View source for Kurt Busiek

{{short description|American comic book writer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox comics creator
| image =  Kurt Busiek Stumptown.jpg
| imagesize     = 
| caption       = Busiek at the [[Stumptown Comics Fest]] 2012
| birth_name    = 
| birth_date    = {{nowrap|{{birth date and age|mf=yes|1960|09|16}}}}
| birth_place      = [[Boston, Massachusetts]], U.S.
| death_date    = 
| death_place   = 
| area          = Writer
| alias         = 
| notable works = ''[[Astro City]]''<br>''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]''<br>''[[Thunderbolts (comic book)|Thunderbolts]]''<br>''[[Marvels]]''<br>''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]''
| awards        = [[#Awards|See below]]
}}
'''Kurt Busiek''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|j|uː|s|ɪ|k}} {{Respell|BYOO|sik}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCUgQPMoREc|title=Phoenix Comicon 2016 - Kurt Busiek's Interview|work=YouTube|date=June 11, 2016|accessdate=18 July 2022}}</ref> born September 16, 1960)<ref>{{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}}</ref> is an American comic book writer. His work includes the ''[[Marvels]]'' limited series, his own series titled ''[[Astro City]]'', a four-year run on ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]], [[Thunderbolts (comic book)|Thunderbolts]],'' and ''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]].''

==Early life==
Busiek was born in [[Boston]]. He grew up in various towns in the Boston area, including [[Lexington, Massachusetts|Lexington]], where he befriended future comic book creator [[Scott McCloud]].<ref name="cbg">{{cite web |url= http://www.freewebs.com/marvelgazette/interviews.htm#109788978|title= Kurt Busiek Interview (4/15)|first= Sergio|last= B.|date= April 15, 2006|publisher= Comic Book Gazette|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024102338/http://www.freewebs.com/marvelgazette/interviews.htm|archive-date= October 24, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|access-date= December 8, 2008}}</ref> Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them.<ref name="cbg"/> He began to regularly read them around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of ''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil]]'' #120 (April 1975). That comic is the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; he was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and McCloud practiced making comics. The pair contributed to comics hobbyist publications such as [[New Media Publishing|NMP]]'s ''[[Comics Feature]]''.

During that time, Busiek had many letters published in [[comic book letter column]]s and he originated the idea that the [[Phoenix Force]] was a separate being who had impersonated [[Jean Grey]], and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2005/12/15/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-29/|title= Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #29!|first= Brian|last= Cronin|date= December 15, 2005|website= [[Comic Book Resources]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130731221021/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2005/12/15/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-29/|archive-date= July 31, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|access-date= December 7, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1 = DeFalco|first1 = Tom|author-link = Tom DeFalco|last2= Gilbert|first2= Laura, ed.|chapter= 1980s|title = Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History|publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]|year = 2008|location= London, United Kingdom|page = 227|isbn =978-0756641238|quote= Writer Kurt Busiek offered a solution: what if Jean Grey had never been Phoenix?}}</ref> Busiek said, "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... 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'... I said, 'Sure there's a way, there's always a way.'"<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tfaw.com/blog/2009/04/27/kurt-busiek-marathon-man/?qt=ea_kurtbuswiki1|title= Kurt Busiek: Marathon Man|first= Elisabeth|last= Forsythe|date= April 27, 2009|publisher= Things From Another World |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150920034555/http://blog.tfaw.com/2009/04/27/kurt-busiek-marathon-man/?qt=ea_kurtbuswiki1|archive-date= September 20, 2015|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|access-date= July 8, 2009}}</ref>

==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 got him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in ''[[Green Lantern (comic book)|Green Lantern]]'' #162 (March 1983).<ref name="cbg" /> After writing four fill-in issues of ''[[Power Man and Iron Fist]]'', he was given the series as his first regular assignment.<ref name="back45">{{cite journal|last = Callahan|first= Timothy|date = December 2010|title = Power Man and Iron Fist|journal = [[Back Issue!]]|issue = 45| pages = 3–11|publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> He was a fan of the work of his predecessor, [[Jo Duffy|Jo Duffy]] and emulated her lighthearted, humorous approach, not knowing that the editor disapproved of that style. He was fired from the series after only six issues as its regular writer, but wrote an additional two issues afterward.<ref name="back45"/> In 1985, he wrote a ''[[Red Tornado]]'' [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Manning|first1= Matthew K.|last2=Dolan|first2=Hannah, ed.|chapter= 1980s|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= 213|quote = Writer Kurt Busiek took the Justice League of America's fabled android, Red Tornado, for a spin in this four-issue miniseries drawn by Carmine Infantino.}}</ref>

