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SOURCE SPECIAL: GEOFF JOHNS TALKS THE FLASH, PART 2

Friday, March 5th, 2010

By Alex Segura

Yesterday, we talked to THE FLASH writer Geoff Johns about Barry Allen, his Rogues and what it means to be a hero. But there’s more to cover, folks, so why stop there?

We’re happy to present the conclusion of our two-part chat with Geoff, where we talk about his amazing artistic collaborator Francis Manapul, what’s coming with the new series and the one page that’ll keep you guessing.

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Alex Segura: Let’s talk about Francis Manapul for a second. He brings a very neo-classical look to THE FLASH and his previous work in ADVENTURE. He’s got the goods — excellent storytelling, stunning splash pages/covers and a style that is both fresh but also rooted in the classics. What makes him the perfect guy to relaunch THE FLASH with? What’s it like working with him?

Geoff Johns: Francis Manapul brings a renewed energy to the world of the Flash and in particular Barry Allen. We’re really looking at this book as taking place firmly in the present (unless the cosmic treadmill is involved) and moving the Flash, his supporting cast and the Rogues into the future. Francis is key to that. His work really speaks for itself, but the energy he’s given the Flash — and you can see it in just a few of the sample pages — is undeniable. His Barry Allen is earnest, smart, strong and methodical. His Flash never stops. I’m honored to be teamed up with such a fantastic artist on the first ever Barry Allen Flash #1 issue. Couldn’t ask for more.

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AS: Now, it’s obvious you’re no stranger to the world of The Flash, with your previous, lengthy run on the book, which dealt mainly with Wally West and his role. In many ways, you created very strong connections and parallels between Wally and Barry: the Rogues, the return of Wally’s secret identity and the roots of the Flash stretching backward and forward in time. How are the other characters who’ve been called Flash going to fit into the new book? Are we going to see them crop up later, with the first few arcs cementing Barry in his new/old role?

GJ: You’ll have to be patient to see the other heroes and villains who tap into the Speed Force show up. There’s a story, a big one, but we won’t get there right away. I love long term planning and this is a book I have a story to tell. More will be clear in issue #1.

AS: Going back a bit to Barry’s history — what are the stories that stand out for you as the best examples of what you’re trying to do with this chapter of THE FLASH? Did any in particular provide some inspiration?

GJ: I don’t want to select a single story. It’s more the inception of the character and the creation of a new age of heroes. Barry Allen, for me, represents that optimism and forward thinking that reignited superheroes in the first place. Our approach to the book isn’t what a lot of people will expect, especially with that story title of the first arc - CASE ONE: THE DASTARDLY DEATH OF THE ROGUES. There are a lot of mysteries here and a lot of crimes to solve and crimes to stop. There’s an exploration of speed and what it does to us today, how we can succumb to it or be seduced by it. What do we have time for in our “busy” lives? Are we really too busy we have to send text messages instead of calling someone? Or is it easier to keep in touch with our loved ones that way? Do we need more hours in the day or do we need to stop overfilling up the hours we have? What is speed? What is time? What does it all mean to us in our lives day-to-day and year-to-year?

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AS: In closing, I’d like to tap into your inner fan a bit. How exciting is it to be bringing back such a beloved character to the DCU? Are there any moments that you’ve written or seen on the finished page that have made you stop for a second and smile? What can readers expect from THE FLASH book that’ll hook them?

GJ: The last page of issue #1. That oughta do it. :)

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This entry was posted on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 9:00 am and is filed under From the Creators, Interviews. 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.

23 Responses to “SOURCE SPECIAL: GEOFF JOHNS TALKS THE FLASH, PART 2”

  1. badsoul says on March 5th, 2010 at 9:27 am :

    i am exited. geoff johns + long term planning = great story

  2. » Blog Archive » Geoff Johns talks the Flash on the Source and a quick shout out to Last Stand of New Krypton says on March 5th, 2010 at 9:27 am :

    [...] http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/03/05/source-special-geoff-johns-talks-the-flash-part-2/ [...]

  3. airshipoverwater says on March 5th, 2010 at 9:51 am :

    I’m a Wally and Bart fan, but Geoff has made me care about Barry with his writing in Flash Rebirth and Blackest Night.

    I really am super excited for this. I just have a feeling this is going to be another example of Geoff outdoing himself.

