Mark Waid

{{Infobox comics creator

| image = 4.16.16MarkWaidByLuigiNovi2.jpg

| alt = Waid seated, smiling

| caption = Waid at the East Coast Comicon in Secaucus, New Jersey

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|March 21, 1962}}

| birth_place = Hueytown, Alabama, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| write = y

| edit = y

| alias =

| notable works = The Flash
Captain America
Kingdom Come
JLA: Year One
JLA: Tower of Babel
Fantastic Four
Superman: Birthright
52
Irredeemable
Daredevil
Batman/Superman: World's Finest

| awards = Inkpot Award (2012)[https://www.comic-con.org/awards/inkpot Inkpot Award]

}}

Mark Waid ({{IPAc-en|w|eɪ|d}}; born March 21, 1962){{cite web|last=Miller|first=John Jackson|author-link= John Jackson Miller |url=http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays|title=Comics Industry Birthdays |work=Comics Buyer's Guide|date=June 10, 2005|location=Iola, Wisconsin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218031356/http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays|archive-date=February 18, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} is an American comic book writer best known for his work on DC Comics titles The Flash, Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright as well as his work on Captain America, Fantastic Four and Daredevil for Marvel. Other comics publishers he has done work for include Fantagraphics, Event, Top Cow, Dynamite, and Archie Comics.

From August 2007 to December 2010, Waid served as Editor-in-Chief and later Chief Creative Officer of Boom! Studios, where he also published his creator-owned series Irredeemable and Incorruptible.

In October 2018, Waid joined Humanoids Publishing as Director of Creative Development before being promoted to Publisher in February 2020.

Early life

Waid was born in Hueytown, Alabama.{{cite book|last = Ryall|first = Chris|author2 = Tipton, Scott|title = Comic Books 101: The History, Methods and Madness|publisher = Impact|year = 2009|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=YLZO-jB-xf0C&q=Mark&pg=PT403|isbn = 978-1600611872}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He has stated that his comics work was heavily influenced by Adventure Comics #369–370 (1968), the two-part "Legion of Super-Heroes" story by Jim Shooter and Mort Weisinger that introduced the villain Mordru. Waid has stated that the story is "a blueprint for everything I write."{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=13469|title= Come In Alone: Issue #44|first= Warren|last= Ellis|author-link= Warren Ellis|date= September 29, 2000|publisher= CBR.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130930194404/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=13469|archive-date= September 30, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}

Career

=1980s–1990s=

Waid entered the comics field during the mid-1980s as an editor and writer on Fantagraphics Books' comic book fan magazine, Amazing Heroes. Waid's first comic book story "The Puzzle of the Purloined Fortress", an eight-page Superman story, was published in Action Comics #572 (Oct. 1985).{{gcdb|type=writer|search= Mark+Waid|title= Mark Waid}}

In 1987, Waid was hired as an editor for DC Comics{{cite book|chapter = Mark Waid biography|title = The Brave and the Bold: The Lords of Luck|publisher = DC Comics|year = 2007|isbn = 978-1401215033}} where he worked on such titles as Action Comics, Doom Patrol, Infinity, Inc., Legion of Super-Heroes, Secret Origins, and Wonder Woman, as well as various one-shots including Batman: Gotham by Gaslight.{{gcdb|type=editor|search=Mark+Waid|title=Mark Waid (editor)}} With Gotham by Gaslight, and in tandem with writer Brian Augustyn, Waid co-created DC's Elseworlds imprint.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

In 1989 Waid left editorial work for freelance writing assignments.{{cite journal|last= Irving|first= Christopher|title= The Wild Ride of Writer Mark Waid|journal= Comic Book Creator|issue= 3|pages = 22–27|publisher= TwoMorrows Publishing|date = Fall 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}} He worked for DC's short-lived Impact Comics line where he wrote The Comet and scripted dialogue for Legend of the Shield.

