TALKING ABOUT FINAL CRISIS WITH JG JONES

[MattBrady]

by Vaneta Rogers

Final Crisis promises lots of action, tons of superheroes, loads of new concepts, countless characters...

And plenty of work for J.G. Jones.

It all sounds very enticing to fans. Seven oversized issues from the seemingly unlimited mind of Grant Morrison, with a story that will cross from one end of the DC Universe to the other, building a new Fifth World while touching upon both the beginning of time and the end of it.

But for the artist who's doing the interiors on what's being promoted as the next big event from DC Comics, the excitement of Final Crisis is tempered by the daily labor of making it happen. Already deeply involved in drawing the story, Jones has the task of interpreting all those big Morrison ideas, designing the story's new characters, and making the epic event work on the page.

Jones, who was most recently lauded as the cover artist for the weekly DC series 52, hasn't drawn interiors since working on the Wanted mini-series with Mark Millar for Top Cow in 2004, a comic that inspired the movie of the same name that hits theaters in June. With Final Crisis, Jones not only returns to the job of interior artwork, but the series also reunites him with Grant Morrison, having pencilled the writer's six-issue Marvel Boy mini-series for Marvel in 2000.

As he took a much-needed break from drawing Final Crisis, Newsarama talked to Jones about his work on the series and discovered a few details we hadn't heard before. And while he was clearly feeling a little overwhelmed by the work ahead, we found Jones in a joking mood, still impressed with the story Morrison is writing and having fun drawing the "new" New Gods.

Newsarama: Let's talk about your choice to do this in the first place. It's been awhile since you did interior art. Why did you choose to return for this project in particular?

J.G. Jones: Yeah, I'm asking myself now what I was thinking. [laughs]

NRAMA: [laughs] You're thinking... “What am I, insane?”

JGJ: Clearly! [laughs] It's just an enormous amount of work. It's a huge amount of work. I don't have a life at all anymore. I get up, draw all day, then I go to bed.

NRAMA: You live in the DC Universe.

JGJ: It's true. It's true.

NRAMA: Do you dream about the characters when you draw that much?

JGJ: No. Not at all. Not at all.

NRAMA: You dream about a life outside your four walls, right?

JGJ: [laughs] Yeah. But really, that's an interesting question. I never would have thought about that. I've never had a work dream that I can recall around comics.

NRAMA: Well, that's good, I guess. At least you can escape it at night. But let's get back to your choice to do this in the first place. Before you discovered how much work it was going to be, back when you were really excited about the project... [laughs]

JGJ: [laughs] OK, I'll pretend to be really excited.

NRAMA: [laughs] Oh come on! Is it really that bad?

JGJ: It's an incredible amount of work. [laughs] That's all I can say.

NRAMA: But you had talked about how the attraction to this project was mainly because you'd get to work with Grant Morrison, right?

JGJ: Yeah. I love Grant. I love his writing. He's definitely my favorite. And I'm not just saying that because I'm working on this. I'm working on this because that's true. I love pretty much all the stuff he's been doing for the DCU for the last four or five years. I think it's some of his best work. Seven Soldiers was terrific. And a lot of that stuff in Seven Soldiers is set-up for this book, which I didn't really understand until I started reading the script to draw Final Crisis.

NRAMA: Is that because you're seeing some of the characters from Seven Soldiers show up, or are some of the actual story elements carrying over?

JGJ: Well, I think Grant had a master plan for some of these characters all along. And just because us lesser mortals weren't included on the master plan didn't mean he wasn't going to forge ahead with it.

I'm going back and re-reading that stuff and seeing where things that I'm drawing now fall right back and get set up back in Seven Soldiers and in 52 a little bit.

NRAMA: A lot of the Seven Soldiers stuff – or a lot of those characters – we really haven't seen since.

JGJ: No. You'll be seeing some of them a little more often. Mr. Miracle makes a reappearance because this involves the Kirby Fourth World so heavily, as well as the rest of the DCU.

NRAMA: Are you drawing just tons of characters?

JGJ: I'm drawing so many characters... it's one of the things that's killing me.

NRAMA: It's not surprising that a lot of characters show up.

JGJ: Grant's got like... issue #2, on the opening pages, we have two brand new superteams that have never been seen before. [laughs]

NRAMA: So you're designing a lot of characters from scratch?

JGJ: Yeah. Yeah. I just have to kind of do it on the fly sometimes. But he gives me pretty detailed ideas about what he wants, usually. And that helps a lot.

NRAMA: What issue are you on right now?

JGJ: Issue #2.

NRAMA: How many new characters do you think you've designed already, just in two issues?

JGJ: Well, in issue #1, there weren't that many new characters. But in Issue #2, I've already probably designed... 10. And Grant had designed some himself already. So it was just a matter of fleshing those out.

