VAN SCIVER TALKS ABOUT GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH

[MattBrady]

by Ryan McLelland

October’s Green Lantern: Rebirth mini-series will be sure to delight most and anger some with the return of one of the DC Universe’s most elite superheroes – Hal Jordan. Sure Hal Jordan went crazy, killed many, died himself, and became the mysterious Spectre, but that’s all in the past. Under the guise of writer Geoff Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver, the five issue miniseries will see Hal Jordan back in the green and white costume he was born to wear.

Newsarama took a moment to sit down with Van Sciver to talk about Rebirth and the franchise DC is hoping will become one of its top three series.

Newsarama: First off, how excited are you to be on Green Lantern: Rebirth, a mini-series that will be sure to delight a lot of fans yet anger some others with the return of Hal Jordan?

Ethan Van Sciver: Well, I'm fairly excited. I might even suggest that I'm enjoying myself thoroughly while producing the art for this prestigious miniseries, and that each day is a joy and a pleasure. And I'm not one to shy away from controversy. Those who believe they will be angered while reading Rebirth are mistaken. We will gently caress their furrowed brows and whisper our beautiful evil into their open ears, “Shhhh! Hal Jordan is back. Relax, honey.”

NRAMA: What are your thoughts on Hal Jordan? Were you a fan of him as Green Lantern?

EVS: He's brand new to me. It's only been the past year that I've gone back and read the older stuff, with beautiful art by Neal Adams, and then later Dave Gibbons. And then I went ahead and read Emerald Twilight, and felt what I guess many fans must have felt at the time.

NAMA: Do you think his redemption is needed in the DC Universe?

EVS: I won't say whether I believe a redemption is required for Hal Jordan but more needs to be said about him and what happened to him.

NRAMA: DC has released one of your images of Hal, with the big guy looking pretty much the same way he did back in, well, just pick any year. Was it discussed to ever give Hal a new look or was it always going to be a back to basics approach?

EVS: They fought me on it! They said things like, "Let's give him a robot arm" and "Perhaps Hal should accessorize more. A gun, maybe?" But I stuck up for tradition and American values and said, "Damnit, you heathens! Hal Jordan belongs in that classic green and black suit! It's what's mean to be!"

They fired me, rehired me, then I quit, then I was lured back, fired and sued, and then finally rehired once more with benefits, and we all agreed that I was right in the first place. Perfect.

Actually, it was clear from the start. That costume, that look, is iconic and shouldn't be goofed with. We all agree. It's Green Lantern.

NRAMA: Is there a bad guy or bad guys in the mini …and can you say who they might be? Are they new villains or some good old baddies?

EVS: There are always bad guys. Familiar faces will be seen. This is Geoff Johns, after all. He loves the villains.

NRAMA: How is Hal’s rebirth accepted? What’s the reaction from the heroes?
EVS: That's a big 'no comment' there.

NM: Fair enough. How has drawing this project been? Did you like playing around with a lot of characters at one time?

EVS: Well, let me say this about that. I love the DCU. I love all the characters…except for one or two, and I really, really hate those ones - and I am not morally opposed to playing around with them. All in all, I'd like to increase the amount of Plastic Man in any project I am involved with by about 36%, but it wasn't appropriate or legal on New X-Men, and Geoff has explained to me that too much Plastic Man in a Green Lantern book might make a title change necessary. So I humbly submit to his judgment on that one issue.

But let me also make it plain that Geoff Johns has emptied the contents of his very heart into the project, buoyed by the support of his friends and colleagues around him, myself included. Those who've read Geoff Johns' work before are aware of his unique vision, his masterful sculpting of fictional destinies, and must anticipate that this will be his finest effort yet. They won't come away dissatisfied.

NRAMA: What’s going on with Hal’s gray hair? Is he back to sporting the Reed Richards look, or can the ring create Just For Men coloring?

EVS: The Hal Jordan gray hair issue will be met and dealt with head on within Rebirth.

