Fabian Nicieza goes on Twitter to talk about the superhero’s sexual orientation!
[dropcap size=small]I[/dropcap]n response to a fan essay about Deadpool’s sexuality, Fabian Nicieza (a co-creator of Deadpool with Rob Liefeld) weighed in on the superhero’s sexual orientation on Twitter, which started a conversation between him and Deadpool fans.
@FabianNicieza Any thoughts on the C&D b/romance with DP now a legit pansexual? (The marriage can be legal now!) http://t.co/rCy5yn45Wb
— kawy ❄️ (@kawy) August 11, 2015
Twitter user @kawy asked for Nicieza’s reaction to the to a fan essay that provided dozens of examples of Deadpool’s sexuality since his debut in 1991. Nicieza responded to @kawy: “Sorry, but anyone who writes such an extended column trying to ‘prove’ Deadpool’s sexuality does not understand Deadpool’s sexuality.”
After Nicieza was called out for being dismissive of the fan’s opinion, he continued: “Not trying to be dismissive, but readers always want to ‘make a character their own’ and often that is to the exclusion of what the character might mean to other fans. I’ve been dogged with the DP sexuality questions for YEARS. It is a bit tiring. He is NO sex and ALL sexes. He is yours and everyone else’s. So not dismissive, but rather the epitome of inclusive.”
Nicieza was pressed by Twitter users about Deadpool’s sexuality, so he explained further how Deadpool’s thought process worked: “Have answered so many times. DP brain cells are in CONSTANT FLUX. He can be gay one minute, hetero the next, etc. ALL ARE VALID.”
“They (nor you) understand DP brain cells in CONSTANT FLUX so he is hetero one minute, gay the next, etc. ALL ARE VALID,” he added when another fan brought up current “Deadpool” scribe Gerry Duggan and former writer Gail Simone’s take on the character.
Then, Nicieza was asked if Deadpool’s pansexuality was based on his power to speed up cell regeneration. Nicieza responded: “Not ‘claiming’ anything. It is HOW I CREATED HIM from the beginning.”
“Funny how you don’t understand the character at all regardless of his (or your) perceived sexuality,” Niceiza continued. “It is why he is insane, why his memory is so flawed and why he was able to survive the cancer in his system. It is why he can like something one minute and hate it the next. It has ALWAYS been a part of the characters makeup. You’re arguing with the guy who introduced the omnisexual, pansexual, heterosexual, homosexual, etc. aspects of the character!”
When someone pointed out that queer fans might find it insulting that Deadpool’s sexuality is linked to his mental disorder, Nicieza replied, “I understand your fight, but you’re choosing the wrong character to fight for and the wrong writer to fight with. I have spent 30 years in this business writing diverse characters and hiring diverse creators. Character has been around since 1992. He is who he has ALWAYS been and this is it. understand it and hopefully accept it or pick a better character to rally behind. I’ll be fighting with you.”
Adding that he’ll address the issue eventually, he concluded, “Would rather let people vent. I deserve it for improperly stating things and more importantly trying to have debate about complicated character and comic book pseudo-science on twitter which thrives on simplicity.”
The Deadpool movie will be released on February 12th, 2016!
