A comic book superfan has achieved his “lifelong dream” by breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of Deadpool memorabilia – with 2,250 items.
Gareth Peter Pahliney, from Cloghan, Co Offaly, kicked off his collection in 2006 and has since created his “happy place” full of Deadpool-related pieces.
His impressive haul includes a themed spatula, pot plant holder and a life-sized statue of the Marvel superhero.
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The 41-year-old, who lives with his wife Nikki, their son Liam, seven, and four-month-old daughter Sophie, said he acquires between 20 to 40 items a month – “sometimes more” – from all over the world.
He said: “It’s been a lifelong dream to be in the book ever since I was a little kid.
“Seeing all these people’s names in the book, I said, ‘Well, one day, I’ll find something I can be in the book for’.
“I think it’s my happy place... When I sit in the comic cave, I feel a sense of achievement.”
Gareth, a stay-at-home-father and Foroige youth club volunteer, said he started reading comics age five and found himself “completely hooked” on Deadpool.
He had been collecting other comics and figurines long before 2006, but liked that Deadpool was “more of a fringe character”, and his clever quips as well as difficult past “made him special”.
“I think he’s dealt with a lot of hardships in his life and that just makes him more of a rounded character,” he said.
“I bought as many comics as I could... and as the action figures started to come out, I collected them and had them in a little display.
“And I think it just grew.”
Gareth explained that he thought he had enough memorabilia to win the record in 2016 and contacted Guinness World Records. At the time he fell “slightly short of the 2,000 mark” and decided to try again in 2023 after building a cave in his home.
The whole process is something that he has “found” happiness in, especially since giving up alcohol 14 years ago.
“In my sobriety, I found things that made me happy,” Gareth said.
“And also that’s where I spent my money – all the money I saved from not going out, I then put into comics and my collection.
“It’s something I can look around and be proud of.”
One of Gareth’s earliest – and favourite – items is a figurine by collectible brand Sideshow of Deadpool holding a rubber chicken.
“It just made it so different and funny,” he said. “Compared to all the other statues you saw, which were serious and museum
poses.
“(And) there’s a sentimental story that goes with this – my aunt was able to get it for me and bring it back to me when I was living in South Africa.”
Another notable piece is a rare bust of Deadpool used when moulding the character’s mask in the first film, signed by Marvel comic book creator Stan Lee and actor Ryan Reynolds – who Gareth said “truly embodies” Deadpool.
“I think he’s brilliant,” he said.
Gareth’s young son, Liam, likes to join his father in the “comic cave”.
“(He) absolutely loves it,” he said. “He will come sit downstairs with me, he loves being down there.”
And Gareth shows no signs of giving up his hobby. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop,” he said.
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