KIRKMAN ON THE END OF ANT-MAN

[MattBrady]

by Steve Ekstrom

Fans of Robert Kirkman and Phil Hester’s Irredeemable Ant-Man received some disappointing news last week when Marvel released their September solicits. You guessed it—Issue #12 is the foreseeable final issue of the Irredeemable Ant-Man series. Many fans have already begun to sport “Save Ant-Man” banners on message boards and on their personal websites in support of the diminutive series from Marvel Comics. Since its first issue, Ant-Man has slowly been developing a cult-like following with its voyeuristic shower-watching and absolutely deplorable, less-than-super-heroic leading man, Eric O’Grady. The Irredeemable Ant-Man has even garnered positive responses from critics of the medium across the board. Check it out:

In his review of issue #9, J. Caleb Mozzocco of Newsarama’s own Best Shots said this about the series, “…if you haven’t yet at least tried an issue of this hilarious series yet, do me a favor and do so this month or next. It should be easy to spot among the other Marvels. It’s the one in which the title character plays Nintendo Wii with The Silver Fox.”

‘Nuff said? Not quite—Newsarama tracked down Robert Kirkman this weekend to ask him just how irredeemable his Ant-Man series is.

Newsarama: So...Ant-Man...(looking around, uncomfortable silence)

Robert Kirkman: (silence)

NRAMA: Eric's not going to die, is he?

RK: If he was—it'd be kinda hard to bring the series back from the brink of cancellation now wouldn't it? Notice how I really didn't answer the question? Pretty smart, huh? He doesn't die in issue #12.

NRAMA: Have you seen any of the "Save Ant-Man" banners? Got a favorite?

RK: I've seen a few, I love them all. Anything to get the word out on the
book is a good thing.

NRAMA: What do you think it takes to garner fan response necessary to keep books "flush" with readers? There wasn't one Skrull sighting in Ant-Man...(looking around, paranoid) or was there?

RK: Frankly, with a Marvel book, the fan base is invested in the "universe" so the "core" titles, the titles that effect the universe the most, are what sell the most. You start at say, I don't know, New Avengers and you work your way backwards. As a title begins to affect the main universe less and less, you see them appearing lower and lower on the chart. That's pretty much how it works. That's why company wide crossovers are so successful. It makes all the books matter.

Ant-Man was firmly set in the Marvel Universe—but it didn't effect it, it just played on the fringe of the universe and danced a little with the core continuity. Who can blame readers really? If you're going to invest in the Marvel Universe—that's a high dollar monthly commitment. So, of course, only the most dedicated readers are going to venture out for books like The Irredeemable Ant-Man.

Now there are flukes, things that don't follow that general rule, like Marvel Zombies for instance. Man—I wish I had the clout of the fella who wrote that.

NRAMA: Would you want Eric to maybe jump over to Bendis' New Avengers? He'd fight ninjas well—Spiderwoman has a shower and she's single, right? There's a lot of potentially zingy fun between him and Spidey. Does Ant-Man have to be canceled?

RK: It doesn't have to be cancelled. If everyone went out and bought the Volume 1 Digest TPB and it sold out in a week—they'd bring the book back. Marvel's getting a ton of mail about the book—and that's totally cool. But buying that digest is really the thing that would make them stand up and take notice.

As much as I dislike that Bendis fella (wink)...I'd be happy to see Eric O'Grady survive on in any title; even if he turned out to later be a Skrull or if he was blown up in the engines of a fake Kree ship screaming, "Not like this!"

NRAMA: Do you think a Wolverine or Punisher guest-appearance or cover cameo could have maybe bumped up the sales on the book? I mean, everyone loves Logan and Frank—Eric could have had a beer with one of them or maybe stolen the heart from Wolverine's latest "Lolita"...something...

RK: Hmm... an Ant-Man/ Jubilee crossover would have been pretty sweet. Could I have done more guest appearances? Probably—it's unclear if those things
still move the needle, though. In the end, I'd kinda prefer a title live (or die I suppose) on its own merits.

NRAMA: Even if Ant-Man can't find a way to survive his cancellation, could it be possible to see him peeking in on other super heroines in their showers? Maybe giving a “thumbs up”?

RK: It's certainly possible. He could become the “Where's Waldo of the Marvel Universe”—showing up in every issue, waiting for the reader to find him. That'd be pretty sweet.

