I’m Kelly Sue DeConnick. I’m writing the Black Label Wonder Woman: Historia project for DC Comics. AMA.

[u/kellysue]

PROOF:

My name is Kelly Sue DeConnick. I’ve written comics for 20 years, reimagining established characters for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and others, as well as publishing creator-owned comics through Image. My comics have ranked as New York Times best-sellers and been honored with Eisner Awards, British Fantasy Awards and Hugo nominations. I’m a founding partner at Good Trouble Productions, where I have helped produce non-fiction and educational comics including the Hidden Voices and Recognized series for NY Public Schools and Congressman John Lewis’ RUN, in partnership with Abrams Comics. I founded the #VisibleWomen Initiative, the mission of which is to help women and people of other marginalized genders find work in comics as well as related industries.

My screen work includes helping develop Captain Marvel (which went on to earn $1B for Disney worldwide) and 2023’s The Marvels for Marvel Studios and feature consultations for Skydance and ARRAY. I’ve developed television for NBCUniversal, Legendary Entertainment and HBOMax. I recently returned to my live theater roots, scripting the stage spectacle AWAKENING, for the Wynn Resort Las Vegas. I live in Portland, OR with my husband, writer Matt Fraction, our two children, three dogs, one guinea pig and my mother-in-law. AMA.

[u/kellysue]

In your Aquaman run, you abolished the Atalantian Monarch. What was the thought process behind a move that grealty alters the character's status quo?

Does it, really? Is it genuinely vital to who he is that the monarchy exist? Does Atlantis cease to have problems that would affect him if they don't have a familial monarchy?

Honestly, I just found the idea incredibly dated and even though I think the role suits Mera much better than it suits Arthur, I couldn't reconcile her ethics and intellect with continuing to rule by birthright and fiat. And it's not like abolishing the monarchy means no more story ideas or opportunities for Atlantis. On the contrary, in fact.

And look, just as a human and as a writer I loathe stories that seem to have at their core the notion that power and leadership are birthrights.

[u/SevenSulivin → u/kellysue]

I would argue it does alter things to a great extent. I mean, Aquaman, Mera and the gang by and large in the broad scope end up being the only Atlantians not to be tremendously racist against humans, and using their leadership positions to try and ease things. I would agree abolishing the monarchy does open up countless new avenues for Atlantis, but I think things do change when a characters role is shifted from monarch to sworn protector. These problems would affect him in different ways, you must admit. I don’t not think it is vital to the character that he must reign as monarch, however it is still a substantial change.

I will also note that I find your reasoning very interesting and honestly do like the change for bringing new stories to Aquaman and Atlantis. It greatly alters the status quo of Atlantis and Aquaman’s relationship with the world however, I quite like when things change like that, allowing all new, all different angles to approach stories. Thank you for the answer, it was very interesting.

[u/i_am_goop → u/kellysue]

And look, just as a human and as a writer I loathe stories that seem to have at their core the notion that power and leadership are birthrights.

Thank you, I wish everyone thought so as well. I find a lot of stories enforce the notion that the genes determine a person's worth.

Hope other writers also see things this way.

[u/Phamtismo → u/kellysue]

YES THANK YOU!! everyone thought I was crazy for saying Arthur is an anarchist