In 1992 Waid began the assignment which would bring him to wider recognition in the comics industry, when he was hired to write The Flash by editor Brian Augustyn. Waid stayed on the title for an eight-year run.{{cite web |url= http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2011/03/12/mark-waids-back-pages/|title= Mark Waid's Back Pages|first= Brian|last= Cronin|date= March 12, 2011|publisher= CBR.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110414115719/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2011/03/12/mark-waids-back-pages/|archive-date= April 14, 2011|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} He wrote a Metamorpho limited series in 1993{{cite book|last1=Manning|first1= Matthew K.|last2=Dolan|first2=Hannah, ed.|chapter= 1990s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|year=2010|location= London, United Kingdom|isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9|page= 260|quote = Written by Mark Waid, with co-plotting and art chores handled by Graham Nolan, everyone's favorite walking chemistry set was in good hands.}} and created the character known as Impulse in The Flash (vol. 2) #92 (July 1994).Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 265: "The brainchild of writer Mark Waid and artist Mike Wieringo, Impulse burst onto the scene at quite a pace." Impulse was launched into his own series in April 1995 by Waid and artist Humberto Ramos.Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 270 In November of that same year, Waid and Howard Porter collaborated on the Underworld Unleashed limited series, which served as the center of a company-wide crossover storyline.Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 271: "The villains of the [DC Universe] underwent their own extreme makeovers in Underworld Unleashed, a three-issue miniseries by writer Mark Waid and artist Howard Porter."

His first major project for Marvel Comics was as one of the writers of the "Age of Apocalypse" crossover.{{cite book|last1 = Manning|first1 = Matthew K.|last2= Gilbert|first2= Laura, ed.|chapter= 1990s|title = Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History|publisher = Dorling Kindersley|year = 2008|location= London, United Kingdom|page = 272|isbn =978-0756641238|quote= The story began in [the] X-Men Alpha special by writers Scott Lobdell and Mark Waid and pencillers Roger Cruz and Steve Epting.}} He later co-created the Onslaught character for the X-Men line.Manning "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 279: "First appearing in this issue [X-Men (vol. 2) #53] by writer Mark Waid with pencils by Andy Kubert, Onslaught's emergence would spell doom for many of the Marvel heroes"

Marvel editors Ralph Macchio and Mark Gruenwald hired him as Gruenwald's successor as writer of Captain America, during which Waid was paired with artist Ron Garney. Waid and Garney garnered critical praise for their run on the title,{{cite web |url= http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/05/30/the-greatest-mark-waid-stories-ever-told/|title= The Greatest Mark Waid Stories Ever Told!|first= Brian|last= Cronin|date= May 30, 2010|publisher= CBR.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130820045808/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/05/30/the-greatest-mark-waid-stories-ever-told/|archive-date= August 20, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=33207|title= Reviving Mark Waid's Red Skull|first= Kiel|last= Phegley|date= July 11, 2011|publisher= CBR.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120616224959/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=33207|archive-date= June 16, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |last = Senreich|first= Matthew|date = August 1997|title = The Wizard Q&A: Mark Waid & Ron Garney|work = Wizard|issue = 72|pages = 68–72}} remaining on it until the title was relaunched with a different creative team as part of the 1996–1997 "Heroes Reborn" storyline. Rob Liefeld offered Waid the opportunity to script Captain America over plots and artwork by his studio, but Waid declined. That storyline ran a full year, after which Waid and Garney returned to the title for another relaunched series, Captain America volume 3, issues #1–23.Manning "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 288: "Writer Mark Waid began what many fans still consider to be the ultimate run on the Captain America title with this series penciled by Ron Garney." Waid also wrote the short-lived spin-off series Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty from 1998 to 1999, having written 10 of the 12 issues (skipping issues #7 and 10).

In 1996, Waid and artist Alex Ross produced the graphic novel Kingdom Come.Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 273: Under the limitless possibilities of DC's Elseworlds label, Ross and Waid crafted a tale of biblical proportions." This story, set in the future of the DC Universe, depicted the fate of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and other heroes as the world around them changed. It was written in reaction to the "grim and gritty" comics of the 1980s and 1990s. DC Comics writer and executive Paul Levitz observed that "Waid's deep knowledge of the heroes' pasts served them well, and Ross' unique painted art style made a powerful statement about the reality of the world they built."{{cite book|author-link= Paul Levitz|last=Levitz|first= Paul|chapter= The Dark Age 1984–1998|title= 75 Years of DC Comics The Art of Modern Mythmaking|publisher= Taschen|year=2010|location= Cologne, Germany|isbn= 9783836519816|page= 574}} Many of the ideas introduced in Kingdom Come were later integrated into the present-day DC Universe, and Waid himself wrote a follow-up to the series, The Kingdom.Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 286: "Writer Mark Waid returned to the kingdom he helped envision with this series of specials designed as a sequel to the hit miniseries Kingdom Come."