In 1993, Busiek and artist [[Alex Ross]] produced the ''[[Marvels]]'' limited series which comics historian Matthew K. Manning noted, "reinvigorated painted comics as a genre, went on to become an acclaimed masterpiece, and spawned more than its own fair share of imitators."<ref>Manning, Matthew K. "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 268</ref> Busiek and [[Pat Olliffe]] crafted the ''[[Untold Tales of Spider-Man]]'' series beginning in September 1995.<ref>Manning "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 274: "Kurt Busiek and artist Pat Olliffe stepped in to fill the void for the kind of classic Spider-Man stories that Stan Lee and Steve Ditko had imagined as the character's inception."</ref> Busiek created the ''[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]'', a group of super-villains disguised as super-heroes. At the end of the first issue, it is revealed that the Thunderbolts are actually the [[Masters of Evil]], a surprise twist carefully guarded by Marvel.<ref>Manning "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 283: "Busiek and company ignored the pleas from Marvel's marketing division who thought that sales would be affected by not revealing the comic's twist. They managed to conceal their comic's confidential ending until the release of the first issue, and indeed shocked their entire fan base with their dramatic reveal."</ref> In February 1998, he launched ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' vol. 3 with penciler [[George Pérez]]<ref>Manning "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 289: "At the top of [Marvel's] short list of dream artists for the Heroes Return project was George Pérez...But when asked to both write and draw the title, Pérez declined the invitation, stating he would rather just pencil the book...He did, however, suggest a writer that he wanted to work with – Kurt Busiek."</ref> and ''[[Iron Man]]'' vol. 3 with artist [[Sean Chen (artist)|Sean Chen]].<ref>Manning "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 289: "Tony Stark returned in style...in this new ongoing series by writer Kurt Busiek and artist Sean Chen."</ref> Busiek and [[Carlos Pacheco]] collaborated on the ''[[Avengers Forever]]'' limited series in 1998–1999<ref>Manning "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 291: "Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco teamed together to tell a time-spanning adventured in the twelve-issue limited series ''Avengers Forever''."</ref> which replaced the ''Avengers: World in Chains'' series on which the two had previously planned to work.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2008/03/13/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-146/|title= Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #146|first= Brian|last= Cronin|date= March 13, 2008|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130731201928/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2008/03/13/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-146/|archive-date= July 31, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> 

