This story could be a Hollywood movie.

Reading Guide

Hawk & Dove: https://amzn.to/44EujAU
First Part of New Mutants: https://amzn.to/3PRi0NG
Second Part of New Mutants: https://amzn.to/46GOmR8
Complete X-Force Run: https://amzn.to/3XOP36Z
Liefeld’s Captain America: https://amzn.to/3XTqUMC
Recent Work on Deadpool: https://amzn.to/3rsBluo

Youngblood Appears to be out of print, so good luck finding it!

McFarlane’s Run on Spider-Man as artist: https://amzn.to/3PX39Bw
McFarlane’s Relaunched Spider-Man: https://amzn.to/44pXAj4
Spawn! https://amzn.to/3JWT2sq

As an amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
All of the Marvel books are also available digitally with a Marvel Unlimited subscription.

Notes & Corrections

-I have simplified enormously to try and fit 30 years in under 20 minutes. I have tried to keep everything truthful, reliably sourced, and respectful to everyone involved. But, given the scope I’m sure I have made some mistakes, so please let me know in the comments and I will include them here.
-I misheard McFarlane’s quote about Liefeld, sourced from The Comics Journal interview, but I believe it has the same meaning.

Sources and Further Viewing

Hawk & Dove Controversy In Depth: https://bleedingcool.com/comics/rob-l...

Very interesting video about the full story behind that Captain America Picture:
   • Everything You Know About This Image ...  
(This channel also has a video about Liefeld, but I don’t watch other creators’ videos on projects I’m working on, so hopefully it’s not the same as mine!)

Many of the facts were sourced from Liefeld’s very good podcast Robservations. Please check it out. Where possible I tried to fact-check from non-Liefeld sources as well.

Liefeld & McFarlane VHS:    • The Comic Book Greats How To Create A...  
Lifeld & Stan Lee:    • The Comic Book Greats With Rob Liefel...  
Liefeld on Dennis Miller:    • Rob Liefeld On Dennis Miller  
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous:    • Rob Liefeld on "Lifestyles of The Ric...  
2019 Interview:    • Todd McFarlane & Rob Liefeld Intervie...  
Interview with Mark Millar:    • Millar Time EP02 - Rob Liefeld  

The Image Revolution covers much of the drama I barely got into:    • Video  

Much of the drama and McFarlane Quotes are from Issue 195 of the Comics Journal in which both McFarlane and Liefeld give extended interviews. Digital archives are available from Fantagraphics with a subscription.

Other Sources & Further Reading:
https://www.peterdavid.net/2010/08/20...
http://www.peterdavid.net/2010/08/23/...
https://www.cbr.com/rob-liefeld-contr...
https://www.cbr.com/who-created-cable...
https://uncannyxmen.net/secrets-behin...