Editing Rob Liefeld

{{short description|American comic book creator (born 1967)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox comics creator
| image         = Rob Liefeld by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| imagesize     =
| caption       = Liefeld at the 2022 [[WonderCon]]
| birth_name    = Robert Liefeld
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1967|10|3}}
| birth_place   = [[Fullerton, California]], U.S.
| death_place   =
| cartoonist    =
| write         = y
| art           =
| pencil        = y
| ink           = y
| edit          = y
| publish       = y
| letter        =
| color         =
| alias         =
| notable works = {{Plain list |
* ''[[Youngblood (comics)|Youngblood]]''
* ''[[X-Force (comic book)|X-Force]]''
* ''[[Deadpool (comic book)|Deadpool]]''
* ''[[Avengelyne]]''
}}
| awards        = [[Inkpot Award]] (2012)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comic-con.org/awards/inkpot|title=Inkpot Award|date=December 6, 2012 |publisher=[[San Diego Comic-Con International]]|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=December 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216080157/https://www.comic-con.org/awards/inkpot}}</ref>
| website       = {{official website|http://robliefeldcreations.com/}}
}}
'''Robert Liefeld''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|aɪ|f|ɛ|l|d}}; born October 3, 1967) is an American [[comic book creator]]. A prominent writer and artist in the 1990s, he is known for co-creating the character [[Cable (comics)|Cable]] with writer [[Louise Simonson]] and the character [[Deadpool]] with writer [[Fabian Nicieza]]. In the early 1990s, Liefeld gained popularity due to his work on Marvel Comics' ''[[The New Mutants (comic book)|The New Mutants]]'' and later ''[[X-Force (comic book)|X-Force]]''. In 1992, he and several other popular Marvel illustrators left the company to found [[Image Comics]], which started a wave of comic books [[Creator ownership in comics|owned by their creators rather than by publishers]]. The first book published by Image Comics was Liefeld's ''[[Youngblood (comics)|Youngblood]]'' #1.

Liefeld has been called one of the most controversial figures in the comic industry<ref name=NYTimes2.5.16>{{cite web|author=Golianopoulos, Thomas|date=February 5, 2016|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/07/movies/deadpool-movie-rob-liefeld.html|title=Deadpool: Meet the Prime Mover Behind the Mercenary|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|access-date=June 12, 2019|archive-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024193952/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/07/movies/deadpool-movie-rob-liefeld.html}}</ref> for his drawing skills,<ref name="CBR7.3.13">{{cite web|author=Ginocchio, Mark|url=http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/07/03/gimmick-or-good-youngblood-1/|title=Gimmick or Good? – Youngblood #1|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=July 3, 2013}}</ref><ref name="CBR1.7.17">Hollan, Michael (January 7, 2017). [http://www.cbr.com/rob-liefeld-controversial-comics-titles/ "Rob Liefeld's Most Controversial Comics Titles"]. [[Comic Book Resources]].</ref><ref name=GiveCredit1>{{cite web|author=[[David, Peter]]|url=http://www.peterdavid.net/index.php/2010/08/20/giving-credit-where-credit-is-due/|title=Giving Credit Where Credit is Due, Part 1|publisher=peterdavid.net|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=August 20, 2010|access-date=October 18, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222055744/http://www.peterdavid.net/2010/08/20/giving-credit-where-credit-is-due/}} Reprinted from ''[[Comics Buyer's Guide]]'' #1033 (September 3, 1993)</ref> business practices,<ref name=GiveCredit1/><ref name=ComicsAlliance>Sims, Chris (October 26, 2009). [http://www.comicsalliance.com/2009/10/26/comicsalliance-video-vault-the-comic-book-greats-rob-liefeld/ "ComicsAlliance Video Vault: The Comic Book Greats: Rob Liefeld"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824112220/http://www.comicsalliance.com/2009/10/26/comicsalliance-video-vault-the-comic-book-greats-rob-liefeld/ |date=August 24, 2012}} [[ComicsAlliance]].</ref><ref name=Newsarama>McLelland, Ryan. [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=5852 "Valiant Days, Valiant Nights – A Look Back at the Rise and Fall of Valiant"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706023257/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=5852 |date=July 6, 2009}} Newsarama. September 24, 2003. Archived at [http://www.valiantfan.com/valiant/valiantdays.asp ValiantFans.com]. Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref> and controversial comments.<ref name="CBR">{{cite web|author=Adams, Tim|date=June 11, 2019|url=https://www.cbr.com/rob-liefeld-dc-comics-drive-off-cliff-tweets/|title=DC Comics Is 'Gonna Drive Off A Cliff,' Rob Liefeld Declares|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref><ref name="BleedingCool2.7.16">{{cite web|author=Johnston, Rich|date=February 7, 2016|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/02/07/fanboy-rampage-what-if-a-janitor-created-deadpool/|title=Fanboy Rampage: What If A Janitor Created Deadpool?|publisher=[[Bleeding Cool]]|access-date=June 12, 2019|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225025519/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/02/07/fanboy-rampage-what-if-a-janitor-created-deadpool/}}</ref>

==Early life==
Rob Liefeld was born on October 3, 1967,<ref>[[Spurgeon, Tom]] (October 3, 2011). [http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/happy_44th_birthday_rob_liefeld/ "Happy 44th Birthday, Rob Liefeld!"] [[The Comics Reporter]].</ref> in [[Fullerton, California]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lambiek.net/artists/l/liefeld_rob.htm|author=[[Kousemaker, Kees]]|title=Rob Liefeld|publisher=[[Lambiek Comiclopedia]]|accessdate=February 14, 2024}}</ref> the younger child of a [[Baptist]] minister and a part-time secretary.<ref name=NYTimes2.5.16/> He and his sister, seven years his senior,<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRqNjvwufQE "Exclusive Hilarious Interview With Rob Liefeld Creator Of Deadpool"]. [[YouTube]]. January 10, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2011.</ref> grew up in [[Anaheim, California]].<ref name=NYTimes2.5.16/><ref name=OfficialAnaheim>Liefeld, Rob. [http://robliefeldcreations.com/?p=2698 "Anaheim Comic Con"]. Rob Liefeld Creations. May 2, 2010. Note: Although the source does not explicitly give the year, 2011 is given because Liefeld mentions that [[Wizard World]]'s first convention in Anaheim took place the previous year, which was in 2010.</ref>

Liefeld's love of comics began as a child, which led early on to his decision to be a professional artist, a practice that began with his tracing artwork from comic books. As a high-school student, he took basic fundamental art courses,<ref name=CBGreats>''The Comic Book Greats'' Episode 2: Rob Liefeld. 1991. Starbur Home Video.</ref> and attended comic book conventions at the nearby [[Disneyland Hotel (California)|Disneyland Hotel]], where he met creators such as [[George Pérez]], [[John Romita Jr.]], [[Jim Shooter]], [[Bob Layton]], [[Mike Zeck]] and [[Marv Wolfman]].<ref name=OfficialAnaheim/> Liefeld cites Pérez, along with [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]] and [[Frank Miller (comics)|Frank Miller]], as major influences.<ref name=CBGreats/> He has also noted how the influence of [[Arthur Adams (comics)|Arthur Adams]] is visible in his art.<ref name=ComicsBeat>{{cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/rob-liefeld-isnt-silent-about-snake-eyes-deadgame/|author=Henehan, Billy|publisher=[[Comics Beat]]|title=INTERVIEW: Rob Liefeld Isn't Silent About SNAKE EYES: DEADGAME|date=July 17, 2020|access-date=July 20, 2020|archive-date=July 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720200406/https://www.comicsbeat.com/rob-liefeld-isnt-silent-about-snake-eyes-deadgame/}}</ref>

==Career==
===Early career===
After graduating from high school, Liefeld took [[life drawing]] classes at a local [[junior college]], working odd jobs for about a year, including as a [[pizza delivery]] man and construction worker, while practicing his artwork, samples of which he sent to small comics publishers, as he was too intimidated to send them to the "Big Two" companies of [[Marvel Comics]] and [[DC Comics]].<ref name=CBGreats/><ref name=DCVisualChronicle>{{cite book|last=Manning|first= Matthew K.|editor-last = Dolan|editor-first = Hannah|chapter= 1980s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 234 |quote = Written by Barbara and Karl Kesel and drawn by future superstar Rob Liefeld, this five-issue miniseries reestablished the famous pair for a new generation.}}</ref>

[[File:YoungloodMegatonExplosion1.png|thumb|left|Among Liefeld's earliest published work was a pinup of his creation, [[Youngblood (comics)|Youngblood]], in ''Megaton Comics Explosion'' #1 (June 1987).]]
Among the editors he sent art samples around 1985 to [[Gary Carlson]] of Megaton Comics. Carlson was working on ''Megaton'' #4, and was looking for replacements for artists who had moved on to bigger projects. Liefeld's submission packet consisted mostly of pinups of DC Comics characters like the [[Teen Titans]] and [[Legion of Super Heroes]], as well as some sketches of Megaton characters. Some of these earlier pinups are visible on Liefeld's website.<ref name=BigBangComics>[[Carlson, Gary]] (September 4, 2013). [http://bigbangcomics.com/bang-blog/youngblood-rob-liefeld/ "Youngblood & Rob Liefeld"]. Big Bang Comics.</ref><ref>Liefeld, Rob. [http://robliefeldcreations.com/portfolio-2/past-work/early-years/ "Early Years"]. Liefeld Creations. Retrieved May 1, 2017.</ref> Although Carlson thought Liefeld's depictions of his characters was not sufficiently accurate, and exhibited what Carlson characterized as "some goofy anatomy", he found Liefeld's storytelling to be clear, and his rendering style evocative of the influence of artist [[George Pérez]]. Although Carlson liked Liefeld's work overall, he felt the young artist was not ready for professional work. Weeks later he received another set of samples that were an improvement, and later still, a four-page Berserker story (not to be confused with the [[Berzerker (comics)|Marvel]] or [[Berserker (comics)|Top Cow]] characters of the same name), along with pinups of the Megaton characters Ultragirl and Ultraman. Carlson used one of the pinups as the inside front cover to ''Megaton'' #5,<ref name=BigBangComics/> and Liefeld's Ultragirl pinup in the company's [[Who's Who]]-type reference book ''Megaton Explosion'' #1 (June 1987).<ref name=BigBangComics/><ref name=MegatonExplosion>Various (w), Liefeld, Rob (p). [http://www.megatoncomics.com/Megaton/MegatonExplosion.pdf#zoom=75 ''Megaton Explosion'' #1] (June 1987). Megaton. p. 12</ref> The book also featured an entry for Liefeld's own creation, a team of superheroes called [[Youngblood (comics)|Youngblood]], the very first appearance of that team in print.<ref name=MegatonExplosion/><ref>[http://www.megatoncomics.com/Megaton/Megaton_Explosion.html "Megaton Explosion"]. Megaton Comics. Retrieved May 1, 2017.</ref>

Carlson and his colleague Chris Ecker later met with the teenaged Liefeld, who at that point had not yet obtained his driver's license, at the Ramada O'Hare Hotel, which was then the location of the [[Wizard World Chicago|Chicago ComiCon]]. Impressed with the artist's enthusiasm and the new art samples he showed them, Carlson gave Liefeld a test script in order to judge his ability to draw a page-to-page comics story. Although Carlson was impressed with Liefeld's layouts, the story was eventually drawn by Gary Thomas by the time it saw print in ''Megaton'' #7.<ref name=BigBangComics/> Two months later Liefeld drew the team in an advertisement in ''Megaton'' #8 (August 1987),<ref name=FirstComicsNews>[[Offenberger, Rik]] (May 29, 1992). [http://www.firstcomicsnews.com/youngblood-ashcans-have-been-printed/ "'Youngblood' ashcans have been printed"]. [[First Comics News]].</ref><ref>[https://www.comics.org/issue/305330/ "Megaton #8"]. [[Grand Comics Database]]. Retrieved May 1, 2017.</ref> which indicated that it would next appear in ''Megaton Special'' #1, by Liefeld and writer [[Hank Kanalz]], with a cover by artist [[Jerry Ordway]]. However, Megaton Comics went out of business before that could be printed.<ref name=FirstComicsNews/><ref>[http://www.megatoncomics.com/Megaton/Megaton_Eight.html "Megaton #8"]. Megaton Comics. Retrieved May 1, 2017.</ref>

