are no longer treated as footnotes. Here’s a simple solution: unless we actively work towards change, this issue will remain unresolved.

Earlier, it was proposed that the holdup of Deadpool and Wolverine’s comic book release, which followed Deadpool 2 by six years, might be due to Marvel.

Liefeld told ComicBook.com in 2020: “I blame Marvel… blame Marvel that it hasn’t happened yet.

They’re preventing it from happening. If there’s a puzzle or it doesn’t align with your grand scheme, go ahead and assign the task. Alright, let’s move forward with that.

I shared my reservations too, expressing doubts about my trust in Marvel Studios. I feel that the rough-talking character might not align well with the family-oriented nature of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Liefeld stated: “Ryan Reynolds isn’t working on Deadpool 3 currently because Marvel has not given the go-ahead for it, and that’s the extent of my comments.

To be honest, I’m unsure about my trust in that system. I can’t definitively say one way or another, so I’m not providing a clear answer. If it works out, great!

VHS Tapes That Sold For Shocking Amounts of Money

The Toy

Currently, eBay Valuation: $375

Over the past few years, a new market has emerged, focusing on the grading of VHS tapes, much like how baseball cards are sealed in protective cases for preservation. These graded items are then assigned a quality score from 0 to 10, reflecting their worth as collector’s items. For instance, this “9” rated copy of The Toy, starring Richard Pryor, is one such example.

Pulp Fiction

Current eBay Listing Price: $390

Pulp Fiction, undeniably, was one of the most popular VHS tapes back in the 1990s. Yet, it’s unlikely that many of these tapes were left untouched for such a long time. Thus, an unopened, pristine copy can command high prices on eBay.

The Karate Kid Part II

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that the resurgence of “Cobra Kai” has undeniably impacted the market value of the original “Karate Kid” tapes. It’s intriguing to see that even the subpar sequels are fetching impressive prices, with some collectors paying as much as $400 for a near-perfect copy of “The Karate Kid Part II”. In the absence of “Cobra Kai”, I find it hard to believe that such a high price tag would be attached to this particular sequel.

Alien

I couldn’t help but splurge $500 on a vintage VHS version of “Alien,” and let me tell you, my accountant was silent as a cosmic vacuum when I shared the news!

Die Hard

Current eBay Selling Price: $500

The seller initially asked for $1,000 for this graded Die Hard comic. However, the buyer managed to purchase it at a reduced price of $500. In essence, they got an exceptional bargain!

Wall Street

Current eBay Selling Price: $500

Perhaps there’s no clearer embodiment of Gordon Gekko’s business philosophy than individuals selling unused VHS tapes, which perhaps cost around $20 three decades ago, in plastic cases, for hundreds of dollars each.

Rocky II

As a passionate collector, I can attest that iconic franchises with deeply devoted fans often command impressive prices, particularly when it comes to items from their early days. For instance, copies of “Rocky II” VHS tapes frequently sell for hundreds of dollars, even though the film is widely accessible in countless physical and digital formats, due to its nostalgic appeal.

Star Wars

Current eBay Selling Price: $575

Despite the vast market for Star Wars memorabilia, original Star Wars tapes don’t typically command the highest prices compared to old VHS tapes. This could be due to factors like supply and demand. It’s hard to estimate how many millions of copies of Star Wars on VHS might still be in circulation around the world today.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

As a passionate film enthusiast, I must admit that the current eBay market for vintage Indiana Jones tapes isn’t particularly favorable if you’re on the hunt for a bargain. With the upcoming release of “Dial of Destiny,” there’s been a significant resurgence of interest in our favorite archeologist, making it a seller’s market. Sealed early VHS tapes of the films are fetching high prices, even without grading. So, if you’re planning to add some Indiana Jones classics to your collection, be prepared to dig deeper into your pockets!

Chopping Mall

In the intersection of “Horror Movie Enthusiasts” and “VHS Enthusiasts,” there’s likely a significant overlap – given that many expensive VHS tapes listed here are horror films. It seems that long-time horror fans have a strong attachment not just to the movies they watched as children, but also to the medium they watched them on, which was often rented VHS tapes from careless video store clerks.

The recent eBay sale price for this item is $679.

Batman Begins

Current eBay Price for VHS Tapes: $732

Description:
Many expensive VHS tapes originate from two distinct periods: The late 1970s, when the format was newly introduced (making tapes rare and valuable), and the mid-2000s, as the format was nearing its end (also making tapes scarce and desirable). One such example is Batman Begins, which was among the final Hollywood blockbusters to be released on VHS. Consequently, it has become a sought-after collector’s item.

Jaws

Latest Price on eBay for Jaws: $772

The popularity of this 1983 VHS copy of Jaws, stemming from its historical significance as Steven Spielberg’s breakthrough film and its early release in the VHS era, led to a recent sale price of $772.

Top Gun

Current eBay Auction Price: $800

The resurgence of Top Gun in the public spotlight has sparked a surge in interest for the original tapes. (Apparently, this particular copy is quite rare as it was part of a promotional campaign and not the regular VHS release found in most stores.)

eBay Sale Price for Top Gun: $800

The recent revival of Top Gun has ignited a fire in the hearts of many collectors, seeking after the original tapes. (This special edition is said to be very scarce, having been part of a promotional event and not the standard VHS release you’d usually find on store shelves.)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

As a die-hard Ninja Turtles enthusiast, I can confidently say that the value of collectibles from this iconic franchise is off the charts, especially for us dedicated fans. The initial movie’s sealed VHS tape, for instance, fetches a whopping $850 on eBay! That’s quite the investment, but it’s all worth it when you’re part of this turtle-loving community.

