GETTING IRREDEEMABLE WITH ROBERT KIRKMAN AND ANT-MAN

[MattBrady]

Ant-Man is a jerk.

Seriously. Not like a fund guy who sometimes makes some bad decisions, but, the new Ant-Man, Eric O’Grady is a jerk. Actually, jerk is a little soft.

Assigned by their superior SHIELD officer (who was covering his own ass) to guard duty – which neither was certified or trained for – Eric and his best friend Chris McCarthy found themselves guarding Hank Pym’s lab on the helicarrier. Literally not knowing if they were supposed ot kep people in or out of the lab, they knocked Pym out when he was trying to “escape,” and Chris tried on, and got stuck in the new Ant-Man armor Pym was designing for SHIELD. Chris shrunk, and “disappeared” for days, allowing Eric to put the moves on Chris’ girlfriend, and tell her lies about his best friend in order to get her liking him.

Hydra attacked the helicarrier (think back to Wolverine: Enemy of the State) and Chris was killed. Eric took the armor and became Ant-Man. Oh – and in the latest issue (last week’s #3) he tried to get it on with Chris’ girlfriend on Chris fresh grave. It was where the book took a shift from the kinda odd and quirky to downright, “Hey, this guy is an asshole.”

Yeah, the “irredeemable” part of The Irredeemable Ant-Man isn’t just there to fill space.

And that’s just the way writer Robert Kirkman likes it. We caught up with Kirkman for a look inside the series.

Newsarama: First off Robert - it's okay – it’s just us. 'Fess up. This book is like a bet you lost to Bendis, right? Unlikable protagonist to the point readers are cheering for the antagonist; flips in the narrative time that would make Tarantino jealous, and a line of misdemeanors in Eric's wake...what was your larger plan with this title?

Robert Kirkman: The plan is pure and simple--to entertain. People who read Marvel books read more than one. Marvel does about 10 million books a month and even if someone only reads a quarter of them they pretty much know what they're getting from a Marvel book. With this book, I'm trying something different. I want people to finish an issue of The Irredeemable Ant-Man and think "well--wasn't expecting that." I'm trying to have a book where anything can happen--firmly set in the Marvel Universe...

and I lost a bet to Bendis.

NRAMA: In that vein, how...different is this book than others you write or have written? Given its storytelling style, does it take longer?

RK: Yeah, it takes roughly twice as long to write an issue of The Irredeemable Ant-Man than any other book I've ever written. We're trying to cram as much story into this comic as possible. We want readers to feel like they've really gotten thier money's worth from this book. Phil Hester is pencilling the crap out of these pages... it's a tall order for an artist to commit to this workload and Phil has answered the call and then some. Ande Parks and Bill Crabtree are sharing the workload as well, the amount of panels in this book is probably equal to three of some books. Everyone on the team is sweating a bit... except for editor Aubrey Sitterson, that girl's got it easy. The one I feel most sorry for--is poor Rus Wooton our letterer. He's putting down at least three issues worth of balloons down on every issue. I hope to never meet him in person again... I'm sure he's got a bat with my knees’ names on it.

NRAMA: Your knees have names?

RK: Don’t yours?

NRAMA: …anyway. For folks who may not have been picking this up yet - can you give a quick character sketch of Eric? Why does he do the things he does?

RK: Eric is lazy, really. That's pretty much it. He gets by on the back of his good friend Chris and gets into S.H.I.E.L.D. and then he tries to coast through life, lying and cheating the whole way. It's only when Chris is taken out of the picture when he's truly on his own... and his solution to that problem is to lie, cheat and steal even more. Eric is despicable. I'm sure he's got some redeeming qualities somewhere but it'll be a good long while before we see them... if ever.

NRAMA: Given your flashback storytelling style, what do we still need to see? At this point in the present, their former superior office Mitch is horribly disfigured, and chasing Eric - and Chris’ girlfriend Veronica is nowhere to be seen in the present. Those are the two big'uns, right?

RK: You mean before the present-day framing sequences catch up with the flashbacks that make up most of the issues?

