Gillen confirms end of 'S.W.O.R.D.'

Kieron Gillen has confirmed that his ongoing Marvel title S.W.O.R.D.. is to be cancelled.

Rumours that the series would be ending with issue #5 were confirmed when it failed to appear on Diamond's order form for April.

"The first five issues are a neat little arc, which will collect into an agreeably intense little trade," Gillen wrote on his blog.

"It was planned so if the worst did happen - and launching a new ongoing in the current market is an enormously risky business - that it would hold together and wouldn't leave anything dangling. I haven't changed a panel in five, basically, and I'm pleased with where I leave the cast."

The rumours last week sparked an unsuccessful online Valentine's Day-themed campaign to prevent the title's cancellation.

Gillen noted that low orders on the first and second issues doomed the title before it even went on sale.

S.W.O.R.D. #5 - illustrated by Steven Sanders - is released on March 10.