Kurt Busiek

Kurt Busiek (born September 16, 1960) is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.

Early life

Busiek was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in various towns in the Boston area, including Lexington, where he befriended future comic book creator Scott McCloud. Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil No. 120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and McCloud practiced making comics.

During this time, Busiek had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not diedâ€"a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics. Busiek explains, "A couple of years later, after I’d broken in, I attended my first convention as a pro, in Ithaca, New York, and I stayed at Roger Stern's house. And we were talking about how much we liked the new X-Men, and he said, 'It's just a pity there's no way to bring Jean Grey back,' and I said, 'Sure there's a way, there's always a way.'"

Career

During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern No. 162 (Mar. 1983). After writing four fill-in issues of Power Man and Iron Fist, he was given the series as his first regular assignment. Busiek was a fan of the work his predecessor, Mary Jo Duffy, had done on Power Man and Iron Fist, and emulated her lighthearted, humorous approach, not knowing that the editorial staff disapproved of this approach and had taken Duffy off the series because of it. He was fired from the series for the same reasons as Duffy, after only six issues as its regular writer. In 1985, he wrote a Red Tornado limited series.

In 1993, Busiek and artist Alex Ross produced the Marvels limited series which, as comics historian Matthew K. Manning notes, "reinvigorated painted comics as a genre, went on to become an acclaimed masterpiece, and spawned more than its own fair share of imitators." Busiek and Pat Olliffe crafted the Untold Tales of Spider-Man series beginning in September 1995. He created the Thunderbolts, a group of super-villains disguised as super-heroes, with the final page of the first issue of the series revealing that the Thunderbolts were actually the Masters of Evil, a surprise twist carefully guarded by Marvel. In February 1998, Busiek launched The Avengers vol. 3 with penciler George Pérez and Iron Man vol. 3 with artist Sean Chen. Busiek and Carlos Pacheco collaborated on the Avengers Forever limited series in 1998â€"1999. This replaced the Avengers: World in Chains series which the two had previously planned to work on. Busiek continued as writer of The Avengers through 2002, collaborating with artists such as Alan Davis and Kieron Dwyer. His tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Pérez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.

Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Liberty Project, The Power Company, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, JLA, and the award-winning Kurt Busiek's Astro City. In the 1990s, work on some of Busiek's more challenging, less mainstream projects, most notably Astro City, was repeatedly delayed by health problems brought about by mercury poisoning.

In 2004, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics. In December 2005, he signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc titled "Up, Up and Away!" that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues #40â€"49. Busiek became the sole writer of the Superman series with issue No. 654 (September 2006) and Carlos Pacheco became the series' artist. Busiek and Pacheco developed an extended storyine featuring Arion coming into conflict with Superman. The plotline concluded in Superman Annual #13. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries titled Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue except for the first featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.

Busiek teamed with Alex Ross on Dynamite Entertainment's Kirby: Genesis, an eight-issue miniseries which debuted in 2011. The series, which was their first full collaboration since Marvels 17 years previous, featured a large group of Jack Kirby's creator-owned characters, the rights to which were acquired by Dynamite, such as Silver Star, Captain Victory, Galaxy Green, Tiger 21 and the Ninth Men. Ross co-plotted, handled designs, and oversaw the series overall with Busiek, who scripted the story.

In June 2013, Busiek relaunched his Astro City series as part of DC's Vertigo line. Busiek commented that "Astro City's always been aimed at a more sophisticated reader, which I think suits Vertigo. Plus our backlist sales are closer to a Vertigo pattern than DCU."

Personal life

Busiek is married to Ann Busiek. Both Kurt and Ann Busiek were rendered by Alex Ross as New Yorkers who react to the invasion of Silver Surfer and Galactus on page 17 of Marvels No. 3. Kurt is later used as the model for a wandering drunk on page 33 of the same issue.

Awards

Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996â€"1998 for Astro City, and for Conan: The Legend #0 in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997â€"1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.

Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998, and as a member of the favorite creative team for 1996, 1999, and 2003. In the Squiddy Awards, he was named the favorite poster among professional comics creators to the rec.arts.comics.* newsgroups five years in a row from 2000 through 2004.

