GEOFF JOHNS: LEGION OF 3 WORLDS, II

[MattBrady]

by Vaneta Rogers

If you were around yesterday, you know from the first part of our interview with DC writer Geoff Johns that he and artist George Perez will be uniting for a five-issue mini-series called Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds in August.

According to Johns, the epic storyline set in the 31st century is accessible for both long-time Legion fans and those people who have never read a Legion comic before – and it will have some sort of tie into the Final Crisis story that Grant Morrison is telling with artist J.G. Jones.

Today, we continue our talk with Johns about the story, but now we help out Legion of Super-Heroes fans by asking Johns to focus a little closer on his favorite Legion characters and explain why he thinks they’re important to the DCU. And as we tried to clear up some remaining questions about those Legion members who appeared in Countdown to Final Crisis, we found out Johns is interested in writing an ongoing Legion comic.

Newsarama: You keep talking about how much you like the Legion characters. Let's talk about those characters for a little bit here. Who are some of your favorites?

Geoff Johns: It’s been fun to delve into it all with Eddie [Berganza] and Adam [Schalgman]. Eddie’s a diehard, Adam is a newly converted Legion fan. They’ve been pouring over the stuff with me. My original love stems from the love Paul Levitz has. Upon reading his stories, you become infected with it. That’s where it started for me. My favorite Legion characters are the three founders – Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad – and Brainiac 5, Wildfire and Dawnstar, and Polar Boy and Sun Boy. And essentially, those eight are going to be my main Legionnaires.

And actually, there's kind of a twist coming up with one of the Legionnaires floating around in the 21st century. There's a pretty big twist coming up. A hint of that is in Action Comics #864, but it will be played out in Legion of Three Worlds. But a lot of the Legionnaires – they’ve all struggled with certain things. Different people are in different places, and it's really picking up on a group of aliens from all different planets coming together to try to reassure the universe that, hey, we can all unite; we can all co-exist and learn from one another. But the universe itself is plagued by a growing xenophobia and is saying, a united universe is a dream; this will never happen; you're obsolete. And that's where we pick up on the Legion.

NRAMA: So the idea is that the universe thinks superheroes are obsolete?

GJ: Not super-heroes, the Legion of Super-Heroes. All these aliens coming together – like a Durlan and a Braalian and someone from Imsk – coming together and standing side by side, and fighting for what Superman taught the entire universe: Truth, justice and the (ancient) American Way. You see these Legionnaires striving to do what Superman did, striving to be heroes to a universe; where Superman was a hero to Earth, they're going for the whole universe. And it's not an easy job.

So you have everyone telling them, "This is impossible. You can't change how people think. You can't change how people act." At one point, someone tells them, "You still call yourself boys and girls, and a united universe is a boys and girls dream."

NRAMA: It's pretty cool that you've gotten together the Legion of Super-Villains. Any favorites among their ranks?

GJ: They're pretty messed up. The Fatal Five are my favorites, I think, out of anybody. But there are minor characters in there that I love too, like Sun Emperor, who I think is completely twisted, and a great character.

NRAMA: There's a creepy scene back in the Levitz run where he just fries a waitress for fun.

GJ: Yeah. He's really brutal. So you take the powers of the Legionnaires and you put them into the hands of psychotic villains, all out to destroy them for various reasons. I really love the three founders too – Cosmic King, Saturn Queen and Lightning Lord. Lightning Lord in particular just 'cause of his relationship with Lightning Lad being his older brother. Lightning Lass is another character that shines. I love Gary Frank’s design for her. The Ranzz family is really, really fun to write.

NRAMA: You mentioned the three founders – Lightning Lad, Cosmic Boy and Saturn Girl – being among your favorites. If someone were to ask you what's so great and unique about those three founders, what would you say?

GJ: Oh, there's so much to say. Comic Boy is like the all-around leader who puts it all on his shoulders, but he's magnetic. His powers are all about magnetics, and so it carries over to his personality. And he struggles to bring all the Legion back together. He's like, "We can do this! We can bring it together!" It comes naturally to him. Whereas Lightning Lad is like, "You know what? Whatever happens, happens. Screw it."

NRAMA: [laughs] Like lightning. Just do it and see where it lands.

GJ: And Saturn Girl tempers them. Saturn Girl is the heart and soul of the Legion of Super-Heroes. When everybody's saying, "Legion doesn't work anymore. There's too much xenophobia. You can't change people." Saturn Girl says, "Yes, you can." Then suddenly, you realize she can read people's minds. She knows everyone's deepest, darkest secrets. If she has faith, then at the base level, human beings and aliens and everybody can reach that goal, can reach that achievement and have that goodness inside them. I believe her. I'm with her. And that's why Saturn Girl is so important to the Legion. She says, "We can do this." And it's like, well, if she believes it, then I believe it too. She's at the epicenter of truth for the entire universe for me.

But those three characters are absolutely vital to the DC Universe.


NRAMA: Vital to the DC Universe? Even though they're in the 31st century?

GJ: I don't care what year it is. Those characters helped teach Superman all about truth, justice and the American way. And if you look at each of them, they all represent one of those. You have Saturn Girl who's embodying truth. You have Lightning Lad embodying justice, sometimes to a fault. You have Cosmic Boy embodying the American way. He's the leader, the one trying to bring all these aliens together, and the one who hopes for a better tomorrow. A universe that is a melting pot.

