The End Is Near! (Fearless Defenders)

I’ll be talking more about this in the days to come, but rumor spread yesterday that FEARLESS DEFENDERS will not be returning to the shelves in January. Sadly, the rumors are true. Issue 12 will be the last for the series.

I can’t really describe how much this book… and these characters… meant to me. THE DEFENDERS have always been special for me. I just connected with the non-team and I’ve always wanted to write them. (In fact, I think it is common knowledge that one of my first Marvel minis, FEAR ITSELF: THE DEEP was originally titled FEAR ITSELF: THE DEFENDERS.) Over the past couple of years, I’ve come to love Valkyrie as more than just a really bad ass girl with a sword. And this book was the first concept I brought to Marvel… or at least the first concept I brought to them that they jumped on.

With this book, I was able to work with characters who don’t often (but should!) get the spotlight–Valkyrie, Misty Knight, Elsa Bloodstone, Dani Moonstar! All characters who mean a lot to me! I brought Clea and Hippolyta back into the Marvel Universe! And I introduced Annabelle Riggs and Ren Kimura, both characters who mean the absolute world to me! (It was such a thrill to see people cosplaying as Annabelle and the new Hippolyta and the rest of the cast. I can’t wait to see a Ren cosplayer!) Hell, I even like mean ol’ Caroline LeFay.

I worked with some of the best folks in the business of comics–Will Sliney, Ellie Pyle, Mark Brooks, Vero Gandini, Phil Jiminez, Stephanie Hans, Karl Kesel, Clayton Cowles. I couldn’t really ask for better co-conspirators!

And the fans! The reaction was amazing. There might not have been many of you, but those of you who read the book, loved it. I was overwhelmed by the response, and I’ll carry the love the fans felt for this book with me for the rest of my days. Thank you all so much! You made it all worthwhile! When we announced this book, many people said it wouldn’t last 6 issues. Female characters! The DEFENDERS title! Obscure characters! Well, I’m happy to say we lapped those expectations. Thirteen issues (if you count the Age of Ultron tie-in, which I do.) Part of the reason the book lasted as long as it did is the loyal core fan base.

Was it a perfect book? Nah… but I’m exceedingly proud of it just the same. There were haters. There always will be. If you’ll allow me a moment of bitterness, I think the people who are out there who are “thankful” the book is cancelled are mouth-breathers who suck the fun out of comics. They watch sales numbers more than they read comics. If you didn’t like the book, that’s okay. But to be “thankful” it’s over even when you weren’t reading it? We needed more sales, sure, but a lot of people really loved the book. I’m glad FEARLESS DEFENDERS meant so much to you that you had to obsess over how much you hated it. Don’t worry… you’re the kind of folks who will easily find something else to hate.

Like I said, bitter… but I have to get that out of my system.

Anyhow.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I was a fan, too, and I’m going to miss this book.

I’m lining up lots of interviews about the end of the book. Those discussions will, I’m sure, let you in on some behind-the-scenes fun and give you some ideas of where we might have gone with the title. This post is just my rambling way of sharing some of my thoughts.

In the meantime, we still have 2 issues waiting to hit the stands! More Annabelle! More Ren! Hippolyta and the Amazons! A Magma guest appearance! Defenders versus Doom Maidens! There is more fun on the way! You’ve stuck with us this far! You’re gonna want to see how the story shakes out!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book… either here or on Twitter or Tumblr.

Stay fearless, folks!