This bit of news is going to leave a lot of fans physically sick. Much of what today's comic fans claim is wrong with the Big Two are corrected in creator owned series, and no other title embodies this achievement more than Mark Waid's Irredeemable/Incorruptible series. Started in 2009, the Eisner and Harvey Award nominated series is both critically and financially successful so it comes as a bit of a shock that Waid is ending the story now. But that just goes to show that money was never Waid's primary motivation, he simply had a story to tell and now that it's complete, he'll simply stop.
The final story arcs for the two series will take place in Irredeemable #34-#37 and Incorruptible #27-#30.
And unlike the drama surrounding Alan Moore and Watchmen, Waid has complete control over his characters, so don't expect more stories, unless Waid wants them.
To discuss the decision, Waid sat down for a Q&A with BOOM! E-I-C Matt Gagnon [courtesy of
Newsarama]:
Matt Gagnon: Okay, Mark, let’s start with the obvious question that’s on folks’ minds: Why end the series now?
Mark Waid: I’d love to say it’s because I’ve gotten all the darkness out of my system, but that would be a lie — as you well know having read the last page of Irredeemable #35. Honestly, both series continue to be successful, so it’s a hard decision to make, but it feels like the right time.
Gagnon: But surely there’s some kind of clandestine reason or secret beef that’s robbing the world of their Irredeemable and Incorruptible fix every month. Come on, level with me.
Waid: Okay, it’s all that editorial interference. I kid! You and Shannon Watters have been terrific, giving me my head and letting me spin these tales without ever butting in. It’s like neither of you is bothered anymore by the sight of a dead baby. God, what is wrong with you two?
Okay, really, truly — I’m just stretched thin right now both personally and professionally, and I live in mortal fear that I’m going to overstay my welcome on these books. Moreover, I feel that Max Damage’s character arc is reaching its end in Incorruptible. And in Irredeemable, I’ve long known what the end of that series is, and lately, it’s as if all the characters are moving into position for it whether I want them to or not. So let’s go out big and grand, I say.
Gagnon: Is there a possibility that we’ll see more stories in the Irredeemable universe in the future, or is this really the last we’ll see of these characters?
Waid: Time will tell. Honestly, there are other stories that could be told with some of them — not all, as you’ll soon see. First, let’s see how fans react to the big finale.
Gagnon: You’ve had a long and successful career that’s filled with some pretty epic achievements. Where does Irredeemable rank when you look back at your career?
Waid: In retrospect, astoundingly high. I’m really, truly grateful for the chance to go and create a world where I was able to, on a monthly basis, challenge some fans’ perception of me as some sort of Silver Age fetishist unable to break through into the 21st century. There is nothing in my 1000-comics-plus body of work that I’m prouder of than my work building this universe.
For the full transcript and to hear Waid tease what could possibly be a Irredeemable/Incorruptible Tv deal, head over to Newsarama.
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