Deadpool is the creation of writer Fabian Nicieza (X-Men, X-Force, New Warriors, and Thunderbolts) and artist/writer Rob Liefeld (The New Mutants, X-Force, and Youngblood), both of Marvel Comics.
Fabian Nicieza was born in Argentina, moved to America at four years old, and learned to read and write from comic books.
Nicieza graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in advertising and public relations. He joined Marvel Comics in 1985. His brother, Mariano, is also a comic book writer and editor.
Rob Liefeld is a self-taught artist who grew up in Anaheim, California, and is a co-founder of Image Comics, after he had left Marvel.
Two of his major influences are Frank Miller (Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City, 300) and George Pérez (The Avengers, Teen Titans).
His first published work with Marvel Comics was in 1988, with his Hawk and Dove mini-series.
Nicieza and Liefeld created the character, noting that he was quite similar to the Teen Titans' Deathstroke, whose real fictional name is Slade Wilson.
The comparison went a step further, with Deadpool's character's name becoming Wade Wilson.