[Updated] AQUAMAN's SEA-CHANGE: BUSIEK SURFACES, TAD WILLIAMS DIVES IN

**MattBrady** · 11-02-2006, 12:27 PM

Updated: Newsarama has learned current writer and architect of the series’ post-Infinite Crisis undersea-fantasy direction Kurt Busiek is stepping down with Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #49 to be followed beginning with the series’ 50th issue in March by fantasy author and writer of DC’s The Next limited series, Tad Williams. Williams will be joined by new regular series penciler Shawn McManus [editor's note: this is a correction from an earlier version of this story that named Paul Gulacy as the new artist].

Newsarama spoke with both Busiek and Williams about the handing off of the baton, and we start with the “outgoing” half of the equation - Kurt Busiek - and the obvious question - why leave the title you helped recreate after a relatively brief run?

“Technically, I suppose I was removed from the book, although it's my own damn fault,” he told us.

“I was having a very good time writing the book, as I think anyone who reads it can tell, and was all set for a lengthy run, exploring the world and the characters and the many mysteries and portents and such.
I love writing heroic fantasy, and I think the exotic world of the oceanscape suits it perfectly.

“But then, stupid me, I had an idea for something that I thought would be a good project and had the potential to benefit DC, the fans and the comics marketplace in general. It was a very non-standard idea, and I didn't think DC would go for it. But I thought it was a good idea, and I didn't want to just assume it'd be shot down. I'd rather toss it on the table and get an actual ‘no’.

“So when I was in New York, I ran it by Dan Didio, and to my surprise, he liked it a lot -- and thought it was something DC should do.

“And by the time I got home, he'd pitched it to Paul Levitz, and Paul also thought it was a good idea, and something DC should do.

“And they've been wrangling over formats and schedules and such since then, but it's a pretty large project -- more than the usual 22 pages a month that most series are, and it was pretty clear that t wasn't something that could be just added to my schedule, I'd need to give up something to make room for it. And I've been having a great time with both Superman and Aquaman, and it'd be hard to leave either one, but with Carlos kicking ass on Superman and Butch Guice leaving Aquaman, I had a tighter grip on the Kryptonian than the Atlantean, and Dan decided I should let Aquaman go to make room for the Mystery Project.

“So, since I'm cowardly as well as stupid, I made Dan tell Joey Cavalieri, the editor. He and I had been on the phone only minutes before Dan called to say that the Mystery Project was going to happen, and I had to clear the decks, so what seems like two seconds after I hang up with Dan, the phone rings and it's Joey again, asking, ‘Was it something I said...?’

“Joey and I talked a while about how best to keep the new direction on Aquaman going strong, and I suggested that maybe instead of finding a comics writer who could do fantasy, what it needed was a fantasy writer who can do comics. Joey liked the idea -- but even so, I didn't expect him to go out and get a New York Times bestselling fantasy writer, with The Dragonbone Chair and Tailchaser's Song to his credit!

“But well, he did, so I think the book's heroic-fantasy cred is safe. Safer with Tad than with me, even!

“And Tad and I had a couple of good long chats and batted e-mails back and forth, with me filling him in on where all the set-up was leading, and what all the clues and portents point to, so he can pick 'em up with full knowledge of what they were intended to do, and either use 'em that way or do something else, as he chooses. And if he's got any questions in the future, I'm an e-mail away. Not that he needs my input -- he's got way more experience at this kind of thing than I do, after all.”

Finally, we asked Busiek about this plans through issue #49, and whether he plans to end his run on a fairly closed note or to leave some storylines for Williams to pick up on..?

“There will be stuff for Tad to pick up on, you bet,” the writer said. “After the conclusion of "Once and Future" in #45, what's coming next is a two-part story that jumps back in time to the first meeting of King Shark and Orin, the classic Aquaman. It's beautifully drawn by Phil Winslade, with a framing sequence by Butch Guice, and aside from establishing the beginning of King Shark's hatred for Aquaman, it also introduces a prophecy, a priestly order, an ancient band of heroes and a foretold power that'll all return. And then #48-49 are another two-parter, with art by Argentine artist Ricardo Villagran, that reintroduces Aqua-villain The Fisherman, in a creepy and unsettling way. And that, too, will bring in some stuff Tad can pick up and play with in future issues.

“I've had a great time on the book (and I'm still writing #49, as we speak), and I doubt I'm out of Atlantean waters for good. If nothing else, there's a Superman-Atlantis connection through Lori Lemaris, and I have plans for that that were going to play out in Aquaman, but may move over to Superman now. And the Mystery Project will have opportunities for the oceanscape and the Aqua-cast to get in on the action...”

Check back with Newsarama later today for our conversation with Williams about this plans for Aquaman and joining the ranks of comics creators from the world of fantasy literature.

TS24 · 11-02-2006, 12:41 PM

Good book just wished it'd come out.

whippis · 11-02-2006, 12:43 PM

Whatever Busik's got coming out had better be good. He left Conan to do Aquaman and now he's not on either. I can almost forgive that as long as I get a steady stream of Astro City until Dark Ages in concluded.

DonalB · 11-02-2006, 12:45 PM

will be dead by issue #57. Which going by current issue release intervals will be some time in 2008.