NRAMA: Would you want to write more Ant-Man stories if the fan outcry called for it?

RK: Oh, absolutely. I've even got a few yarns already planned out for just such an occasion. I love the characters from the book and there's so much more that can be done with them.

NRAMA: In your eyes, what can the fans of The Irredeemable Ant-Man do to save this book from cancellation? I mean, as a fan of the series, I'm not above kidnapping…

RK: I can't guarantee sending me a million dollars would do it, but you can sure as hell give it a shot. A little known fact is that Joe Quesada has an unhealthy infatuation for Kelly LeBrock. So if you're not above kidnapping...

Aside from that, buy the digest. That's probably the most legal way to go about it. Buy many copies—turn your friends onto the book.

[scottmdavis]

why digest though? Im more likely to buy a trade or an OSHC then a digest.

Now, is that Sleepwalker on the bottom of the cover to #12?

[Thephanboy]

sad to see this go. but saw this one coming. not your typical marvel book. i think some fans have a hard time opening themselves up to a book thats a little bit different then the norm...aka.....ant man and the thing. both good books and fun reads

[statueorbust]

Okay where are the banners? I need one for my site! This can't be! One of my favorite comics getting canned yet again!

[bean6344]

This was a fun book. It consistantly sold out at my local store. Maybe they should have put some Zombies in the showers!

[jimbo887]

I love Robert Kirkman...his writing, I mean. But I read the first two issues of Ant-Man and wasn't really hooked. I may get the digest, even though I'm not a fan of that format. If I like it I'll start picking it up again, but this book just doesn't seem to suit me.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

NRAMA: Do you think a Wolverine or Punisher guest-appearance or cover cameo could have maybe bumped up the sales on the book? I mean, everyone loves Logan and Frank—Eric could have had a beer with one of them or maybe stolen the heart from Wolverine's latest "Lolita"...something...

RK: Hmm... an Ant-Man/ Jubilee crossover would have been pretty sweet. Could I have done more guest appearances? Probably—it's unclear if those things
still move the needle, though. In the end, I'd kinda prefer a title live (or die I suppose) on its own merits.

Totally agree, I hate cheap appeareances, even if they save a book just as good as Ant-Man, sad to see this cancellation , gonna buy the digest. Peace.

[0bsessions]

You know, if it does end up sticking with final cancellation, I would love that whole Where's Waldo idea. I'd love that little fun chuckle.

What we really need, though, is an Ant-Man/Invincible crossover! And stat!

[Uncle Jawa]

I know I'm gonna get lynched by everybody for this, but the fact that the lead character was such a jerk was the reason I didn't stick with the series after the first couple of issues. I had intended to get the trade, perhaps, but I just didn't feel like reading about such an a**hole month after month.

Now, I wouldn't mind the character moving over to an Avengers title, given that there are plenty of other, more respectable and noble heroes to balance out his nature. There's always room for a Guy Gardner-type in any series.

[B|ackPanther]

I'll miss this comic...

[Midas]

Originally Posted by Uncle Jawa

I know I'm gonna get lynched by everybody for this, but the fact that the lead character was such a jerk was the reason I didn't stick with the series after the first couple of issues. I had intended to get the trade, perhaps, but I just didn't feel like reading about such an a**hole month after month.

Now, I wouldn't mind the character moving over to an Avengers title, given that there are plenty of other, more respectable and noble heroes to balance out his nature. There's always room for a Guy Gardner-type in any series.

No lynching from me but the book has gotten much better of late, with Eric showing and (almost) human side. It's a shame to see this one go. It's a fantastic book.

[bebopeva88]

YES!!! Front page story, like we asked.

Help save this title everyone! Links and addresses to write to can be found in my thread here: http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=96885

And like Kirkman said, buy the digest, PLEASE! This is one of the best books out there, and I think we can save it.

[mac b]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

<

Ant-Man was firmly set in the Marvel Universe—but it didn't effect it, it just played on the fringe of the universe and danced a little with the core continuity.
.

I thought this was one of the best aspects of the book - from a MU fan's perspective - that the book offered that sort of everyman perspective on events of the marvel universe from enemy of the state to house of m. It's books like this that give resonance to larger "events."

If this book doesn't return I'd like to see Kirkman + Hester given another run at a embedded Marvel Universe book

[Ben543250]

Originally Posted by scottmdavis

why digest though? Im more likely to buy a trade or an OSHC then a digest.

