Mr. Geoff Johns is the writer of the Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E,
the Day of Judgement mini-series for DC's summer event, and the upcoming
co-writer of the JSA with David Goyer. Geoff's a pretty cool guy, he answered
the 20 questions REALLY fast,when we needed him to. So buy his
comics, OK?
Bistak:
How did you get into comic writing?
Johns:
I met a bunch of DC people on the set of Conspiracy Theory and we got to
talking comics. I pitched an idea to one of the editors, they liked it
and it soon (a year later!) turned into Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.
Bistak:
What were your influences on writing?
Johns:
From comics: James Robinson, Mark Waid, Grant Morrison and John
Ostrander.
Bistak:
What comics did you read as a kid and what comics do you read now?
Johns:
My first series was Crisis on Infinite Earths. (Not that I know what
the heck was going on.) But all the characters fascinated me. I read the
spin-offs - The Flash, Justice League, Superman, Batman, Suicide Squad.
Those were my favorites.
Bistak:
Do you have a favourite era of comics and why?
Johns:
I thought the stuff right after Crisis was pretty great. I also think
there's some really solid stuff today. Larger than life superheroics in
JLAand Avengers. Great series like Hourman and Superboy. Additionally,
any comic with a checkboard across the top is Grade A in my book.
Bistak:
How do you write comics? (Your style, influences on life etc)
Johns:
I like to focus more on the "man" than the "super" - as I'm sure people
see in Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. I also am a firm believer in building on
what's happened before. That's one of DC's strengths - its rich history.
Other than that, I just try and have fun. If I'm having fun I think the
reader is too.
Bistak:
What are you writing plans for the future? (novels, screenplays, etc)
Johns:
I'll tackle JSA as of #6 with David Goyer, Day of Judgment and Beast Boy
(with Ben Raab). I'm also working on another proposal - a little too
early to talk about.
Bistak:
What is your favourite TV Show(s)?
Johns:
Hmm. The Twilight Zone. X-Files. Simpsons. Futurama. The slew of
high school teen shows on the WB are cool.
Bistak:
If you have a chance to write any character, who would it be and why?
Johns:
Firestorm. Because I think he's damn cool. I think I've got a good
twist on him that keeps to the original but brings him forward as well. Kind of
hard to explain but I hope to tell it someday. Other than him, Hawkman or
Flash. Heck, anyone in the DCU.
Bistak:
How did you come up with the idea of a new Star Spangled Kid?
Johns:
I wanted a next generation Golden Ager that wasn't tied in by blood but
by marriage. I also wanted a teen female character that could stand on her
own, and carry a legacy into the next century.
Bistak:
Is Courtney based on any people or events in your life?
Johns:
Based on and dedicated to my sister, Courtney. She was as headstrong
and as heroic!
Bistak:
Whats your favourite aspect about the new Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E
series?
Johns:
Pat and Courtney. Together and apart they're fascinating to me. I also
enjoy working with characters that actually grow and change over time.
Bistak:
Any plans for a Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E crossover? (eg. Legion,
Superboy, Young Justice)
Johns:
Young Justice will show up in #5 and #6. Other than that, no crossover
plans.
Bistak:
What does the JSA mean to you?
Johns:
The celebration of heroics and tradition. As I've said before, JSA is
not only upholding the legacy of past JSA members but ALL superheroes.
Everyone who's ever fought the good fight.
Bistak:
What are you favourite JSAer's, both old and new school, and why?
Johns:
Old School: Green Lantern - Because he's the most majestic character in
comics. I also have a fondness for Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite. Classic
characters that, for some reason or another, never had silver age counterparts.
I've always wondered why.
New School: Besides the Kid, of course. Hawkgirl - Because there's a
LOT more to her than meets the eye and revealing what that is is a lot of
fun. I'm also really enjoying working on Atom-Smasher. Here's a guy who's
always wanted to be a member of the JSA. How proud must he feel?
Bistak:
What do David Goyer and yourself have planned for the JSA after you
join the JSA creative team?
Johns:
We have a fun knock-out fight issue for #6, #7-9 involve Obsidian, and
beyond that, look for Extant to pop up soon.
Bistak:
Do you have any favourite JSA stories?
Johns:
JLA 100-102. I also enjoyed the late Justice Society of America series.
Great stuff.
Bistak:
How did you come up with the idea for DC's annual crossover event?
(DoJ)
Johns:
I was given the ending and told to work a story around it. I always
like when heroes split into teams so I divided small groups of heroes between
Earth, Heaven and Hell. I also wanted to focus on some of the lesser
known characters in the DCU, magical and not.
Bistak:
Day of Judgement sets the scene for the return of DC's most
powerful character, the Spectre, how will this be different from the original?
Johns:
I wish I could tell you how but I can't. I CAN tell you he WILL be
different from every incarnation of the Spectre to date.
Bistak:
Any plans for a Day of Judgement spin off title?
Johns:
There's a new Spectre series coming out that J.M. Demattis will be
writing.
Bistak:
What are you favourite Magic characters and why?
Johns:
Deadman - Because he's enjoying life more than those who live it around
him.
Zatanna - She's rooted in the DCU, intwined with so many branches of
different aspects - magic and the JLA and Vertigo, and I don't think
even she knows where she really fits in yet.
Faust - Check out Day of Judgment. I think he's damn cool in that.
There's another one, but I can't talk about them yet. That one will pop
up in Day of Judgment and gets a new spin.