Waid and writer Grant Morrison collaborated on a number of projects that would successfully reestablish DC's Justice League to prominence. Waid's contributions included JLA: Year One,Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 282: "It was up to writers Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn and artist Barry Kitson to fill in the blanks. With their twelve-issue maxiseries JLA: Year One, the trio examined the early days of the team...JLA: Year One proved a success, and cleaned up decades of convoluted comic history." as well as work on the ongoing series. The two writers developed the concept of Hypertime to explain problems with continuity in the DC Universe, which was first introduced in The Kingdom.

=2000s=

File:Waid at Wondercon.jpg 2006]]

Waid collaborated with artists Bryan Hitch and Paul Neary on JLA and the JLA: Heaven's Ladder (Oct. 2000) one-shot.Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 297: "Artist Bryan Hitch made full use of the book's extra-large format... Written by Mark Waid, Heaven's Ladder dealt with religion and the afterlife."[http://www.comics.org/issue/65369/ JLA: Heaven's Ladder] at the Grand Comics Database

In 2000, Waid co-wrote a series named Empire with Barry Kitson, whose protagonist was a Doctor Doom-like supervillain named Golgoth who had defeated all superheroes and conquered the world. The series was originally published by Gorilla Comics, a company formed by Waid, Kurt Busiek and several others, but the company folded after only two issues were published.{{cite web|url=http://archives.tcj.com/234/n_gorilla.html |title=The Case of the Disappearing Gorilla: The Banana Trust Explains How Not to Start a Comics Line |first=Michael |last=Dean |date=June 8, 2001 |location=Seattle, Washington |work=The Comics Journal #234 |publisher=Fantagraphics Books |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120081000/http://archives.tcj.com/234/n_gorilla.html |archive-date=January 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 4, 2012|df=mdy-all}} Empire was completed under the DC Comics label in 2003 and 2004. Waid wrote the first year of Crossgen's Ruse series.{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/7222-mark-waid-talks-returning-to-ruse-after-10-years.html|title= Mark Waid Talks Returning to Ruse After 10 Years|first= Albert|last= Ching|date= March 14, 2011|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165946/http://www.newsarama.com/7222-mark-waid-talks-returning-to-ruse-after-10-years.html|archive-date= March 3, 2016|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}

Waid began an acclaimed run{{cite news|url= http://blog.newsarama.com/2010/08/12/g-day-comic-book-industry-remembers-gruenwald-and-wieringo/|title= 'G-Day': Comic Book Industry Remembers Gruenwald and Wieringo|first= Albert|last= Ching|date= August 12, 2010|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120324072003/http://blog.newsarama.com/2010/08/12/g-day-comic-book-industry-remembers-gruenwald-and-wieringo/|archive-date= March 24, 2012|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all}}{{cite web |url=http://www.eagleawards.co.uk/results.asp?year=2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526162155if_/http://www.eagleawards.co.uk/results.asp?year=2004 |archive-date=2007-05-26 | title=The Eagle Awards - Results }} as writer of Marvel's Fantastic Four in 2002 with his former Flash artist Mike Wieringo, with Marvel releasing their debut issue, Fantastic Four vol. 3 #60 (Oct. 2002) at the promotional price of 9 cents U.S. By June 2003, Marvel publisher Bill Jemas tried to convince Waid to abandon his "high-adventure" approach to the series, and making the book into, in Waid's words, "a wacky suburban dramedy where Reed's a nutty professor who creates amazing but impractical inventions, Sue's the office-temp breadwinner, the cranky neighbor is their new 'arch-enemy,' etc." Waid, who felt that this was too much of a departure from what he had been hired to write, initially declined. After some discussion with editor Tom Brevoort, Waid found a way to make the requested changes, but by then, the decision had been made to fire Waid and Wieringo from the series.{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=2249|title= Waid fired, off Fantastic Four, Marvel EIC Quesada responds|first= Jonah|last= Weiland|publisher=CBR.com|date=June 16, 2003|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130621110113/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=2249|archive-date= June 21, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} The resulting fan backlash led to Waid and Wieringo's reinstatement on the title by that September.{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=2806|title= World's Greatest Again: Waid & 'Ringo back on Fantastic Four|first= Arune|last= Singh|date= September 25, 2003|publisher=CBR.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131017005109/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=2806|archive-date= October 17, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=2708|title= Marvel makes it official, Waid/Wieringo back on FF, new Marvel Knights book launched|first= Jonah|last= Weiland|date= September 29, 2003|publisher= CBR.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131017005308/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=2708|archive-date= October 17, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} Waid and Wieringo completed their run on Fantastic Four with issue #524 (May 2005), by which time the previously relaunched series had returned to its original numbering.