Bibliography

Dark Horse Comics

• Army of Darkness #1â€"3 (text articles) (1992â€"1993)
• Conan #1â€"28, 32, 39, 45â€"46 (2004â€"2007)
• Conan: The Frost-Giant's Daughter and Other Stories #1 (2005)
• Conan: Book of Thoth #1â€"4 (2006)
• Jonny Demon #1â€"3 (1994)
• Young Indiana Jones Chronicles #1â€"8, 11 (1992â€"1993)

DC Comics

• Action Comics #837â€"843, 850, 852â€"854 (2006â€"2007)
• Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #40â€"49 (2006â€"2007)
• Astro City vol. 3 #1â€"15 (2013-2014)
• DC Comics Presents: Hawkman (2004)
• DCU Secret Files & Origins No. 1
• Green Lantern No. 162, 185 (backup stories) (1983â€"1985)
• Iron Lantern No. 1
• Justice League of America No. 224, 231â€"232, 240 (1984â€"1985)
• JLA No. 61 (backup story), #107â€"114 (2002â€"2005)
• JLA Secret Files & Origins No. 1 (2004)
• Legend of Wonder Woman #1â€"4 (1986)
• 9-11: The World's Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists Tell Stories to Remember, Volume Two ("Astro City" story) (2002)
• Power Company:
  • Power Company #1â€"18 (2002â€"2003)
  • Power Company: Bork (2002)
  • Power Company: Josiah Power (2002)
  • Power Company: Manhunter (2002)
  • Power Company: Sapphire (2002)
  • Power Company: Skyrocket (2002)
  • Power Company: Striker Z (2002)
  • Power Company: Witchfire (2002)
• Red Tornado #1â€"4 (1985)
• Showcase '94 No. 7 (1994)
• Silver Age: Green Lantern No. 1 (2000)
• Superman #650â€"675, 712, Annual No. 13 (2006â€"2011)
• Superman: Secret Identity #1â€"4 (2004)
• Superman: The Man of Steel Annual No. 5 (1996)
• Tales of The Green Lantern Corps Annual No. 3 (1987)
• Tangent Comics: Sea Devils No. 1 (1997)
• Trinity #1â€"52 (2008â€"2009)
• Valor #20â€"23 (1994)
• Wednesday Comics #1â€"12 (2009)
• Wonder Woman No. 318 (1984)
• World's Finest Comics #308â€"309 (1984)

DC/Marvel

• JLA/Avengers #1â€"4 (2004â€"2004)

Milestone Media

• Icon No. 11
• Static No. 12

Wildstorm

• Arrowsmith #1â€"6 (2003â€"2004)
• Astro City:
  • Astro City: A Visitor’s Guide #1 (2004)
  • Astro City: Local Heroes #1â€"5 (2003â€"2004)
  • Astro City: The Dark Age Book One #1â€"4 (2005)
  • Astro City: The Dark Age Book Two #1â€"4 (2007)
  • Astro City: The Dark Age Book Three #1â€"4 (2009)
  • Astro City: The Dark Age Book Four #1â€"4 (2010)
  • Astro City: Supersonic
  • Astro City: Samaritan (2006)
  • Astro City: Beautie #1 (2008)
  • Astro City: Astra #1â€"2 (2009)
  • Astro City: Silver Agent #1â€"2 (2010)
  • Astro City/Arrowsmith #1 (2004)
  • Astro City Special #1 (2004)

Dynamite Entertainment

• Darkman vs. The Army of Darkness #1â€"5 (2006â€"2007)
• Kirby: Genesis #0, 1â€"8 (2011â€"2012)
• Vampirella Masters Series #4â€"5 (2011)

Eclipse Comics

• Airboy-Mr. Monster Special #1 (1987)
• Liberty Project #1â€"8 (1987â€"1988)
• Merchants Of Death #1â€"4 (1988)
• Miracleman: Apocrypha No. 2 (1992)
• Mr. Monster's Super Duper Special No. 7 (1987)
• Total Eclipse Special: The Seraphim Objective No. 1
• Zot! No. 7 (backup story)

Harris Comics

• Creepy 1993 Fear Book No. 1 (1993)
• Vampirella vol. 2 #2â€"4 (1992)
• Vampirella: Morning In America #1â€"4 (1991â€"1993)