Bsubeyond · 11-02-2006, 12:47 PM

I have to admit, I haven't read this title much, but I'd really like the classic Aquaman to return. But I think I'm swimming upstream here (pun intended).

tralfaz · 11-02-2006, 12:48 PM

SECRET PROJECT GO!!!!!

Delyria · 11-02-2006, 12:50 PM

I think I would have rather Busiek leave Superman than Aquaman. I've really enjoyed the new direction that the series has taken since OYL. I've also liked his Superman, but it doesn't quite grasp me the way that Aquaman does.

Oh well, hopefully the new team will be just as good!

AbbaZabba39 · 11-02-2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delyria

I think I would have rather Busiek leave Superman than Aquaman. I've really enjoyed the new direction that the series has taken since OYL. I've also liked his Superman, but it doesn't quite grasp me the way that Aquaman does.

Oh well, hopefully the new team will be just as good!

I agree with everything you just said. It will be sad to see him leave Sword of Atlantis because it has been really good and has gotten me very excited about Aquaman for the first time.

NickVinson · 11-02-2006, 01:01 PM

Gulacy coming on is a plus. but Tad Williams is the unknown entity in this equation. I MIGHT give this a shot, if only for Gulacy. I wonder if Palmiotti will be inking him again, or if Gulacy is inking himself.

Damn, I really liked Busiek on Aquaman. This almost kills interest for me... almost

-Nick

Darthphere · 11-02-2006, 01:06 PM

Well that sucks. I was only really buying the title because Kurt was doing such a good job. I guess ill give this a shot, but I really cant see the book working without Busiek.

jccalhoun · 11-02-2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whippis

Whatever Busik's got coming out had better be good. He left Conan to do Aquaman and now he's not on either.

Actually, he left Conan to be exclusive to DC rather than to do any specific DC title.

jedifish · 11-02-2006, 01:11 PM

Disappointing that Kurt is leaving as I love the new direction on the title, but interested in seeing what Tad Williams is bringing to the ocean depths.

RockLeefan · 11-02-2006, 01:11 PM

That's a real shame. I've never liked aquaman until his OYL reboot and it was feeling like one of those runs where busiek had the next 3 years worth of arc going. I would have rather lost him on superman but maybe with Butch Guice leaving it was for the best. I'll try Tad's work as i guess if there's any comic he can write well it should be this. Just dont go back to aquaman - superhero!

Palm Trees · 11-02-2006, 01:14 PM

Tad William's Otherland series is one of my favorites. I'll be giving Aquaman a look when he takes over.

Spade · 11-02-2006, 01:15 PM

Yeah, i'm one of those people that was only reading Aquaman because of Busiek. I don't I'll stick around. Moeny is too tight these days.

Kolimar · 11-02-2006, 01:16 PM

Ouch for Aquaman, hmm... for Williams and WOO-HOO!! for "big mystery project"

EvilErnie13 · 11-02-2006, 01:17 PM

This character has been struggling for decades. I say cancel him!

Crump's Brother · 11-02-2006, 01:22 PM

Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series is awesome. Great writer.

connorfan · 11-02-2006, 01:23 PM

What is really going to make a difference for me is whether or not Arthur or Orin will be the lead character in Williams run. I enjoyed the Dragonbone Chair series, but if we are going back to Orin I'll be taking a hard look at dropping this title. I'm really digging the new Aquaman so if we are going back I think in all honesty it would have to be an amazing pitch to keep me reading.

tyopot · 11-02-2006, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvilErnie13

This character has been struggling for decades. I say cancel him!

so what do you propose? we read instead a crappy character like evil ernie? i don't think so. he's boring.

biffordmichael · 11-02-2006, 01:24 PM

DC just keeps making it easy for me to trim my pull list...this title's lateness and now a change of writer and artist on a book I was barely interested in make this one a no-brainer. Seeya.

Biff

Lex Berriel · 11-02-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delyria

I think I would have rather Busiek leave Superman than Aquaman. I've really enjoyed the new direction that the series has taken since OYL. I've also liked his Superman, but it doesn't quite grasp me the way that Aquaman does.

Oh well, hopefully the new team will be just as good!

Same here, I am actually dissapointed because of all the OYL titles this was one of the best IMO and i wanted Busiek to stay in the title for a really long time. I'm gonna give a chance to the new creative team and hope the quality holds.

BriGuy · 11-02-2006, 01:30 PM

I wasn't into the current incarnation of the character, nor the current direction of the book, so I had dropped it after a few issues after having read Aquaman for over a decade. I'll be getting #46-47 since it flashes back to the incarnation and direction I enjoyed. I'm a fan of both Busiek and Guice, but this didn't work for me.

Looking forward to learning more about the Mystery Project though.

skaly · 11-02-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darthphere

Well that sucks. I was only really buying the title because Kurt was doing such a good job. I guess ill give this a shot, but I really cant see the book working without Busiek.

People were saying that about Brian K. Vaughan and Runaways, before they knew Joss Whedon was taking over. You never know.

worldsfinest · 11-02-2006, 01:33 PM

This wasn't Aquaman anyway. It was the clone of Aquaman and should have just been cancelled before it even began . Busiek proposed to ruin Aquaman and then takes a hike after doing so. I really hate this guy.