===Success with DC Comics and Marvel Comics===
Learning from a friend of a comic book convention in San Francisco where a large number of editors would be in attendance, Liefeld and his friend drove several hours to San Francisco, where they stayed with his aunt and uncle. At the convention, he showed editors his samples and offered a package, which consisted of 10 pages of sequential art featuring his own characters. Editor [[Dick Giordano]], to whom Liefeld showed his samples at the DC booth, requested that Liefeld send him more samples. Although Liefeld was apprehensive about approaching the Marvel booth, he did so at his friend's urging, and as a result, editor [[Mark Gruenwald]] offered Liefeld a job illustrating an eight-page ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|Avengers]]'' backup story featuring the [[Black Panther (comics)|Black Panther]], much to the 19-year-old artist's surprise. Though the published story was ultimately illustrated by another artist, Liefeld was later given character design work by the publisher. His first published story, was a [[DC Comics Bonus Book]] insert in ''[[Warlord (DC Comics)|Warlord]]'' #131 (September 1988). Editor [[Robert Greenberger]] recalled that Liefeld "was discovered by my office-mate, Jonathan Peterson, who was scrambling to find something for him to do. I had the ''Warlord'' Bonus Book slot coming up, so to keep Rob from finding work at our rival, I tapped him for that."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Greenberger|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Greenberger|title=New Talent and Bonus Babies|journal=[[Back Issue!]]|issue=71|page=72 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing|date=April 2014|location=Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> Next came the five-issue miniseries ''[[Hawk and Dove]]'' for DC Comics, the first issue of which was published with an October 1988 cover date.<ref name=CBGreats/><ref name=DCVisualChronicle/> It was this work that first garnered Liefeld visibility among readers of mainstream comics.<ref name="CBR7.30.01">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/to-the-extreme-a-conversation-with-rob-liefeld/|author=Thomas, Michael|title= To the Extreme: A conversation with Rob Liefeld|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=July 30, 2001|archive-date=September 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917204440/https://www.cbr.com/to-the-extreme-a-conversation-with-rob-liefeld/}}</ref> That same year, Liefeld drew ''[[Secret Origins]]'' #28.<ref name=DCVisualChronicle/>

Liefeld's layouts for ''Hawk and Dove'' #5, which took place in a chaos dimension, were oriented sideways so that a reader would have to turn the comic book at a right angle to read them. Because this was done without prior editorial approval, editor [[Mike Carlin]] cut and pasted the panels into the proper order, and [[Karl Kesel]] [[lightbox]]ed them onto DC comics paper to ink them. The letters column of ''Hawk and Dove'' #5 mentions that Liefeld "showed something new to an editor who thought he'd seen everything." Liefeld explained this was how the dimension had been portrayed the only other time it had been shown. Kesel disputed this, asserting that this was the first time that dimension had been shown, but a 2007 article in [[Comic Book Resources]] pointed out that artist [[Erik Larsen]] had indeed portrayed that realm in this manner in ''[[Doom Patrol]]'' #14, which had been published three months prior.<ref name=CBGUrbanLegends>{{cite web|url= http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/02/02/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-36/|title= Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #36!|author=Cronin, Brian|date=February 2, 2006|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]].}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=January 19, 2007|title=Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #86|url=https://www.cbr.com/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-86/|access-date=September 13, 2020|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|language=en-US|archive-date=October 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016001816/http://www.cbr.com/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-86/}}</ref>

Shortly thereafter, Liefeld began doing work for Marvel Comics as well, his first assignment for them being ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man Annual]]'' #23.<ref name=CBGreats/> In 1989, Liefeld became the penciller for the Marvel series ''[[The New Mutants (comic book)|The New Mutants]]'', starting with issue #86. He is generally credited for turning this lowest-selling title of the ''X-Men'' franchise into a financial success,<ref name=TheImageStory2>Dean, Michael. (May 2000). "The Image Story: Part Two: The Honeymoon". ''[[The Comics Journal]]''. pp. 3 – 6.</ref> which underlined the increased popularity and clout that his stint on the title had earned him.<ref name="CBR7.30.01"/>

With ''The New Mutants'' #98, Liefeld assumed full creative control over the series, penciling, inking and plotting, with [[Fabian Nicieza]] writing dialog. ''The New Mutants'' series ended with issue 100, and was replaced with a revamped version of the team called ''[[X-Force (comic book)|X-Force]]'', whose 1991 debut issue sold four million copies, setting an industry-wide record later broken by [[Chris Claremont]] and [[Jim Lee]]'s ''X-Men'' (vol. 2) #1. The sales numbers were propelled by 1990s direct market sales strategies: [[Variant cover|five variant edition]] trading cards were [[polybag]]ged with ''X-Force'' #1 to encourage sales of multiple copies to single collectors, while ''X-Men'' #1 was sold with five variant covers. As of 2013, ''X-Force'' #1 remains the second highest-selling comic book in history.<ref name="CBR7.3.13"/>

In mid-1990, [[Levi Strauss & Co.|Levi's]] began producing a series of TV commercials directed by [[Spike Lee]] for their 501 button fly jeans,<ref>Elliott, Stuart (July 22, 1991). [https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/22/business/media-business-advertising-levi-spike-lee-return-button-your-fly-part-2.html "THE MEDIA BUSINESS: Advertising; Levi and Spike Lee Return In 'Button Your Fly' Part 2"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> which included an onscreen 800 number that viewers who worked in unique jobs could call in order to appear in the company's commercials. After calling the number and leaving a message describing himself and his career, Liefeld appeared in one of the commercials, in which Lee interviews Liefeld about his career and his creation, ''X-Force''.<ref name=CBGreats/><ref name=ComicsAlliance/>

Liefeld was subsequently interviewed by [[Stan Lee]] in the second episode of the 1991 documentary series ''[[The Comic Book Greats]]'', in which he discussed how he broke into the industry, demonstrated his drawing technique, and talked about his Levi's commercial.<ref name=ComicsAlliance/>

===Leaving Marvel Comics, co-founding Image Comics===
Liefeld's relationship with Marvel began to break down in 1991 when he announced plans in a black-and-white advertisement in the ''[[Comics Buyer's Guide]]'' to publish an original title with competitor [[Malibu Comics]]. The exact title is unknown, but according to journalist Michael Dean, it was something to the effect of ''The X-Cutioners'', a title whose similarity to Marvel's X-Men family of titles evoked the ire of Marvel editor [[Bob Harras]], who threatened to fire Liefeld if he used that title.<ref>Dean, Michael. [http://www.tcj.com/3_online/n_image1.htmlImage "Story: A Four-Part Series"] (Part 1 of 4). ''The Comics Journal'', October 25, 2000</ref>

[[File:10.2.10LiefeldMychaelsByLuigiNovi1.jpg|thumb|left|Liefeld and [[Marat Mychaels]] share a laugh as they sketch at the [[Big Apple Convention]] in Manhattan, October 2, 2010]]
Liefeld and several other popular young artists including [[Jim Lee]], [[Todd McFarlane]], [[Erik Larsen]], [[Whilce Portacio]], [[Jim Valentino]] and [[Marc Silvestri]] left Marvel in 1992 to form [[Image Comics]]. Each co-founder formed his own studio under the Image banner, such as Liefeld's [[Extreme Studios]]. Liefeld's superhero team series ''[[Youngblood (comics)|Youngblood]]'', which is partially a derivative of a 1991 ''[[Teen Titans]]'' series Liefeld had proposed to DC Comics, was the first comic Image published.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.newsarama.com/DC/liefeld/LiefeldTitans2.htm |title= Liefeld Talks Titans |access-date= July 14, 2006 |date=April 28, 2005 |publisher= [[Newsarama]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060618085202/http://www.newsarama.com/DC/liefeld/LiefeldTitans2.htm |archive-date = June 18, 2006 }}</ref> He appeared on an episode of ''[[The Dennis Miller Show]]'' to promote the book.<ref>Nadel, Nick (November 4, 2009). [http://comicsalliance.com/liefeld-meets-dennis-miller-in-a-perfect-storm-of-90s-cliches/ "Retro: Liefeld Meets Dennis Miller In a Perfect Storm of '90s Cliches"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106053121/http://comicsalliance.com/liefeld-meets-dennis-miller-in-a-perfect-storm-of-90s-cliches/ |date=2014-11-06}}. ''ComicsAlliance''.</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK35-QKLG1k "Rob Liefeld On Dennis Miller"]. YouTube. April 15, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2014.</ref>

The series' first issue met with negative reception from fans and critics<ref>[http://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/image-comics/youngblood "Youngblood"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401130455/http://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/image-comics/youngblood |date=2017-04-01 }}. ''Comic Book Roundup''. Retrieved May 1, 2017.</ref> for the unclear storytelling effected not only by Liefeld's art, but by the book's flip format, which some readers found confusing, as well as the book's poor anatomy; incorrect perspective; non-existent backgrounds; poor dialogue and the late shipping of the book, a problem that continued with subsequent issues. In an interview in ''Hero Illustrated'' #4 (October 1993), Liefeld conceded disappointment with the first four issues of ''Youngblood'', calling the first issue a "disaster". Liefeld explained that production problems, as well as sub-par scripting by his friend and collaborator [[Hank Kanalz]], whose employment Liefeld later terminated, resulted in work that was lower in quality than that which Liefeld produced when [[Fabian Nicieza]] scripted his plots on ''X-Force'', and that reprints of those four issues would be re-scripted. Writer and ''[[Comics Buyer's Guide]]'' columnist [[Peter David]] pointed to Liefeld's scapegoating of Kanalz as an example of Liefeld's failure to take responsibility for his project, and evidence that genuine collaboration with good writers like Louise Simonson and Fabian Nicieza, which some of the Image founders did not appreciate, had previously reflected better on Liefeld's art.<ref name=CBR7.3.13/><ref name=CBR.com1.7.17>{{cite web|last=Hollan |first=Michael |url=http://www.cbr.com/rob-liefeld-controversial-comics-titles/|title=Rob Liefeld's Most Controversial Comics Titles|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|language=en-US|url-status=|date=January 7, 2017|access-date=October 18, 2023|archive-date=August 16, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220816121417/https://www.cbr.com/rob-liefeld-controversial-comics-titles/}}</ref><ref name=GiveCredit1/>

Other titles produced by Liefeld's Extreme Studios during the 1990s included ''[[Brigade (comics)|Brigade]]'', ''[[Bloodstrike (Image Comics)|Bloodstrike]]'', ''[[Glory (comics)|Glory]]'', ''[[Prophet (comics)|Prophet]]'', ''[[Supreme (comics)|Supreme]]'', ''Team Youngblood'', ''Youngblood Strikefile'', ''Troll'', ''New Men'' and ''[[Avengelyne]]''.<ref>Dietsch, T. J. (January 30, 2013). [http://www.cbr.com/liefeld-takes-youngblood-bloodstrike-to-the-extreme/ "Liefeld Takes 'Youngblood' & 'Bloodstrike' to the Extreme"]. ''[[Comic Book Resources]]''.</ref>

