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>> Geoff Johns on his Flash Run
>> Geoff Johns: New Foes for Flash
>> FLASH: Book of the Month [Wizard #117, 2001]
>> "On the Fast Track" Geoff Johns on FLASH & JSA [Wizard #118, 2001]
HOW WALLY WEST WAS WON:
GEOFF JOHNS ON HIS 'FLASH' RUN PREVIEW: 'THE FLASH' #164
May 25, 2000
This July, Geoff Johns leaves Blue Valley for Keystone City, as the new writer for "The Flash." Fans expecting the light touch he brought to "Stars and STRIPE" might be a bit surprised at just how dark the initial "Flash" story is.
"I'm taking a different approach to 'Flash' than 'Stars and STRIPE' or 'Beast Boy,'" Johns told the Comic Wire on Wednesday. "I don't know if grim is the word for it, but it is darker than those other titles. It wasn't a conscious decision - it really just felt right. This tone will carry over into the next story line and beyond."
There will be fans who'll say the six-part "Wonderland" bears more than a passing resemblance to another alternate reality story: the recently concluded "Dark Flash" saga Mark Waid exited with. "In a small way, of course, I see the connection," Johns said. "But having the day lightning struck deleted, not any person but an entire legacy, is the key. I'm also confident you'll really see how radically different the story line takes off as of part 2. As for a comparison to Waid's 'Flash' - let's just say, this story line is sort of a 'transition' into my run."
And, on a more literal level: "Hypertime it is not."
Of course, no matter what sort of story Johns began with, the comparisons to Waid - whose shadow now looms large over the modern Flash - would be inevitable. "Mark is my favorite writer in comics. That's no secret. Following him is a big job, but I'm very confident in who the Flash is, what he does and where he does it. The legacy is a focus, yes, as is his new marriage - but I plan on taking a good hard look at some other elements of Flash that haven't been touched on as much - his locale, what he does other than being a superhero and what all these rites of passages he's gone through have done to him. I'm also going to turn Keystone City and the supporting cast on its head. Expect some big changes, additions and developments in the year ahead."
Of course, Johns has already had his chance to play with elements of the Flash franchise before: "Stars and STRIPE" was set in Wally West's home town of Blue Valley and he gets to write the original Flash, Jay Garrick, every month in the pages of "JSA." There's a simple reason for that. "I love the Flash. Ask my brother and he'll tell you how insane I am over the character. He's the only one I've followed non-stop (through the good and bad) in my 17 years of comics reading.
Right now to me, Wally West has to be THE most confident superhero in the DCU. He's gone through SEVERAL adventures that have just continued to define him as the ultimate Flash. He knows exactly who he is and what he can do.
"The appeal? Hard to pinpoint exactly. I just have tremendous energy when it comes to the Flash."
Without going into too many specifics, Johns also outlined the course "The Flash" will be taking in the next few months. "I'm very excited about the developments pertaining to Keystone City. We're defining it like it's never been defined. I'm also looking forward to building up Wally's Rogues Gallery - both new and old. Also, I've laid out subplots for virtually every member of the supporting cast - I'm looking forward to laying those out."
Of course, this is a moment of mixed emotions for Johns. He's taking over the title of one of DC Comics' classics, but at the same time, he's losing the monthly title he started with at DC, "Stars and STRIPE."
But he's made it clear that the last issue won't be the end of the saga of the new Star-Spangled Kid. "Pat and Courtney will definitely be around in 'JSA.' Along with some other characters from S&S. The Star Spangled Kid will be going through a lot in the year ahead. "
As for them appearing in 'The Flash' down the line. No definite plans yet but with the Blue Valley connection, they've got to meet sometime!"
above info courtesy of www.comicbookresources.com, Comic Wire by Beau Yarbrough.
NEW FACES FOR THE ANCIENT GALLERY JOHNS GIVES "THE FLASH" NEW FOES
December 28, 2000
When Geoff Johns landed the writing assignment on DC Comics' "The Flash," he at first didn't want to talk about it, other than acknowledging that he had, in fact, been given the job of filling outgoing writer Mark Waid's running shoes.
In the home stretch on his first long story arc, Johns is now breathing a bit easier.
"'The Flash' has been going incredibly well," Johns told the Comic Wire on Sunday. "The reactions so far have been great for the most part but I'm anxious to get into January -- and the beginning of my run with new artist Scott Kolins. Originally, I was planning on doing six issues of 'The Flash' - hence the six-part Wonderland story -- but it stretched into a monthly gig. I'm viewing 'Wonderland' as a transition arc to our take on the 'Flash.'"