NRAMA: Right.

RK: The opening scene and closing scene of each issue takes place now--during/after Civil War. The bulk of the issues, the middle stuff, is a long flashback that will bring us up to present time by issue six. In issue one it's before House of M and even Secret War and New Avengers... taking place during the “Enemy of the State” storyline when Wolverine was under the control of Hydra attacking S.H.I.E.L.D. bases and stuff. It's a bit of a juggling act but by the time the first arc is over, we'll be all caught up and issue #7 is all present day stuff. How Mitch gets disfigured and where Veronica is... will be answered in issue #6.

NRAMA: And we’ll also find out why Mitch is leading a team that’s hunting Eric around then as well?

RK: Right - we'll find out in issue #6. Oh... because he stole the Ant-Man suit and is on the run. Eric's standing as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent comes into question very early in the series. I like the idea of the status quo changing a lot for this series... he won't always be working for S.H.I.E.L.D.

NRAMA: But still – Eric’s an ass, but if you go back to the one of the main causes of this entire mess – it was Mitch, who was covering his ass six months back by having Chris and Eric pull a duty they weren’t qualified for…

RK: No character is innocent in this book. Yeah, Mitch has some major skeletons in his closet, which we'll all get to see as the series progresses. He may be the only character more irredeemable than Eric himself.

NRAMA: With Marvel Team-Up, you really pushed the "shared universe" aspect of the Marvel Universe in that the characters were running into each other almost daily. Here - not so much. While we've got “Enemy of the State” as a backdrop, and SHIELD involved, it's mostly streamlined to Ant-Man. Was that the plan all along, or a path you learned not to take from experience?

RK: This book is so not Marvel Team-Up it's not funny. The shared universe thing is great when you've got a huge rotating cast, but this book focuses on the life and times of Eric O'Grady--this is a different animal. It's still tied into the Marvel U in a BIG way... this book isn't a pocket universe not touching anything else... but we don't need to see him bumping into Spider-Man every issue to see that.

NRAMA: So – from here on out – Pym told Mitch that there’s still another Ant-Man stui left, and we’ve got two Ant-Men fighting on an upcoming cover…

RK: Yes, while Eric is still on the helicarrier Mitch is going to use the prototype Ant-Man armor to go after Eric. That may or may not be successful. That takes place in timeline A, the past. Then there's timeline B, the present where Eric is doing little more than spy on girls in the shower.

NRAMA: Yeah – on that front, is there any hope of redemption here? Any hope that people do and can change, and Eric will stop being such a douche bag?

RK: Only after he gets everything he wants out of life... and what are the chances of that happening? The major draw of this book, for me at least, is a main character that is so far off the beaten path you feel uncomfortable with the things he does from time to time. I don't want to lose that any time soon. Doesn't mean he wouldn't save a puppy, though. He can't be all bad.

NRAMA: Bigger picture - what's coming up? Will Eric be recognized by the hero community, or are you not looking to go that way? Will he have a moment of clarity, and realize what an ass he is? Will he even survive the first ten issues?

RK: Only time will tell. If he were to die, I'm sure there's plenty of other people in the Marvel Universe just itching to take on the mantle of Ant-Man. As long as he does live, though, Eric will be on the move--on a wild ride through the Marvel Universe making stops in the most unlikeliest of places. And we'll be there, watching our irredeemable here doing his most irredeemable actions.

[Bevbos]

This book is a SUCCESS in my book! I wish the Marvel and DC Universes had more "heroes" like these.

[Mick]

It's a great book and Eric is a great character.



I'm looking forward to the battle of the Ant-Men.

[subhuman]

This series is great. I have been reading since issue #1, as well as the Choosing Sides one-shot. I hope that more people are picking it up so that it doesn't go the way of Dan Slott's Thing, though. This is some of Kirkman's best work and if you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favour and get on it!

[CodeGuy]

I'm getting this thread when I click on the front page link for the Amanda Conner interview.

