Rob Liefeld Insults Marvel Talent, Later Apologizes
By Dan C. on Aug 04, 2012 with Comments 6
Love him or hate him, you have to admit that Rob Liefeld is really good at causing a shit-storm. And he’s also proven that he still has what it takes to instantly piss off everyone over at Marvel Comics. This past week, Liefeld took to Twitter and managed to pat himself on the back and slam the current pool of Marvel Comics creative talent….all in less than 140 characters. Immediately, a wave of outrage (some of it pretend, to be sure) swept through the comic industry and culminated with Rob Liefeld offering an apology. Needless to say, feelings and egos are still pretty raw and exposed.
So what started all of this? Well, on Thursday (August 2nd), Rob Liefeld sent out the following tweet in response to Marvel teasing its new Deadpool creative team for its upcoming relaunch…
Testament to Deadpool’s appeal and durability is that he thrives regardless of being regulated to D-list talent. Marvel A-list never touches
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 2, 2012
And then, like I said, all hell broke lose. Here’s kind of how that went…
Welcome to the D-list, @gerryduggan @thebrianposehn @tonymoore! Howdy Doody just put your name on the list. yfrog.com/oet3euhj
— axel alonso (@axelalonsomarv) August 2, 2012
@robertliefeld Lot of talented people you just called out as D-list. Might be a better way to congratulate yourself?
— Rick Remender (@Remender) August 2, 2012
@robertliefeld Yes!!! I’ve been elevated to the “D list” of talent. Thanks Rob. Now if I can only learn how to ink while driving a car.
— Dave Johnson (@Devilpig666) August 2, 2012
But it doesn’t stop there. Because Rob Liefeld is Rob Liefeld, he goes on to explain how Deadpool is pretty much the greatest Marvel Comics character ever invented and, in case you forgot, remind everyone that he created him…
Testimony to great costume design…Deadpool, Cable, Domino remain largely un-changed, intact over last 20 years!
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 2, 2012
Thor, Cap, Spidey, Hulk, Wolvie have numerous costume changes……Deadpool remains the same!
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 2, 2012
Thought #2 – it’s funny that fans that call me a hack on a daily basis tell me I can’t define others similarly. #nicedoublestandard
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 2, 2012
Thought #3 -I think that a guy who rips other people’s covers on his blog, has thin skin. #superfunny
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 2, 2012
Finally, after a few hours of listening to the Internet scream at him, Liefeld offered this in the way of an apology…
As a parent I tell my kids it costs nothing to apologize, so here goes….
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 2, 2012
I apologize and am truly sorry to everyone I insulted with my D-list commends. I said it and can’t take it back..
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 2, 2012
I meant it as a classification of so much talent that is unknown to me and I am unfamiliar with..
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 2, 2012
I often flip through Deadpool comics and it appears to my veteran eye that these are new talents cutting their teeth on Deadpool assignments
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 2, 2012
Often publishers regulate talents to “lists”, A list, B list, etc. I broke the good old’ boy club by using the “list” description.
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 2, 2012
Next time I will not look to cheat the 140 characters and explain myself more clearly.
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 2, 2012
Okay, so now my thoughts on all of this. Rob Liefeld is, and always has been, an asshole. I’ve never met him, but know enough about him to feel comfortable in making that statement. Since leaving Marvel Comics to co-found Image Comics in 1992, Liefeld has yet to produce anything worth remembering. Even at Image, he couldn’t get along with anyone, which is why he quit literally minutes before the other co-founders voted to kick him out. His work ethic is, and always has been questionable (despite his willingness to ink while driving…), he frequently goes out of his way to insult other comic creators (case in point above), and listening to him constantly talk about Deadpool is like listening to that creepy 40-year old guy at the bar who’s still bragging about how awesome of a high school football player he was.