In 1996, Liefeld's and Lee's studios signed with Marvel to re-envision several of the company's core series, an event called "[[Heroes Reborn (1996 comic)|Heroes Reborn]]". Liefeld was contracted to write twelve issues of ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'', co-written with [[Jeph Loeb]], and was to pencil twelve issues of ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]].'' Due to disappointing sales, Marvel terminated the agreement after six issues, and reassigned the two series to Lee's studio,<ref name="Wiz72news">McLauchlin, J. (August 1997). "Lee Extends 'Reborn' Run". ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'' no.72 p.18. "Marvel&nbsp;... [asked artist Jim Lee to]&nbsp;... take over the two former Liefeld-helmed books after six months; Marvel cited low sales as the reason for ending Liefeld's contract early."</ref> one of the most controversial episodes in Liefeld's career.<ref name=CBR.com1.7.17/>

===Departure from Image===
In June 1996, Marc Silvestri temporarily left Image with his [[Top Cow]] imprint over conflicts with Liefeld, with Image Comics executive director [[Larry Marder]] saying that Liefeld "was making an increasing number of business decisions that were counterproductive to being a business partner."<ref name=TheImageStory3>Dean, Michael. (July 2000). "The Image Story: Part Three: What Went Wrong". ''The Comics Journal'' #225.  pp. 7–11.</ref> In early September, Liefeld issued a press release stating he was resigning his position at Image and leaving the group. Nearly simultaneously, the other Image partners issued a press release stating that they had fired Liefeld.<ref>"Chapter Three: Image Litigation, Cont.", ''The Comics Journal'' #192 (December 1996), pp. 17–19.</ref> His resignation came only minutes before the second meeting that would have forced him out.<ref name=TheImageStory3/> Liefeld moved all his publishing ventures into a new company, [[Awesome Comics]]. This new enterprise, announced in April 1997 as a partnership between Liefeld and [[Malibu Comics]] founding partner [[Scott Mitchell Rosenberg]], concentrated its efforts on newer properties.<ref>{{cite web|title=Comic Universes Publishing Allies|url=http://www.platinumstudios.com/universes/awesome.php|website=[[Platinum Studios]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202150623/http://www.platinumstudios.com/universes/awesome.php|archive-date=February 2, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Awesome Comics===
After leaving ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'', Liefeld attempted to buy the rights to [[Fighting American]], a similarly patriotically themed 1954 character from Captain America's creators, [[Joe Simon]] and [[Jack Kirby]]. The still-living Simon and Kirby's widow agreed to a figure Liefeld felt was too high, and he created a new similar character, Agent America. Simon threatened to sue, and the parties renegotiated a deal acceptable to all. [[Marvel Comics]] then sued Liefeld, who was allowed to use the character but not have him throw his shield weapon, a distinctive trait of Captain America.<ref name=CBR.com1.7.17/><ref name=ocweekly>{{cite news | url = http://www.ocweekly.com/2007-10-11/features/youngblood-at-heart/full/ | title=Youngblood at Heart| first= Luke Y. | last= Thompson | work = [[OC Weekly]] | date= October 11, 2007|access-date= July 19, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140220132331/http://www.ocweekly.com/2007-10-11/features/youngblood-at-heart/full/ | archive-date= February 20, 2014 | url-status=live}}</ref>

Liefeld also hired comic book writer [[Alan Moore]] to revive many of Liefeld's creations. Moore wrote a few issues of ''Youngblood'' and ''[[Glory (comics)|Glory]],'' but his most lauded work for Liefeld was on ''[[Supreme (comics)|Supreme]]'', for which Moore won the 1997 [[Eisner Award]] for Best Writer.<ref>[http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner97.php "1997 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners"]. Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. Retrieved March 2, 2013.</ref>

Awesome's initial releases included new properties like ''Kaboom!'', created by [[Jeff Matsuda]]. Awesome ceased operation in 2000 due to the departure of its primary investor.<ref>Thompson, Luke Y. (October 11, 2007) [http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2007/10/rob_liefeld_shoots_on_alan_moo.php "Rob Liefeld shoots on Alan Moore"]. ''OC Weekly''.</ref><ref>Brice, Jason [http://comicsbulletin.com/rage-cancellations-consolations/ "Cancellations And Consolations"]. "All the Rage". [[Comics Bulletin]]. Retrieved March 2, 2013.</ref><ref>[[Johnston, Rich]]. [http://www.comicsbulletin.com/sites/default/files/rage/100375659675845.htm "Tieri vs Liefeld vs Fraga – Now With Added Monarchic Goodness"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109192113/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/sites/default/files/rage/100375659675845.htm |date=2014-11-09 }}. "All the Rage". Comics Bulletin. Retrieved March 2, 2013.</ref><ref>Amacker, Kurt (2012). [http://www.seraphemera.org/seraphemera_books/AlanMoore_Page1.html "Interview with Alan Moore"]. seraphemera.org. Retrieved March 2, 2013.</ref><ref>McCulloch, Joe (April 3, 2012). [http://www.tcj.com/this-week-in-comics-4412-hottest-game-of-thrones-recaps-inside/ "THIS WEEK IN COMICS! (4/4/12 – Hottest Game of Thrones Recaps Inside!)"]. ''The Comics Journal''.</ref>

===2000s work===
[[File:15th anniversary of Image Comics - seven founders.jpg|thumb|Liefeld (second from right) with the other founders of Image Comics at the 2007 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]]]
In the 2000s, Liefeld returned to his former characters in the [[X-Men]] franchise, providing pencils for ''[[Cable (comics)|Cable]]'' and ''[[X-Force]]'' until the early 2000s, when both were canceled.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/comics/deadpool-2-who-are-x-force-a-brief-history/ |title=Deadpool 2: Who Are X-Force? A Brief History |last=Dandeneau |first=Jim |date=August 8, 2018 |website=[[Den of Geek]] |access-date=August 8, 2018}}</ref>

In 2004, he reunited with Fabian Nicieza for an ''X-Force'' [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] and illustrated the early covers for Nicieza's ''[[Cable & Deadpool]]''. In that same year, Liefeld formed [[Arcade Comics]] and once again announced plans to revive ''Youngblood''. These involved reprinting older material<ref>{{cite web|url=http://classic.newsarama.com/Arcade/liefeld/maxrob.html |title=Maximum Rob – Liefeld Talks 'Old' & New Projects|publisher=[[Newsarama]]|date= July 11, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201091250/http://classic.newsarama.com/Arcade/liefeld/maxrob.html|archive-date=February 1, 2009}}</ref> and providing the art for two new series: ''Youngblood: Bloodsport'' with [[Mark Millar]] and ''Youngblood: Genesis'' with Brandon Thomas.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ong Pang Kean, Benjamin |date=July 3, 2003 |title=Youngblood-A-Trois II: Mark Millar |url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?threadid=4389 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201090022/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?threadid=4389 |archive-date=February 1, 2009 |publisher=[[Newsarama]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Ong Pang Kean, Benjamin |date=July 2, 2003 |title=Youngblood-A-Trois I: Rob Liefeld |url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?threadid=4366 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060525001159/http://www.newsarama.com/pages/Other_Publishers/Younglodd_Liefeld.htm |archive-date=May 25, 2006 |publisher=[[Newsarama]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Ong Pang Kean, Benjamin|url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?threadid=4400 |title=Youngblood-A-Trois III: Brandon Thomas|publisher=[[Newsarama]]|date= July 4, 2003| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201090047/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?threadid=4400|archive-date=February 1, 2009}}</ref> Although the former only published one issue, Liefeld expressed hopes to finish the series.<ref>Furey, Emmett (June 19, 2008). [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16875 "Rob Liefeld Talks 'Youngblood: Bloodsport'"]. [[Comic Book Resources]].</ref>

Liefeld and writer [[Jeph Loeb]] returned to the Heroes Reborn Universe with ''[[Onslaught Reborn]]'', a five-issue limited series that premiered in November 2006.<ref>{{cite web|last=Taylor|first= Robert|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=8426 |title=Reflections: Talking With Jeph Loeb| publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date= October 25, 2006}}</ref> It met with poor reviews.<ref name="CBR1.7.17"/><ref>[http://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/marvel-comics/onslaught-reborn "Onslaught Reborn"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401151838/http://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/marvel-comics/onslaught-reborn |date=2017-04-01 }}. Comic Book Roundup. Retrieved May 1, 2017.</ref>

In 2007, Liefeld and writer [[Robert Kirkman]] collaborated on a revival of ''[[Killraven]]''. Although five issues of the series were finished, the project was cancelled without any of them being printed.<ref>MacDonald, Heidi (November 11, 2011). [http://www.comicsbeat.com/from-the-vaults-the-kirkmanliefeld-killraven-that-never-came-out/ "From the vaults: The Kirkman/Liefeld Killraven that never came out"]. [[Comics Beat]].</ref>

In July 2007, it was announced that Rob Liefeld and Youngblood would be returning to Image Comics after years of self-publication.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://classic.newsarama.com/ImageComics/youngblood/Liefeld.html |title=Rob Liefeld Talks Youngblood's Return to Image|publisher=[[Newsarama]]|date= August 1, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201161211/http://classic.newsarama.com/ImageComics/youngblood/Liefeld.html| archive-date=February 1, 2009}}</ref> This new partnership marks the first time in a decade that Liefeld and Image would collaborate on a project. This ''Youngblood'' series was written by [[Joe Casey]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Furey|first= Emmett|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12105 |title=New Blood: Joe Casey talks Youngblood|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]].|date= December 6, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201093021/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12105|archive-date=February 1, 2009}}</ref> with art by Derec Donovan and [[Val Staples]], and covers by Liefeld. It debuted in January 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=120437 |title= Liefeld/Image Reunite For ''Youngblood'' HC/New Series|publisher=[[Newsarama]]|date= July 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027112612/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=120437| archive-date=October 27, 2007}}</ref> Liefeld took over writing and art duties with issue #9,<ref>Wigler, Josh. [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21840 "Rob Liefeld Talks Youngblood"]. [[Comic Book Resources]]. July 1, 2009</ref> though that would be the series' final issue. To commemorate the event, and the 15th anniversary of Image Comics, the 2007 [[San Diego Comic-Con]] was headlined by the Image Founders panel, where all seven of the original Image Comics founders appeared on stage together.<ref>Morrow, John (July 20, 2007). [http://twomorrows.com/blog/page/39/ "Comicon schedule"]. [[TwoMorrows Publishing]].</ref>

===2010s work===
[[File:2.9.16RobLiefeldByLuigiNovi70.jpg|thumb|left|Liefeld sketching [[Deadpool]] in a copy of the ''Deadpool'' Volume 1 hardcover three days before the release of the 2016 ''[[Deadpool (film)|Deadpool]]'' film. To his right is a figurine of the character.]]
2010 saw Liefeld return to the Deadpool character, first by penciling issue #1 of the ''Prelude to Deadpool Corps'' series, the issue focusing on Lady Deadpool. Liefeld became the regular artist on ''[[Deadpool Corps]]'', providing interior art for the first nine issues.<ref>Johnston, Rich (January 18, 2009). [http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/01/18/rob-liefeld-to-draw-deadpool-corps-comic-for-marvel/ "Rob Liefeld To Draw Deadpool Corps Comic For Marvel"]. ''Bleeding Cool''.</ref><ref>Joel, Bryan (March 3, 2010). [http://comics.ign.com/articles/107/1074034p1.html "Prelude to Deadpool Corps #1 Review"]. ''[[IGN]]''.</ref>

In March 2011, Liefeld was announced as the artist on ''The Infinite'', a mini-series written by Robert Kirkman.<ref>Truitt, Brian (March 7, 2011). [https://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-03-07-InfiniteImage_N.htm "'The Infinite' teams Image's past and present"]. ''[[USA Today]]''.</ref><ref>Ching, Albert. [http://www.newsarama.com/comics/kirkman-liefeld-the-infinite-110307.html "Robert Kirkman and Rob Liefeld Team Up THE INFINITE"]. ''Newsarama''. March 7, 2011</ref> In January 2012, this project was canceled by Liefeld after Kirkman's studio, Skybound, disagreed on the work of a new inker Liefeld hired to draw 14 of the pages in issue #5, which Liefeld re-inked as a result.<ref>Johnston, Rich (January 21, 2012). [http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/01/21/rob-liefeld-robert-kirkman-kill-infinite-over-creative-differences/ "Rob Liefeld And Robert Kirkman Kill The Infinite Over Creative Differences"]. ''Bleeding Cool''.</ref>

