GEOFF JOHNS

The following is an e-mail interview with GEOFF JOHNS, a hot writer busting loose with JSA, among other projects for DC. This interview was conducted on January 3, 2000.

DOUG WILKINSON: How did you break into comics, and what was your first professional work?

GEOFF JOHNS: I broke in the side door with my experience in the film business under my belt--some editors at DC were willing to actually read my submissions and thankfully one hit. Although Stars and STRIPE was my first work--Star Spangled Comics from JSA Week was my first published work.

DOUG WILKINSON: You seem to have a real penchant for the Golden Age characters. Why such a vested interest?

GEOFF JOHNS: I think there's tremendous untapped potential in this universe of characters. Unlimited. I tend to like the characters that have been around a long time but there's been virtually nothing done with them in the past few years. I really enjoy working with DC's Golden Age mythos as well as the rest of their universe.

DOUG WILKINSON: What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a script for an ongoing story every month?

GEOFF JOHNS: Trying to make the next issue better than the last!

DOUG WILKINSON: We've seen the Golden Age of the 40s, the Silver Age of the 60s, and what many call a dark or "ImAge" in the 80s and early 90s. Lately, however, due to the works of Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross, Mark Waid and others, we seem to be entering a bright, classic age. What do you think about this current movement, and where do you think comics are headed as we enter the year 2000?

GEOFF JOHNS: You got me. I'm thrilled to be along for the ride though--I think there's a great resurgence of cutting edge comics on the stands today and I see that continuing into the next decade.

DOUG WILKINSON: Of all the many characters and titles being published today, what characters or projects would you like to work on in the future?

GEOFF JOHNS: JSA is my dream book--besides that, books that aren't being done right now...Hawkman, Firestorm or maybe Power Man and Iron Fist--though I'd have to set it in the 70s. Afros and dynamite!

DOUG WILKINSON: Who are your biggest influences and what, if anything, did you read as a kid?

GEOFF JOHNS: Lots of movies and comics--specifically Waid, Ostrander, Kesel and Robinson. All great writers wrote series that I loved--especially Suicide Squad. I pray nightly for that book to come back.

DOUG WILKINSON: Who in (or out of) the industry would you like most to work with in the future?

GEOFF JOHNS: Alex Maleev. No question about it. He absolutely blows me away with his stuff.

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