"Wonderland" ends in issue #169, on sale this week. "Throughout the next year we'll be focusing on Keystone, Wally and his new supporting cast -- as well as rebuilding Flash's rogues gallery. Updating the classics and adding to them."
In addition to the monthly book, and this summer's annual, Johns also has another "Flash" project on the way.
"The Flash: Iron Heights' is a one-shot coming out in June," he said. "Ethan Van Sciver is penciling -- and it's unbelievable. It's going to set the tone and stage for the next year of 'Flash.' We'll be introducing several new rogues, there'll be a twist for Linda and a lot of other surprises."
After "Wonderland" concludes, Wally West will be coming face to face with a creepy cult that's obsessed with him in his role as the Flash -- and his crazy ex-girlfriend, the magnetic-powered Magenta, whom fans may remember from her appearances in "New Titans." That's a vein Johns says he's willing to tap for future stories.
"They are a big part of Wally's past but the connections aren't that prominent. In this year's 'Flash' annual we'll be re-introducing a Titan. If things go well he may be guest-starring fairly often."
above info courtesy of www.comicbookresources.com, Comic Wire by Beau Yarbrough.
Book of the Month: Flash
An article from Wizard #117 [2001]
THE FLASH WRITER GEOFF JOHNS RUNS THE FLASH RAGGED
IN A RELENTLESS RACE AGAINST AN ARMY OF AMPED-UP ROGUES
Not even the Fastest Man Alive can run away from all of his problems Especially when those problems happen to be a dozen new and improved Rogues Gallery villains whore out to leave nothing left of the Flash but a skid mark. For that, Flash has one man to blame - Geoff Johns. Ever since Johns took over the writing reins this past summer with Flash #164, he's made life hard on the Flash, aka. Wally West.
"There has to be an edge to him - I don't want him to get soft," Johns says. "Wally works hard, he gets his hands dirty. And it's eventually going to scar him. I'm going to mine the Rogues and the fact that Keystone City [Wally's home base] is a hardcore, working man's town"
Johns began seasoning the Flash in his first storyarc, a six-part thriller called "Wonderland" in issues #164-#169. In it, Flash wakes up in a parallel universe where the Speed Force - the energy field that gives him his super-speed - doesn't exist, so his powers are on the fritz. In this world, the Flash never existed.
But the worst part? To escape Wonderland, Flash must join forces with two of his mortal enemies, Captain Cold and Mirror Master, who don't play by the same rules as our hero. So while Flash is trying to escape this twisted mirror universe, he's gotta keep the Rogues from getting out of line - like when Cold freezes a cop's jaw, then punches him, effectively knocking his face off (ish #166).
And if that's not bad enough, even deadlier foes crap up to menace the Flash. In the just-completed story arc "Blood Will Run" (issues #170-# 173), Flash faces a new menace - Cicada, a psychotic cult out to murder folks who've been saved by Flash in the past. Plus, Flash's old girlfriend (and a serious whackjob) Frances Kane - the magnetic mutant called Magenta - shows up to bedevil the Flash as well.
"Blood Will Run" further sets the blue-collar tone for both Wally and Keystone City that plays out in future issues. It also introduced a whole new supporting cast: the Keystone police, led by Officer Fred Chyre and Detective Tony Morillo.
"The cops will be around for a long time to come," Johns says. "There will be plenty of subplots with them. Not only that, we'll be seeing revamps of all the Rogues, to update thens and make them really cool."
Johns promises that many of the Flash'S Rogues will crop up in upcoming months - Gorilla Grodd, Dr. Alchemy, the Top, Weather Wizard, Abra Kadabra, Mirror Master, Brother Grimm and of course, Captain Cold. "He's my favorite Flash character - he's such a scumbag," Johns says of the Captain. "He spends all his money on hookers and booze."
Johns also promises a major amping-up of Flash's Rogues Gallery villains in ability, attitude or both. They've finally accomplish some serious bad deeds. "Competence goes a long way, and the Rogues have been devoid of it for far too long," Johns points out. "And for each classic Rogue we 're-introduce,' there'll be a new one joining the ranks."
It's all leading up to the prestige format book Flash: Iron Heights, tentatively scheduled for August, which establishes a new institution in Keystone City-the metahuman prison called Iron Heights. "It's like 'Oz' with superpowers, but edgier," explains Johns. "All the Rogues are there, including some guys we haven't seen in 10 years. It's different from Arkhans and the Slab because guys don't escape. It's going to be very dark and twisted. And the Flash has to break in."
Also this summer, look for a crossover with Green Lantern, and by the end of this year or early 2002, a major event called "Crossfire," where the Flash goes up against literally every Rogue he's ever faced. "Imagine those old Spider-Man stories where he fought the Sinister Six," Johns brags. "Only bigger."