Image Comics

• Kurt Busiek's Astro City #1â€"6 (1995â€"1996)
• Kurt Busiek's Astro City vol. 2 #1/2, #1â€"15 (1996â€"1998)
• New Shadowhawk #1â€"7 (1995â€"1996)
• Regulators #1â€"3 (1995)
• Shockrockets #1â€"6 (2000)
• Spartan: Warrior Spirit #1â€"4 (1995)
• Superstar: As Seen On TV #1 (2001)
• Shadowhawk Special #1 (1994)
• Shadowhawks Of Legend #1 (1995)
• Shattered Image #4 (1996)
• Tooth & Claw #1 (2014)
• Velocity: Thrill Of The Chase #1â€"3 (1995â€"1996)
• Youngblood Strikefile No. 8 (1994)

Marvel Comics

• Amazing Fantasy #16â€"18 (1995â€"1996)
• The Amazing Spider-Man Annual '97 (1997)
• Avengers:
  • Avengers No. 0 (1999)
  • Avengers vol. 3 #1â€"15, 19â€"56 (1998â€"2002)
  • Avengers Annual No. 19 (backup story) (1990)
  • Avengers/Squadron Supreme '98
  • Avengers 1999
  • Avengers 2000
  • Avengers 2001
  • Avengers Forever #1â€"12 (1998â€"1999)
  • Avengers: The Ultron Imperative (2001)
  • Avengers/Thunderbolts #1â€"6 (2004)
• Captain America/Citizen V '98 (1998)
• Darkman #1â€"6 (1993)
• Defenders vol. 2 #1â€"12 (2001â€"2002)
• Iron Man:
  • Iron Man vol. 3 #1â€"25 (#14â€"25 co-plot) (1998â€"2000)
  • Iron Man/Captain America '98 (1998)
  • Iron Man 1999
  • Iron Man: The Iron Age #1â€"2 (1998)
• Marvel Age Annual No. 1 (1985)
• Marvel Holiday Special No. 4 (1995)
• Marvel Super-Heroes No. 9, 12â€"13 (1992â€"1993)
• Marvel Year-In-Review '92 (1992)
• Marvels #1â€"4 (1993â€"1994)
• Marvels: Eye Of The Camera #1â€"6 (2009â€"2010)
• Maximum Security #1â€"3 (2000â€"2001)
• Maximum Security: Dangerous Planet #1 (2000)
• Night Thrasher #15â€"18, 20â€"21 (1994â€"1995)
• Open Space #1 (1989)
• The Order: Defenders Against The Earth #1â€"6 (2002)
• Power Man and Iron Fist No. 90, 92â€"100, 102, 105 (1983â€"1984)
• The Spectacular Spider-Man #176â€"177 (1991)
• Spider-Man Team-Up No. 7 (1997)
• Spider-Man Unlimited #2â€"5 (1993â€"1994)
• Strange Tales vol. 3 No. 1 (1994)
• Tales of the Marvel Universe No. 1 (1997)
• Thor: Godstorm #1â€"3 (2001â€"2002)
• Thunderbolts:
  • Thunderbolts No. 0 (1999)
  • Thunderbolts #1â€"34 (1997â€"2000)
  • Thunderbolts '97
• Untold Tales of Spider-Man:
  • Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1â€"25 (1995â€"1997)
  • Untold Tales of Spider-Man '96
  • Untold Tales of Spider-Man '97
  • Untold Tales of Spider-Man: Strange Encounter #1 (1998)
• Web of Spider-Man #81â€"83 (1991)
• What If No. 13, 23, 26, 44, 46, 47, 60â€"62 (1990â€"1994)
• What The--?! #3â€"4, 8, 17 (1988â€"1992)
• Wonder Man Annual No. 1 (1992)

Topps Comics

• Jack Kirby's Silver Star No. 1 (1993)
• Jack Kirby's Teenagents #1â€"4 (1994)
• Satan's Six No. 4 (1993)
• Topps Comics Presents No. 0 (1993)
• Victory No. 1 (1994)

References

External links

• Official website
• Sampling of Busiek's comic book fan letters, 1977â€"1981
• Kurt Busiek at the Comic Book DB
• Kurt Busiek at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
• Kurt Busiek at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators