Guinness World Record for Cloghan resident
Offaly-based Gareth Peter Pahliney said he was “over the moon” when he was told he had the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of Deadpool film and comic book memorabilia with a total of 2,250 items.
Gareth, who is originally from Pretoria in South Africa, but moved to Cloghan with his family about two and a half years ago, started collecting comics when he was just five years old and became more interested in the Deadpool character about 16 years ago.
One of Gareth's favourite pieces from his collection is a bust of Ryan Reynold's face which was used to sculpt his mask for the first film in the Deadpool franchise and was signed by comic book writer and producer Stan Lee and Ryan. Gareth said: “There were only 50 of those made worldwide so it's very rare and I was able to get that.”
He also has a poster which was signed by the whole Deadpool cast and one of the original storyboards which was given to him Twentieth Century Fox after he cosplayed as Deadpool for the premiere of the first film. “I think every item in the collection has a special meaning to me because it represents a time in my life when I bought it.” Another piece in the collection he highlighted as a favourite was a figurine of Deadpool holding a rubber chicken which his aunt was able to get for him.
Gareth first reached out to Guinness World Records a number of years ago when he was still living in South Africa but wasn't considered for the record as he had many items where Deadpool was not the featured character. He was also informed that items had to be Marvel licensed and could not be fan made. A minimum of 2,000 items were required to break the world record for the largest collection of Deadpool memorabilia.
After making the record this year, Gareth will now be in the 2024 Guinness World Record sbook which will be released this September.
Deadpool 3 is scheduled to be released in cinemas in November 2024. Speaking about this, Gareth said he was “really excited” for the next film to be released. “If Ryan Reynolds or any of the directing staff or anyone involved in the movie wanted to come here for inspiration that would be fantastic. My dream would be to have Ryan Reynolds take a picture in the Deadpool cave.”
Speaking about his love for the character, Gareth said: “He was just so different. He wasn't your typical hero. He's a mercenary who would do anything for money so but I think it was his humour and his wit that just made me fall in love with the character.”
He didn't expect his love of Deadpool to turn into such a passion project. “In all honesty I think I was able to spend money on the collection when I stopped drinking and going out. I was a corporate banker before so what I did was every time I got a bonus and extra money came I would buy comics.”
“I had my little shelf and comic books that grew over time that I would've never expected to turn into this and this is a dream come true.”
The South African native also has his own YouTube channel called Gaz's Comic Cave and films a weekly show every Sunday where he provides a quick roundup of all the latest things happening in the comic book and entertainment industry. He often will also take an item from his collection and talk about what makes it special and who made it.
“I can be really passionate when it comes to that and I think people see why I get so excited.” Gareth's son Liam occasionally appears on the show and reviews various toys. “I think I only have about 300 subscribers but it's a way for me to engage and tell people why I'm passionate about this and superheroes.
Gareth enjoys interacting with other fans of Deadpool and recently went to the Dublin Comic Con. “You see so many people dress up in cosplay (dressing up as the comic character) and I even did two of my shows from there. I can see it growing in Ireland and it's amazing.”
He also appeared on RTÉ Today recently and was interviewed viz Zoom from his home by presenters Daithí O'Shea and Sinéad Kennedy which he said was “quite cool” as son Liam dressed up in his Kidpool outfit.
Gareth is also quite involved in the local community. He is a club leader for Cloghan Foróige which he really enjoys and was involved in organising an Easter egg hunt recently which over 300 people attended. He also helps to coach GAA and said he has learnt how to solo and rise the ball.
The community in Cloghan has been “so welcoming” to his family. “I cannot tell you how amazing this village has been to our family.”
“I think part of this whole thing of giving back would be I'd love to see this help tourism in Offaly if possible. There's so much untapped potential around the Midlands. I'd love to see a Route 66 of our own and people come through from all over the world and drive through and maybe come see the Deadpool collection,” he suggested.
Gareth would love to have his Deadpool memorabilia housed somewhere for the public to enjoy and to make the Midlands a tourist destination for fans around the world. “I'm sure there are super fans from Germany and America that would want to come and take a picture of the world's largest Deadpool collection.
Gareth is currently stay at home dad to his two children Liam (7) and Sophie who is just four months old.
“It is the toughest job on earth and I've worked in corporate banking for 15 years but it is also the most rewarding. I'm very blessed to be able to watch my son and daughter grow up.” He moved from Cape Town to Offaly with his wife Nikki and Liam.
He said his son could name every superhero when he was two years old.
“He loves hanging out with me in the Deadpool cave. We'll usually grab a comic or a graphic novel and he'll want to talk and play with toys,” he enthused.
Gareth can be found on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Youtube by searching for Gareth Peter Pahliney or Gaz's Comic.
Deadpool is a popular character depicted in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
He is the alter ego of Wade Wilson, a Canadian mercenary, with superhuman regenerative healing abilities known for his tendency to joke a lot and break the fourth wall for humorous effect.