Deadpool First Series: Complete Analysis for Collectors

Published from January 1997 to September 2002, the first ongoing Deadpool series is the founding text of everything the character has become. Over 69 issues, three major writers — Joe Kelly, Christopher Priest and Gail Simone — developed the metanarrative humor, emotional complexity and supporting cast that define Wade Wilson. Without this series, no films, no pop-cultural icon, no multi-million dollar market.

This guide analyzes the series issue by issue, identifies key arcs, and provides current market odds for each key issue. Whether you are a reader, collector or investor, this is your complete roadmap.

The Joe Kelly era (#1-33, 1997-1999) — the definition

Joe Kelly took a character that was little more than a generic '90s mercenary and transformed him into Marvel's most original anti-hero. His approach: combining absurd, self-referential humor with unexpected emotional depth. Deadpool under Kelly is a broken man who uses humor as armor against a world that rejects him.

#1 (January 1997):First issue of the series, drawings by Ed McGuinness. Deadpool confronts Sasquatch and the tone is immediately set. CGC 9.8: $400-700. A fundamental example for any collection.

#1-5 ("Drowning Man" arc):Introductory arc that establishes the character's unique narrative voice. McGuinness to the designs for the entire arc. Full run in CGC 9.8: $600-1,000.

#11 (December 1997):First significant appearance of Blind Al and Weasel in the ongoing series. The supporting cast of Deadpool is set up. CGC 9.8: $50-90.

#14 (March 1998):The cult number. Deadpool travels back in time and inserts himself into Amazing Spider-Man #47 (1967). Pete Woods masterfully recreates the John Romita Sr style. It's a metatextual episode before its time and one of the most innovative singles of the 90s. CGC 9.8: $80-150.

#19 (August 1998):Climax of the Blind Al arc with dark revelations about the relationship between Wade and his captive roommate. One of the most emotionally charged issues in the franchise. CGC 9.8: $30-60.

#25 (February 1999):Milestone issue with the resolution of the T-Ray arc and the question of Wade Wilson's identity. Oversized format. CGC 9.8: $60-100.

The Christopher Priest era (#34-45, 1999-2000)

Christopher Priest takes over the series after Kelly's departure with a clear mandate: to push the character into darker territories. Its run is short but intense, introducing elements of political thriller and social satire that stand out from the Kelly tone.

#34 (November 1999):First issue of Priest. Immediate change in tone with a more thoughtful and manipulative Deadpool. CGC 9.8: $25-45.

#36 (January 2000):Introduction of Mercedes Wilson, a character who complicates Wade's personal story. CGC 9.8: $20-40.

The Priest run is often ignored in reading guides, stuck between the acclaimed Kelly and the filler arcs that follow. This is a mistake: these issues are of excellent quality and their low price ($20-50 in CGC 9.8 for most) makes them interesting collection opportunities.

The Middle Issues (#46-64, 2000-2002)

After Priest's departure, the series passed through the hands of several writers (Jimmy Palmiotti, Buddy Scalera, Frank Tieri) with uneven results. These numbers are the cheapest of the run: $15-30 in CGC 9.8 for the most part. However, some deserve attention:

#57 (October 2001):The “Funeral for a Freak” arc begins with Deadpool confronting his own mortality. One of the best arcs of the end of the series. CGC 9.8: $25-40.

#61 (February 2002):Introducing four Deadpools from different realities — a concept that foreshadows the multiverse exploited in the films. CGC 9.8: $20-35.

The Gail Simone era (#65-69, 2002) — the end of the series

Gail Simone closes the series with a short but memorable run. His approach to character—centered on situational humor and interpersonal relationships—foreshadows his later work on Birds of Prey and Secret Six. It is also her first significant Marvel work, which gives it historical value for fans of the author.

#65 (May 2002):Gail Simone's first issue on the title. For collectors who follow Simone's career, this is a key from a catalog. CGC 9.8: $50-80.

#69 (September 2002):Last issue of the series. The last issues of popular series are often underestimated because the circulation decreases at the end of the run. #69 had a significantly lower circulation than #1, which paradoxically makes it rarer in high grade. CGC 9.8: $40-70.

Collect the full run #1-69

Putting together a complete CGC run is an ambitious but achievable project. Here is the budget estimate by segment:

#1 in CGC 9.8:$400-700.#2-10 in CGC 9.8:$200-400 total ($20-50 per issue).#11-33 (Kelly run) in CGC 9.8:$500-900 total, with #14 and #25 as picks.#34-64 in CGC 9.8:$500-800 total ($15-30 per issue on average).#65-69 in CGC 9.8:$150-300 total.

Estimated total budget for complete run #1-69 in CGC 9.8:$1,750-3,100. This is a significant but reasonable investment for a founding series, and the valuation of a complete run as a block is greater than the sum of the individual numbers ("complete run" premium estimated at +15-25%).

For collectors on a tighter budget, a complete raw run in NM (9.0-9.2 estimated) can be had for $400-800 total, mainly driven by the cost of #1.