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.<ref>Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 311: "[''JLA/Avengers''] was an event that...proved to be one of the biggest and best of the DC and Marvel crossovers, incorporating many of the two companies' greatest heroes and villains."</ref> Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career including ''[[Arrowsmith (comics)|Arrowsmith]]'', ''[[The Liberty Project]]'', ''The [[Power Company]]'',  ''Shockrockets'', ''[[Superman: Secret Identity]]'',  ''[[JLA (comic book)|JLA]]'', and the award-winning ''Kurt Busiek's [[Astro City]]''.<ref name="GCD">{{gcdb|type=writer|search=Kurt+Busiek|title=Kurt Busiek}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite newsgroup|title = OT Q for Kurt|author = Kurt Busiek| date = October 10, 2001| newsgroup = rec.arts.comics.marvel.universe| url = http://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.comics.marvel.universe/msg/ba72520202d01817|access-date = February 9, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/cr_holiday_interview_xx_kurt_busiek/|title= CR Holiday Interview #7: Kurt Busiek|first= Tom|last= Spurgeon|date= December 29, 2008|publisher= The Comics Reporter|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130616100239/http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/cr_holiday_interview_xx_kurt_busiek/|archive-date= June 16, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In 2004, Busiek began a new ''[[Conan (Dark Horse Comics)|Conan]]'' series for [[Dark Horse Comics]].<ref name="GCD" /> In December 2005, he signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=6143|title= Kurt Busiek Signs Exclusive With DC Comics|first= Jonah|last= Weiland|date= December 28, 2005|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121023120201/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=6143|archive-date= October 23, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> After DC's "[[Infinite Crisis]]" storyline, he teamed with [[Geoff Johns]] on the eight-part story arc "[[Superman: Up, Up and Away!|Up, Up and Away!]]" that ran in both [[Superman]] titles as part of DC's company-wide "[[One Year Later (comics)|One Year Later]]" storyline. In addition, he began writing the DC title ''[[Aquaman]]: Sword of Atlantis'' from issues #40–49.<ref name="GCD"/> Busiek became the sole writer of the ''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]'' series with issue #654 (Sept. 2006) and Carlos Pacheco became the series' artist.<ref>{{cite comic|writer= Busiek, Kurt|penciller= [[Carlos Pacheco|Pacheco, Carlos]]|inker= [[Jesus Merino|Merino, Jesus]]|story= On Our Special Day| title= Superman|issue= 654|date= September 2006}}</ref> Busiek and Pacheco developed an extended storyline featuring [[Arion (character)|Arion]] coming into conflict with Superman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=8394 |title=Talking ''Superman'' with Kurt Busiek |first=Andy |last=Khouri |date=October 23, 2006 |website=Comic Book Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026235244/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article|archive-date=October 26, 2008|url-status=live|df=mdy-all|access-date=July 25, 2012 |quote=Arion of Atlantis, unseen for years until ''Infinite Crisis,'' appears before Superman to warn him of hellish times to come.}}</ref> The plotline concluded in ''Superman Annual'' #13.<ref>{{cite comic| writer= Busiek, Kurt| penciller= Pacheco, Carlos; Merino, Jesus| inker= Merino, Jesus| story= The Fall| title= Superman Annual| issue= 13| date= January 2008}}</ref> Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries titled ''[[Trinity (comic book)|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]],<ref>Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 333: "Writer Kurt Busiek and artist Mark Bagley (in his first project for DC) guided the travails of the three heroes as they struggled to find the secret of a cosmic force."</ref> 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 (comics)|Silver Star]], [[Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers|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.<ref>Biggers, Cliff. "Kirby Genesis: A Testament to the King's Talent"; ''[[Comic Shop News]]'' #1206; July 2010</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/5613-alex-ross-kurt-busiek-team-for-dynamite-s-kirby-genesis.html|title= Alex Ross & Kurt Busiek Team for Dynamite's ''Kirby: Genesis''|date= July 12, 2010|work= [[Newsarama]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140218232905/http://www.newsarama.com/5613-alex-ross-kurt-busiek-team-for-dynamite-s-kirby-genesis.html|archive-date= February 18, 2014|url-status= dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In June 2013, Busiek relaunched his ''Astro City'' series as part of DC's [[Vertigo (DC Comics)|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."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/17318-astro-city-moves-to-vertigo-with-new-series-in-june.html|title= ''Astro City'' Moves to Vertigo with New Series in June|first= Albert|last= Ching|date= April 1, 2013|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130626155524/http://www.newsarama.com/17318-astro-city-moves-to-vertigo-with-new-series-in-june.html|archive-date= June 26, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/03/kurt-busiek-astro-city-comic-book-series/2383501/ |title=Busiek takes fans on another trip through ''Astro City'' |first=Brian |last=Truitt |date=June 3, 2013 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811101939/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/03/kurt-busiek-astro-city-comic-book-series/2383501/ |archive-date=August 11, 2018 |url-status=live|df=mdy-all|access-date=September 30, 2013}}</ref> The ongoing ''Astro City'' series concluded as of issue #52 in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newsarama.com/38281-astro-city-ongoing-ends-with-plans-for-ogn-future.html|title= ''Astro City'' Ongoing Ends in April, With Plans for OGN Future|first= Chris|last= Arrant|date= January 22, 2018|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180123010533/https://www.newsarama.com/38281-astro-city-ongoing-ends-with-plans-for-ogn-future.html|archive-date= January 23, 2018|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all}}</ref>