In 2003 Waid wrote the origin of the "modern" Superman with Superman: Birthright, a twelve-part limited series which was meant to be the new official origin story of the Man of Steel.Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 310: "Superman's post-Crisis on Infinite Earths origin had remained lore since John Byrne's seminal Man of Steel series in 1986, but by 2003 it was time for an update." Birthright contained several characters and elements from the Silver and Modern Age Superman comic books and homages to Superman: The Movie and the Smallville television series.

Waid returned to writing Legion of Super-Heroes in December 2004, teaming again with Barry Kitson.Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 318: "Top writer Mark Waid and artist Barry Kitson joined forces to relaunch one of DC's best-loved super-teams." He finished his run on the series with issue #30 (July 2007). In 2005, Waid signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. He co-wrote the 52 limited series with Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, and Keith GiffenCowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 325: "The title was masterminded by writers Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid, with Keith Giffen providing art breakdowns." that lasted for one year and covered the events that take place during the year in the DC Universe following Infinite Crisis. Another project for DC was a new launch of The Brave and the Bold with artist George Pérez,Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 329: "Writer Mark Waid and artist George Pérez teamed up to relaunch one of DC's best-loved titles, The Brave and the Bold." and a brief return to The Flash.

On July 27, 2007, at San Diego Comic-Con, Boom! Studios announced that Waid would join Boom! as Editor-in-Chief the following month. As his non-creator assignments at DC lapsed, he stated that all his future creator-owned work will be with Boom!.{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=11351|title= CCI: Mark Waid Named EiC of Boom! Studios|first= Jonah|last= Weiland|date= July 27, 2007|publisher= CBR.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121023143308/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=11351|archive-date= October 23, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}

Waid was promoted to Chief Creative Officer of BOOM! Studios in August 2010. That December, Waid announced he would be leaving that role, and return to freelance work, though he would continue writing for the publisher.{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=29792|title= Waid Leaves Boom! as CCO, Returns to Freelancing|first= Jonah|last= Weiland|date= December 9, 2010|publisher= CBR.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131013191549/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=29792|archive-date= October 13, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/6634-mark-waid-steps-down-as-boom-cco-returns-to-freelance.html|title= Mark Waid Steps Down as Boom! CCO, Returns to Freelance|date= December 9, 2010|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131016000318/http://www.newsarama.com/6634-mark-waid-steps-down-as-boom-cco-returns-to-freelance.html|archive-date= October 16, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}

In the late 2000s Waid worked on the Spider-Man creative team, writing several issues of The Amazing Spider-Man, including a meeting between Spider-Man and Stephen Colbert in The Amazing Spider-Man #573 (Dec. 2008).{{cite book|last1 = Cowsill|first1 = Alan|last2= Gilbert|first2= Laura, ed.|chapter= 2000s|title = Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging|publisher = Dorling Kindersley|year = 2012|location= London, United Kingdom|page = 316|isbn = 978-0756692360|quote= The issue [#573] also saw TV star Stephen Colbert team up with Spider-Man in a back-up story written by Mark Waid and drawn by Patrick Olliffe.}}