Thinking bigger seems to be Johns' formula for success, whether he's co-writing JSA with David S. Goyer or running solo on The Flash with artist Scott Kolins. "I think the movie thing helps," says Johns, referring to his work as an assistant producer for film director/producer Richard Dormer ("Superman," "Lethal Weapon"). "We up the stakes, we think bigger. I try to add a lot of destruction and chaos. And that's just what we're planning on doing to the Flash for as long as I'm here. Right now, Scott and I have plans up through issue #200, so we're in for the long haul."
FLASH POINTS
The new Flash creative team has had big shoes to fill since writer Mark Waid left the book after eight years, But so far they've kicked ass, Here are some of the high points since writer Geoff Johns and Co. took over with Flash #164:
Way to Accessorize: Stuck in an alternate dimension, Flash is cut off from the Speed Force. So he raids a superhem museum and steals the Rogues Gallery weapons-like Sonar's Sound-Gun, Black Hand's Energy Rod, and Dr. Light's Antigrav Belt - to tackle his enemies. (Flash #167)
Metal Mouth: Flash's ex-girlfriend Magenta wields magnetic powers - but is also as nutty as a loon. When the cops corner her to bring her in for past crimes, she yanks the fillings from Officer Chyre's teeth, giving him a mouthful of pain and blood. Magenta also uses her powers to erase the police computers' hard drives. (Flash #170)
Speed Reading: Flash gets called in to solve a mass-murder case - someone's killing everyone he's ever saved. Racing to the crime scenes, Flash decides to brush up on his forensic science - by reading the forensics handbook in 10 seconds. It takes three more reads for it to sink in. (Flash #171)
Kid Flash?: Flash runs into Officer Julie Jackam, who he had a fling with before he got married, Later, Julie goes home to the joys of single motherhood, and says to her little tyke, "Seeing Wally today,,, maybe I should have told him about you!" Looks like she never told Wally he was a dad! (Flash# 170)
On The Fast Track
An article from Wizard #118 [2001] by Mike Cotton
With a Hollywood background that includes work on the Superman DVD, FLASH and JSA writer Geoff Johns watches his comic career run wild
When Geoff Johns writes the Flash, he doesn't need manuals on the Speed Force or Hypertime - all he has to do it look around and see his own life moving at light speed. Suddenly, he knows just how the Fastest Man Alive feels.
A few years ago, Johns was just another Hollywood insider trying to make a name for himself while working as "Superman" director Richard Donner's assistant. And Johns was doing a good job at it. He played a crucial role in bringing the "Superman" DVD -which hit stores in May-to life, researching tons of extra footage on the classic Christopher Reeve film and digging through archives of screen tests and lost footage, including scenes of Superman facing machine guns and flame throwers inside Lex Luchor's headquarters. Most recently, Johns stepped up as the producer of "The Metal Men" film, based on the DC Comics series and "The Spirit" film based on Will Eisner's classic hero, both of which are currently in pre-production at the Donner Company.
But as the 28-year-old writer has rapidly risen in Hollywood, he's also sped through the comic ranks, earning gigs on Flash and JSA, as well as being tapped to straighten out 60 years of Hawkman's convoluted history. Along with JSA co-writer/fellow Hollywood player David Goyer ("Blade"). Johns revitalized and revamped the character for a return to the DC Universe. And that was no easy task.
"David and I both were a little worried we wouldn't be able to get DC to let us bring Hawkman back," says Johns as he lounges in his Los Angeles apartment while rearranging his JSA action figures. "It was a huge amount of work and responsibility. We took an entire weekend and went through back issues, reprints and anything we could find about Hawkman. In the end, we made it work."
Hawkman's return in April signaled Johns' entry into DC's circle of elite creators such as Mark Waid, John Byrne and Kevin Smith; creators whove been entrusted with the duty of revamping and reinvigorating tired - and often times dead - characters. In fact, the character sparked so much interest, DC gave Johns writing duties on a new Hawkman ongoing launching in November. But working on characters no one else wants isn't new to Johns. His first published comic work was a new take on the Golden Age hero Star-Spangled Kid, followed by the Day of Judgment mini-series which brought the former Green Lantern Hal Jordan back from Hell as the Spectre, a righteous spirit of vengeance. Johns' reputation as a comic writer quickly spread through DC's editorial department. His stint on Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E was seen as a critical success even if the stories of a young heroine and a robot partner based on Golden Age heroes didn't translate into sales.
When Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E was canceled after 14 issues, Johns was given a six-issue run on the Flash. It was a chance he.. well, ran with.