  4. Zawisza says on March 5th, 2010 at 10:59 am :

    Odds on that last page being a sliver page with multiple future peeks like the last page of Booster Gold and JSA were?

    I’m not a fan of Barry. He died in CIOE. Wally stepped up, made the effort and became THE Flash. Johns and Manapul on this book might be enough for me to check it out though.

    Maybe I’ll tradewait it so the read will be. . . quicker!

  5. More Flash Talk With Geoff Johns « Speed Force says on March 5th, 2010 at 11:02 am :

    [...] has posted the second half of their interview with Geoff Johns about the Flash. This time he talks more about the new series (though most of it [...]

  6. DC Universe: The Source » Blog Archive » SOURCE SPECIAL: GEOFF JOHNS TALKS THE FLASH, PART 2 : Tales from the Longbox says on March 5th, 2010 at 11:14 am :

    [...] DC Universe: The Source » Blog Archive » SOURCE SPECIAL: GEOFF JOHNS TALKS THE FLASH, PART 2 Friday, March 5th, 2010 [...]

  7. Bendis and Fraction talk writing and The Heroic Age | Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources – Covering Comic Book News and Entertainment says on March 5th, 2010 at 11:35 am :

    [...] The issue also includes an extended Q&A with Geoff Johns in which he talks about his influences, Brightest Day, The Flash: Secret Origin and more. (On a related note, Johns wraps up his two-part interview at The Source today.) [...]

  8. slat88 says on March 5th, 2010 at 11:41 am :

    I’m a Geoff Johns fan, and I’m always ready to give him the benefit of the doubt, but after Final Crisis and Flash Rebirth, I still don’t know why Barry Allen is important. Even in Blackest Night, he seemed like an odd choice to represent Hope (especially with Superman standing right there…)

    I’ll be holding off on this one, at least until the TPB comes out (which could mean another year or two, with DC’s recent hardcover push).

  9. jorel1983 says on March 5th, 2010 at 1:51 pm :

    I am a fan of bringing old characters back to prominence but Geoff has a lot on his plate:GL, Brightest day, Flash, plus being the CCO of DCE I just hope he doesn’t have to much and make books late because of outside commitments

  10. pookdogg says on March 5th, 2010 at 2:19 pm :

    I was a big fan of slow burn that was tha 6 years of GL & the way that he was also able to guide 2 fairly large events in Sinestro Corps War & the current Blackest Night. And I really loved the first 6 episodes of Adventure where these two were taking Superboy to the next level. Francis art in that book & the pages we’ve seen so far her are what is drawing me towards picking up The Flash when it comes out. I was never really a fan of The Flash but I’ll give it a couple issues to try to capture my attention. I really hope that Johns get to finish his take on Superboy somewhere… I also hope that Wally is featured prominently in this book either as a co-feature or in the issue itself. I wasn’t really impressed with The Flash REBIRTH as I don’t think it really did anything to excite me about an ongoing series like GL REBIRTH did. But I hope that Johns has a longterm plan with this the same way that he did with GL…

  11. knives23 says on March 5th, 2010 at 3:06 pm :

    wait is their gonna be a second feature to the flash comic that stars Wally West written by Geoff johns art by Scott Kollins????????

  12. polmanning says on March 5th, 2010 at 3:34 pm :

    knives23 - not right away; DC editorial has decided that co-features aren’t working, and the Kid Flash book is also on hold. But they said the stories they were planning to tell in those places will still appear, a bit later.

    Anyway, I wasn’t that sold by Rebirth. I thought it was mostly a big continuity-fest, and lacking in a compelling conflict.

    But between Barry in Blackest Night, and the AMAZING preview pages seen here (neat dialogue and gorgeous pages from Mr. Manapul), I’m really excited for the new ongoing. Bring on this book!

  13. albatross says on March 5th, 2010 at 6:11 pm :

    sigh… I’ll freakin’ buy it. And I’m sure I’ll love it.