In June 2011, he was announced as the artist on a new ''[[Hawk and Dove]]'' series, with writer [[Sterling Gates]], as part of [[The New 52]], DC Comics' relaunch of their entire superhero line, returning Liefeld to the characters that helped establish him in the industry.<ref>Hyde, David. [http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2011/06/08/the-next-generation-of-justice/ "The Next Generation of Justice"]. [[DC Comics|''The Source'']]. June 8, 2011</ref> When that book was canceled as of issue #8, Liefeld was hired to take over three other titles: ''[[Grifter (comics)|Grifter]]'', ''[[Deathstroke]]'' and ''[[Hawkman (comic book)|The Savage Hawkman]]'', plotting all three, while also writing and drawing ''Deathstroke''.<ref>Johnston, Rich (March 23, 2012). [http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/03/23/rob-liefeld-says-sales-for-grifter-deathstroke-and-hawkman-have-fallen-off-a-cliff/ "Rob Liefeld Says Sales For Grifter, Deathstroke And Hawkman Have 'Fallen Off A Cliff'"]. ''Bleeding Cool''.</ref> Though he indicated in July 2012 that he would stay on the titles for a run that would end in 2013,<ref>McMillan, Graeme (July 26, 2012). [http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/07/26/following-morrison-liefeld-also-announces-imminent-departure-fr/ "Following Morrison, Liefeld Also Announces Imminent Departure From DC"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729040959/http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/07/26/following-morrison-liefeld-also-announces-imminent-departure-fr |date=2012-07-29 }}. ''ComicsAlliance''.</ref> he abruptly quit DC Comics in late August 2012, announcing that the #0 issues to be published in September would be his last. Though Liefeld characterized his experience on The New 52 as a positive one, he did not disguise his animosity toward editor Brian Smith, with whom his clashes were among his reasons for leaving the company.<ref>Ching, Albert (August 22, 2012). [http://blog.newsarama.com/2012/08/22/rob-liefeld-quits-dc-the-0s-are-my-last-issues/ "Rob Liefeld Quits DC: 'The 0′s are my last issues{{'"}}]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828091354/http://blog.newsarama.com/2012/08/22/rob-liefeld-quits-dc-the-0s-are-my-last-issues/ |date=2012-08-28 }}. ''Newsarama''.</ref><ref name=ComAlliance8.23.12>McMillan, Graeme (August 23, 2012). [http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/08/23/rob-liefeld-quits-dc-on-twitter-names-names-and-points-fingers/ "Rob Liefeld Quits DC On Twitter, Names Names And Points Fingers"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826015600/http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/08/23/rob-liefeld-quits-dc-on-twitter-names-names-and-points-fingers/ |date=2012-08-26 }} ''ComicsAlliance''.</ref> Other reasons he cited were frequent rewrites of his material, and the overall corporate culture that was more prevalent now that both DC and Marvel were owned by large media conglomerates. Liefeld also referred to Scott Clark's artwork on ''Grifter'' as "crap".<ref name=Aug2012BleedingCool-1>Johnston, Rich (August 25, 2012). [http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/08/25/rob-liefeld-versus-tom-brevoort-oh-its-on/ "Rob Liefeld Versus Tom Brevoort. Oh, It's On."] ''Bleeding Cool''.</ref> Liefeld indicated that he would return to focusing on his creator-owned properties at Image, including ''[[Bloodstrike (Image Comics)|Bloodstrike]]'', ''[[Brigade (comics)|Brigade]]'', as well as other projects yet to be specified.<ref name=ComAlliance8.23.12/> In response to these events, artist [[Pete Woods]] defended DC editorial, stating that the restrictions placed on creators was the result of a plan they had for all 52 of their titles that required them to be consistent with one another.<ref>Johnston, Rich (August 25, 2012) [http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/08/26/pete-woods-joins-in-the-liefeld-debate/ "Pete Woods Joins In The Liefeld Debate"]. ''Bleeding Cool''.</ref> Editor [[Tom Brevoort]] and writer [[Gail Simone]] defended Brian Smith, disputing Liefeld's characterization of him, leading to a heated exchange on [[Twitter]] between Liefeld and Brevoort,<ref name=Aug2012BleedingCool-1/><ref name=GammaSquad>Smiff, Will (August 27, 2012). [http://www.uproxx.com/gammasquad/2012/08/rob-liefeld-tom-brevoort-scott-snyder/ "Rob Liefeld Versus Tom Brevoort And Scott Snyder: FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT"]. ''Gamma Squad''.</ref> and eventually head ''Batman'' writer [[Scott Snyder]] as well.<ref name=GammaSquad/><ref name=Aug2012BleedingCool-2>Johnston, Rich (August 25, 2012). [http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/08/25/now-its-rob-liefeld-vs-scott-snyder-get-over-yourself-you-pretentious-prick/ "Now It's Rob Liefeld Vs Scott Snyder – 'Get Over Yourself You Pretentious Prick{{'"}}]. ''Bleeding Cool''.</ref><ref>Fishman, Marc Alan (September 1, 2012). [http://www.comicmix.com/columns/2012/09/01/marc-alan-fishman-rob-liefeld-vs-batman/ "Marc Alan Fishman: Rob Liefeld Vs. Batman"]. ''ComicMix''.</ref>

In 2011–2012 Liefeld returned to his earlier creator-owned characters, with new books written and illustrated by other writers and artists. These included a new ''[[Avengelyne]]'' ongoing series debut at [[Image Comics]] under the creative team of Mark Poulton and Owen Gieni, a ''Bloodstrike'' series written by [[Tim Seeley]], a ''[[Glory (comics)|Glory]]'' series written by [[Joe Keatinge]] and illustrated by [[Sophie Campbell]], and a ''[[Prophet (comics)|Prophet]]'' series written by [[Brandon Graham (comics)|Brandon Graham]]<ref>Weigel, David (January 21, 2013). [http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/doers/2013/01/rob_liefeld_s_prophet_and_glory_revamped.html "Rob Liefeld's Sharper Image"]. ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]''.</ref> that garnered critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web| last=Cederlund| first=Scott| url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-advance-reviews-120117.html| title=Best Shots Advance Reviews: 'Prophet' #21, 'Wasteland' #33| work=[[Newsarama]]| date=January 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last=Hatfield| first=Charles| url=http://www.tcj.com/reviews/prophet-21-22/| title=Reviews: 'Prophet' #21-#22|newspaper=The Comics Journal| date=March 16, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last=Sava| first=Oliver| url=https://www.avclub.com/the-latest-issue-of-prophet-illustrates-the-value-of-le-1798232208| title=The latest issue of Prophet illustrates the value of letting creators do their own thing|work=[[The A.V. Club]]| date=June 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Melrose| first=Kevin| url=http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2012/11/amazon-names-best-comics-and-graphic-novels-of-2012/| title=Amazon names best comics and graphic novels of 2012| work=[[Comic Book Resources]]| date=November 13, 2012}}</ref> He also published revivals of ''Youngblood'' with writer John McLaughlin with artist Jon Malin and ''Supreme'' by [[Erik Larsen]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news/liefelds-nycc-extreme-2012-preview-book-now-online/ |title=Liefeld's NYCC Extreme 2012 Preview Book Now Online |last=Meylikhov |first=Matthew |date=October 20, 2011 |website=Multiversity Comics |access-date=March 27, 2012}}</ref>

In August 2012 Liefeld generated controversy by posting a tweet in which he said of his creation, Deadpool, and the creators who worked on the character:<ref name=BloodyDigusting>{{cite web|author=Nadler, Lonnie|date=August 2, 2012|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3157391/rob-liefelds-ego-just-got-bigger/|title=Rob Liefeld's Ego Just Got Bigger|work=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref><ref name="BleedingCool8.2.19">{{cite web|last=Johnston |first=Rich|date=August 2, 2012|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/08/02/joining-the-deadpool-d-list/|title=Joining The Deadpool D-List|work=[[Bleeding Cool]]|access-date=June 12, 2019|archive-date=August 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803211953/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/08/02/joining-the-deadpool-d-list/}}</ref>

{{quote|Testament to Deadpool's appeal and durability is that he thrives regardless of being regulated {{sic}} to D-list talent. Marvel A-list never touches<ref name=BleedingCool8.2.19/><ref>{{cite web|last=Liefeld |first=Rob|date=August 2, 2012|url=https://twitter.com/robertliefeld/status/231083266214608897|title=(Untitled)|publisher=[[Twitter]]|access-date=June 12, 2019|archive-date=July 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728233016/https://twitter.com/robertliefeld/status/231083266214608897}}</ref>}}

The comment was met with criticism by industry professionals who pointed to the esteemed creators who had worked on the character that Liefeld was apparently calling "D-list" creators. Among these critics was [[Rich Johnston]] of ''Bleeding Cool'', who pointed out that some of these past creators included [[Joe Kelly (comics writer)|Joe Kelly]], [[Ed McGuinness]], [[Joe Madureira]], Gail Simone, [[David Lapham]] and [[Kyle Baker]].<ref name="BleedingCool8.2.19"/> Artist Dave Johnson, who had also worked on the character, referenced a video Liefeld posted on the Web a year earlier of him inking a comics page while driving,<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnston |first=Rich|work=[[Bleeding Cool]]|date=June 18, 2011|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/06/18/and-finally-rob-liefeld-on-the-dangers-of-inking-and-driving/|title=And Finally... Rob Liefeld On The Dangers Of Inking And Driving|access-date=June 12, 2019|archive-date=June 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110620004611/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/06/18/and-finally-rob-liefeld-on-the-dangers-of-inking-and-driving//}}</ref> by saying, "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." Then-Marvel Editor-in-Chief [[Axel Alonso]] also referenced other creators who had worked on Deadpool, including [[Gerry Duggan (writer)|Gerry Duggan]], [[Brian Posehn]], and [[Tony Moore (artist)|Tony Moore]], saying, "Welcome to the D-list, @GerryDuggan @thebrianposehn @tonymoore! [[Howdy Doody]] just put your name on the list."<ref name="BleedingCool8.2.19"/><ref name=DigitalSpy>{{cite web|last=Armitage |first=Hugh|date=August 3, 2012|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/comics/a397171/rob-liefeld-apologises-for-deadpool-d-list-comments/|title=Rob Liefeld apologises for Deadpool 'D-list' comments|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author-link=Axel Alonso |last=Alonso |first=Axel|date=August 2, 2012|url=https://twitter.com/axelalonsomarv/status/231146818413674496|title=(Untitled)|publisher=Twitter|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref> Writer [[Rick Remender]], another veteran of books featuring Deadpool, stated, "Lot of talented people you just called out as D-list. Might be a better way to congratulate yourself?"<ref name="BleedingCool8.2.19"/><ref name=DigitalSpy/> Liefeld defended his statement in subsequent tweets posted that day, tweeting, "Truth hurts. Did I miss the [[Ed Brubaker|Brubaker]] Deadpool arc? The [[Mark Millar|Millar]] Deadpool arc? The [[Jeph Loeb|Loeb]] Deadpool arc. Get over yourself. The flip of my statement is that Marvel doesn't feature their prize talent on Dpool and the character does well-Mostly newbies, hence D-list".<ref name=BloodyDigusting/><ref name="BleedingCool8.2.19"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Liefeld |first=Rob|date=August 2, 2012|url=https://twitter.com/robertliefeld/status/231155457044135936|title=(Untitled)|publisher=Twitter|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref> Liefeld stated that his point was that "heavy contract players" at Marvel such as [[Leinil Francis Yu]], [[Steve McNiven]], [[Arthur Adams (comics)|Arthur Adams]], and [[Olivier Coipel]] did not produce regular monthly books featuring the character.<ref>{{cite web|last=Liefeld |first=Rob|date=August 2, 2012|url=https://twitter.com/robertliefeld/status/231210764550160384|title=(Untitled)|publisher=Twitter|access-date=June 12, 2019|archive-date=July 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728233016/https://twitter.com/robertliefeld/status/231083266214608897}}</ref> On March 3, Liefeld apologized for his comments, saying, "As a parent I tell my kids it costs nothing to apologise, so here goes: I apologise and am truly sorry to everyone I insulted with my D-list comments. I said it and can't take it back." Liefeld stated that his original complaint was that Marvel tended to rely on new and unproven talent on Deadpool, and not to attack creators such as the then-new team of Posehn, Duggan, and Moore.<ref name=DigitalSpy/>

