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A note from Geoff Johns

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

By David Hyde

“WOW.”

That’s the first thing I said too when I heard about the team Diane wanted to form to guide DC Entertainment both in and out of the comic book pages and into the not-so-distant future. That not-so-distant future being today.

And in the words of my Tiny Titans collaborators, “AW YEAH, DC COMICS!”

The second thing I said to Diane was, “Um, what about writing? I love writing. I can’t stop writing!” Diane smiled and said, “…writing’s part of the job!” Right away, I knew I was in. This was a dream come true. So what am I going to be doing besides writing Green Lantern, The Flash, Batman: Earth One and Brightest Day? What’s “Chief Creative Officer” even mean? It sounds like a suit job…thankfully I’m still wearing my t-shirts. Even in the blizzards here in New York. But before I get into what new things I’ll be doing, I want to tell you why I’ve decided to jump into DC Entertainment full on, as if it wasn’t obvious already.

1) The People.

I’ve worked with Dan and Jim over the years and, honestly, there are very few people I admire more in my life, inside or outside of the comic book world. Dan’s leadership, endless energy and devotion to pushing boundaries is infectious and Jim’s pure talent, enthusiasm and dedication to exploring the outlets of the future inspiring. In the short time I’ve come to know John and Patrick, I feel a sense of progression and history forging together, both of which make DC what it is.

And now there’s Diane. Someone whose passion and understanding of the value of the creative process is undoubtedly going to lead DC Entertainment into an incredible new era for all of us fans, soon-to-be-fans and fellow creators – the writers and artists who create the lifeblood of this industry. I can’t wait for you to meet Diane. Her warmth and sincerity has made me feel like I’ve known her my entire life. Just like DC Comics. Which brings me to the second reason this totally rocks.

2) The Mythologies.

There is no place on Earth that has a more diverse and deep universe of characters and worlds. From Atrocitus to Y: The Last Man. My love for DC started when I first saw the Flash take on Captain Cold in the Challenge of the Super-Friends. I never ate my Honeycomb that fast. It when I bought my first comic books in 1985, including Crisis on Infinite Earths, alongside my Super Powers figures and only grew over the years until I broke into the industry myself.

So what does a “Chief Creative Officer” do? Well, I still wear t-shirts and write and go to conventions, but I’ll be doing a whole lot more too.

Under the leadership of Jim and Dan, I’ll continue writing and giving my creative input as I have been in comic books. But expanding onto that, Diane’s asked me to take our comic book world, embrace it (as I do) and use it to lead the creative charge on bringing it all to film, toys, television, video games, animation and beyond. The Justice Society appearing on Smallville was only the beginning.

Let’s all let this sink in a little more: Martin Campbell of Casino Royale is directing Green Lantern. And over the last few months, I’ve met with Ryan Reynolds to talk all-things Green Lantern, I’ve worked closely with Green Lantern producer Donald Deline and screenwriter Michael Goldenberg on the script (Aw yeah, Kilowog!) and I’ve realized that the Green Lantern comics and film and everything growing out of them (wait until you see what!) is only the beginning of what DC Entertainment has coming our way under Diane and Jeff Robinov’s leadership. And I have to say something about Jeff too. He’s made Warner Brothers the most successful and artist-friendly studio out there and that will carry over into DC Entertainment. He knows what we know: the potential of DC is infinite. We couldn’t be in better hands on that front. Expect the characters we love, the A-list and the ones even you and I might barely know, to be shepherded into the “outside world” with respect, care and unbridled energy. They’ll be plenty of Batman and Superman, but there are a whole lot of characters from the DC Universe, Mad, Vertigo and Wildstorm waiting to be unleashed.

They might say, “The sky is the limit!” at other places when looking at the new opportunities ahead. They think too small. We all know the sky isn’t the limit at DC. The universe isn’t even the limit. There isn’t one.

I was going to close this out with one of my favorite phrases from Blackest Night – “All Will Be Well!” – but I think another one can sum up DC Entertainment and the people and creative teams behind it.

“Beware Our Power!”

Aw.

Yeah.

Geoff

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This entry was posted on Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 10:25 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

29 Responses to “A note from Geoff Johns”

  1. ryaztek says on February 18th, 2010 at 10:28 am :

    Geoff this is so awesome and it is a perfect move for you. You have brought the excitement that I felt as a child reading DC Comics back to me as an adult with Blackest Night and I am so looking forward to seeing you at the helm of the DCU in Brightest Day and beyond. What you have done with Mera’s character is nothing short of amazing and I look forward to many more great stories. Best Wishes!!!

