Ep 90. Fabian Nicieza: Deadpool’s Co-Creator on AI, Storytelling & Saving Creativity

Deadpool’s co-creator Fabian Nicieza on storytelling's future, AI’s threat to creativity, and why characters still save lives.

In this powerful and wide-ranging episode, Deadpool co-creator Fabian Nicieza joins Peter Bell on the Purpose Made podcast to talk about what it really means to build enduring characters and what’s being lost in today’s race toward AI-driven content.

Fabian reflects on four decades in storytelling, from Marvel's golden era to transmedia’s unrealised promise, and shares the emotional weight of creating characters that help people navigate trauma, cancer, and loss.

He also dives deep into the creative and moral challenge AI poses to future generations of artists. This isn’t just an industry conversation, it’s a human one.

Whether you’re a writer, founder, or fan of good stories, this is the episode that challenges you to ask: What kind of world are we building?

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: From Marvel to Deadpool

04:32 – Deadpool’s origin and emotional impact

12:15 – The evolution of storytelling (simplicity to complex simplicity)

18:40 – The Deadpool effect: humour + trauma = healing

28:55 – AI and the end of creativity

43:00 – Transmedia: Dream vs. Reality

55:15 – How creatives should handle fandom backlash

01:02:30 – Can stories still survive without storytellers?

Guest Bio:

Fabian Nicieza is a legendary writer and editor known for his iconic work at Marvel Comics, including X-Men, X-Force, and co-creating Deadpool. With a career spanning 40+ years, he’s also worked with DC Comics, Mattel, Acclaim, and Starlight Runner. His novels Suburban Dick's and The Self-Made Widow received critical acclaim, including an Edgar Award nomination.

Resource Links:

Fabian’s book: Suburban Dick's (https://amzn.to/4kF17BD)

Purpose Made website: www.purposemade.uk

Listen on Spotify: Purpose Made Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/66hrGrtDSwBJUzIGF6f5eg?si=4d7031600d3c433e)

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on purpose, creativity & the future: https://www.youtube.com/@UCftFt-Pd7xe1f0XY0K-dX4w

Connect with Fabian Nicieza:

• Twitter/X: @FabianNicieza

• Website: fabiannicieza.com

#Deadpool #FabianNicieza #Storytelling #AIandCreativity #PurposeMadePodcast #Transmedia #Marvel #CreativeProcess #FutureOfArt

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