Because they're publishing a digest.

[cromulent]

aw man, gonna miss this odd but fun book.
I didn't get really hooked until Eric makes out with his dead best friend's girlfriend...oh, on his grave.

[NightRiver]

Guys, im sorry, this is my fault.

I went against my routine on buying singles and I......

Waited for the trade!!!



But I will buy the digest (even though im kinda confused why its a digest) and all of the single issues.

[Twigglet]

I'm getting the digest

[Ye Olde Iowa]

It's a shame to see this book get the axe. Kirkman has created one of those most interesting characters in the Marvel Universe and thrown him into perhaps the most unique book the company's core line-up. Add some of Phil Hester and Ande Park's best superhero work and you have an amazing book that deserves your $3 and a major reprieve.

Originally Posted by scottmdavis

why digest though? Im more likely to buy a trade or an OSHC then a digest.

It's economics, my friend. The digests are cheaper to produce and have a much lower price tag, hopefully leading to more people picking the book up. While I think it could have warranted a full-sized trade, there is no way Marvel would pony up a hardcover for a book on the brink of cancellation.

[bebopeva88]

Originally Posted by NightRiver

Guys, im sorry, this is my fault.

I went against my routine on buying singles and I......

Waited for the trade!!!

But I will buy the digest (even though im kinda confused why its a digest) and all of the single issues.

They're collecting #1-6 of IAM in a digest because it had low monthly sales, according to Aubrey Sitterson.

[Chief Jon]

Originally Posted by scottmdavis

Now, is that Sleepwalker on the bottom of the cover to #12?

Methinks so. That's a real cavalcade of E-listers (No offense Woodgod fans).

[num48champ]

Originally Posted by statueorbust

Okay where are the banners? I need one for my site! This can't be! One of my favorite comics getting canned yet again!

You can take the one I have.

Save Ant-man, save the world.

[num48champ]

Originally Posted by bebopeva88

YES!!! Front page story, like we asked.

Help save this title everyone! Links and addresses to write to can be found in my thread here: http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=96885

And like Kirkman said, buy the digest, PLEASE! This is one of the best books out there, and I think we can save it.

I agree, I'm buying the digest, how about you guys?

BUY IT!!!!!!!

[Jporch]

It had a tough challenge by simply being an off-beat book that didn't affect the marvel continuity and Kirkman was absolutley right by saying it should live or die on its merits.

To veer back to a more common place character arc and guest appearances wouldn't have made it the "Ireedemable" Ant-Man.

But for those that were turned off simply because Eric was not much of a hero . . .well, I'm sure there would've been a character turn of sorts. I think it's much more exciting to read about someone who is the most unlikely hero finally do something self-less than the guy who is prediposed to stamping out evil from the get-go.

I saw Eric O'Grady as a really edgy and trippy version of Peter Parker's first act of his origin. The selfish "in it for me" mentality kicked up about seventenn notches!

It would've been great to see Eric finally make that turn . . .

. . . but of course, maybe he never was going to make it? That's a tough sell, but if anybody can make it entertaining - it's Kirkman.

[dmarvp]

Originally Posted by Uncle Jawa

I know I'm gonna get lynched by everybody for this, but the fact that the lead character was such a jerk was the reason I didn't stick with the series after the first couple of issues. I had intended to get the trade, perhaps, but I just didn't feel like reading about such an a**hole month after month.

Now, I wouldn't mind the character moving over to an Avengers title, given that there are plenty of other, more respectable and noble heroes to balance out his nature. There's always room for a Guy Gardner-type in any series.

The same happened to me, and I think that even Gardner is not such an a$%hole as this guy.

But who knows ? after so many good reviews I think I'll try a few more issues again.

[rdrsfn82]

Originally Posted by Thephanboy

sad to see this go. but saw this one coming. not your typical marvel book. i think some fans have a hard time opening themselves up to a book thats a little bit different then the norm...aka.....ant man and the thing. both good books and fun reads

I haven't read this book because I already read too many books and didn't want to add another one, however I have thought about trying to find the first trade and check it out once it came out. I was late to picking up The Thing but I loved the last four issues or so that I did buy. Sad to see this book go before I gave it a shot. Then again maybe this will work as an incentive and I pick up an issue or two on my next slow week.