NRAMA: When we talked in San Diego, you had said these were going to be oversized issues. Is that still true?

JGJ: Yeah. [laughs] It adds to the brutality factor. 32 pages.

NRAMA: Are all issues going to be 32 pages?

JGJ: I'm told they are. But I don't know. I'm honestly trying not to think too far ahead. It's too intimidating for me.

NRAMA: So you're working constantly?

JGJ: Yeah, pretty much.

NRAMA: Are you concerned about the time aspect, or are you guys pretty much on track?

JGJ: I'm always concerned about the time aspect, to be quite honest. I always feel the pressure.

NRAMA: We found out from Dan Didio that there will be a break between the two middle issues, during which there will be a series of specials. So you have a break in the middle, right?

JGJ: Yeah. I'll need it. [laughs] I have to go out and get groceries sometime. That's my window right there.

NRAMA: [laughs] And there's a DC Universe #0 being co-written by Grant and Geoff Johns, plus a series of specials during the break. You don't have anything to do with those issues?

JGJ: God, I hope not. [laughs] Short answer: No. Not to my knowledge.

NRAMA: Let's talk about how you draw some of these characters. From the looks of the preview art, it looks like you're going for a very classic look for Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman. Does that look carry through the series?

JGJ: Yeah, we're going for the real iconic sort of thing all the way along on the Big Three, or even, I guess, the Top 5, who will all be involved at some point. We're actually doing two covers for each issue: One is very iconic, and the other is an idea that Grant had which involves less artwork for me and more basic design. But we are doing two covers for each.

NRAMA: So when you say the other cover is more basic design, is it something that will fit together at the end?

JGJ: No, not like that. At least, not to my knowledge. Grant's original idea was to have a different character on each cover but in exactly the same pose. We kind of nixed that, but we did like the concept of keeping a single iconic character. So each month, one of the covers is going to be a single iconic DC character.

NRAMA: So we can assume there's a cover for Superman.

JGJ: Yeah, I think that's pretty safe to assume.

NRAMA: And Green Lantern and Flash. Wonder Woman and Batman.

JGJ: Yep. You got it.

NRAMA: Who else? Hawkman was in the promo image.

JGJ: Let's see... who else? I don't know. I haven't gotten that far down the road. That's five. So I don't know. We'll see.

NRAMA: Uh huh. So you're working off the script for the second issue. You've just read two scripts?

JGJ: Just two.

NRAMA: But you know the whole story.

JGJ: I know the outline. I went over to Scotland and visited with Grant for awhile. And we sat down, and he gave me the whole rundown. But I think he leaves himself some maneuvering room along the way. And also, there's been a lot of back and forth with him and Dan, because Dan has to balance the other books with what's going on here, obviously. God, I wouldn't want the job of keeping all that together. I can't imagine trying to keep all that DCU stuff together.

NRAMA: We've also been told that the New Gods are somehow returning. When you heard the story of the New Gods returning, what did you think?

JGJ: I was really excited. I'm actually not a huge superhero comic fan, but I love all that old Kirby stuff. And I liked how Grant had worked it into the mythos of the DCU. So I got really excited about getting the opportunity to draw those characters.

NRAMA: So part of the draw for you was the New Gods' involvement?

JGJ: Absolutely. When I was a kid, there were no comic book shops or anything like that, and getting back issues was kind of like trying to track Bigfoot. And I remember spending years trying to come up with Fourth World stuff at every little dusty, used paperback bookstore. It kind of became a McGuffin chase for me to try to get Fourth World stuff because I don't think they published them in large numbers. They weren't selling that well. I think I still have all my old copies of Forever People and Mr. Miracle and stuff like that, even though I don't really collect comics.

NRAMA: So it was the one thing you treasured?

JGJ: Yeah. I found them the other day, and it was like, "Oh! They're still here! Cool!"

NRAMA: Why do you think that is? I mean, that these stories were so special to you as a reader.

JGJ: I think it was how self-contained they are. I like that Kirby was finally just allowed to just create his own universe – his own little world with his own rules and his own characters. There's so much energy and just constant creativity in there. And I actually feel like Grant is a sort of natural writing heir to Kirby, in the way that he just reels off storylines and new characters and ideas at 90 miles an hour. You know, if I could get one or two good characters, I'd probably write them forever. But Grant's brain is always cooking, and there's always new stuff going into the pot.

NRAMA: Let's talk about some of the characters who are going to show up, as much as you can. We've already seen the art of Anthro and Metron, which seems to be the old Metron. I'm not sure what incarnation of Metron we might end up seeing...

JGJ: Yeah, we had a whole conversation about what incarnation of Metron we're talking about. Being as he can travel through time and space, we can always use him. He can pop up almost anywhere.

