The Cloghan native has a grand total of 2,250 items in his Deadpool collection so far.
Deadpool superfan Gareth Peter Pahliney has created a treasure trove of his favourite comic book antihero and recently gained Guinness World Record notoriety for his vast collection.
The collection, which he started in 2006, currently consists of 2,250 items and will continue to grow, as the 41-year-old has yet to show interest in slowing down.
The collection includes Deadpool-themed spatulas, life-sized statues, countless figurines, and a bust used to mould the characters’ masks for the films, signed by Stan Lee and Ryan Reynolds.
A lifelong dream – the Offaly man has always wanted to be a record breaker
Mr Pahliney has 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’”.
The stay-at-home father previously contacted the Guinness Book of World Records in 2016, but he didn’t make the cut with just under 2,000 items in his collection then. Not letting this stop him, he continued to add to his collection and has now been given recognition for his hobby.
He has a lifelong passion for comic books – he has been reading comics from a young age
His passion for comic books started at just five years old. He quickly found himself “completely hooked” on Deadpool in particular. His love for collecting became more evident after giving up alcohol 14 years ago, which allowed him to invest more money into his passion.
When asked about his reasoning behind his love for the character, the Leinster man said, “I think he’s dealt with a lot of hardships in his life, and that just makes him more of a rounded character.”
His collection lives in a room that he calls his “comic cave”, and he adds between 20 and 40 items a month on average. Mr Pahliney says that when he sits in his comic cave, “I feel a sense of achievement. I think it’s my happy place.”
A family man – passing his love for comics on to his children
The Deadpool superfan lives with his wife Nikki, seven-year-old son Liam and four-month-old daughter Sophie.
Young Liam has taken to joining his dad in the comic cave, much to his father’s delight. “He absolutely loves it. He will come sit downstairs with me; he loves being down there”, Mr Pahliney says.
Perhaps young Liam might follow in his father’s footsteps and become a record-breaker someday. The Offaly man is currently a stay-at-home father. He also volunteers with the Foróige youth organisation, where we’re sure he delights many younger people with his knowledge of comics.
