Today the publisher announced New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer is slated to take over as the new writer of Green Arrow with issue #16.

Meltzer’s works include the novels The Tenth Justice, Dead Even, The First Council, and The Millionaires, which is currently #3 on the New York Times bestseller list and #1 on the Barnes & Noble bestseller list. According to DC, Meltzer has also contributed short fiction to USA Weekend, the London Sunday Times, and the anthology The Games We Played.

Meltzer joins series penciler Phil Hester and inker Ande Parks on DC’s best selling monthly series. According to DC, Hester and Parks with remain with the series “at least” until Smith’s Brave and the Bold series is ready to begin production.

That may be a ways away, as Smith recently revealed to Newsarama he’ll launch Marvel’s Black Cat before beginning work on Brave and the Bold.

The status of cover artist Matt Wagner, who Smith previously announced would leave with him with issue #15, is still to be determined.

“I’m sad to be leaving Green Arrow,” said Kevin Smith, “but I’m secure in the knowledge that Brad’s going to take Arrowhead for one helluva ride after I’m gone. I know I’ll still be buying the book on a monthly basis after my run’s finished. I suggest you all do the same. Brad’s not going to let you down.”

“Brad brings tons of enthusiasm about Ollie Queen, DC, and comics in general to the party,” said Group Editor Bob Schreck. “He’s a hell of a storyteller. Both The Tenth Justice and The Millionaires had me biting my fingernails and scratching my head trying to figure out what was going to happen next! Having read his initial plot, Brad’s already off to a fantastic start on Green Arrow, building on the foundation Kevin created for the series. I think he’s going to surprise everybody.”

Bruckheimer also will team Ben Affleck and Smith in a twist on the buddy flick. “It’s about a Boston cop who is very racist, played by Ben, who butts head with an FBI agent played by Will Smith. They’re a great team.”