    When I first got into comics at age 11, I thought the Flash was more lame than Aquaman. Once I got a good bit older, I began to think the Flash was actually pretty cool. Morrisson/Waid’s JLA stories and the end of Waid’s looooong run on Flash (yes, also the Walter West days!) got me interested in the character. I started buying the book into Johns’ second arc, and was HOOKED! Wally is an awesome hero! The bad guys are great! There’s so much history!! I’ve been a big Wally fan for years and years. When Johns left for Infinite Crisis, The Flash suffered terribly. The last arc was trash IMO, then we got ‘Fastest Man Alive’ that wasn’t garbage but definitely plagued with problems, then Waid brought us the Flash Family… and left. The book floundered and ended again… oy.
    As I’ve said, I’m a Wally West guy, but if Johns and the very talented Mr. Manapul can bring us quality Flash comics, I’m okay with Barry being the lead Flash. I know Wally, Linda, Bart, Jay, and the rest will be showing up plenty, so I’m all for it!

  14. thecoyotegospel says on March 5th, 2010 at 6:57 pm :

    Some of these comments have made me realize that, six issues of Rebirth later, I couldn’t tell you what the conflict really was. And Barry’s last lines (”Sorry I’m late”) pissed me off. Glad DC keeps the in-continuity insults running.

    Hopefully this book sells me in the ways that Rebirth didn’t.

  15. The Flash: II Parte » DC Leaguers says on March 6th, 2010 at 5:39 pm :

    [...] la chiacchierata sul blog ufficiale DC The Source fra Geoff Johns e Alex Segura riguardante la nuova serie regolare (il primo numero è previsto per [...]

  16. pooh73 says on March 8th, 2010 at 10:52 pm :

    I have been reading comics for a good while now and i must say i am disapointed in the treatment of on Mr. Wally West..aka..The Flash…the real Fastest Man Alive.Don’t get me wrong,i am(or should i say was)a Barry Allen fan.I was one of the millions who was Very Upset when he was kiled in the first Crisis.Then DC comics did something in comics i had never seen before and they did it right also.They made the sidekick of a major hero carry the mantle.Not only that but we the readers were along for the ride.We watch heartbroken,insecure,only-able-to-break-the-soundbarrier-at-the-time-just-cured-from-my-speed-is-killing-me-Wally West grow to be the greatest Flash ever!!!!AND YES THAT INCLUDES THE GREAT BARRY ALLEN.He made mistakes at first-had women troubles-won the lottery-covered the eyelids on the suit,but over time he overcame all of it.Wally’s shinning moment came in the Return Of Barry Allen story arc,I love what Geoff Johns has done with Wally(except the kids….you painted yorself in a coner with that one big guy)but that arc tells you everything you need to know about Wally West and why he is the best flash.So now after years of proving himself as the fastest and the best how do they thank him…..by giving him the suit from the 90’s t.v. show and covering his eyes again!!!!!!!SHAME ON YOU GEOFF,DAN(Mr. I-Wanna-Kill-Night-wing)and i see you Mr. ETHAN!!!!!!!I have ranted long enough and no one will read this anyway but i will end on two notes….1)When will Mr. Holly Grail Barry’s part in the mind wipes come back up(i bet never….glitch in the matrix like IRIS being WAAAAAAAAY young again with no explaintion)…..and 2)How long is it gonna take DC to realize that Flash fans are not like Green Lantern fans(Barry died the way a hero should…….he didn’t go crazy like Hal…..that is what happen….don’t sell me that “Yellow Impurity” crap….i ain’t buying it) P.s…i don’t want anyone to aruge that Dick Grayson is Batman now because we all know that they have it set up for Bruce Wyane to come back at the end of the year….Wally is the Only One who filled his mentor’s shoes(sans wings)AND EXCEEDED THEM….I will try to keep reading the Flash but after Rebirth…i really don’t know…..will Keep Up with MR.Wally West tho…..MY NAME IS POOH73……….and my Flash is Wally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  17. epedreros says on March 9th, 2010 at 3:44 pm :

    1.- Why did DC cancel the backup?

    2.- Why does Mr. Manapul draw Barry and Iris so young?

    3.- How on Earth would the Speed Force keep Iris young if she hasn’t been around Barry, nor does she has any powers?

    4.- Even if Iris looks young, why would she act young, she is around her 60s… was she too old to be hot?

    5.- Does DC read the comments here on “the Source”?… then remove this section already.

    6.- Why is geoff obsessed with Prof. Zoom, he is the lamest Flash villain.