Liefeld made a [[cameo appearance]] in the 2016 film based on his most famous creation, ''[[Deadpool (film)|Deadpool]]'', which was released in February 2016.<ref>Davis, Erik (July 12, 2015). [http://www.fandango.com/movie-news/exclusive-see-how-deadpool-creator-rob-liefeld-reacted-to-the-deadpool-comic-con-trailer-749507 "Exclusive: See How Deadpool Creator Rob Liefeld Reacted to the 'Deadpool' Comic-Con Trailer"]. [[Fandango (ticket service)|''Fandango'']].</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=McMillan|first1=Graeme|title=Why the 'Deadpool' Trailer Was the Best Received at Comic-Con|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/comic-con-deadpool-trailer-was-80819|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=July 11, 2015}}</ref> In an interview that month, Liefeld stated that he was working on the graphic novel ''Deadpool: Bad Blood'', which was set for release later that year.<ref name=NYTimes2.5.16/> In 2017, it was reported by Deadline that Liefeld was working with [[Akiva Goldsman]] and [[Graham King]] on a seven-figure movie deal for his Extreme Universe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/deadpool-rob-liefeld-extreme-universe-movie-deal-fundamental-films-graham-king-akiva-goldsman-1201877766/|title='Deadpool's Rob Liefeld In Extreme Universe Pic Pact With Graham King, Fundamental Films, Akiva Goldsman|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=January 3, 2017}}</ref>

In June 2019, Liefeld reacted to the sweeping editorial changes that occurred at DC Comics in the aftermath of a controversial printing error on ''[[Batman Damned]]'' #1 with a set of two tweets in which he stated, "DC Comics gonna drive off a cliff here real soon&nbsp;... gotta get my popcorn&nbsp;... I ain't never seen a company in as much disarray as DC Comics. Thank God they have Batman to act as their Tylenol, {{sic|Asp|rin}}, laughing gas&nbsp;... 'more Batman will fix it!{{'"}}<ref name=CBR.com>{{cite web|last=Adams|first=Tim|date=June 11, 2019|url=https://www.cbr.com/rob-liefeld-dc-comics-drive-off-cliff-tweets/|title=DC Comics Is 'Gonna Drive Off A Cliff,' Rob Liefeld Declares|work=CBR|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref><ref name="BleedingCool6.10.19">{{cite web|last=Terror |first=Jude|date=June 10, 2019|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/06/10/rob-liefeld-predicts-the-collapse-of-dc-comics-soon/|title=Rob Liefeld Predicts the Collapse of DC Comics Soon|website=[[Bleeding Cool]]|access-date=June 12, 2019|archive-date=June 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610223739/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/06/10/rob-liefeld-predicts-the-collapse-of-dc-comics-soon/}}</ref> When writer [[Mark Millar]] expressed skepticism of this prediction, pointing to DC's strong lineup,<ref>{{cite web|last=Millar|first=Mark|date=June 11, 2019|url=https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar/status/1138134775963820032|title=(Untitled)|publisher=Twitter|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref> Liefeld replied that Millar's assessment was a dated one that had not been true since the 1980s. Liefeld further tweeted, "I understand my DC honesty will cost me a potential opportunity but who cares! C'mon... they should fire everybody in management and refresh. Batman will still be there for the next group&nbsp;... And Jim Lee could finally draw the X-Men for you again!!! Wins all around!!"<ref name="CBR.com"/><ref name="BleedingCool6.10.19"/> Liefeld eventually deleted the initial two tweets, but they nonetheless prompted a series of arguments between Liefeld and users who criticized him for his remarks. This was followed by Liefeld's concession that neither Marvel nor DC were in any danger of shutting down, and his announcement that he was ending his Twitter account, and would be using [[Instagram]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Terror|first=Jude|date=June 11, 2019|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/06/11/rob-liefeld-quits-twitter-following-dc-tweet-controversy/|title=Rob Liefeld Quits Twitter Following DC Tweet Controversy|publisher=[[Bleeding Cool]]|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Liefeld|first=Rob|date=June 11, 2019|url=https://twitter.com/robertliefeld/status/1138451733569581058|title=(Untitled)|publisher=[[Twitter]]|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref>

===2020s work===
In July 2020 [[IDW Publishing]] released the first issue of ''[[Snake Eyes: Deadgame]]'', a [[G.I. Joe (comics)|G.I. Joe]]-related series co-written by Liefeld and Chad Bowers, and penciled by Liefeld, Adelso Corona, and Neil Vyetake. Around that same time, Liefeld began a podcast on [[iTunes]], [[Spotify]] and Podbean called ''Robservations'', in which he talks about different topics pertaining to the comics industry.<ref name=ComicsBeat/>

On October 12, 2023,<ref name=CBR10.13.23>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/deadpool-rob-liefeld-proof-of-concept-trailer-bloodstrike/|title=
Deadpool's Rob Liefeld Reveals Proof of Concept Trailer for Bloodstrike Movie |author=Demegillo, Manuel|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 13, 2023|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 21, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231021165409/https://www.cbr.com/deadpool-rob-liefeld-proof-of-concept-trailer-bloodstrike/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyTSObFO9Ee/|author=Liefeld, Rob|publisher=[[Instagram]]|title=Bloodstrike! - Proof of Concept|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 12, 2023|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 21, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231021174315/https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyTSObFO9Ee/}}</ref> Liefeld debuted on his Instagram account a [[proof of concept]] trailer for ''[[Bloodstrike (Image Comics)|Bloodstrike]]'', based on the Image Comics series he had debuted in 1993 as a spinoff of ''[[Youngblood (comics)|Youngblood]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/rob-liefeld-drops-bloodstrike-proof-of-concept-movie-footage/ |title=
Rob Liefeld Drops Bloodstrike Proof-Of-Concept Movie Footage|author=[[Johnston, Rich]]|publisher=[[Bleeding Cool]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 12, 2023|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 21, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231021165645/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/rob-liefeld-drops-bloodstrike-proof-of-concept-movie-footage/}}</ref> ''Bloodstrike'' features a squad of assassins, each of whom is a super-powered operative who died in the line of duty and was resurrected by a secret government program called Project Born Again.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/bloodstrike-teaser-trailer-rob-liefeld/|title=
Deadpool Creator Rob Liefeld Drops 'Bloodstrike' Proof of-Concept Teaser Trailer|author=Azeem, Safwan|magazine=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 12, 2023|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 21, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231021165444/https://collider.com/bloodstrike-teaser-trailer-rob-liefeld/}}</ref>  The short was directed by Philip J. Silvera, who had met Liefeld during production of the 2016 ''[[Deadpool (film)|Deadpool]]'' film, on which Silvera had served as a stunt coordinator and second unit director. Over the years, interest had been expressed in the property by individuals such as [[Akiva Goldsman]] and [[Graham King]], and production companies such as [[Netflix]], which optioned the development rights, but these eventually expired without any produced results.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/bloodstrike-movie-rob-liefeld-trailer-1235617097/|title=
Rob Liefeld Teams with 'Deadpool' Stunt Coordinator for 'Bloodstrike' Proof of Concept Trailer|author=Couch, Aaron|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 12, 2023|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 21, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231021165401/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/bloodstrike-movie-rob-liefeld-trailer-1235617097/}}</ref> Liefeld explained in the caption that accompanied the trailer that he released it in the hopes of spurring renewed interest in producing a ''Bloodstrike'' film, saying, "When taking a comic book from page to screen there are always hurdles, screenplay, screenwriters, talent that attach and move on. It gets old really fast."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/rob-liefeld-deadpool-creator-bloodstrike-movie-debuts-proof-of-concept-trailer-philip-j-silvera-1235754228/ |title='Deadpool' Creator Rob Liefeld Debuts 'Bloodstrike' Concept Trailer|author=Thompson, Jaden|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 12, 2023|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 21, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231021165352/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/rob-liefeld-deadpool-creator-bloodstrike-movie-debuts-proof-of-concept-trailer-philip-j-silvera-1235754228/}}</ref> Liefeld hoped the film would be directed by Silvera, whom Liefeld said had expressed not only a significant knowledge of comics, but a passion for the characters of Liefeld's Extreme Studios. According to Liefeld, Silvera had also expressed a commitment during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]] to make a ''Bloodstrike'' film after his commitments at the time were fulfilled, beginning with the trailer.<ref name=BleedingCool>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/rob-liefeld-drops-bloodstrike-proof-of-concept-movie-footage/ |title=
Rob Liefeld Drops Bloodstrike Proof-Of-Concept Movie Footage|author=[[Johnston, Rich]]|publisher=[[Bleeding Cool]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 12, 2023|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 21, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231021165645/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/rob-liefeld-drops-bloodstrike-proof-of-concept-movie-footage/}}</ref>

On February 5, 2024,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/deadpool-rob-liefeld-retire-marvel-comics-ryan-reynolds-1851225679|title=Deadpool's Creator Is Leaving the Character Behind|publisher=[[Gizmodo]]|author=Lussier, Germain|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=February 5, 2024|access-date=February 6, 2024|archive-date=February 6, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240206163001/https://gizmodo.com/deadpool-rob-liefeld-retire-marvel-comics-ryan-reynolds-1851225679}}</ref> Liefeld announced on [[Twitter]] that after producing one final Deadpool comic to be published later that year, he was retiring from writing or drawing the character,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2024/02/05/rob-liefeld-retire-deadpool/|title=Rob Liefeld is retiring from drawing and writing Marvel's Deadpool|author=Brooke, David|publisher=AIPT|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=February 5, 2024|access-date=February 6, 2024|archive-date=February 6, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240206163914/https://aiptcomics.com/2024/02/05/rob-liefeld-retire-deadpool/}}</ref> stating, "I am retiring from Deadpool. It's official. Yup, after 33 years of not only introducing Deadpool but chronicling many of his most popular adventures it's time for the Deadpool Daddy to say farewell. One of the fun parts about getting older is you can retire from things, so here I am." Liefeld cited his age as a reason for his decision, explaining, "In case you are wondering, why now? That's easy, I'll be 57 at the end of this and my eyes are still functioning, the work continues to be strong, I want to go out with the best effort I can muster. The hand-eye coordination won’t be there forever."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/deadpool-co-creator-rob-liefeld-is-retiring-from-the-character-after-33-years|title=Deadpool Co-Creator Rob Liefeld Is Retiring From the Character After 33 Years|publisher=[[IGN]]|author=Colbert, Isaiah|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=February 5, 2024|access-date=February 6, 2024|archive-date=February 6, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240206163708/https://www.ign.com/articles/deadpool-co-creator-rob-liefeld-is-retiring-from-the-character-after-33-years}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/robertliefeld/status/1754535750669053963|publisher=[[Twitter]]|author=Liefeld, Rob|title=(Untitled)|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=February 5, 2024|access-date=February 6, 2024|archive-date=February 6, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240206062336/https://twitter.com/robertliefeld/status/1754535750669053963}}</ref>