So, all of that being said, this is what Rob Liefeld does. He creates controversy and then revels in the ensuing drama. It’s a way for him to keep his name in the headlines and at the top of everyone’s mind. He does this, in my opinion, because he can’t accomplish any of that based solely on his artistic abilities. His art style is such a constant stream of regurgitation that, if you’ve seen one Rob Liefeld comic book, you’ve seen them all. His writing isn’t much better, with most of his stories feeling predictable, boring, and rip-offs of popular movies. I understand why everyone over at Marvel, and beyond, jumped all over him for saying what he said…but in doing so, they did exactly what Rob Liefeld wanted them to do. He wants Axel Alonso, Brian Bendis, and Rick Remender to talk about him…even if it’s telling him to go fuck himself.
There is literally a legion of Rob Liefeld haters. Although I don’t consider myself one of them (not appreciating someone’s art style isn’t grounds for me to hate on them), I do understand where they’re coming from. And as much as Liefeld would like to make himself out to be a constant victim in all of this, the reality is that he brings it on himself. Which is fine. If you can’t entertain the masses with your art, at least do it via your Twitter feed. Like it or not, Rob Liefeld is very good at getting everyone to pay him attention. And, hey, look at that. He just got me to write a whole blog post about him.
So what do you all think on Rob Liefeld’s latest comments regarding the new creative talent over at Marvel Comics? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Filed Under: Comic Books
P.S:
“Harris”, keep in mind Liefeld worked for Marvel. They don’t work for him. So don’t drag Jack Kirby in your fights like Rob has been for past two decades. And from what I do know, Rob. You’re not so original yourself. Everyone knows Deadpool is a copycat version of Deathstroke and Louise co-created created Cable. Rob’s not the sole owner everything he does. Infact, Nathan Summers wasn’t orginally created by Liefeld….right?
From what I can see, Rob is just being a hypocrite. He needs to stop pointing the finger at everyone else and keep it professional. He’s a parent and a grown man, then he should act like one. I find it laughable anyone would defend him. Even out of pity. He can’t draw, he’s overrated and that’s why he’s getting mad.
Ummmm you haven’t been paying attention. The whole event of cable versus the avengers was the set up and basis of AvX. He wanted to kill the avengers before they could kill hope. Deadpool is even a part the uncanny x-force, which is arguably marvels best written title right now. If these characters didnt hold wait, marvel would have been tossed then to the side but they’re still milking the cow. Rob just refuses to be Jack Kirby and not get his proper credit.
Actually, I have been paying attention. Cable’s involvement in AvX took place in the Prelude. That story had, literally, zero impact to AvX. The events in that story aren’t even mentioned in AvX. Also, again, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with Liefeld claiming credit for Deadpool and Cable. No one, including Marvel, is denying that. But after 20 years of hearing him, almost daily, brag about Deadpool, after a while people begin to wonder about the point he’s trying to make. Yes, Rob, you created Deadpool. Over 20 years ago. It was the coolest thing ever. But, really, what has he done since?
He may be an ass but an ass with a point. Deadpool is still one of marels biggest characters and they throw him on the most random covers to sell books. Even cable is at the root of avengers vs x-men. A company runs in part by something you created and your not allowed to say so? Name the last set of created characters from the 90′s or the 2000′s to hold weight?
“Even cable is at the root of avengers vs x-men.” Really? I hadn’t recalled Cable appearing in any of the AvX issues. And now that I think of it, none of Liefeld’s creations ever really play a role in any of the major Marvel events (AvX, Fear Itself, Siege, etc).
Hope Summers is at the hear of the AvX story, and Rob Liefeld had no role in her creation.
Finally, my point wasn’t that Rob Liefeld shouldn’t be allowed to claim credit for Deadpool. He should. However, twenty years after leaving Marvel and he’s still ranting about it as if he’s been the driving force behind the character for years. Yes, Rob Liefeld created Deadpool, a character who has, over the years (both with and without Liefeld’s involvement) become popular. But watching him rant about it day, after day, after day tends to wear on everyone’s nerves.