My friends, we are gathered here today to honor the passing of “The Irredeemable Ant-man”, who passed away from a vitamin (read: money) deficiency last Wednesday, September 19. He didn’t know a lot of people, but those he touched were changed forever.

At this point I think we should reflect on our friend, Eric O’Grady’s final moments in the world of publishing. After finally getting re-employed by S.H.I.E.L.D after life on the run since the very first issue, life returned to normal for this “irredeemable Ant-Man,” who was also bereft of his ant-suit. After a heartbreaking encounter with an old girlfriend of his, Veronica King, who I’m afraid couldn’t be here today, Eric was called to meet with Iron Man, director of S.H.I.E.L.D, (who also couldn’t be here today, seeing as he is currently fighting the Hulk on Bizarro World or something), who had some good news for our boy. This is where the life of Eric reached its crescendo. Before accepting the fate Iron Man saw fit to hand him, Eric had to make one last visit to his true love, Abigail Dunton, who I can see in the first row. Nice to see you Abigail. After a heartwarming exchange, Eric left his girl so that he could accept his fate. He didn’t run, he didn’t fight, he took cancellation head on, like a real hero.

Along with Abigail, I can see Robert Kirkman in the front row as well. We all know what a great effect Robert had on our boy and the people he knew, filling their heads, mouths and lives, with unexpected twists, turns and humorous developments. Up until the very last panel, Mr. Kirkman made Eric’s world come alive, with such vibrant three-dimensional characters, it truly hurts to see them go. I pray that Mr. Kirkman can move on from this experience a wiser man, and use his talents elsewhere, on other characters with more vitamin $ flowing in their veins.

I can also see Phillip Hester sitting next to Robert, and I’m sure we can all agree Eric wouldn’t have made it this far without Phil’s vibrant and exciting pencils to really make the characters come to life on that hallowed printed page. I’ll never forget the first time the ant-man costume was drawn, way back in the ill-fated “Civil War: Choosing Sides” one-shot in October of last year. Ever since, I, like many others, were won over by the deliciously stylized and slightly cartoony art of Phillip Hester. No matter how many panels were on a page, be there 16 tiny squares to fill or one large papery canvas to cover, Phillip gave it his all, never flinching, never faltering, working to the fullest of his ability.

But perhaps we can move on from this tragedy, a wiser, better populace. Eric O’Grady, the bumbling low-grade S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who stumbled on a super-powered ant-man suit, taught us that nobody is perfect, and that if you have power, have fun with it. And he can keep teaching us long after he’s gone. By passing down comics about him to our children, and our grandchildren, the Irredeemable Ant-man will never be canceled. He can continue publication through our hearts and our actions and how we remember his legacy. This doesn’t have to be a sad day. We can accept it as a day of unity and hope. The kind of day Ant-man would live for, spending it at home eating pork rinds and watching football.

Eric O’ Grady

Irredeemable Ant-man

Taken before his time

2006- 2007

You will be missed.