NRAMA: Is there someone else you can tell us about that you're drawing? Who are you drawing now?

JGJ: Right now, I'm drawing Sonny Sumo, one of the characters from the old Forever People. And it's just terrific. It's so much fun. He was this Japanese kind-hearted guy that Kirby introduced into the Forever People. He's this really tough, big Japanese guy, no costume really. I always loved the character. When I saw that Grant had written him in, it was like party time.

NRAMA: This is the first interior work you've done since Wanted. So do you think your style on this comic is pretty much the same we've seen from you before, or has it changed during that break and the experience doing design work for all the 52 covers? Or are you consciously changing up your style for this book in particular?

JGJ: You know, I thought a whole lot about the style and how I was going to approach it. But then I decided the best way to go with it was to go with my gut... and just roll as best I could. So, I'm trying not to overthink now. Even though I do think a lot about the way it's designed and the way the panels look, I'm trying not to overthink to the point where I'm paralyzed and can't draw.

NRAMA: From what you've read so far, how do you think this Crisis stands apart from other "crises" or big events? Is there anything that's unique about this one?

JGJ: I think the difference with this one is that it's a story we could have told without it being a big "Crisis" event. It starts with story first. The fact that they made it this Final Crisis thing and inserted it into the pantheon of the crises works fine – it's that kind of a book. But Grant already had this story. And like I said, he was doing set-up for this story before it was the Final Crisis.

So I think just starting out with a very clear through-line and a very clear story helps eliminate some of the problems that you have with the other crises where, OK, it's a whole giant DCU story. It's like, who did we forget? We have to put this guy in and this guy. And oh, what's so and so doing? You had to waste time looking at what basically everybody in the whole DCU was doing until you covered all your bases instead of sticking to the basic through-line of the story. Does that make any kind of sense?

NRAMA: Sure.

JGJ: A lot of characters are definitely involved, but it's because they're part of the story. Not because of the necessity of showing what's going on with them.

NRAMA: Knowing very little about the story myself, and hearing that it's going to span from the very earliest person in the DC Universe all the way to the end – it's just mind-boggling.

JGJ: [laughs] Yeah.

NRAMA: With so much to cover, you have to wonder how it all makes sense together.

JGJ: Well, I've read the first two scripts and so far so good! [laughs] I'm not lost yet.

NRAMA: [laughs] Well, what I mean is ... you describe this story as being "different" because it doesn't have to touch every corner of the DCU, yet... if it's spanning all time and pretty much all the iconic characters, including the Fifth World, doesn't it effectively include even more of the DCU than we've seen before in events?

JGJ: I guess the difference is that it's a big over-arching time trip that... you know, it's Grant. It goes from end to end. The beginning is in pre-history and it's in the future. But I guess what I was getting at is that, even though we'll be pulling from different parts of the DCU and different timelines and different things, it's all part of this story. It's not, OK, the fans need to see what Flash is doing this week, so we have to show five pages of Flash. Or somebody like Booster Gold – we have to use all the characters, so what's Booster doing.

NRAMA: OK, got it. Now have you had anyone added into the story because you told Grant that you really like drawing them?

JGJ: No. If I put my foot in this one, it's one more monkey wrench. [laughs]

NRAMA: There are too many already, huh?

JGJ: Yeah. Dan and Grant fight those battles. I'm just enjoying the product.

NRAMA: Knowing the history of these characters that were invented by Kirby and admiring that work so much, does it feel intimidating to have on your shoulders the reinvention of the New Gods?

JGJ: I can always just blame Grant if everybody hates it. [laughs] I can just say I was doing what I was told.

NRAMA: [laughs] Oh, come on, now. You have to take a little responsibility!

JGJ: Well, if everybody loves it and it's great, then it was all me. [laughs]

NRAMA: [laughs] Before we finish up, do you want to respond to people's fear or concerns about what happens when all this ends? There have been a lot of rumors about big deaths, and of course, people are buzzing about what the ending will be.

JGJ: The ending's going to be great.

NRAMA: Anything else you want to tell us about it?

JGJ: We're going to lose some people we love, and we're going to maybe even find some people we thought we lost.

NRAMA: That sounds like a good place to end the interview and let you get back to your drawing table. Do you sit at a drawing table when you draw?

JGJ: Of course. Can't you hear the chains rattling when I move?

NRAMA: [laughs] I'm tempted to have some groceries delivered to your house.

JGJ: Have them delivered by a really cute girl. I get a two-fer that way.

NRAMA: You get a date and food. And you don't even have to leave your chains!

JGJ: What a great date! She gets to sit and watch me draw. How exciting!

[otclefer]

Sounds cool.

[samnoir]

JG Jones stuff is brilliant. Very much looking forward to seeing him reunited with Grant Morrison, and drawing interior art.