NRAMA: From your view, what’s the excitement level in general about Rebirth’s release?

EVS: There's a flock of people in Green Lantern shirts camped outside of my studio window. They've been there for many days. They frighten away Mormon missionaries, and they won't go home. So I guess there's some excitement.

NRAMA: Lastly, what’s next on your drawing plate after Rebirth?

EVS: Something scandalous! Probably more Green Lantern. We'll have to wait and see where 2005 takes us.

[MattZitron]

YEAH BOY!!!!!!

Hal Jordan back in the saddle.

Just been re-reading Hard Travelling Heroes.

And undoubtedly we'll get a new version later next year.

If anyone can do it its Johns. I'm really enjoying his JSA.

But DC, why not pay Kevin Nowlan or Adam Hughes to do the covers?

I know for a fact that Kevin loves GL.

And the first reply to a Green Lantern thread!

[cyberjedi]

Unfinished business. Green Lantern.

Hal coming back.

Makes me smile....

[Vyper]

Okay, so this is a blast from the past for Ethan - but whatever happened to Cyberfrog? Are there any plans, hints of plans, rumors, glints in someone's eye, anything of the sort to bring back the cybernetic amphibian?

P.S. I really, really want to see the Cyberfrog: Amphibionics mini that was announced years ago and then quickly swept under the rug.

P.P.S. Does anyone here have any clue as to what I'm talking about?

[MattBrady]

Originally posted by Vyper
Okay, so this is a blast from the past for Ethan - but whatever happened to Cyberfrog?

My first-ever piece for Wizard was intrerviewing Ethan about CyberFrog...what, ten years ago?

Ethan, we are old men.

MattB

[Kevenn]

Never been a big Green Lantern fan, but this was a great article to read. My favorite quote in it definitely had to be:

"They frighten away Mormon missionaries, and they won't go home."

LOL!

[Vyper]

Originally posted by MattBrady
My first-ever piece for Wizard was intrerviewing Ethan about CyberFrog...what, ten years ago?

Ethan, we are old men.

MattB

Uhm, does the fact that I have all the color issues of CyberFrog make me an old man? Ah, what the hell - CF was a great read, fun, uncomplicated, and with pretty artwork.

Ethan, your fans want more Froggie!

[dee_dee26m]

What a great interview!!

This sounds like an awesome and exciting project and i'm by no means a DC lover or Lantern fan. I can't wait to see Van Sciver's pages - his art in New X-Men was truly stunning.

[Dreighton]

Nice hype article. I liked the page of art (this a cover?) from Evan. I wasn't a big fan of his art on New X-Men, but he has some potential, and the cover looked great.

The biggest question of all wasn't asked..."How in the hell, are you going to take Hal, an undead avenging killer, who is trying to make up from being a live killer, back into a heroic Green Lantern?" Of course this is I hope the whole point of "Rebirth" so he couldn't give the answer away even if it was asked.

I love Johns writing, and if anyone could pull this off. It will be him. The Spectre returning to the "Spririt of Vengence" from the Spirit of Redemention in the latest JSA is by no means a small plot point in bringing Hal back as GL.

I'm still worried about my favorite comic character, Kyle.

Dreighton

[Obsidian]

October’s Green Lantern: Rebirth mini-series will be sure to delight most and anger some with the return of one of the DC Universe’s most elite superheroes – Hal Jordan.

You know despite the fact that there was always a lot of outrage on what happened to Jordan way back in the day there was only a small cult group of people who really protested Hal going nuts and going away and made it very publicly known. Yes Hal has his fans but as history has proved over and over again and shall prove yet again the guy just can’t hold a series himself and shall be replaced. This series is doomed from the beginning and I bet Hal Jordan will end up dead again within a few years to a final heroic death to make way for another Green Lantern be it Guy, Kyle or even some other new character.