=2010s=

File:Mark Waid by Gage Skidmore.jpg

Waid scripted the opening of "The Gauntlet" storyline in issue #612 (Jan. 2010).Cowsill "2010s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 327: "Written by Mark Waid and drawn by Paul Azaceta, the two-part opening mixed the real-world drama of the economic meltdown with some Spidey action." Waid wrote the Doctor Strange mini-series Strange,{{cite web|first= Dave|last= Richards|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21669|title= HeroesCon: Waid Talks Strange|publisher= CBR.com|date= June 20, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130817122812/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21669|archive-date= August 17, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|access-date= January 22, 2010}}{{cite news|first= Vaneta|last= Rogers|url= http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090620-waid-strange.html|title= Mark Waid Gets Strange For Marvel This Fall|work= Newsarama|date=June 20, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131015235114/http://www.newsarama.com/3148-mark-waid-gets-strange-for-marvel-this-fall.html|archive-date= October 15, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|access-date= January 22, 2010}}{{cite web |first= Dave|last= Richards |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=23578|title= Mark Waid Gets Strange|publisher= CBR.com|date= November 4, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130621104618/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=23578|archive-date= June 21, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|access-date= January 22, 2010}} and several series for Boom! Studios, notably Irredeemable with artist Peter Krause and its spinoff Incorruptible. In July 2011 Marvel relaunched a monthly Daredevil series with Waid on writing duties.{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/7276-mark-waid-on-a-daredevil-that-won-t-drive-you-to-drink.html|title= Mark Waid on a Daredevil That 'Won't Drive You to Drink'|first= Albert|last= Ching|date= March 20, 2011|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131015235115/http://www.newsarama.com/7276-mark-waid-on-a-daredevil-that-won-t-drive-you-to-drink.html|archive-date= October 15, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} Waid and artist Paolo Rivera garnered positive reviews for their work on the title,{{cite web |url= http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/10/09/thrill-of-the-hunt-–-mark-waid’s-daredevil-2/|title= Thrill Of The Hunt – Mark Waid's Daredevil #2|first= Brock|last= Dickinson|date= October 9, 2012|publisher= Bleeding Cool|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121011222421/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/10/09/thrill-of-the-hunt-%E2%80%93-mark-waid%E2%80%99s-daredevil-2|archive-date= October 11, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |url= http://www.scifinow.co.uk/blog/27243/why-arent-you-reading-mark-waid-and-paolo-riveras-daredevil/|title= Why aren't you reading Mark Waid and Paolo Rivera's Daredevil?|first= James|last= Hoare|date= August 12, 2012|publisher= SciFiNow|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131015165117/http://www.scifinow.co.uk/blog/27243/why-arent-you-reading-mark-waid-and-paolo-riveras-daredevil/|archive-date= October 15, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} and earned multiple 2012 Eisner Awards, including Best Continuing Series and Best Single Issue for issue #7. In addition, Waid won Best Writer for his work on Daredevil, as well as his work on Irredeemable, and Incorruptible.{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/9843-full-list-of-2012-eisner-award-winners.html|title= Full List of 2012 Eisner Award Winners|date= July 14, 2012|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131015174407/http://www.newsarama.com/9843-full-list-of-2012-eisner-award-winners.html|archive-date= October 15, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} Waid received a "Best Writer" Harvey Award as well for his Daredevil work.{{cite web |url= http://geek-news.mtv.com/2012/09/10/mark-waid-paolo-rivera-joe-rivera-daredevil-harvey-awards/|title= Mark Waid, Paolo Rivera And Joe Rivera Talk Their Harvey Award Wins For Daredevil|first= Eddie|last= Wright|date= September 10, 2012|publisher= MTV|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071435/http://geek-news.mtv.com/2012/09/10/mark-waid-paolo-rivera-joe-rivera-daredevil-harvey-awards/|archive-date=January 24, 2013 |url-status= dead|df=mdy-all|access-date= October 16, 2013}} In November 2012, Waid and artist Leinil Francis Yu launched The Indestructible Hulk series for Marvel.{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/10047-mark-waid-charts-new-territory-for-indestructible-hulk.html|title= Mark Waid Charts New Territory for Indestructible Hulk|first= Albert|last= Ching|date= August 21, 2012|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131017020249/http://www.newsarama.com/10047-mark-waid-charts-new-territory-for-indestructible-hulk.html|archive-date= October 17, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}