In April 2022, Busiek was one of 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]],  The profits were donated to relief efforts for Ukrainian refugees from the February [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{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/}}</ref><ref>{{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/}}</ref> Busiek and [[Brent Anderson (comics)|Brent Anderson]] contributed a new ''[[Astro City]]'' story to the anthology, which featured themes relevant to the events in [[Ukraine]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Awards==
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the [[Harvey Award]] for Best Writer in 1998<ref name="Harvey1998">{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/harvey98.php|title= 1998 Harvey Award Nominees and Winners|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120220012926/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/harvey98.php|archive-date= February 20, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and the [[Eisner Award]] for Best Writer in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner99.php|title= 1999 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120725160018/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner99.php|archive-date= July 25, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 1994, with ''Marvels'', he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner94.php|title= 1994 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120725160003/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner94.php|archive-date= July 25, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/harvey94.php|title= 1994 Harvey Award Nominees and Winners|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120220012920/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/harvey94.php|archive-date= February 20, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for ''Marvels'' #4) in 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/harvey95.php|title=  1995 Harvey Award Nominees and Winners|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120220012641/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/harvey95.php|archive-date= February 20, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 1996, with ''Astro City'', he won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series.<ref name="Eisner1996">{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner96.php|title= 1996 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120725160013/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner96.php|archive-date= July 25, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Harvey1996">{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/harvey96.php|title= 1996 Harvey Award Winners|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120220012950/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/harvey96.php|archive-date= February 20, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996 to 1998 for ''Astro City;''<ref name="Eisner1996" /><ref name="Eisner1997">{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner97.php|title= 1997 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120723015302/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner97.php|archive-date= July 23, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Eisner1998">{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner98.php|title= 1998 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120723015251/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner98.php|archive-date= July 23, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> for ''Conan: The Legend'' #0 in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner04.php|title= 2004 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120825075815/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner04.php|archive-date= August 25, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998,<ref name="Eisner1997" /><ref name="Eisner1998" /> as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998.<ref name="Eisner1998" /> In addition, ''Astro City'' was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award,<ref name="Harvey1996" /> and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.<ref name="Harvey1998" />

Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 ''[[Comics Buyer's Guide]]'' Awards for Favorite Writer,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/cbg97.php|title= 16th Annual Comic Buyers Guide Fan Awards (1998) (for books published in 1997)|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130115200634/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/cbg97.php|archive-date=January 15, 2013 |url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/cbg98.php|title= 17th Annual Comics Buyers Guide Fan Awards (1999)(for work done in 1998)|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130925203903/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/cbg98.php|archive-date= September 25, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} In 2010, he was given the [[Inkpot Award]].<ref>[https://www.comic-con.org/awards/inkpot Inkpot Award]</ref>

==Personal life==
Busiek is married to Ann Busiek. Both Kurt and Ann were rendered by Alex Ross as New Yorkers who react to the invasion of [[Silver Surfer]] and [[Galactus]] on page 17 of ''Marvels'' #3. Kurt is used later as the model for a wandering drunk on page 33 of the same issue.<ref>{{cite journal|last = Brick|first = Scott|title = Alex Ross|journal = [[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard Xtra!]]|page = 92|date = March 2007}}</ref>

In June 2022, Kurt Busiek revealed in the final issue of ''[[Arrowsmith: Behind Enemy Lines]]'' that the follow-up series ''[[Arrowsmith: Beyond Borders]]'', would be delayed due to his health. Specifically, he related that he had been suffering from persistent [[migraine]]s for over a year, for which he was receiving [[Botox]] treatments every three months, which reduced his productivity. He said that he was searching for a hospital with an advanced headache program where he could be placed.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=Busiek, Kurt|story=Dispatches from the Front|title=[[Arrowsmith: Behind Enemy Lines]]|issue=6|publisher=[[Image Comics]]|date=June 2022|page=22}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
===Dark Horse Comics===
*''[[Army of Darkness (comics)|Army of Darkness]]'' #1–3 (text articles) (1992–1993)
*''[[Conan (Dark Horse Comics)|Conan]]'' #1–28, 32, 39, 45–46 (2004–2007)
*''Conan: The Frost-Giant's Daughter and Other Stories'' #1 (2005)
*''Conan: Book of Thoth'' #1–4 (2006)
*''Jonny Demon'' #1–3 (1994)
*''[[Indiana Jones (comics)|Young Indiana Jones Chronicles]]'' #1–8, 11 (1992–1993)