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[rodolfo leon]

i am SO excited for this. dammit!

[sweetmisery]

Lose people we love? Hmmm...

And found those we thought we lost? Not Flash again...

But cant wait, between this and SI, Im very excited for the most of 2008.

[spidey 85]

oh man the crisis cant get here any sooner

[C20Percent]

Best. Interview. Ever.

I like how Jones' attitude is basically, "I never should have done this." I wonder what he expected? He must have known how big this was going to be.

[Doombug]

How much lead in time have the guys got? I mean we have 3 months left of countdown and then the 0 special right? Then the event starts?

I'm only asking because he's on issue 2 and that worries me for whatever reason. But I rather have the art be good then rushed.

[Fecal Yeti]

NRAMA: What issue are you on right now?

JGJ: Issue #2.

This is frightening. Wasn't this announced like a year ago?? And he's only on #2... oi vey.

[jmcl89]

I would have thought he'd be further along - it seems like they've been reported to be working on this for a long time. But hopefully he can keep up - it certainly sounds like a good series. I loved Seven Soldiers, so I'm glad to hear Morrison is revisiting those characters.

[Kevin T. Brown]

Originally Posted by Fecal Yeti

NRAMA: What issue are you on right now?

JGJ: Issue #2.

This is frightening. Wasn't this announced like a year ago?? And he's only on #2... oi vey.

If someone wants to actually go find it, he mentioned in a Newsarama interview that he was about (IIRC) 8 pages into #1 back during the San Diego Con.

So, no, this does not bode well......

[Tomwaitsfan]

If this is gonna be as bonkers as it sounds, I'm gonna be one happy bunny.

[Carter101]

This was an awesome Interview, poor Jonesy, lol, that's so much work, i sure this will be worth it. I just hope he doesn't get sick of DC characters after all this. Good luck JG!!

[Hellblazer]

I'm really looking forward to reading this !

Can't come soon enough.

[J.D. Lombardi]

JGJ: I know the outline. I went over to Scotland and visited with Grant for awhile. And we sat down, and he gave me the whole rundown.

This is like having Batman take you on a tour of the Batcave after flying you out on the Batplane.

[KyleV]

This is frightening. Wasn't this announced like a year ago?? And he's only on #2... oi vey.

It was announced at the end of July. There's no indication of when he actually got the first script, though.

Given that he has four months before the first issue is due and an extra month in the middle (what do they consider the middle, by the way? It's an odd number of issues), it would seem that he'll be fine. I would imagine he'll have four issues in the can by the time the first one comes out.

[CaptainCanad]

NRAMA: What issue are you on right now?

JGJ: Issue #2.

And this starts in, what, May? I thought the idea of this being announced nearly a year in advance was giving him a lot of lead-in.

I wasn't worried about the schedule before, but I am now.

[KyleV]

CaptainCandad said:And this starts in, what, May? I thought the idea of this being announced nearly a year in advance was giving him a lot of lead-in.

I wasn't worried about the schedule before, but I am now.

July, I believe.

[Edogawa1983]

Originally Posted by CaptainCanad

And this starts in, what, May? I thought the idea of this being announced nearly a year in advance was giving him a lot of lead-in.

I wasn't worried about the schedule before, but I am now.

last week of April I think

[Moriarty]

Still no word on who'll be coloring Jones' pencils. I'm still hoping he'll be re-teaming with Alex Sinclair; their work on the 52 covers was just f***** awesome and I'd love to see that same quality brought to Final Crisis.

[Tomwaitsfan]

Originally Posted by CaptainCanad

And this starts in, what, May? I thought the idea of this being announced nearly a year in advance was giving him a lot of lead-in.

I wasn't worried about the schedule before, but I am now.

Jesus, give him a break. He just said he barely has a life outside drawing it and people are worried that he is not working quickly enough.

[Kevenn]

This interview really does give me a lot of confidence that this series will come out on time - or maintain only one artist on it.

[Capt_Piett]

Is Final Crisis a weekly or a monthyl? If a weekly, then yes, it is somewhat worrisome that we're so close and he's only on issue 2. If a monthly, I don't see the big deal.

[Tomwaitsfan]

Originally Posted by Capt_Piett

Is Final Crisis a weekly or a monthyl? If a weekly, then yes, it is somewhat worrisome that we're so close and he's only on issue 2. If a monthly, I don't see the big deal.

Monthly. If it was a weekly, from the sound of it , both Jones and Morrison would be dead.

[jmcl89]

Originally Posted by Capt_Piett

Is Final Crisis a weekly or a monthyl? If a weekly, then yes, it is somewhat worrisome that we're so close and he's only on issue 2. If a monthly, I don't see the big deal.

It's supposed to be seven issues over eight months.