In the February 3, 2025 episode of his podcast, ''Robservations'', and a follow-up interview with ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', Liefeld stated that he had severed ties with Marvel, following perceived slights at the July premiere in New York of ''[[Deadpool & Wolverine]]''. Specifically, Liefeld learned that he and his family were not invited to the afterparty, despite having attended such events in the past, which Liefeld said "was meant to embarrass, diminish, defeat me." He also said that he had been ignored by top Disney officials, including [[Marvel Studios]] head [[Kevin Feige]], despite the fact that Feige had been standing near Liefeld. In addition, Liefeld said he posed for professional photos with members of the film's production, but later was told by his publicist that those photos had been deleted. He perceived the photos to have been taken as a courtesy only, without any intention of being published, though ''The Hollywood Reporter''{{'}}s Aaron Couch said that other photos of Liefeld and his family were used in Disney's [[Getty Images|Getty]] press portal from the event. Liefeld said that his ire with the company began in early 2023, when he learned that it made the controversial decision to change the credits on Wolverine by giving co-creator status to editor [[Roy Thomas]], which upset Christina Valada, the widow of Wolverine co-creator [[Len Wein]], with whom Lifeld is close friends. Liefeld also made a July 2023 request for special credit on ''Deadpool & Wolverine'', akin to the prominent credit DC Comics gives [[Jerry Siegel]] and [[Joe Shuster]] on its ''Superman'' publications, and inquired about other possible promotional opportunities, but this too was rebuffed. Liefeld believed that the negative reaction Marvel had to his request is what motivated his treatment at the premiere.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/deadpool-creator-rob-liefeld-1236128162/|title=Deadpool Creator Rob Liefeld Will No Longer Work With Marvel After ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Premiere Indignities|author=Couch, Aaron|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=February 6, 2025|access-date=February 8, 2025|archive-date=February 6, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250206224020/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/deadpool-creator-rob-liefeld-1236128162/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marvel-access-denied/id1515536209?i=1000688482084|author=Liefeld, Rob|title=Marvel: Access Denied!|work=Robservations with Rob Liefeld|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=February 3, 2025|access-date=February 8, 2024|archive-date=February 8, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250208155839/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marvel-access-denied/id1515536209?i=1000688482084}}</ref>

==Criticism and praise==
[[File:10.2.10MillarLiefeldByLuigiNovi.jpg|thumb|[[Mark Millar]] speaking with Liefeld at the [[Big Apple Convention]] in Manhattan, October 2, 2010]]
Liefeld's name has become something of a lightning rod in the industry.<ref name=ComicsAlliance/><ref name=BloodyDigusting/><ref>Diaz, Eric (September 6, 2013). [http://www.toplessrobot.com/2013/09/8writer_andy_diggle_quits_action.php "The Eight Biggest DC Creative Screw-Ups Since the New 52 Began"]. ''[[Topless Robot]]''.</ref> In an interview, [[Brian Michael Bendis]] described the polarization of opinion on Liefeld: "There is a great dichotomy&nbsp;... There's either some great and generous story about [Liefeld] or you will hear some unbelievable thing like, 'How is he not in jail if he did that?' There is no middle ground."<ref name="LiefeldBendis">[[Brian Michael Bendis]]. [http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/000853542.cfm "Brian Michael Bendis Presents...An Interview with Rob Liefeld"]. ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]''. 2006. Retrieved April 20, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060714193744/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/000853542.cfm |date=July 14, 2006 }}</ref>

In interviews, Liefeld has compared himself to other popular figures who experienced meteoric success and acclaim early in their careers but near-pariah status afterwards, such as [[LeBron James]] or [[Britney Spears]],<ref name=NYTimes2.5.16/> who "became vapid in pop music, and perhaps [he] was nothing more than a vapid comic book artist". He seems to credit his success to tapping into the [[zeitgeist]]: "I'll be the first to tell you that we [the Image collective] were never the best artists. We were never the best at anything, but just like a song or a band or whatever, we caught on and we toured rigorously."<ref name="LiefeldBendis"/>

Liefeld is not without supporters in the industry,<ref name="AVClub">{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Sam |last2=Murray |first2=Noel |last3=Phippsv|first3=Keith |last4=Pierce |first4=Leonard |date=July 20, 2009 |title=Reinventing the pencil: 21 artists who changed mainstream comics (for better or worse) |url=https://www.avclub.com/reinventing-the-pencil-21-artists-who-changed-mainstre-1798218160 |work=[[The A.V. Club]]}}</ref> including those who defend his art.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/heroes-reborn-liefeld-underrated-marvel-comics/|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|title=Was the Original Heroes Reborn REALLY That Bad?|last=Donohoo|first=Timothy|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 2, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2023|archive-date=September 18, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230918135019/https://www.cbr.com/heroes-reborn-liefeld-underrated-marvel-comics/}}</ref> ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' says of Liefeld's critics, "Rob Liefeld is the punching bag of choice for many discerning comics fans. But he's also the man who defined what the 1990s looked like in superhero books, so he's crying all the way to the bank. For every detractor who thinks he's the worst thing to happen to comic books since [[Fredric Wertham]], there are a dozen ravenous fanboys ready to snatch up whatever he does next."<ref name=AVClub/> Writer [[Jeph Loeb]], with whom Liefeld collaborated, and writer [[Mark Millar]] are reported to be admirers of his work.<ref name="LiefeldBendis"/> Millar in particular wrote the foreword to the 2008 ''[[Youngblood (comics)|Youngblood]]'' collection published by Image Comics, in which he defended that series as an entry in the celebrity superhero subgenre that predated ''[[The Authority (comics)|The Authority]]'' and ''[[X-Statix]]''. Millar also compared critics of Liefeld's layouts and figure work to those who would have criticized [[Jack Kirby]] for exhibiting a cartoony style rather than photorealism, and asserted that his own children are avid fans of Liefeld's work in general, and ''Youngblood'' in particular.<ref>[[Millar, Mark]] (2008). ''[[Youngblood (comics)|Youngblood]]'' collected edition. [[Image Comics]]. p. 3</ref> Comics writer [[Grant Morrison]] credited the Image creators with "rescuing" American comics, explaining that they responded to children's tastes of the time, and brought comics back to their basic superhero roots following the [[British Invasion (comics)|British Invasion]] in comics and the popularization of titles typified by [[Vertigo Comics]], which Morrison was a part of. Morrison stated that they are an admirer of Liefeld's work in particular, explaining that while Liefeld's art was regarded as "total crap" in the 1990s, many comic book artists today see it as an [[avant-garde]] abstraction of reality that is as bizarre and individual as [[Vincent van Gogh]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Fat Man on Batman #044: More with Morrison |work=[[SModcast]] |date=August 14, 2013 |url=http://smodcast.com/episodes/more-with-morrison/ |access-date=August 21, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819161318/http://smodcast.com/episodes/more-with-morrison/ |archive-date=August 19, 2013 }}</ref> In 2012, [[Rich Johnston]] of ''[[Bleeding Cool]]'' said of DC Comics' decision to assign Liefeld the co-scripting and drawing duties on three of their flagging [[New 52]] titles, "Rob does have a habit, of course, of pulling out sales and attention like a rabbit out of a hat."<ref>Johnston, Rich (March 2012). [http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/03/23/rob-liefeld-says-sales-for-grifter-deathstroke-and-hawkman-have-fallen-off-a-cliff/ "Rob Liefeld Says Sales For Grifter, Deathstroke And Hawkman Have 'Fallen Off A Cliff{{'"}}]. ''[[Bleeding Cool]]''.</ref>

In 2013, he was named on ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s list of "The Best Tweeters in Comics" for both his industry insight and his bluntness.<ref>{{cite web|last=Yehl|first=Joshua|title=The Best Tweeters in Comics|date=February 20, 2013 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/20/the-best-tweeters-in-comics|access-date=April 22, 2014}}</ref>

===Art style===
Liefeld has been criticized for his drawing skill.<ref name=CBR7.3.13/><ref name=GiveCredit1/><ref name=CBR.com1.7.17/> In a 1996 interview, writer/illustrator [[Barry Windsor-Smith]] criticized the depth of work by the popular artists of the 1990s like Liefeld and [[Jim Lee]], and those whom they had influenced (whom he referred to as "the Liefelds and the Lees"), stating "I don't think it has even crossed their minds that comic books can be a medium for intimate self-expression." Speaking of Liefeld in particular, Windsor-Smith said:<ref name=WindsorSmith>[[Groth, Gary]] (September 1996). [http://www.tcj.com/the-barry-windsor-smith-interview/ "The Barry Windsor-Smith Interview"]. ''The Comics Journal'' #190. Retrieved July 28, 2013.</ref>

{{blockquote|Rob Liefeld has nothing to offer. It's as plain as bacon on your plate. He has nothing to offer. He cannot draw. He can't write. He is a young boy almost, I would expect, whose culture is bubble gum wrappers, Saturday morning cartoons, Marvel Comics; that's his culture&nbsp;... I see nothing in his work that allows me to even guess that there's any depth involved in that person that might come to the fore given time.<ref name=WindsorSmith/>}}

[[File:Youngblood 01 cover.jpg|thumb|Liefeld's cover to ''Youngblood'' #1 (April 1992) illustrating several of the most-criticized elements of his art: extensive cross-hatching, large guns and shoulder pads, and hidden feet.]]
Liefeld has also been criticized for designing characters with an improbable profusion of [[weapon]]s, accessories, and pouches, a tendency that was subject to parody.<ref name=AVClub/> For example, during Grant Morrison's run on DC Comics' ''[[Doom Patrol]]'' in the early 1990s, Morrison collaborated with [[Keith Giffen]], [[Mike Mignola]], and [[Walt Simonson]] to produce ''Doom Force Special'' #1 (July 1992), which "vicious[ly]" mocked Liefeld's work on ''X-Force''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sims |first1=Chris |title=The Most Insane Moments of 'Doom Patrol' |url=https://comicsalliance.com/the-most-insane-moments-of-doom-patrol/ |website=[[ComicsAlliance]] |access-date=February 9, 2021|date=August 3, 2009}}</ref>

Artist [[Alex Ross]] drew upon his dislike of the design of Liefeld's creation [[Cable (character)|Cable]] when designing the character [[Magog (DC Comics)|Magog]] for the 1996 miniseries ''[[Kingdom Come (comics)|Kingdom Come]]''. Following writer [[Mark Waid]]'s instructions that the character's appearance be based on aspects of superhero design trends of the time that they disliked, Ross said of Cable, "That's a character that Mark Waid invented that was really just put to me like come up with the most God awful, Rob Liefeld sort of design that you can. What I was stealing from was—really only two key designs of Rob's—the design of Cable. I hated it. I felt like it looked like they just threw up everything on the character—the scars, the thing going on with his eye, the arm, and what's with all the guns?"<ref>Brick, Scott (March 2007). "Alex Ross". ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard Xtra!]]''. p. 95.</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Jonah |last=Weiland |url=http://www.cbr.com/rob-liefeld-controversial-comics-titles/|title=Ten Years Later: Reflecting on 'Kingdom Come' with Alex Ross |work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=May 10, 2006}}</ref>