===DC Comics===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*''[[Action Comics]]'' #837–843, 850, 852–854 (2006–2007)
*''[[Aquaman]]: Sword of Atlantis'' #40–49 (2006–2007)
*''[[Astro City]]'' vol. 3 #1–52 (2013–2018)
*''[[Batman: Creature of the Night]]'' #1–4 (2018–2020)
*''[[DC Comics Presents]]: Hawkman'' (2004)
*''DCU Secret Files & Origins'' #1
*''[[Green Lantern (comic book)|Green Lantern]]'' #162, 185 (backup stories) (1983–1985)
*''[[List of Amalgam Comics publications|Iron Lantern]]'' #1
*''[[JLA (comic book)|JLA]]'' #61 (backup story), #107–114 (2002–2005)
*''JLA Secret Files & Origins'' #1 (2004)
*''[[Justice League (comic book)|Justice League of America]]'' #224, 231–232, 240 (1984–1985)
*''Legend of Wonder Woman'' #1–4 (1986)
*''[[List of comics about the September 11 attacks|9-11: The World's Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists Tell Stories to Remember, Volume Two]]'' ("Astro City" story) (2002)
*''[[Power Company]]'':
**''Power Company'' #1–18 (2002–2003)
**''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]]'' #1–4 (1985)
*''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase '94]]'' #7 (1994) 
*''Silver Age: Green Lantern'' #1 (2000)
*''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]'' #650–675, 712, ''Annual'' #13 (2006–2011)
*''[[Superman: Secret Identity]]'' #1–4 (2004)
*''[[Superman: The Man of Steel]] Annual'' #5 (1996)
*''[[Green Lantern Corps|Tales of The Green Lantern Corps]] Annual'' #3 (1987)
*''[[Tangent Comics#1997 titles|Tangent Comics]]: [[Sea Devils (comics)|Sea Devils]]'' #1 (1997) 
*''[[Trinity (comic book)|Trinity]]'' #1–52 (2008–2009)
*''[[Lar Gand|Valor]]'' #20–23 (1994)
*''[[Wednesday Comics]]'' #1–12 (2009)
*''[[Wonder Woman (comic book)|Wonder Woman]]'' #318 (1984)
*''[[World's Finest Comics]]'' #308–309 (1984)

====DC Comics and Marvel Comics====
*''[[JLA/Avengers]]'' #1–4 (2003–2004)

====Milestone Media====
* ''[[Icon (character)|Icon]]'' #11
* ''[[Static (DC Comics)|Static]]'' #12

====Wildstorm ====
*''[[Arrowsmith (comics)|Arrowsmith]]'' #1–6 (2003–2004)
*[[Astro City]]:
**''Astro City: A Visitor’s Guide'' #1 (2004)
**''Astro City: Local Heroes'' #1–5 (2003–2004)
**''Astro City: The Dark Age Book One'' #1–4 (2005)
**''Astro City: The Dark Age Book Two'' #1–4 (2007)
**''Astro City: The Dark Age Book Three'' #1–4 (2009)
**''Astro City: The Dark Age Book Four'' #1–4 (2010)
**''Astro City: Samaritan'' (2006)
**''Astro City: Beautie'' #1 (2008)
**''Astro City: Astra'' #1–2 (2009)
**''Astro City: Silver Agent'' #1–2 (2010)
**''Astro City/Arrowsmith'' #1 (2004) 
**''Astro City Special'' #1 (2004)
{{div col end}}

===Dynamite Entertainment===
* ''Darkman vs. The Army of Darkness'' #1–5 (2006–2007) 
* ''[[Kirby: Genesis]]'' #0, 1–8 (2011–2012)
* ''Vampirella Masters Series'' #4–5 (2011)

===Eclipse Comics===
* ''Airboy-Mr. Monster Special'' #1 (1987) (''Liberty Project'' house ad)
* ''[[The Liberty Project]]'' #1–8 (1987–1988)
* ''Merchants Of Death'' #1–4 (1988)
* ''[[Marvelman|Miracleman: Apocrypha]]'' #2 (1992)
* ''Mr. Monster's Super Duper Special'' #7 (1987) (''Liberty Project'' house ad)
* ''[[Total Eclipse (comics)|Total Eclipse Special: The Seraphim Objective]]'' #1
* ''[[Zot!]]'' #7 (1984) (backup story)

===Harris Comics===
* ''Creepy 1993 Fear Book'' #1 (1993)
* ''[[Vampirella]]'' vol. 2 #2–4 (1992)
* ''Vampirella: Morning In America'' #1–4 (1991–1993)

