Blind Al

The blind housemate who outwits Deadpool while keeping him fed.

Althea Winifred Sanderson, better known as Blind Al, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is commonly depicted as a supporting character of the antihero Deadpool. Al first appeared in Deadpool #1 (February 1997), living with him in his house in San Francisco. At first her relationship with him was unclear, but over time it would reveal itself as highly complex and bizarre.

Al is a skinny old woman who, as her name suggests, is blind. Her origin is never explicitly elaborated. It is eventually revealed that she was somehow involved with British intelligence, although in what capacity is unknown. She was not blind during this time and became blind later in life.

Wade Wilson, the mercenary who would eventually become Deadpool, was hired to kill her in the fictional country of Mokani, where she was stationed. What actually occurred is unknown, but apparently Wilson killed everyone around except her, sparing her because she reminded him of his mother. Years later, after he had gotten cancer, received a healing factor from Weapon X, gone insane, and become Deadpool, Wilson met up with Al again and captured her.

Thus began the bizarre relationship between the two, with Al acting as a cross between a prisoner, friend, housekeeper, Greek Chorus and mother-figure to Deadpool.

Quick Facts

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Debut: Deadpool #1 (January 1997)
Creators: Joe Kelly (writer); Ed McGuinness (artist)
Species: Human
Homeworld: Earth
Partners: Deadpool
Also known as: Blind Alfred

Lore & Background

In the chaotic life of Wade Wilson, Blind Al stands as a pillar of stability. She runs her property with an iron fist, tolerating the destruction that often accompanies her famous tenant without complaint. Her blindness is not a weakness but rather a heightened state of awareness, allowing her to hear and feel threats before they manifest visually. Her relationship with Wade transcends simple business; she acts as a surrogate mother figure who scolds him for his recklessness while simultaneously protecting him from the consequences. She knows his secret identity yet treats him with a mix of frustration and genuine care that few others offer. Within the broader narrative, Al symbolizes the civilian world that Deadpool fights to protect, even if he can never truly rejoin it. Her presence reminds Wade that there are people who accept him for who he is underneath the mask.

Reader's Guide

Blind Al serves as a grounding force in the chaotic life of Wade Wilson, operating primarily within his sanctuary apartment complex. Her origins remain shrouded in mystery, though her resilience suggests a history far tougher than her appearance implies. Despite lacking sight, she possesses an acute awareness of her surroundings and the danger that follows Deadpool like a shadow. Personality-wise, she is gruff, no-nonsense, and fiercely protective.

She tolerates the collateral damage Wade brings to her property because she recognizes his humanity beneath the scars. Their relationship functions as a surrogate family dynamic; she scolds him like a wayward child while providing essential shelter from enemies seeking revenge or experimentation. In major storylines involving Wade's recovery after Weapon X, Al provides critical safe haven. She warns him of threats without needing to see them, acting as an early warning system against villains like Ajax.

Her presence highlights the theme that Deadpool still has connections to a normal world, even if he can never truly return to it.

Did You Know?

A persistent fan rumor claims Joe Kelly originally intended Blind Al to be the first Black Widow, but this has never been confirmed by any official Marvel source.
Blind Al was not close friends with Captain America before he was frozen; the story of her producing a golden medal from a man she called 'Blondie' in Moscow is not part of widely-known canon.
In Deadpool #6 (June 1997), Al refers to herself as a sexagenarian, but she later claims to remember Flapper-dresses from the 1920s.
An alternate universe version of Blind Al in Deadpool MAX is a CIA agent who orchestrated the murders of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Che Guevara, and John Lennon.
In the film Deadpool, Blind Al is introduced as Deadpool's roommate whom he met through an ad placed on Craigslist, and she has a known affinity for cocaine.