"One of the hard things about doing my first run on Flash was that everything had to be the same when my story ended as when it began," Johns says, sliding into his black 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a trip to the legendary Whisky A Go-Go bar. "I was told to keep the status quo. No deaths, no big changes." In his first story arc "Wonderland," which cemented Johns as a worthy and welcome successor to longtime Flash writer Mark Waid, Flash gets tossed into a reality where there is no Speed Force and therefore no Flash. Johns takes away Flash's powers but gives him a chance to shine as a man who doesn't need to run fast to be a hero.
"Wally's been doing this longer than a lot of heroes," Johns says as he glides through Whisky A Go-Go, where bands such as Guns N Roses and Motley Crue got their starts. "There's so many things you can do with his powers but chat's not all you can do. He's been through so many rites of passage that he's the most sure hero in the world. He's been doing this since he was a kid - with or without the Speed Force he'd be a hero."
Now that Johns has the Flash job, he's earned the right to experiment. His second stor yarc-"Blood Will Run" which kicked off in March's issue #170 - introduced a working class, blue-collar Keystone City, the Flash's hometown. Johns also introduced a psychotic cult killing off citizens the Scarlet Speedster has saved - including a local policewoman, who may be the mother of Wally's illegitimate son. Fans can already tell things are going to change on the fly, but don't expect Johns to let up. He's already got his eye on Flash's Rogue's Gallery as well as a crossover with Green Lantern this summer.
"It's all going to start with Iron Heights," Johns says of the summer one-shot as he sips a $7 cup of Sam Adams beer. "Iron Heights is a prison in the DCU that you've never heard of because no one's ever escaped. Some of the worst villains you've never heard of are there, some you haven't seen in 10 years-they did one crime and were locked up for good. As the warden tells everyone, there is no escape. "I want to take the focus off the Flash Family and put ton the Flash and his Rogues. I want people to think of these kick-ass villains when they think of Flash. These villains have been treated like iokes. I'm going to change that. You take away Captain Cold's suit and cold-gun and he's still a f---ing scumbag - l want to prove that"
And while things are moving at warp speed for the Flash, there's no lack of turmoil over in JSA. Some people felt that book - much like Flash - wouldn't have legs, especially since it starred a cast of heroes such as the Golden Age Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman and Wildcat, heroes all over 60 years old. "It was really daunting for me to come on the book and not know all these characters," Johns says as a stand up comic dies on stage. "I think even David (Goyer) was struggling but by the Obsidian arc, we were good. By issue #12 we really gelled. By the end of issue #15 we Staff Writer Mike Cotton tried calling himself Mr Terrific, but painful noogies from the rest of the staff brought it to an abrupt and thankful end. F---really felt like we knew everyone in the book."
But just because Johns loves Golden Age icons doesn't mean he won't put the old timers through their paces. As the "Return of Hawkman" storyline concludes with June's issue #25, Johns takes over JSA solo while Goyer takes a sabbatical to work on film projects. Johns will miss his good friend, but don't think he's going to pass on the chance to have total control of the world's first superteam.
Fans have seen Black Adam, a longtime Captain Marvel villain, hanging around the team claiming he's reformed. Johns says as soon as the Hawkman epic is over, don't be surprised if Captain Marvel shows up at the JSA's headquarters to challenge Adam's claims. Also expect a new female villain named Roulette to appear.
"I think the job with JSA is to live up to what's expected," Johns says. "These are heroes with a long history. We're not trying to live up to the JLA. We're trying to live up to the JSA - they were the first, the best, and the proudest." It's Johns' sense of history that makes him equally comfortable with comic books and films. As he's talking about the JSA, Johns lapses into discussing the unseen footage from the "Superman" DVD. While working for Donner over the past four and a half years, Johns has spread his wings, progressing from Donner's assistant to getting a chance to prep scripts and serve as assistant producer. "I want to merge comics and movies. I'd love to do a 'Flash' movie.
If I could even come close to Donner's 'Superman' then it would be a hit," Johns says. "Can you imagine how cool a 'Flash' or 'Green Lantern' movie could be?" Johns is well on his way to actually merging his two loves. After almost five years of service, he's opted to leave the Donner Company and begin working as a full-time freelance writer and producer in Hollywood. But he'll be the first to tell you that even if he becomes the next Donner, he won't be leaving his comic book work behind, no matter how busy he gets. "Ultimately, I want to direct and write-but I always want to write comics," Johns says as he slips out onto the still bright Sunset Boulevard at 2 a.m.
"Comics are always going to be the job I love. What's better than working with your friends and making comic books? Things move fast in LA. but I write the Fastest Man Alive - I think I can keep up."