===Image Comics===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*''Arrowsmith: Behind Enemy Lines'' #1-6 (2022)
*Astro City:
** ''Kurt Busiek's Astro City'' #1–6 (1995–1996)
** ''Kurt Busiek's Astro City'' vol. 2 #1/2 ("[[The Nearness of You (Astro City)|The Nearness of You]]"), #1–22 (1996–1998)
** ''Astro City: That Was Then...'' (2022)
*''[[Shadowhawk|New Shadowhawk]]'' #1–7 (1995–1996)
*''Regulators'' #1–3 (1995)
* ''Shockrockets'' #1–6 (2000)
*''[[Spartan (comics)|Spartan: Warrior Spirit]]'' #1–4 (1995)
* ''Superstar: As Seen On TV'' #1 (2001)
*''Shadowhawk Special'' #1 (1994)
*''Shadowhawks Of Legend'' #1 (1995)
*''Shattered Image'' #1–4 (1996)
*''Tooth & Claw'' (renamed ''The Autumnlands: Tooth and Claw'') #1- (2014-)
*''[[Velocity (comics)|Velocity: Thrill Of The Chase]]'' #1–3 (1995–1996)
*''The Wizard's Tale'' (1997)
*''[[Youngblood (comics)|Youngblood Strikefile]]'' #8 (1994)
{{div col end}}

===Marvel Comics===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*''[[Amazing Fantasy]]'' #16–18 (1995–1996)
*''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]] Annual '97'' (1997)
*[[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]:
**''Avengers'' #0 (1999)
**''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' vol. 3 #1–15, 19–56 (1998–2002)
**''Avengers Annual'' #19 (backup story) (1990)
**''Avengers/Squadron Supreme'' '98
**''Avengers 1999'' 
**''Avengers 2000''
**''Avengers 2001''
**''Avengers Forever'' #1–12 (1998–1999)
**''Avengers: The Ultron Imperative'' (2001)
*''[[Darkman]]'' #1–6 (1993)
*''[[The Defenders (comic book)|The Defenders]]'' vol. 2 #1–12 (2001–2002)
*[[Iron Man]]:
**''[[Iron Man (comic book)|Iron Man]]'' vol. 3 #1–25 (#14–25 co-plot) (1998–2000)
**''Iron Man/Captain America '98'' (1998)
**''Iron Man 1999'' 
**''Iron Man: The Iron Age'' #1–2 (1998)
**''Iron Man'' vol. 6 #25 (2022)
*''[[Marvel Age]] Annual'' #1 (1985)
*''Marvel Holiday Special'' #4 (1995) 
*''[[Marvel Super-Heroes (comics)|Marvel Super-Heroes]]'' #9, 12–13 (1992–1993) 
*''Marvel Year-In-Review'' '92 (1992)
*''[[Marvels]]'' #0, 1–4 (1993–1994)
*''Marvels: Eye Of The Camera'' #1–6 (2009–2010)
*''The Marvels'' #1-12 (2021–2022)
*''[[Maximum Security (comics)|Maximum Security]]'' #1–3 (2000–2001)
*''Maximum Security: Dangerous Planet'' #1 (2000)
*''Night Thrasher'' #15–18, 20–21 (1994–1995)
*''Open Space'' #1 (1989)
*''The Order: Defenders Against The Earth'' #1–6 (2002)
*''[[Power Man and Iron Fist]]'' #90, 92–100, 102, 105 (1983–1984)
*''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man]]'' #176–177 (1991)
*''Spider-Man: Legacy of Evil'' #1 (1996)
*''Spider-Man Team-Up'' #7 (1997) (featuring the Thunderbolts)
*''Spider-Man Unlimited'' #2–5 (1993–1994)
*''Spider-Man and X-Factor'' #1-3 (1994)
*''[[Strange Tales]]'' vol. 3 #1 (1994)
*''Tales of the Marvel Universe'' #1 (1997) (Thunderbolts story)
*''[[The Incredible Hulk (comic book)|The Incredible Hulk]] (Vol. 1)'' #378 (1991, with [[Peter David]])
*''[[Thor (comic book)|Thor]]: Godstorm'' #1–3 (2001–2002)
*[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]:
**''[[Thunderbolts (comic book)|Thunderbolts]]'' Vol. 1 #-1, 0, 1–33 (1997–2000)
**''Thunderbolts'' Annual '97
**''[[Captain America]]/[[Citizen V]] Annual '98'' (1998)
**''Thunderbolts'' Annual 2000 (co-written by [[Fabian Nicieza]])
**''Avengers/Thunderbolts'' #1–6 (2004)
**''Thunderbolts'' Vol. 3 #10 (backup story)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsarama.com/31484-thunderbolts-welcomes-back-busiek-bagley-masters-of-evil-memories-for-20th-anniversary.html|author=Arrant, Chris|title=THUNDERBOLTS Welcomes Back BUSIEK, BAGLEY For 20th Anniversary|publisher=[[Newsarama]]|language=en-US|url-status=dead|date=October 10, 2016|archivedate=October 12, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012144548/https://www.newsarama.com/31484-thunderbolts-welcomes-back-busiek-bagley-masters-of-evil-memories-for-20th-anniversary.html}}</ref>
*[[Untold Tales of Spider-Man]]:
**''Untold Tales of Spider-Man'' #1–25 (1995–1997)
**''Untold Tales of Spider-Man '96''
**''Untold Tales of Spider-Man '97''
**''Untold Tales of Spider-Man: Strange Encounter'' #1 (1998)
**''Amazing Spider-Man Annual 37'' B Story 
*''[[Web of Spider-Man]]'' #81–83 (1991)
*''[[What If (comics)|What If]]'' #13, 23, 26, 44, 46, 47, 60–62 (1990–1994)
*''[[What The--?!]]'' #3–4, 8, 17 (1988–1992) 
*''[[Wonder Man]] Annual'' #1 (1992)
{{div col end}}