WrestleMania

In the world of wrestling enthusiasts, there’s a strong collecting culture that persists. Although WWE’s back catalog of pay-per-views is now accessible through streaming services like Peacock, sealed editions of significant events continue to command high prices. Interestingly, an ungraded copy of WrestleMania III, featuring the iconic match between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, can fetch around $1,000 today.

Troll II

Current eBay Auction Price: $900

In a state of amazement, I exclaim, quoting the movie ‘Troll II’, upon seeing the price fans are willing to pay for rare VHS copies: “Oh my goooooooood!”

The goal is to keep the original meaning and tone while making it easier to read. The new version includes a brief explanation of the quote, which might help some readers who aren’t familiar with ‘Troll II’.

Back to the Future Part II

Current eBay Auction Price for a VHS Tape: $910

A perfect 10 is the highest grade a VHS tape can achieve, but such high grades are scarce for most movies. This exceptional 9.9 Back to the Future Part II VHS tape, however, is quite a find, if you have any affection for VHS tapes that remain unplayable due to being permanently sealed within hard plastic cases.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Currently on eBay, you can purchase a copy of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” on DVD for under $6, with shipping included in the price. It’s worth sharing this great deal!

This version maintains the original meaning while using more natural and easy-to-read language.

Back to the Future

Current eBay Value: $1,000

If only you could hop in the DeLorean and go back to 1985 to warn yourself not to open that copy of Back to the Future, because by now it would be worth a thousand dollars!

The Fast and the Furious

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I was surprised to find that a VHS tape of “The Fast and the Furious,” a film that kick-started an impressive billion-dollar franchise, recently sold for $1,000 on eBay. Despite more contemporary titles typically being priced lower, this one holds considerable value, especially among its passionate fan base.

Halloween

Current eBay Auction Price: $1,000

Early home video releases of John Carpenter’s Halloween have many elements that make them valuable VHS tapes. They were released early in the format’s history, they feature a classic horror movie, and they bring back strong nostalgic feelings for many viewers who enjoyed watching them on VHS. This high listing is not surprising given these factors.

Teen Wolf

Current eBay Selling Price: $1,190

Is Teen Wolf a significant milestone in cinema? It’s quite unusual to see extras accidentally caught on camera without their pants on, so I would argue that it is indeed a notable film.

Gremlins

Current eBay Selling Price: $1,250

Does anyone else find these prices hard to believe? With $1,250, you could potentially purchase a whole bunch of those cute creatures called mogwai!

First Blood

Current eBay Auction Price: $1,525

I have a soft spot for high-priced collectibles that still retain their original price tags. To me, it’s endearing to know that someone shelled out $1,500 for an item that originally cost just $29.95, and every time they glance at it, they’re reminded of the bitter reality.

Halloween II

It’s interesting to note that under the right circumstances, a copy of “Halloween II” can sell for an equivalent price as “Halloween”. This might seem unexpected, considering one would assume the demand for “Halloween” would be significantly greater than that for “Halloween II”. However, factors like supply and demand could be crucial in this case. Perhaps there are numerous unopened copies of “Halloween II” from 1982 still in people’s possession.

Dumbo

Current eBay Auction Price: $1,575.50

There’s quite a debate about the rarity and worth of Disney VHS tapes, considering how many were produced in the ’80s and ’90s. However, certain special editions can still command high prices due to their supposed scarcity. It’s often challenging to distinguish genuine value from people capitalizing on rumors. Nonetheless, die-hard Disney fans are known to pay premium prices for items they believe are rare. In fact, a copy of Dumbo, complete with a Mickey Mouse ornament, was recently sold for over $1500.

Conan the Barbarian

Current eBay Purchase Amount: $1,725

Life’s greatest pleasure? Crushing your foes, witnessing their retreat, and hearing the sorrowful cries of their companions. And I’ll let you in on a secret: When you splurge $1700+ on a VHS edition of Conan the Barbarian, there are plenty of sighs and lamentations.

Taxi Driver

Latest eBay Selling Price: $1,905

I may not be an expert on VHS tapes, but those who are will appreciate and value the first printings and early releases. For instance, this “Taxi Driver” tape from its initial release is sought after by collectors. I must admit, that box art is pretty stylish.

This version aims to maintain the original meaning while making it more readable and natural for English speakers. The repetition of “do” has been replaced with a rephrased sentence, and the sentence structure has been adjusted to improve clarity and flow.

The Goonies

Current eBay Auction Prices for The Goonies: $4,050

In the past few months, numerous copies of the movie ‘The Goonies’ have fetched thousands of dollars on eBay. This trend is not just due to the famous line “Goonies never say die,” but also because many devoted fans of the film have grown up and now possess extra funds to spend.

In simpler terms, there’s been a surge in demand for The Goonies among its fan base who have accumulated disposable income as they’ve grown older.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Latest eBay Auction Price: $5,000

The downside: A collector attempted to sell their graded version of Wes Craven’s ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ for a staggering $15,000, but didn’t find a buyer. On the bright side (for them): They pocketed five thousand dollars. To put it bluntly, that’s an impressive sum for a VHS tape.

2025-02-11 22:26