  2. wildclaw says on February 18th, 2010 at 10:30 am :

    Well done Geoff. You have worked hard. You totally deserve this. I love your writing and your Smallville episodes. Thanx for making a big kid happy every week.

  3. redhurricane24 says on February 18th, 2010 at 10:32 am :

    Mr. Johns, all I can say is Congratulations for this accomplishment you have rightfully deserved. Ever since reading your wondrous work on Superman: Last Son, I’ve been hooked consistently with your uncanny ability to revitalize any character, regardless of previous stigma. (Your Green Lantern contributions are the literal truth.) I enthusiastically look forward to your conclusion of your opus of Blackest Night and to the beginning of Brightest Day, and onto whatever project is blessed to have your skills being applied to. Many years of success to you, sir, you damn sure deserve it!!

  4. mofoti says on February 18th, 2010 at 10:53 am :

    This is so freaking awesome! Congrats to Mr. Geoff John’s.

  5. Godi says on February 18th, 2010 at 10:54 am :

    Geoff you deserve all the success you are having and more! Take good care of all these charecters that I love so much!

  6. Comics Creators Gain New Executive Super-Powers - ArtsBeat Blog - NYTimes.com says on February 18th, 2010 at 10:59 am :

    [...] projects like “Identity Crisis.” They’ll be joined in the board room by Geoff Johns, the writer of titles like “Infinite Crisis” and “Blackest Night,” who was [...]

  7. brik-el says on February 18th, 2010 at 11:04 am :

    Good going Geoff!

    And to think that I was just reading your first words in a DC comic book, when this pops up!

    Oh, what was I reading?

    Well, that was the “Kid Stuff” letter column in the back of Superboy #26(cover date Apr. ‘96)!!

    All the best, Eh!

    Yes. I am a fan from The Great White North!

  8. ryaztek says on February 18th, 2010 at 11:07 am :

    Jslab425 posted:

    http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2010/02/aquaman_no_longer_sleeps_with.html?sc=fb&cc=fp

  9. droolingfanboy says on February 18th, 2010 at 11:28 am :

    Does this mean you’re in charge of editorial? I hope so, maybe you will tone down these event comics. They’re driving me crazy (and poor) each year “This event will change everything” Well, how about taking some time and seeing how those changes work. I like your work and love of the characters (especially the golden age ones) and I hope this will spill over to the rest of the company.

  10. meisterlegion says on February 18th, 2010 at 11:55 am :

    Congratulations Geoff on your appointment to CCO! YOU ARE THE MAN!

    I have to echo @ryaztek’s comment’s: you are the perfect fit for this position. You have an amazing ability to make us all feel like kids on Christmas morning when we get one of your stories in our hands or see it on television. I’m so happy and have restored faith in DCE…it’s not as scarey for me now knowing that “change” was going to happen.

  11. DC Universe: The Source » Blog Archive » A note from Geoff Johns : Tales from the Longbox says on February 18th, 2010 at 12:25 pm :

    [...] DC Universe: The Source » Blog Archive » A note from Geoff Johns A note from Geoff Johns [...]

  12. Kooster says on February 18th, 2010 at 12:47 pm :

    Dear Geoff,

    Hi! Aw yeah, congratulations!!! I’m personally glad to see that you’ve been given a prominent position at DCE that shows how important you’ve been to the DCU and to Warner Bros!

    I’m really looking forward to how the Green Lantern movie will turn out, especially with your continued involvement!

    I’m anxiously awaiting to hear about your plans of rolling out the rest of the DCU onto the big screen! And maybe, just maybe, we’ll see the JSA rolled out to the small screen sometime soon?!?

    And, aw yeah! How about launching Tiny Titans onto Cartoon Network?

    Thanks for staying at DC Comics and helping to turn out great books and great ideas!!!

  13. anniemoose says on February 18th, 2010 at 1:25 pm :

    Aw yeah, Geoff! Three cheers for you!

    This is so exciting. With Geoff as CCO, how could DCE possibly go wrong?! I’m also thrilled to hear about his involvement in the GL movie. And I agree with Kooster–Tiny Titans should get a show!