In 2011, Waid established a free digital comics website Thrillbent, launching the site with the title Insufferable.Tabrys, Jason (May 28, 2014). [http://www.denofgeek.com/us/books-comics/mark-waid/235981/mark-waid-talks-thrillbent-empire-daredevil-and-more "Mark Waid Talks Thrillbent, Empire, Daredevil, and More"]. Den of Geek! An essay posted on October 2, 2013, by Waid, titled "An Open Letter To Young Freelancers",{{cite web |url= http://thrillbent.com/blog/an-open-letter-to-young-freelancers/|title= An Open Letter To Young Freelancers|first= Mark|last= Waid|date= October 2, 2013|publisher= Trillbent.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131006065437/http://thrillbent.com/blog/an-open-letter-to-young-freelancers/|archive-date= October 6, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} generated attention within the comics industry{{cite web |url= http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/10/03/creator-responses-to-mark-waids-anti-bullying-call/|title= Comics Industry Reacts To… Mark Waid's Anti-Bullying Call|first= Rich|last= Johnston|date= October 3, 2013|publisher=Bleeding Cool|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131014004106/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/10/03/creator-responses-to-mark-waids-anti-bullying-call/|archive-date= October 14, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|quote= Yesterday, Mark Waid wrote a clarion call for comic book creators, warning of the dangers of being too submissive in the face of editorial dictat. It had quite the reaction.}}{{cite web |url= http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/10/quote-of-the-day-mark-waids-advice-to-young-freelancers/|title= Quote of the Day Mark Waid's advice to young freelancers|first= Kevin|last= Melrose|date= October 2, 2013|publisher=CBR.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131002181915/http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/10/quote-of-the-day-mark-waids-advice-to-young-freelancers/|archive-date= October 2, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|quote= Mark Waid, from a lengthy 'Open Letter to Young Freelancers' that’s a must-read not only for comics creators — of any age, and at any stage in their careers — but also for freelancers in other fields, to say nothing of editors, publishers and consumers.}} with The Hollywood Reporter describing it as "an important commentary on business practices that are in a state of flux at publishers both large and small."{{cite magazine |url= http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mark-waid-advises-new-creators-641731|title= Mark Waid Advises New Creators 'Quality of Work Is All That Matters'|first= Graeme|last= McMillan|date= October 2, 2013|magazine= The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140104195429/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mark-waid-advises-new-creators-641731|archive-date= January 4, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}

In 2014, Waid launched new series for Daredevil and The Hulk with artists Chris Samnee{{cite web |url= http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/26/mark-waid-returns-to-daredevil-in-march-2014|title= Mark Waid Returns to Daredevil in March 2014|first= Jesse|last= Schedeen|date= November 25, 2013|website= IGN|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140225160358/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/26/mark-waid-returns-to-daredevil-in-march-2014|archive-date= February 25, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|quote= Marvel announced that Waid and artist Chris Samnee will be returning to helm the fourth volume of Daredevil.}} and Mark Bagley{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/19971-mark-waid-talks-2014-hulk-relaunch-who-shot-bruce-banner.html|title= Mark Waid Talks 2014 Hulk Relaunch, Who Shot Bruce Banner?|first= Chris|last= Arrant|date= January 7, 2014|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140429123956/http://www.newsarama.com/19971-mark-waid-talks-2014-hulk-relaunch-who-shot-bruce-banner.html|archive-date= April 29, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} respectively. In December 2014, Waid's S.H.I.E.L.D. title began and it introduced several characters from the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. into the Marvel comics universe.{{cite web|url=http://comicsalliance.com/marvel-mark-waid-shield-original-sin-annual-cyclops-layman-death-of-wolverine-next-big-thing/ |title=Marvel Announces Mark Waid's S.H.I.E.L.D. And More At Next Big Thing Panel |first=Andrew |last=Wheeler |date=July 24, 2014 |publisher=Comics Alliance |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322164531/http://comicsalliance.com/marvel-mark-waid-shield-original-sin-annual-cyclops-layman-death-of-wolverine-next-big-thing/ |archive-date=March 22, 2015 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all |access-date=January 1, 2015}} He later wrote All-New, All-Different Avengers, Black Widow, and The Avengers.

Waid and artist J. G. Jones produced Strange Fruit for Boom! Studios in July 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/30/waid-jones-preview-strange-fruit-comic |title=Mark Waid and J.G. Jones preview powerful historically based comic, Strange Fruit |first=Andrea |last=Towers |date=June 30, 2015 |newspaper=Entertainment Weekly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905091541/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/30/waid-jones-preview-strange-fruit-comic |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

In 2016, Waid and artist Humberto Ramos co-created The Champions for Marvel. The following year, Waid returned to the Captain America series beginning with issue #695 working with artist Chris Samnee. A new Doctor Strange series was launched by Waid and Jesus Saiz in 2018.{{cite web|url= https://www.cbr.com/interview-doctor-strange-mark-waid-infinity-wars/|title= Doctor Strange Enters the Infinity Wars (With Some Help From Mark Waid)|first= Dave|last= Richards|date= July 6, 2018|publisher= CBR.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180907110202/https://www.cbr.com/interview-doctor-strange-mark-waid-infinity-wars/|archive-date= September 7, 2018|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} Waid also launched with artist Javier Garrón a Ant-Man and the Wasp miniseries to tie into the release of the 2019 film of the same name.

