On Friday, Feb. 12, the next comic book movie will be released, Marvel Comic’s Deadpool. The movie has people wondering who the start of the film is.

The first time Deadpool, created by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza, made its debut was on Feb. 10, 1991, in New Mutants #98 according to Marvel.

Deadpool’s real name is Wade Wilson and was given that name by Liefeld and Nicieza as a homage to Batman villain Deathstroke aka Slade Wilson. His costume is also reminiscent of Deathstroke’s image.

Canadian born and enlisted into the military in his late teens, Deadpool began some mercenary work and took on assassination jobs. He traveled all over the world taking on jobs until he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Approached by Department K, a special weapons branch of the Canadian government, Wilson accepted their offer in the hopes they could cure his cancer. Deadpool was experimented on and became a part of the same program which created Wolverine, the Weapon X Program.Since he was given Wolverine’s healing factor, his cancer receded for a short time.

During a mission Deadpool killed a teammate and was then sent to a hospital which treated failed superhuman operatives. During his stay at the hospital the head doctor experimented on him. The other patients would place bets as to who would survive the longest and called it a “deadpool.”

Wilson was bet on often by his fellow patients and decided to keep the name. Deadpool killed a fellow patient as an act of mercy and was punished by having his heart ripped out. This action kicked Wilson’s healing factor into high gear and he grew a new heart. Wilson then killed the doctor before escaped the facility.

Deadpool’s elevated healing factor then began to cause his cancer to rage out of control and he developed tumors over his entire body. This healing factor also caused him to become extremely mentally unstable.

Wilson was now given a new nickname the “Merc with a Mouth” because of his inability to shut up. He is also known for breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the audience.

Deadpool temporarily joined the Canadian super-team, Alpha Flight, but later returned to his life as a mercenary. Since he was given his healing factor through Wolverine, the two often have run-ins with each other.

Tim Miller is the directer of the highly anticipated movie, Deadpool. Miller is no stranger to comic book movies having directed Scott Pilgrim in 2010. Ryan Reynolds, the star of this movie, is also well accustomed to big comic book movies as he was also in the Green Lantern movie.

This is also the second time Reynolds is playing the character as he played him in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Since the movie is produced by Fox, it means there will be no Captain America, Iron Man or Guardians of the Galaxy characters in the movie. Those who could show up in the movie are the X-Men from the X-Men movies.

Fans interested in reading the Deadpool comics can start with Deadpool Vol. 1: Dead Presidents and Deadpool Vol.1: Secret Invasion.

The film is now playing in theaters nation wide.