    Thanks for all your hard work to make comics awesome. Keep it up!

  14. DC selects new executives: Dan DiDio, Jim Lee named co-publishers; Geoff Johns named chief creative officer | Nerdage says on February 18th, 2010 at 1:39 pm :

    [...] Johns shares his thoughts about the new job at DC’s Source [...]

  15. DC selects new executives: Dan DiDio, Jim Lee named co-publishers; Geoff Johns named chief creative officer | Nerdage says on February 18th, 2010 at 1:39 pm :

    [...] Johns shares his thoughts about the new job at DC’s Source [...]

  16. badsoul says on February 18th, 2010 at 1:58 pm :

    “Beware Our Power!”

    hell yeah!!!!!!!!!

  17. kimota94 says on February 18th, 2010 at 2:10 pm :

    Congratulations Geoff! Couldn’t happen to a nicer (or better qualified) person!

    Now, can we finally get a good Superman movie, please? Pretty please??

  18. badsoul says on February 18th, 2010 at 2:37 pm :

    and so brightest day begins

  19. A Few Thoughts on the New Guardians of the (DC) Universe: Jim Lee, Dan DiDio, Geoff Johns - Techland - TIME.com says on February 18th, 2010 at 3:11 pm :

    [...] potentially worrying note: his introductory note goes on at length about DC properties (and curiously mentions Y: The Last Man, which last I looked [...]

  20. Some thoughts on DC’s new ‘executive management team’ [Updated] | Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources – Covering Comic Book News and Entertainment says on February 18th, 2010 at 3:54 pm :

    [...] creation of new characters. Johns, who already has a hand in film and TV adaptations of DC comics, revealed that as chief creative officer he’ll “lead the creative charge on bringing [DC's 'comic-book [...]

  21. polmanning says on February 18th, 2010 at 5:25 pm :

    As a fan of DC for many years, I have nothing but confidence in Geoff Johns’s enthusiasm for DC and its characters. He’s a very good writer.

    But his biggest talent may be his vision; he sees how to bring these characters and concepts into the the modern age, making them seem brand new.

    His Green Lantern is evidence of that. Best wishes, Geoff!

  22. albatross says on February 18th, 2010 at 6:15 pm :

    Congrats, Geoff!! My only qualm is that, well… I was really enjoying you writing 15 books a month(exaggeration)… i wonder how badly this new position will affect his monthly output…?

  23. JLA not the only roster shakeup at DC Entertainment... | Heroes N Hunks says on February 18th, 2010 at 7:12 pm :

    [...] thrilled! As long as he keeps writing too. But that shouldn’t be a problem according to this statement from Johns himself… Under the leadership of Jim and Dan, I’ll continue writing and giving my creative input as [...]

  24. JLA not the only roster shakeup at DC Entertainment... | QueerSUPE says on February 18th, 2010 at 7:13 pm :

    [...] thrilled! As long as he keeps writing too. But that shouldn’t be a problem according to this statement from Johns himself… Under the leadership of Jim and Dan, I’ll continue writing and giving my creative input as [...]

  25. theflashfan says on February 19th, 2010 at 2:18 am :

    Congratulations Geoff! ^^

  26. DC Shakes Up Leadership « says on February 19th, 2010 at 2:01 pm :

    [...] Geoff Johns has an unparalleled creative mind and a huge heart. He brings a level of enthusiasm, passion and [...]

  27. dewbak75 says on February 22nd, 2010 at 9:03 am :

    Congrats Geoff, the job couldn’t go to a more deserving guy. Your work on Green Lantern since bringing Hal back is what made me the comics fan I am today, and I’m truly amazed at your storytelling skills, reading things today that draw together story elements you’ve been laying out for 5 years or more. I can’t think of a better person to guide DC’s characters into other media(just as long as you keep writing GL for a good long time). All Will Be Well, indeed!(btw, Saint Walker has got to be my favorite new character from all this Blackest Night stuff, keep him around!)

  28. DC Entertainment Announces New Executive Team | Comics says on February 24th, 2010 at 12:05 pm :

    [...] Geoff Johns [...]

  29. Book Review: The Silent Note by Patrick Davis | My Top Piano Lessons says on March 4th, 2010 at 12:49 pm :

    [...] DC Universe: The Source » Blog Archive » A note from Geoff Johns [...]

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