Polls, surveys and more have always proved Kyle to be more popular than Hal but with how the GL book had been written lately by a few hacks it was easy to things were going down to the drain until the magnificent Ron Marz returned to write the GL series as he is currently doing. This guy should be hired to write GL for a two year stint again, that would give huge sells as the book did after the last time he became the Gl writer since he was so capable. What can you say, he is the greatest GL writer yet. Lucky for Hal he had a big supporter at DC to bring him back in Johns and the silver age retro age going on at DC lately but once Johns is gone you can watch the sells on this book go down and once his replacement is done you can watch the sells go down again. Hal can not carry a book.

The only good thing about this upcoming series is Johns and Ethan. They are a solid team and I got no doubt they WILL make some good stories and the Hal fans will be VERY happy. No one can deny that but in the end Jordans return is not going to last forever and you damn well know if DC does anything to Kyle, considering there are more Kyle fans than Hal….well imagine HEAT only with a lot more members and even more vocal. Doubtful DC would let history repeat though.

Then again they did allow that new Catwoman film….

[Zugernaut]

Wow--creators who are lovingly bringing back a character and are going to generate big sales doing so. I can't wait to read this series.

Kind of the opposite of the Bendis and Quesada slash-and-burn tactics in Avengers--resorting to cheap hack tactics of killing off lots of characters to temporarily pump up sales. But so what? It will be sooo KEWL to blow up some characters who have been around 30+ years.

Why not try to breathe new life into old characters, as Johns and Van Sciver are doing--or, even better, create NEW memorable characters on the level of Hal Jordan, Spider-Man, and Flash--something we haven't seen for decades? Do that, and then maybe these universes could afford to lose a few characters who have survived the test of time.

[byoung2814]

Very amusing article - great wit, Mr. Van Sciver. I am looking forward to this. The recent JLA arc actually made me go back and read the last two issues -- it was a great read. I was very nervous with Mr. Johns handling Hal's relaunch, because I didn't care much for Day of Judgment. But his take in the JSA - just great!! Good luck on this one, guys!

b.

[Halapeno]

Hal's GL costume is definitely the coolest costume in comics.

[jediortiz]

This should be a cool story/series, filled with killer art! All I have read of Geoff's work has been great, I have not been disappointed by his writing skills yet. So, Green Lantern should be fun. Ethan is a great artist with loads of detail. I think we are all in for a treat.
www.tapthetalent.com

[MaestroJMK]

Obsidian,

I'm not sure what universe you're in but every poll I've seen in recent years have always had Hal in front of Kyle. If you look at sales figures the past two years or so, the current GL title has dropped to levels never seen in ANY Green Lantern comic.

Thank God for Geoff Johns who has blown away the decade long mantra that there are no more Hal stories left to tell.

Have you seen the sales on GL since Marz has returned? There's been barely a bounce from their current dismal state.

Personally, I believe DC will not do to Kyle fans what they did to Hal fans so I doubt you'd have to worry about them offing your favorite character. You will have to get used to the idea that GL will be more about Hal now than Kyle (unless they give him his own book) and I doubt that will make you happy.

[FigNewton]

EVS is one funny guy.

[Obsidian]

I got no idea what polls you have been looking at myself, but after looking at polls done in Wizard and elsewhere it has always been Kyle winning, some of them are close of course but in the end Kyle always edges out Hal, even when the Hal fans vote several times

As for the current sales of GL I don’t know what they are, so if you could point them out that would be nice. BTW I want DC sales quotes and links there, not just anti Kyle propaganda. Again though as I said the writers on the GL series for the last while have been hacks. They turned it into a social commentary for awhile and pretty much even butchered Kyles character, the stories and more have been terrible, as sales go on comics as so many times prove it’s the talent that helps to make a book good and Kyle in the rights hands of Marz and Morrison have seen success, too bad one of the books where Kyle shined so bright was not his own is all.