At the 2018 New York Comic Con, Humanoids Publishing announced it was creating an imprint called H1 whose contributing creators included Waid.McMillan, Graeme (October 9, 2018). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/humanoids-announces-h1-imprint-shared-universe-1148860 "Humanoids Unveils Shared Comic Book Universe at New York Comic Con"]. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 1, 2019.

On April 9, 2019, Marvel announced that Waid would write a five-issue miniseries featuring the Invisible Woman, her first solo series since her debut in 1961.[https://www.newsarama.com/44694-invisible-woman-reunites-with-mark-waid-for-new-title.html "INVISIBLE WOMAN Reunites with MARK WAID For New Title"]. Newsarama. April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2019.

=2020s=

In December 2021, it was announced that Waid would be writing a new ongoing for DC entitled Batman/Superman: World's Finest, with Dan Mora serving as artist and beginning publication in March 2022. The events of World's Finest would later set up the events of Batman vs Robin and "Lazarus Planet", also written by Waid.{{Cite web |last=Polo |first=Susana |date=2021-12-14 |title=DC's Batman/Superman comic returns in 2022 from legend Mark Waid |url=https://www.polygon.com/22832964/batman-superman-2022-dc-comics-mark-waid |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-17 |title=New Comic Book Series 'Batman vs. Robin' Launches September 13! |url=https://www.dc.com/blog/2022/08/17/new-comic-book-series-batman-vs-robin-launches-september-13 |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=DC |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-10-06 |title=DC's 2023 'Lazarus Planet' Event Explodes out of 'Batman vs. Robin'! |url=https://www.dc.com/blog/2022/10/06/dcs-2023-lazarus-planet-event-explodes-out-of-batman-vs-robin |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=DC |language=en}}

In April 2022, Waid was reported among the more than three dozen comics creators who contributed to Operation USA's benefit anthology book, Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds, a project spearheaded by IDW Publishing Special Projects Editor Scott Dunbier, whose profits would be donated to relief efforts for Ukrainian refugees resulting from the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/zoop-launches-benefit-anthology-comics-for-ukraine-sunflower-seeds/|author=Kaplan, Rebecca O.|title=ZOOP launches benefit anthology COMICS FOR UKRAINE: SUNFLOWER SEEDS|publisher=The Beat|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=April 18, 2022|access-date=April 26, 2022|archivedate=April 18, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418170150/https://www.comicsbeat.com/zoop-launches-benefit-anthology-comics-for-ukraine-sunflower-seeds/}}{{cite web|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2022/04/18/comics-for-ukraine-sunflower-seeds/|publisher=AIPT|title='Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds' to benefit Ukrainian refugees|author=Brooke, David|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=April 18, 2022|accessdate=April 26, 2022|archivedate=April 26, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426153140/https://aiptcomics.com/2022/04/18/comics-for-ukraine-sunflower-seeds/}} Waid teamed up with artist Gabriel Rodriguez (artist) to produce an original story with new characters created specifically for the anthology.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/comic-book-anthology-sunflower-seed-ukraine-relief-effort-1235131833/|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|author=Kit, Borys|title=Comic Book Creators Team for Ukraine Relief Effort Anthology 'Sunflower Seed'|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=April 20, 2022|access-date=April 30, 2022|archivedate=April 20, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420202544/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/comic-book-anthology-sunflower-seed-ukraine-relief-effort-1235131833}}

In November 2022, it was announced that Waid and Mora would be working on a new ongoing Shazam! series, beginning publication in May 2023. Mora departed from interior work with issue 6, while Waid left writing duties with issue 9.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-18 |title="Dawn of DC" Starts in January 2023 |url=https://www.dc.com/blog/2022/11/18/dawn-of-dc-starts-in-january-2023 |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=DC |language=en}}

In April 2023, it was announced that Waid would be writing two new projects for DC set to launch in July 2023. The first is a three-issue DC Black Label miniseries entitled Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor, illustrated by Bryan Hitch. It is a spiritual successor to Birthright.{{Cite web |author1=George Marston |date=2023-04-12 |title=Mark Waid tells Superman: Birthright spiritual sequel and flashes back to the original Teen Titans in new DC titles |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/mark-waid-tells-superman-birthright-spiritual-sequel-and-flashes-back-to-the-original-teen-titans-in-new-dc-titles/ |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=gamesradar |language=en}} The second is a six-issue miniseries entitled World's Finest: Teen Titans, illustrated by Emanuela Lupacchino.{{Cite web |title=DC Announces Two New Series from Mark Waid |url=https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/04/12/dc-announces-two-new-series-from-mark-waid |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=DC |language=en}}

