Rob Liefeld is famous for many things in his long comic career, but few will ever be able to rival The Pouch... one of the writer and artist's longest-running jokes that somehow ended up becoming an actual living character.

Even before he became a historic founder of Image Comics, Rob Liefeld's style made him an instantly recognizable, and highly exciting new talent in the comic industry. With work on titles like X-Men, X-Force, and more Marvel titles establishing his signature style, fans were quick to point out some of his unique trademarks. Big muscles, bigger guns, and an obvious love of small, medium, and large sized pouches. With the running joke immortalized by the likes of Deadpool and Cable, Liefeld took to social media to demonstrate his enthusiasm for pouches had reached new heights.

Always one to lean into his reputation and pop culture position, Liefeld posted a sketch to Instagram depicting a new character dubbed 'The Pouch,' living up to his name. But this sentient stack of brown leather pouches was about to become a true comic book superhero.

Related: Deadpool 3: Everything We Know (So Far)

How Liefeld's 'The Pouch' Became a Real Comic Character

Rob Liefeld Character The Pouch in Bloodstrike Comic

The fact that Liefeld was so willing to poke fun at his own expense (and to do so in an admittedly well-crafted bit of character design) immediately struck a chord with comic fans everywhere, along with the character's genius catchphrase, "He’s always packing." This outpouring of love for The Pouch saw the character jump from the realm of one-off social media posts and into the pages of Image Comics, making his debut in Bloodstrike #23.

Originally an elite team of superhuman assassins created by Liefeld back in 1993, the eponymous Bloodstrike embodied virtually all of the artist's signature sensibilities of the 'extreme 1990s' comic aesthetic. With characters and uniforms vaguely reminiscent of (or very clearly inspired by) top-tier Marvel heroes, the book would eventually cease publication before reaching Issue #23. Thanks to writer and artist Michel Fiffe, that all changed with the return of the team for one last adventure in 2018. And as Liefeld's assassins were resurrected, the opportunity arrived to give The Pouch life, as well.

The Pouch Could Be as Famous as Liefeld's Best Creations

The Pouch with Deadpool and Cable in Comic Art

In a back-up story written and drawn by Fiffe, readers finally get to learn of The Pouch's tragic origin and powers. Fighting the forces of evil by absorbing criminals and villains into his pouches (aided by his giant gun, also constructed of pouches), The Pouch is only able to disassemble into his constituent pouches by night to rest. And thanks to variant covers by Liefeld himself, comic fans got to see The Pouch realized in not one, but two outstanding pieces of Liefeld artistry.

While this might have felt like a one and done gag, there could still be a future for Rob Liefeld's The Pouch. Aside from his turn in Bloodstrike, the creator has since mentioned plans (or at least ideas) for an animated series starring the character. Only time will tell if The Pouch can become the box office heavyweight of Liefeld's other 'meta' murderer, but either way, the original joke will be forever untouchable.

It remains to be seen what lies in store for The Pouch, and while he's unlikely to front his own Deadpool-style franchise, it's nice to see how one little gag can snowball into bigger things.

Source: Rob Liefeld