I will say this though; if the sales haven’t improved I wouldn’t be surprised. In case your wondering why the series has been damaged under terrible stories and seeing how we all know it’s going to end most people just don’t want to invest in a book or get attached knowing no matter what you do it is going to end.

And like I said before yes Hal is going to be Green Lantern…for awhile and then he shall be replaced again. Johns will make the book decent I got no doubt but we all know it’s going to end one day. Again. The truth is a harsh mistress but history can not be denied and it does repeat so often.

PS so you know I don't even buy GL currently or any comic books for that matter. No store where I'am, so I'm not stating what I believe so much as a Kyle supporter as an observer from what I have seen. That and I like hopless causes and after listening to all the Hal fans whine for so long...hey someones got to play the devils advocate.

Cheers

[AdamYJ]

I liked Hal Jordan. I thought he was cool. But, I don't think we need him back.

I think Kyle's been doing a bang up job and should go on as the main GL for a long time. I have this fear that Kyle is going to end up as Hal's sidekick like Conner is to Ollie over in Green Arrow.

If anything, more than getting Hal back, what we need is more alien GLs. With Kyle, John and Hal plus Alan calling himself Green Lantern again, it seems we're developing a corps of Earth guys with GL rings. Give G'Nort and Killowog their rings back! We need more alien GLs!

[aphterburn]

Don't bother talking about how much you like Kyle, no one wants to hear it. It never mattered how good Kyle was, most folks are just so stokes their precious Hal is back. Anyway, I'm waiting for the return of Guy Gardner.

[Obsidian]

Ha, the funny thing is I believe personally Alan Scott is more deserving of having the Green Lantern title myself.

[gwangung]

Originally posted by Zugernaut


Why not try to breathe new life into old characters, as Johns and Van Sciver are doing--or, even better, create NEW memorable characters on the level of Hal Jordan, Spider-Man, and Flash--something we haven't seen for decades?

Yes we HAVE seen that.

But fans won't support them. They're just not interested.

[Posco]

I´m really shocked but DC´s decision to bring back Hal as a Green Lantern. Not because I disliked him in the past - actually I like Hal and Kyle both. But in DC´s continuity Hal is now a mass murderer. Even though I did not like that particular storyline (hated it might be more accurate) it´s what happened in the DC universe. And now one of DC´s flagship heroes will be a mass murderer? I don´t like that at all and think it is a highly problematic decision.

The only way Hal as Green Lantern might work again if this is really reflected in the storyline. Meaning the public in the DC universe and the heroes openly opposing Hal. Who would want a murderer (who disputedly was insane at the time) bear one of the most powerfull weapons in the universe? Also as a murderer he should have to be brought in by the heroes. Past friendship or not. (Just now most heroes tread him much better than they would tread a shoplifter!) If Hal is portrayed as an outsider who personally tries to make up that might work. But in my opinion: If Hal was really a hero he would have to refuse the mantel of the Green Lantern. He once abused the power and killed many people. So he should refuse the power to commit a crime like that again.

Sorry, in my eyes the return of Hal as a GL makes no sense in the internal logic of the DC universe. It makes only sense from a marketing/publishing point of view which most likely motivates DC.

I really liked Hal as a GL in the past. But after what have happened he should not become a GL again.

Christian

[Kevin T. Brown]

Originally posted by Obsidian
I got no idea what polls you have been looking at myself, but after looking at polls done in Wizard and elsewhere it has always been Kyle winning, some of them are close of course but in the end Kyle always edges out Hal, even when the Hal fans vote several times

IIRC, Hal collected something like 35 or 36% of the Wizard vote and Kyle was around 32%.... You may want to recheck your facts before saying anything else. I knowothers here will back me up on that one.

[GuitarSmashley]

I just want more preview pages just some art to tide the waiting

[Tinnitus Tim]

I have no preference on the person behind the Green Lantern. I just like the character and the concept. I tried Winick's run on GL and grew bored pretty quickly. I hope this new beginning brings an adrenaline rush to this franchise and I am willing to try it.