[Rich L]

I wanted to like this book, I really did - then in #3, it crossed the line - squatting in a date's apartment, spying on her in the shower, having sex with his dead best friend's girl (at least, if I read that right), not telling her that he lied about his friend cheating on her, then trying to have sex with her again on the friend's grave...it crossed the line.


Because I went from liking the book to loving it.

Seriously, I understand this isn't doing great numbers but that honestly doesn't reflect the book's quality - it's a great read from Kirkman and Hester & co are knocking it out of the park.

I'm hoping enough people pick it up to give it a decent run, because it's a great, great book.

[Gladiator X]

Originally Posted by CodeGuy

I'm getting this thread when I click on the front page link for the Amanda Conner interview.

Same here.

[KenScud]

I also love the series, and if he's ever redeemed I'm leaving.

If DC can have Lobo and Guy Gardner running around, why can't Marvel have an unrepentant jerk? Especially if he's well written. Part of the fun of a book like this is thinking "damn, if I had that power I would be tempted to do that."

[martinp]

This series is great. All the "Oh my god" moments make me laugh out loud. Another under appreciated series that will probably disappear soon. Boy I hope not, because I love a loser and Eric is the best loser out there.

[Hurnslice]

I hope this series continues on a successful path. I understand if this is not for everyone, but anyone who was a fan of Nextwave should be enjoying the hell outta this.

[TheLizard207]

Kirkman, I absolutely love this book. Thank you for making us readers feel like were getting our $$ worth. It's one of the few books (like walking dead) where I have no effin clue whats going to happen! Keep up the great work.

[HankPym]

This article could use a bit of proofreading/cleanup.

Originally Posted by Rich L

having sex with his dead best friend's girl (at least, if I read that right)

I didn't read the first scene that way - to me, at that point Eric was still getting closer to her, coming nearer to his, er, goal.

I'm enjoying the series more with every issue, keep 'em coming!

[Rich L]

Originally Posted by HankPym

I didn't read the first scene that way - to me, at that point Eric was still getting closer to her, coming nearer to his, er, goal.

That's how I read it too, at least till his reaction to her 'there's nothing keeping me here' bit - which I think was along the lines of 'so what was I?'

Great stuff either way!

Get ready for a full-size punch from an ant-size man!

[AlbertXII]

" Everyone on the team is sweating a bit... except for editor Aubrey Sitterson, that girl's got it easy."

Isn't Aubrey a guy? Or is Kirkman just razzing the poor fella?

[Prometheus3]

People should really be buying this book and Marvel should be doing more to support it. Marvel owes it to Kirkman after cancelling Superhero Team-Up to give this book more attention.

[rwe1138]

Love this book. It's truely one of a kind. My only disappointment is that I was hoping Eric and Hank Pym would be throwing down. Oh, well, hopefully that will happen later. BTW, R.I.P. Marvel Team-Up. It was the best Marvel book in years.

[ParisCub]

I enjoy the book but I don't see how it can continue for long with Eric as the main character. maybe Eric will be replaced and the Title will change to the Irreplacable Ant-Man.

However, if they would change that silly looking helmet....

[Eddie Young]

I hate this guy. I hate him so much...but I can't stop reading...

[Kolimar]

Lots and lots of fun.

[Beetle Bomb]

Is it me or does the art, especially when focusing on Ant Man, look kind of "Ditko-y".
I like it! He's like "Little Spider Ant Man".

[fast eddie]

IMHO, one of Marvel's best, and most underrated books. I love it! I wish Marvel would do more diverse stuff like this. Keep up the great work guys!

[dchart1]

The prototype armor looks a lot like the original Ant-Man suit. Phil really does pull out all the stops on the art. This book is like Marvel's version of Manhunter, it needs to be discovered by more people.

[Muffin922]

This was definitely a book that caught me by surprise. I hope more people are reading this book!

That's all i have to say...

[Muffin922]

One more thing...who would have thought that one of the most enjoyable books on the racks right now happens to star the biggest prick in the world?

That's good writing, Mr. Kirkman!

[caleb]

I really like this book.