The Story
The New Mutants had spent its run following a younger junior team of X-Men trainees, but by issue #98 the book had shifted toward Cable's harder-edged, paramilitary version of the group. Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld plotted the issue together, with Nicieza handling the script and Liefeld drawing it, and they introduce Wade Wilson: a wisecracking mercenary hired by the villain Tolliver to eliminate Cable before he can collect a bounty on his own head.
Deadpool loses the fight and the issue, but the character's motormouth patter and disregard for his own safety were distinctive enough that Marvel brought him back within months. He would go on to headline his own miniseries and ongoing titles through the 1990s and become one of Marvel's most recognizable characters after his 2016 film debut. The first Deadpool NFT covers the character in figure form; this issue is the print origin.
The Collectible
Original copies of New Mutants #98 in high grade are one of the most in-demand keys from the early 1990s speculator boom, and clean copies remain widely available given the issue's large print run. VeVe's digital edition preserves Liefeld's cover at full resolution, and after the January 2026 Collect migration, every edition self-custodies on-chain. The Classic Cover reproduces the original 1991 art across all five tiers, moving from Common through Secret Rare by rarity rather than by distinct exclusive artwork.
The Drop
VeVe released New Mutants #98 on August 24, 2021 at $6.99 through a standard drop, spanning five cover variants from Common through Secret Rare. This was one of VeVe's earliest comic releases, and its 60,000-edition size remains among the largest of any comic on the platform.
Edition Breakdown
| Tier | Editions | Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Common | 48,000 | Classic Cover |
| Uncommon | 6,000 | Vintage Variant |
| Rare | 3,000 | Hero Variant |
| Ultra Rare | 2,400 | Vibranium Variant |
| Secret Rare | 600 | True Believer Variant |
60,000 editions total with one burned, leaving 59,999 in circulation at an 8.5% market fee. The 600-edition Secret Rare tier is the scarcest print in the run.
Market Context
Deadpool's crossover appeal, from comics into film, animation, and video games, has kept this debut in steady collector demand since its 2021 drop. The large 60,000-edition run keeps most tiers accessible relative to VeVe's smaller comic drops, while the 600-edition Secret Rare remains a harder find. The January 2026 Collect migration moved every edition to self-custody on-chain, with no further minting possible.
Collector's Note
This is the issue where Deadpool shows up as a one-off villain-for-hire and ends up outlasting most of the team he was sent to kill. Even a Common edition represents ownership of that debut, and the size of this drop makes it one of the more approachable comic keys on VeVe for a new collector. Copies are listed on the VeVe secondary market, sometimes below retail. New to VeVe? Take $10 off your first purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
The New Mutants #98, cover-dated February 1991. Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld plotted the issue, Nicieza scripted it, and Liefeld drew it. Deadpool appears as a mercenary hired to kill Cable.
The villain Tolliver hires Deadpool to eliminate Cable and collect a bounty. Deadpool fights Cable and the New Mutants but is defeated, setting up his return in later issues.
60,000 across five tiers: 48,000 Common, 6,000 Uncommon, 3,000 Rare, 2,400 Ultra Rare, and 600 Secret Rare. One edition has been burned, leaving 59,999 in circulation.
Yes. Collectors list copies on the VeVe secondary market, sometimes below retail. Prices vary by tier, with the 600-edition Secret Rare the scarcest.
August 24, 2021, at $6.99 retail. It was one of VeVe's earlier comic drops and remains one of its largest by edition count.
