Westfield: Buck Rogers has been around for a number of years. How much updating did you do on the character to reach a modern audience and how do you think longtime fans will react to the changes?

Scott Beatty: I'm hoping that longtime Buck fans will see that we respect the character as much as they do. This is classic Buck. The means by which he arrives in the future may be changed, but he's still that same stalwart space hero they know and love. I think reaching a modern audience and maintaining the core Buck fans involves striking a balance between acknowledging the character's long rich history while giving certain story elements a 21st century sensibility and credibility. I'm a writer who doesn't believe in throwing the baby out with the bathwater. When I play with "established" toys like this, I'm humbled by the fact that the character's iconic status is bigger than what I bring to it. He should still look like and behave like Buck Rogers when I put him back on the shelf.

Westfield: Will any of the classic Buck Rogers supporting characters be in the book?

Beatty: All of them. Everyone fits in the story, and it's about taking our time to unveil the entire cast: Wilma, Buddy, Ardala, Killer Kane, Black Barney. We're attempting to weave the entire tapestry into the new series.

Westfield: What can readers looks forward to in the book? Any story hints you care to drop?

Beatty: Readers can look forward to high-adventure on Earth and in space. This is classic sci-fi with modern momentum, which means its ideally smart and fast-moving. Earth's future is at stake and Buck Rogers may be the only guy - in any time - to do something about it.

Westfield: You're working with artist Carlos Rafael on the book. Are you enjoying collaborating with him?

Beatty: I'm already blown away by what Carlos is bringing to the drawing table, and this is on the heels of having comics mega-stars Alex Ross and John Cassaday rendering mind-blowing covers. Carlos is one of those artists who synchs right up with what a writer asks for in the script, and then pushes it to 11. I couldn't be happier collaborating with such a consummate professional.

Westfield: Are there any other projects you're working on that you'd like to mention?

Beatty: Well, I'm currently writing Gen13 for DC/Wildstorm and I've got some other irons in the fire, including other possible projects with Dynamite if Buck takes off (no pun intended).

Westfield: Any closing comments?

Beatty: Read Buck Rogers! C'mon, the zero issue's only a quarter, which - in today's economy - is most definitely a bargain for a single self-contained story that encapsulates the flavor and direction of the ongoing series!

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