Liefeld has also been criticized for drawing figures with exaggerated muscular [[anatomy]],<ref name=NYTimes2.5.16/><ref name=GiveCredit1/> such as long legs and tiny feet,<ref name=AVClub/> and "bizarre" anatomy on female characters that some critics felt served to objectify women,<ref name=CBR.com1.7.17/> with critical articles such as "The 40 Worst Rob Liefeld Drawings", "A Gallery of Rob Liefeld's Anatomical Abominations" and "Worst Rob Liefeld Covers" among the top mentions of Liefeld on [[Google]].<ref name=NYTimes2.5.16/> One of the most criticized and parodied illustrations was a promotional illustration of Captain America for the 1996 [[Heroes Reborn (1996 comic)|"Heroes Reborn"]] storyline, which depicted Captain America with "cartoonish proportions", in particular his stomach, arms,<ref name="BleedingCool9.16.23">{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/rob-liefeld-returns-to-captain-americas-breasts-for-variant-cover/|title=Rob Liefeld Returns To Captain America's Breasts For Variant Cover|last=Johnston |first=Rich |author-link=Rich Johnston|work=[[Bleeding Cool]]|language=en-GB|url-status=live|date=September 16, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2023|archive-date=September 18, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230918132910/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/rob-liefeld-returns-to-captain-americas-breasts-for-variant-cover/}}</ref><ref name=CBR=10.11.23>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/rob-liefeld-captain-america-heroes-reborn-art-auction/|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|title=Rob Liefeld's Captain America Heroes Reborn Art Will Be Auctioned Off|last=Donohoo|first=Timothy|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 11, 2023|access-date=October 18, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231018181810/https://www.cbr.com/rob-liefeld-captain-america-heroes-reborn-art-auction/}}</ref> and "gaping barrel chest", as ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' (CBR) put it.<ref name=CBR=10.11.23/> Referred to by ''[[Comics Beat]]'' as "the most infamous piece of art in comics history",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/rob-liefeld-captain-america-infamous/|title=Now you can own the most infamous piece of art in comics history|work=[[Comics Beat]]|author=Henehan, Billy|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 8, 2023|access-date=October 18, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231018191422/https://www.comicsbeat.com/rob-liefeld-captain-america-infamous/}}</ref> Timothy Donohoo of CBR observed that the artwork "showcases the extreme and many times highly unrealistic anatomy seen in the comics of the era", and came to be viewed as emblematic of Liefeld's artwork as a whole, one that subsequently became an [[internet meme]].<ref name=CBR=10.11.23/> Liefeld poked fun at the matter in 2016, tweeting, "Of course I'm #teamcap. I didn't give him those big tits for nuthin..."<ref name="BleedingCool9.16.23"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/robertliefeld/status/719948924190990336|last=Liefeld|first=Rob|title=Untitled|publisher=[[Twitter]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=April 12, 2016|access-date=September 18, 2023|archive-date=September 18, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230918133319/https://twitter.com/robertliefeld/status/719948924190990336}}</ref> He revisited the illustration in September 2023 with a [[New York Comic Con]] variant cover for ''[[Captain America]]'' (vol 10) #1, depicting the [[Falcon (comics)|Sam Wilson]] incarnation of the character in the same pose. Posting the image on Twitter, Liefeld commented, "Had to get something off my chest."<ref name="BleedingCool9.16.23"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/robertliefeld/status/1702687437372498117|last=Liefeld|first=Rob|title=Untitled|publisher=[[Twitter]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=September 15, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2023|archive-date=September 18, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230918133839/https://twitter.com/robertliefeld/status/1702687437372498117}}</ref> In October 2023, the original 1996 artwork was put up for auction with [[Heritage Auctions]],<ref name=CBR=10.11.23/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://comics.ha.com/itm/original-comic-art/covers/rob-liefeld-captain-america-heroes-reborn-promotional-illustration-original-art-c-1996-/p/7342-234001.s|title=Rob Liefeld – Captain America 'Heroes Reborn' Promotional Illustration Original Art (c. 1996)|publisher=[[Heritage Auctions]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 2023|access-date=October 18, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/lXVUn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/rob-liefeld-infamously-awful-captain-america-art-auction/|title=Rob Liefeld's Infamously Awful Captain America Art Could Be Yours in New Auction|work=[[Screen Rant]]|last=Myrick|first=Joe Anthony|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 13, 2023|access-date=October 18, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231018182552/https://screenrant.com/rob-liefeld-infamously-awful-captain-america-art-auction/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/a/original-art-rob-liefeld-captain-america-breasts/|work=[[Bleeding Cool]]|title=You Can Own The Original Art To Rob Liefeld's Captain America Breasts|last=Johnston|first=Rich|author-link=Rich Johnston|language=en-GB|url-status=live|date=October 8, 2023|access-date=October 18, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231018182653/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/original-art-rob-liefeld-captain-america-breasts/}}</ref> the second time it had been made so available.<ref name=CBR=10.11.23/> On November 17,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comics.ha.com/itm/original-comic-art/covers/rob-liefeld-captain-america-heroes-reborn-promotional-illustration-original-art-c-1996-/a/7342-93069.s|title=Rob Liefeld: Captain America 'Heroes Reborn' Promotional Illustration Original Art (c. 1996)|publisher=[[Heritage Auctions]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=November 17, 2023|access-date=November 20, 2023|archive-date=November 20, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/KqTTm}}</ref> the piece was finally auctioned for $132,000 [[USD]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstcomicsnews.com/rob-liefelds-captain-america-art-sells-for-132000/|work=[[First Comics News]]|title=Rob Liefeld's Captain America Art Sells For $132,000|last=Offenberger|first=Rik|author-link=Rik Offenberger|language=en-GB|url-status=live|date=October 8, 2023|access-date=November 20, 2023|archive-date=November 20, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231120084015/https://www.firstcomicsnews.com/rob-liefelds-captain-america-art-sells-for-132000/}}</ref>

These stylistic elements were seen as the impetus for Liefeld's initial success, when such affectations were unusual in comics, and helped lend such characters to successfully merchandised products.<ref name=TheImageStory2/><ref>{{cite news | last = Cunningham | first= Brian | date = August 1993 | title = Catapult to Stardom | work = Wizard: X-Men Turn Thirty| pages = 82–83}}</ref> Nonetheless, the approach later became a [[cliché]] and led to a widespread hostility towards the style.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-new-dc-52-week-1-flashpoint-5-and-justice-league-1798227411|title=The New DC 52, Week 1 (Flashpoint #5 and Justice League) |first1=Keith |last1=Phipps  |first2=Oliver |last2=Sava |name-list-style=amp |work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=September 2, 2011}}</ref> Liefeld agrees for the most part with this estimation of his early work, saying, "In the mid-90s we ''[[Mortal Kombat]]''{{'}}ed everything. I'm as guilty as anyone&nbsp;..."<ref name=ComicsBulletin>Saunders, Steven G. [http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/116883849126986.htm "Interview with Rob Liefeld"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114220920/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/116883849126986.htm |date=2009-01-14 }}. ''Comics Bulletin''. Retrieved April 20, 2007.</ref> Liefeld's friend, Image Comics partner, and ''[[The Walking Dead (comic book)|The Walking Dead]]'' creator, [[Robert Kirkman]], defends Liefeld, saying, "Every figure that Rob draws has a certain energy to it, a certain excitement. Every character Rob drew had seven knives and six guns and shoulder pads and pouches and belts and straps and ammunition. It was an aesthetic that as a kid absolutely blew me away. I idolized the guy&nbsp;... Everything he draws is interesting, whether it's accurate or not. A lot of people look at the way Rob draws the human body and they say, 'That's wrong in my eyes.' I would say that these people have no joy in their souls. It's not like Rob doesn't know what a human body looks like, I think Rob looks at a human body and goes: 'That's boring. I can do better.{{'"}}<ref name=NYTimes2.5.16/>

In addition to his depiction of human anatomy, Liefeld's art has also been criticized in more general terms for use of [[Splash page (comics)|splash pages]] in lieu of multi-panel pages depicting more story,<ref name=NYTimes2.5.16/> and poor design and continuity in elements such as clothing, props, and proper proportions between characters and their environments,<ref>{{cite comic|writer=David, Peter|story=Mystery Sandman Theater: Captain America|title=Comics Buyer's Guide|publisher=[[Krause Publications]]|issue=1193|date=September 27, 1996}}</ref> with industry columnist [[Peter David]] responding to Liefeld's 1996 work on the "[[Heroes Reborn (1996 comic)|Heroes Reborn]]" ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'' by proclaiming Liefeld the "[[Ed Wood]] of comics".<ref name=NYTimes2.5.16/><ref>David, Peter. [http://www.peterdavid.net/index.php/2012/02/13/the-ed-wood-of-comics/comment-page-1/#comment-651930 "The Ed Wood of Comics"]. ''peterdavid.net''. February 13, 2012. Reprinted from ''Comics Buyer's Guide'' #1195 (October 11, 1996).</ref> Kesel relates:

{{blockquote|Mike Carlin once said of Rob: "He has it. He just doesn't have it yet." And I couldn't agree more. Rob is one of the most energetic and charming people I've ever met—you can't help but like him—and at the time of [Liefeld's early work on ''[[Hawk and Dove]]''] his work showed great potential. But success came far too quickly and easily to him, and he never felt the need to develop that potential. Which is really too bad, because if he did I'm certain he would have left a very different mark on the industry. Not that things worked out that badly for him&nbsp;...<ref name=CBGUrbanLegends/>}}

Liefeld has stated that such criticism has not bothered him, in part because, at the height of his popularity, he had things outside of his work to focus on, such as the death of his father from cancer in 1999.<ref name=NYTimes2.5.16/> By the 2010s, he was known to reference this perception of his work in a lighthearted manner: Following the April 2012 release of DC Comics' solicitations for that July, which included Liefeld's covers for ''[[The Savage Hawkman]]'' #11, ''[[Deathstroke]]'' #11, and ''[[Grifter (character)|Grifter]]'' #11—all of which showed characters' feet—Liefeld, who had been criticized for avoiding drawing characters' feet, commented, "The [[Hipster (contemporary subculture)|Hipsters]] don't know what to do when I draw feet. It confuses them."<ref>{{cite web|last=Melrose|first=Kevin|date=April 10, 2012|url=http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2012/04/quote-of-the-day-rob-liefeld-1-hipsters-0/|title=Quote of the day: Rob Liefeld 1; Hipsters 0|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref> In ''[[Deadpool 2]]'', the character [[Domino (character)|Domino]]'s luck-based powers are disparaged by Deadpool: "Luck? What coked-out, glass pipe-sucking freakshow comic book artist came up with that little chestnut? Probably a guy who can't draw feet!", a reference acknowledged by Liefeld,<ref>Thompson, Luke Y. (May 17, 2018). [https://www.forbes.com/sites/lukethompson/2018/05/17/interview-deadpools-rob-liefeld-talks-sequel-x-force-and-taking-things-slow-or-not/ "Interview: Deadpool's Rob Liefeld Talks Sequel, X-Force, And Taking Things Slow (Or Not!)"]. ''[[Forbes]]''.</ref> who has pointed out that many fan favorite artists used mounds of debris or shadows to avoid drawing feet.<ref>Terror, Jude (December 9, 2015). [http://www.theouthousers.com/index.php/news/133958-rob-liefeld-says-mike-mignola-marc-silvestri-dont-draw-feet.html "Rob Liefeld says Mike Mignola, Marc Silvestri don't draw feet"]. ''The Outhousers''. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref><ref>Terror, Jude (September 14, 2019). [https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/09/14/rob-liefeld-on-todd-mcfarlane-and-people-give-me-hell-for-my-feet/ "Rob Liefeld on Todd McFarlane: 'And People Give Me Hell For My Feet{{'"}}]. ''Bleeding Cool''. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref>

