THE NEW MUTANTS #98

Cover shows strong gloss and sharp corners with no visible creasing or color breaks in this photo; spine appears tight with no obvious stress ticks visible through the protective sleeve. Slight softness at the top left corner and minor edge wear may be present but obscured by the plastic bag and glare. No stains, tears, or writing are visible on the front cover. Interior pages and back cover were not assessed, so grade is based solely on this front cover image.

The New Mutants #98 (Marvel, cover-dated February 1991) marks the first appearance of Deadpool, the wisecracking mercenary created by writer Fabian Nicieza and artist Rob Liefeld. Introduced as a villain sent by Cable's rival Mr. Tolliver to eliminate members of the New Mutants, the character quickly evolved from a one-off adversary into one of Marvel's most commercially significant properties, eventually anchoring his own long-running series and a billion-dollar film franchise. The issue also features Cable, then a relatively new addition to the New Mutants roster, and arrives at a moment when Liefeld's dynamic, exaggerated art style was reshaping the visual language of early-1990s Marvel superhero comics.

Market data shows sustained, high-volume demand across the full grade spectrum, with well over a thousand certified sales recorded and prices holding firm from low grade through near-mint condition. The 9.8 tier trades at a substantial premium reflecting scarcity of pristine newsstand and direct-edition copies relative to the enormous print run typical of the period, while raw copies in mid and low grades continue to move steadily due to the character's crossover appeal beyond traditional comic collecting circles. Demand has been reinforced by Deadpool's ongoing film and merchandising presence, which continually draws new buyers to the character's origin issue.

This is a book bought by both entry-level collectors seeking an affordable key and serious investors targeting high-grade slabs, making it one of the most consistently liquid Copper Age issues in the market. Low- and mid-grade raw copies remain widely available and trade briskly at modest prices, while CGC 9.8 copies command outsized premiums driven by population scarcity and continued franchise visibility. Long-term outlook remains stable to positive given the character's entrenched position in Marvel's film slate and enduring collector recognition.