===Topps Comics===
* ''[[Silver Star (comics)|Jack Kirby's Silver Star]]'' #1 (1993)
* ''Jack Kirby's Teenagents'' #1–4 (1994)
* ''Satan's Six'' #4 (1993)
* ''[[Topps Comics]] Presents'' #0 (1993)
* ''[[Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers|Victory]]'' #1 (1994)

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{official website|http://www.Busiek.com}}
* [http://www.joshcomix.com/and/fanboypros/busiek.htm Sampling of Busiek's comic book fan letters, 1977–1981] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165618/http://www.joshcomix.com/and/fanboypros/busiek.htm |date=March 3, 2016 }}
*{{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=97|title=Kurt Busiek}}
*[http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/mikes/features/creator.php?creatorid=135 Kurt Busiek] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304202657/http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/mikes/features/creator.php?creatorid=135 |date=March 4, 2023 }} at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
*[http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/namb46.htm#N866 Kurt Busiek] at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators

{{s-start}}
{{succession box |title=''[[Power Man and Iron Fist]]'' writer|before= [[Dennis O'Neil]]|after=[[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]]|years=1983&ndash;1984}}
{{succession box |title=''[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]'' writer|before=n/a|after=[[Fabian Nicieza]]|years=1997&ndash;2000}}
{{succession box |title=''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' writer|before=[[Walt Simonson]]|after=[[Geoff Johns]]|years=1998&ndash;2002}}
{{succession box |title=''[[Iron Man]]'' writer| before=[[Jim Lee]] and [[Jeph Loeb]]|after=[[Joe Quesada]]|years=1997&ndash;2000<br/>(with [[Roger Stern]] in 1998&ndash;2000)}}
{{succession box |title=''[[Aquaman]]'' writer|before= [[John Arcudi]]|after= [[Tad Williams]]|years= 2006&ndash;2007}}
{{succession box |title=''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]'' writer| before=[[Greg Rucka]] and Geoff Johns|after=[[James Robinson (writer)|James Robinson]]|years=2006&ndash;2008<br/>(with Geoff Johns in 2006)}}
{{end}}

{{Thunderbolts|state=collapsed}}
{{Eisner Award for Best Writer}}
{{Inkpot Award 2010s}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Busiek, Kurt}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:DC Comics people]]
[[Category:Eisner Award winners for Best Writer]]
[[Category:Harvey Award winners for Best Writer]]
[[Category:Image Comics writers]]
[[Category:Inkpot Award winners]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics writers]]
[[Category:Writers from Boston]]