Robert Liefeld, who co-created Deadpool, recently took to Twitter to say his character is nothing like Deathstroke. Twitter wasn’t having it.

Robert Liefeld recently took to Twitter to point out that, “there is less than ZERO of Deathstroke in Deadpool.” Fans were quick to point out the obvious similarities between the two characters, of which there are many. The similarities are so obvious and numerous that one has to wonder why Rob Liefeld is even attempting to create this narrative.

It’s ok to draw inspiration from and parody characters that came before you but when you blatantly lift concepts while simultaneously denying doing so, that’s when your motives start to come under question.

“There is less than ZERO of Deathstroke in Deadpool. This narrative came about a decade ago and it’s total BS.”

Liefeld has taken to public forums to dispute claims that Deadpool, also known as Wade Wilson, is similar to Deathstroke, also known as Slade Wilson, before. While talking with I Nerdy Pop Rob clawed for any small details that separated the two while avoiding any of the real comparisons that people are making.

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This is known as a motte-and-bailey fallacy, which pushes off the real argument in favor of a similar one that is much easier to defend. Nobody is calling you out because of the exact material they are wearing Rob, the comparisons stem from other reasons; their names, Wade Wilson as Deadpool and Slade Wilson as Deathstroke; their occupations, weapons expert mercenaries; and the general look of their outfits, a tight-fitting body suit with weapon pouches and a face mask, among other aspects such as their enhanced healing factors.

Just own it, Rob, they are very similar in many ways and everyone will still love Deadpool. With that being said the characters themselves are very different in personality, with Deathstroke having a gruff and serious personality while Deadpool likes to throw out quips and regularly break the fourth wall, which was a concept that was allegedly introduced to the character by writer Joe Kelly. I myself find Deadpool to be a far more interesting and unique personality than Deathstroke but the similarities are still glaring, and many of the concepts that set the two apart were introduced after Liefeld’s time writing the character.

“The creators of Deadpool literally said they took deathstroke and gave him the mouth of spiderman and that was the premise that created the character its not a narrative ots a fact of how the character was created”

“I am the creator. Thanks for reminding me that you’re quoting nonsense.”

“But you forgot to mention that Fabian Nicieza co-created Deadpool too and he was the one who noted the similarities between the two characters. Maybe everyone’s referring to what he said”

“It was pitched to Nicieza by Robert who made him up. That aside though the quote is still made up. All I’ve credibly seen is that Nicieza noted some similarities.”

This quote from Fabian Nicieza is pulled from The Classic Marvel Figurine Collection #56, which is an informative magazine published by Eaglemoss Publications.

“When Liefeld sent his co-creator his first designs of Deadpool, Nicieza replied “This is Deathstroke from the Teen Titans.””

Liefeld has responded to my tweet that the quote is a lie, quadrupling down on his rebuke in one Tweet. I have since @’d Fabian Nicieza to get his side of the story but have yet to receive a response.

Regardless of whether the quote is true or not, the similarities are still undeniable. Although, confirmation of the quote would thoroughly reveal the truth of the matter.

“Before I mute you, that is a lie. Never happened. Ever.

Complete BS”

“Can you tell me what happened when you sent Nicieza your first drafts? The quote I sent was the only thing I could find online, it’s on Wikipedia as well”

“I am sorry that Deadpool and Cable are better now that you no longer write them, and that you disapprove of Cable being LGBTQ. Please learn to draw feet.”

https://twitter.com/scumgargler/status/1541221888302661633

“Obviously the mercenary Wade Wilson from New Mutants 1991 couldn’t have any connection to the mercenary Slade Wilson from New teen titans 1980”

“You can’t spell Rob Liefeld without Lie”

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