===Creator credit===
At the beginning of Liefeld's run on the ''[[New Mutants]]'', the heavily muscled, heavily armed [[cyborg]] character Cable was created for the team, and became a popular [[antihero]], although there is dispute over Cable's origin, with conflicting accounts of credit given to Liefeld, [[Bob Harras]], and [[Louise Simonson]] for aspects of the character's concept and origin.<ref name=GiveCredit1/><ref name=ComicsBulletin/><ref>Johnston, Rich (May 22, 2006). [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=15242 "Lying In The Gutters"]. ''[[Comic Book Resources]]''.</ref><ref>''Wizard'' magazine, issue #10.</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Johnston|first=Rich|url=https://www.cbr.com/281997-2/|title=Lying in the Gutters Volume 2 Column 53|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=June 12, 2019|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060610/http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?article=2467}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Terror|first=Jude|date=November 21, 2015|url=http://www.theouthousers.com/index.php/news/133854-walt-simonson-reprints-25-year-old-letter-regarding-origin-of-cable.html|work=The Outhousers|title=Walt Simonson reprints 25 year old letter regarding origin of Cable|access-date=June 12, 2019|archive-date=February 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211031605/http://www.theouthousers.com/index.php/news/133854-walt-simonson-reprints-25-year-old-letter-regarding-origin-of-cable.html}}</ref>{{overcitation|date=January 2024}} For a time, Marvel credited only Liefeld and Simonson as Cable's creators within the ''[[Cable & Deadpool]]'' series. He also was credited as the sole creator of ''Youngblood'', when documentation suggests that Liefeld's longtime friend and collaborator Hank Kanalz co-developed that team with him.<ref name=GiveCredit2>David, Peter. [http://www.peterdavid.net/index.php/2010/08/23/giving-credit-where-credit-is-due-part-2/ "Giving Credit Where Credit is Due, Part 2"]. ''peterdavid.net''. August 23, 2010. Reprinted from ''Comics Buyer's Guide'' #1040 (October 22, 1993).</ref> Liefeld has also contested sharing creator credit with writer [[Fabian Nicieza]] for the character Deadpool. In a 2016 ''[[New York Times]]'' interview, Liefeld said that he did "all the heavy lifting" in writing and drawing the issue in which that character first appeared, while Nicieza wrote its script, saying, "If a janitor scripted New Mutants 98, he'd be the co-creator – that's how it works, buddy. Deadpool does not exist in any way, shape or form without me. I wrote the stories. Like Jim Lee and others, I worked with a scripter who helped facilitate. I chose Fabian, and he got the benefit of the Rob Liefeld lottery ticket. Those are good coattails to ride."<ref name=NYTimes2.5.16/> These remarks drew criticism from writers [[Dan Slott]], [[Mark Waid]], and [[Kurt Busiek]], and artist [[Darick Robertson]], who felt that Liefeld was diminishing Nicieza's contributions to the character. Busiek in particular referenced Nicieza's work on Deadpool's signature trait, saying, "Because the success of the Merc With A Mouth clearly has nothing to do with the guy who supplied the mouth." Liefeld later said that he hated the ''New York Times'' article, calling it "a hit piece".<ref name="BleedingCool2.7.16"/>

Liefeld has also been accused of [[swipe (comics)|swiping]], or copying, art from other artists.<ref name=GiveCredit1/><ref name=CBR.com1.7.17/><ref>[[Hauman, Glenn]]. [http://www.comicmix.com/news/2007/12/03/rob-liefelds-40-worst-drawings-you-missed-a-few/ "Rob Liefeld's 40 worst drawings? You missed a few..."], ''ComicMix'', December 3, 2007</ref> Liefeld responded to this accusation by stating that in these instances, which he said were limited to ten, he was offering tribute to the artists of the original pieces in question, rather than [[plagiarizing]], and compared this to the work of filmmaker [[Brian De Palma]], who used the techniques of [[Alfred Hitchcock]]. Peter David responded to this rationale by stating that DePalma himself was criticized harshly by film critics for employing Hitchcock's techniques, and that Liefeld, who has identified himself as a "stickler" for credit, did not credit artists whose work he copied, instances of which exceeded the ten upon which Liefeld insisted. David also stated that some of these artists, such as [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]] and [[George Pérez]], did not react to this practice on Liefeld's part as a "tribute", and expressed displeasure at the degree to which Liefeld relied on their work.<ref name=GiveCredit2/>

===Production and business problems===
Liefeld has also gained a reputation for producing late books, primarily his creator-owned ones,<ref name=GiveCredit1/><ref name=Newsarama/> though somewhat less so when doing [[work-for-hire]].<ref name=CBGUrbanLegends/> Some issues of his series ''[[Youngblood (comics)|Youngblood]]'' shipped as much as nine months late. Liefeld has attributed this to the greater incentive a freelancer feels when doing work-for-hire assignments for a company, as opposed to working on one's self-owned work.<ref name="LiefeldBendis"/> Creator [[Bob Layton]] related he had to fly to Los Angeles and actually sit on Liefeld's doorstep until Liefeld finished penciling his portion of the ''[[Deathmate]]'' miniseries, which was an intercompany crossover published by Image Comics and [[Valiant Comics]], and that he had to ink the artwork himself in an Anaheim hotel room. Layton stated, "There I was, with my own company to manage, and I was in California, managing someone else's people." Layton cites ''Deathmate'', and Image's inability to produce its half of that series in a timely manner, as the first disaster that heralded the end of the [[speculator boom of the 1990s]], and the eventual demise of Valiant Comics.<ref name=Newsarama/>

Liefeld has been criticized for not returning to [[Rick Veitch]] the original artwork that Veitch had produced for Liefeld's Awesome Comics series, ''[[Supreme (comics)|Supreme]]''.<ref name=ComicsAlliance/>

Liefeld compared his conflicts with contemporaries McFarlane and Jim Lee to the intra-band conflicts of the [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]],<ref name=NYTimes2.5.16/> reflecting in 2007 that his feud with the Image partners was in the past, saying, "The divorce was ugly, but to me it didn't linger.&nbsp;... I realized you just need to let it go."<ref>Morse, Ben. (2007). "In Step With: Rob Liefeld". ''Wizard''. November, 2007. p. 108</ref>

==Selected bibliography==
===Artwork===
* ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man|The Amazing Spider-Man Annual]]'' #23 (1989)
* ''[[X-Factor (comic book)|X-Factor]]'' #40, #52 (cover only), #54 (cover only)
* ''[[Uncanny X-Men]]'' #245
* ''[[The New Mutants (comic book)|New Mutants]]'' #85 (cover only), #86–91, #92 (cover only), #93–96, #97 (cover only), #98–100, ''Annual'' #5, ''Annual'' #6 (cover only)
* ''[[X-Force (comic book)|X-Force]]'' #1–9 (plot & pencils), #10 (plot), #11 (plot & cover), #12–13 (plot)
* ''[[Wolverine (comic book)|Wolverine]]'' vol. 2, #154-155
* ''[[Marvel Comics Presents]]'' #52–53, 85–86
* ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'' vol. 2 #1–6
* ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy (1969 team)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]'' #9 (1990) (cover inks)
* ''Captain American Cold War Omega'' #1 (2023) (variant cover art)
* ''[[Cable (comics)|Cable]]'' #71, 73, 75, 77
* ''[[Youngblood (comics)|Youngblood]]'' and ''Youngblood: Bloodsport''
* ''[[Brigade (comics)|Brigade]]''
* ''[[Armageddon Now]]''
* ''Smash''
* ''Re:Gex''
* ''Doom's IV''
* ''[[Battlestar Galactica (comics)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' #1 (1995) (plotter/cover art)
* ''[[Teen Titans]]'' 27–28
* ''[[X-Force (comic book)|X-Force]]'' vol. 2, #1–6
* ''[[Onslaught Reborn]]'' #1–5
* ''[[What If (comics)|What If]]'' vol. 2, #7
* ''Darker Image'' #1-2 (1993) (plotter/pencils) 
* ''Deathmate Prologue'' (1993) (pencils)
* ''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|Fantastic Four]]'' Vol 7 #7 (2023) (variant cover)
* ''[[Deadpool (comic book)|Deadpool]]'' #900
* ''Deadpool'' Vol 8 #1 (2022) (cover art)
* ''Deadpool Bad Blood'' #1-4 (2022) (plotter/pencils)
* ''Deadpool Badder Blood'' #1-5 (2023) (plotter/pencils)
* ''Deadpool: Seven Slaughters'' #1 (2023) (story/artwork)
* ''Prelude to [[Deadpool Corps]]'' #1 (written by [[Victor Gischler]], five-issue limited series, Marvel Comics, May 2010, 120 pages, premiere hardcover, July 2010, {{ISBN|0-7851-4752-7}})
* ''Deadpool Corps'' #1–9
* ''The Infinite'' #1–6 (August 2011 – January 2012)
* ''[[Grifter (character)|Grifter]]'' #9–12, 0 (cover art)
* ''[[Hawk and Dove]]'' #1–5 (1988)
* ''Hawk and Dove Annual'' #1 (1990) (cover art)
* ''Hawk and Dove'' #1–8 (2011–2012)
* ''[[Deathstroke]]'' vol. 2, #9–12, #0 (2012–2013) (artist and cover art)
* ''[[The Savage Hawkman]]'' #9–12 (cover art)
* ''[[Snake Eyes: Deadgame]]'' #1-6 (artist and cover art)
* ''[[Image United]]'' #1–3 (2009–2010)
* ''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil]]'' Vol 7 #12 (2023) (variant cover art)
* ''[[Bishop (Marvel Comics)|Bishop]] War College'' #1 (2023) (variant cover art)
* ''[[Uncanny Avengers]]'' Vol 4 #4 (2023) (variant cover art)

===Writing===
* ''Battlestar Galactica: War of Eden'' #1—4
* ''Battlestar Galactica: The Enemy Within'' #1—3
* ''Battlestar Galactica: Starbuck'' #1—3
* ''Battlestar Galactica: Journey's End'' #1—4
* ''Deathstroke'' vol. 2, #9–12, 0 (writer); 13–14 (plot)
* ''Grifter'' #9–12, 0, 13–14 (plot/co-writer)
* ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|Avengers]]'' vol. 2 #1–7 (plot)
* ''Captain America'' vol. 2 #1–6 (plot)
* ''New Mutants'' #98–100
* ''[[Marvel Comics Presents]]'' #52, 53, 99
* ''[[Prophet (character)|Prophet]]/Cable'' #1–2
* ''The Savage Hawkman'' #9–12, 0, 13–15 (plot/co-writer)
* ''[[Snake Eyes: Deadgame]]'' #1-6 (plot/co-writer)
* ''[[Wolverine (comic book)|Wolverine]]'' vol. 2, #154–157
* ''X-Force'' #1–12
* ''X-Force: [[Shatterstar]]'' #1–4

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website}}
* {{gcdb|type=credit|search=Rob+Liefeld|title=Rob Liefeld}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050103184800/http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/NAML8.HTM#N734 Rob Liefeld] at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
* [https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/yorba-linda/profile/art/rob-liefeld-creations-1126-1000073893/overview-of-bbb-ratings Rob Liefeld Creations] F rating at The Better Business Bureau
* {{Comicbookdb|type=creator|id=60|title=Rob Liefeld}}
* {{IMDb name|509580}}
* {{cite web|author=O'Neil, Patrick Daniel|magazine=[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]|issue=10|title=No Holds Barred|date=June 1992|url=https://archive.org/details/WizardMagazine010/page/n11/mode/2up|pages=12–19|language=en-US|archive-date=December 18, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.org/details/WizardMagazine010/page/n11/mode/2up?view=theater}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box | title=''[[Wolverine (comic book)|Wolverine]]'' writer| before=[[Steve Skroce]]|
after=[[Joe Pruett]]|years=2000}}
{{s-end}}
{{Rob Liefeld}}
{{Extreme Studios}}
{{Image Comics}}
{{Deadpool}}
{{Inkpot Award 2010s}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Liefeld, Rob}}
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American comics artists]]
[[Category:Arcade Comics]]
[[Category:Awesome Comics]]
[[Category:Image Comics]]
[[Category:People from Anaheim, California]]
[[Category:American comics writers]]
[[Category:Inkpot Award winners]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics people]]
[[Category:Artists from California]]
[[Category:Writers from Orange County, California]]
[[Category:20th-century American artists]]
[[Category:20th-century American writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American artists]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:Image Comics writers]]
[[Category:People from Fullerton, California]]