  18. meisterlegion says on March 9th, 2010 at 6:18 pm :

    @epedreros (I’ll take a stab at it):
    1. I think you know the answer here - hurting sales
    2. The Speed Force keeps them young. Barry was 24 years old when he appeared on the scene. In our time 24-years have passed since his first appearance. Barry and Iris would look 48, but again, this is “comic book time” and we’re also dealing with the Speed Force, which keeps them younger looking at a very healthy, young 36.
    3. Iris has been around Wally, and Jay which are also an extension of the Speed Force.
    4. Again, comic-book time. And, I’m older than 36 and still text and act/feel young.
    5. I think they DO…and they Twitter too!
    6. Everyone has their favorite Flash Rouge - don’t knock Geoff’s. Mine was always Dr. Alchemy…at least that’s who I would pretend to be at 10 and 11 years old when we did pretend super-heroes.

    Try visiting this site to help - not official, but may help you: dcu.smartmemes.com/_DCTL_MainIntro.html

  19. pooh73 says on March 9th, 2010 at 7:00 pm :

    note…..i know Mark Waid wrote Return OF Barry Allen and not Geoff Johns(but i know he read it)i just don’t type very well…..My Flash Is Wally West……….and he is the Fastest Man Alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  20. epedreros says on March 9th, 2010 at 11:47 pm :

    @meisterlegion

    1.- The Backup was cancelled before it was ever released, therefore, we couldn’t possibly know if would hurt or improve sales. I would have liked to read that backup, almost enough to make me buy the book, but I can’t say if more people would feel the same.
    Other backups haven’t worked out because they have been poorly planned. It’s not only the extra money they cost, but the lack of interest for the main book. You can’t put a backup on a Red Circle title, when nobody wants to read those Archie characters (check out the sales charts, they should have been cancelled with issue one).

    2.- I read the Speed Force explanation, and I’m sorry but it’s stupid. It’s a convenient explanation for the writer so he can have a lead character looking young and attractive, but the story of Iris is that she lived in the future for a couple of decades before coming back to the XXI century with her Grandson, looking for Wally’s help.
    I would be interesting to have an odd couple with Barry in his mid-thirties and Iris in her mid-fifties, proving that “Love triumphs all”.

    And I’m talking about Comicbook time, in real time they would be too old.

    3.- Well it just doesn’t cut it. I don’t know why Johns has to retcon everything he writes, he announced a Secret Origin for this book, what the hell for? so he can introduce new retcons?
    They weren’t needed in the first place.

    4.- All my complains are in comicbook time.

    5.- They sure ignore all of us the annoying fans who complain about everything. Fans who cheer are cool, fans who complain are idiots who should get a life.

    6.- The Reverse is a lame villain because he is a Mirror character with simple motivations, that simply doesn’t make much sense, he is the archetype of the villain who’s a villain for villainess’s sake. Annoying.

  21. pooh73 says on March 11th, 2010 at 4:57 pm :

    for everyone who dislike the Reverse-Flash/Prof. Zoom all you have to do is read “The Return Of Barry Allen” TPB(all real flash fan should already have or have it)to know he is not a “villain who’s a villain for villainess(??????)sake”

  22. epedreros says on March 11th, 2010 at 10:20 pm :

    I made up that word :D

    And that’s about the only good thing that ever came with the character. The only time he’s ever been interesting.

    For example, what was the point of all the built up for “Rogues War”, to just transform the story in yet another showdown between Wally and Zoom?.

    The character has no depth, Zolomon was more interesting, but only for the lenght of Blitz, after that, I didn’t care for him anymore.

  23. pooh73 says on March 16th, 2010 at 12:53 pm :

    to epedreros……what can i say…you are correct about how the character has been used in later stories…..but the fault lies in the writing and not the character…as you may have read(ha!!!!!) i’m a wally west fan but the character has not been written well for some years now.geoff johns is now the go-to guy for the whole dcu now and the only thing they focused on the last few years was the blackest night. and let all of us be real Dan DiDio is NOT A COMIC BOOK PERSON….won’t get into that rant now…..but it will take a writer who truly loves and understand the characters( not sales and “shock deaths and resurection)to bring a villian(and hero for that matter)back to true greatness……sidenote: after the “car-crash rubber necking ” sales of barry’s return dies watch the sale drop month after month on the flash series watch dc kill a speedster to spike sales( will be barry or wally cuz one will have to go mark my woods….MARK “EM!!!!!!!!!! :D

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