In February 2024, it was announced that Waid would be writing Absolute Power, a 4-issue event miniseries that would conclude the Dawn of DC publishing initiative and lead directly into the DC All-In initiative. The series reunites Waid with artist Dan Mora and follows Amanda Waller, having teamed up with Failsafe and the Brainiac Queen, as she seek to put an end to the metahuman population of the DC Universe, once and for all.{{Cite web |last=Epps |first=Justin |date=2024-02-22 |title=DC's "Trinity of Evil" Unites in ABSOLUTE POWER, 2024's Massive Summer Blockbuster |url=https://screenrant.com/dc-absolute-power-summer-event-series-waid-mora/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}

In July 2024, it was announced Waid would be reuniting with Chris Samnee for Batman and Robin: Year One, a 12-issue series set to begin publication in October 2024.{{Cite web |last=Brooke |first=David |date=2024-07-17 |title=DC announces 12-issue series Batman and Robin: Year One |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2024/07/17/batman-and-robin-year-one-dc-comics/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=aiptcomics.com |language=en-us}}

Legal issues

In September 2018 writer Richard Meyer, the creator of the YouTube channel Diversity & Comics, filed a civil lawsuit in Texas against Waid, claiming defamation and tortious interference on Waid's part. Meyer accused Waid of convincing Antarctic Press not to publish Meyer's graphic novel Jawbreakers. Waid launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to fight the suit, and denied having anything to do with Antarctic Press' decision, a statement verified in deposition by the publisher of Antarctic Press.{{cite web|author=Cronin, Brian|date=April 24, 2019|url=https://www.cbr.com/mark-waid-antarctic-press-diversity-comics-deposition-lawsuit|title=Antarctic Press Publisher Deposed in Mark Waid Lawsuit|publisher=CBR.com|access-date=September 15, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930003743/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/09/29/richard-meyer-sues-mark-waid-tortious-interference-contract-defamation/}}{{cite web |url= https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/09/29/richard-meyer-sues-mark-waid-tortious-interference-contract-defamation/|title= Richard Meyer Sues Mark Waid Over 'Tortious Interference With Contract and Defamation'|author=Johnston, Rich|date= September 29, 2018|publisher=Bleeding Cool|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190409125858/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/09/29/richard-meyer-sues-mark-waid-tortious-interference-contract-defamation/|archive-date= April 9, 2019|url-status= live|df=dmy-all}} Waid's fellow comics creators Neil Gaiman, Kurt Busiek, Dan Slott and Yanick Paquette contributed to his campaign, while artist Ethan Van Sciver began a similar campaign for Meyer which quickly surpassed Waid's in funding.{{cite web |url= https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/11/03/mark-waid-richard-meyer-defamation-tortuous-interference-lawsuit/|title= Mark Waid Legal Response to Richard Meyer's Defamation and Tortious Interference Lawsuit|author=Johnston, Rich|date= November 3, 2018|publisher=Bleeding Cool|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181104071829/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/11/03/mark-waid-richard-meyer-defamation-tortuous-interference-lawsuit/|archive-date= November 4, 2018|url-status= live|df=dmy-all}} Waid filed for the case to be dismissed.{{Cite web|author=Arrant, Chris|title=MARK WAID Asks Court to Dismiss RICHARD C. MEYER Lawsuit After ANTARTIC PRESS' Deposition|url=https://www.newsarama.com/44896-waid-asks-court-again-to-dismiss-meyer-lawsuit-after-antartic-press-deposition.html|website=Newsarama|language=en|date=April 23, 2019|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=June 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608140209/https://www.newsarama.com/44896-waid-asks-court-again-to-dismiss-meyer-lawsuit-after-antartic-press-deposition.html|url-status=dead}} In December 2020, Meyer voluntarily withdrew the lawsuit and reached a confidential agreement.{{cite web|author=Johnston, Rich|title=Where Did Crowdfunded Legal Funds For Richard Meyer, Mark Waid Go?| website=Bleeding Cool| date=December 23, 2020| url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/crowdfunded-legal-funds-richard-meyer-mark-waid/|access-date=December 24, 2020}}