NRAMA: Interesting. I'd never looked at them in that way.

GJ: They’re some of DC’s best heroes.

NRAMA: Are there characters who, when you started to write them, they surprised you? That you found more to their personalities than you thought?

GJ: Sun Boy and Dawnstar. The more I write Sun Boy, the more I realize he might be the most compelling of the team. I just really like where he is. He's in a place at the end of Action Comics that is very different from the other Legionnaires. I just really like what he's dealing with and how he's processing it and what his story is. I'm excited about that one.

And Dawnstar. Imagine if you always knew where your path was going. You’d be focused on getting there. Right now, she doesn’t have time for anything but flying down the right path. And the question becomes, do you fly that path alone? Or do you veer off it for someone you care about?

The White Witch has been great. Paul Levitz really made me fall in love with that character all over again when I was reading his White Witch back-ups from Legion. Those back-ups are a huge inspiration on my approach to character.

I've really enjoyed writing just about everybody. They're all so different. And I really hope that a lot of people coming to the Legion for the first time see how interesting and intriguing these guys are. They're all aliens. They're all like Superman. They're all immigrants to earth, inspired by what he did in the 31st century. And there's still problems they have to solve.

NRAMA: You know, I don't know if this is going to come across in the written interview, but the tone of your voice and the way you're talking, it's almost overwhelming how excited you are about writing these characters.

GJ: Well, it’s a huge piece of the DC Universe I haven’t had a lot of time with. I’d love to write more Legion after this sometime. Maybe a Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes book.

NRAMA: Do you think it will happen?

GJ: Let’s see what everyone thinks of Legion of 3 Worlds. I have my ideas.

NRAMA: But what about the current Legion comic that Jim Shooter’s writing. Does this story affect that?

GJ: Jim Shooter is a legend to the Legion, Francis Manipul is doing a fantastic job alongside him, of course, they’ll be in this. And their attitude is going to be fairly unique, keeping in line with what Jim’s been building in the book.

NRAMA: Let’s talk about some of the questions long-time Legion fans have had about the Legion members. After Duo Damsel – or Una? – showed up in Countdown, there were a lot of questions among Legion fans about how she lost what dupes when. Will this mini-series deal with those questions?

GJ: Actually, Action Comics #864 will be an epilogue to the Superman and the Legion arc. And it deals with all the Legionnaires that are currently in the 21st century.

NRAMA: Will Action Comics #864 also answer the remaining questions about Karate Kid’s presence here…or well, resting place on that other earth?

GJ: It will acknowledge Karate Kid and Una, but it’s really more about Superman hanging out with a childhood friend, Lightning Lad, and a current friend, Batman. You ever do that? They don’t always get along.

NRAMA: And you'll explain in this series why there are three different Legions?

GJ: Sure. It’s not a big secret. That’s not the mystery of the book. We have plenty more of those.

NRAMA: When we interviewed you about your Legion story in Action Comics, you hinted that because there are 52 universes, there are 52 future universes as well. Is that what the reason is for the various Legions? Different universes?

GJ: I mean, it's pretty straightforward. Some people say, "The Legion's rebooted all the time." It's not rebooted all the time. It's been rebooted twice. So there are three Legions out there that fans have explored and seen and read about, to me. The original Legion and the Zero Hour reboot are the ones I read when I was in high school and college. I went from the Levitz/Giffen era through the Zero Hour reboot with Mark Waid and Tom Peyer and Stuart Immonen and Jeff Moy. That was a whole new Legion and they started it from scratch. And Mark Waid simply started it again.

So there's been three. But the focus is definitely on Superman and the Legion.

NRAMA: From the looks of the image that was released to promote DC Universe #0, we're going to get information about this story in that issue, aren't we?

GJ: There's a little bit of a look at it in DC Universe #0. That comic is designed to be a 50-cent comic that you can give to anybody, whether they read DC Comics or don't. You want it rolled up in your back pocket. That's what it's designed for. It's designed to just toss around and say, "Look at all these guys! Cool! What are they about?"

What are these concepts about? What's the DC Universe about? Where is it going? What stories are coming up? What characters are going to hook you? What characters do you find appealing? What scenarios? What's exciting about the DC Universe?

Working on DC Universe #0, when Grant and I were really dissecting it one night, it was the single greatest co-writing experience I’ve had. Something happened when we were delving into it and, swear to God, it was like the universe opened up for us. Like we’d already been going down the right road and we suddenly realized everything was lining up. It was bizarre.

NRAMA: So this issue is about finding what's exciting about the DC Universe?

GJ: The thing I really like about the DCU is that it's so varied. There are so many different stories. Dan Didio is really keyed in on that right now. It’s great. And when you've got Final Crisis, which is this big Grant Morrison story. You know his mind. It's going to be fricking insane -- his huge DC Universe epic. The first issue will blow anything else out there out of the water. It just will.

At the same time, I get to do another story in the 31st century revolving on the Legion of Super-Heroes. And at the same time, we have all these stories with all this different flavor. I’ve read two scripts by Greg that made me wish I wrote them recently. Two amazing scripts for books coming out this year. James Robinson is jumping back into the DCU, hell, Nightwing is great. I just heard about Dwayne’s plans for Justice League and Dan told me about a twist in Teen Titans coming up. There are a lot of wonderful books and creators in the DC Universe. I think that's really exciting, and that's what DC Universe is all about. It's to say, hey, this is what we’ve got.

NRAMA: You know, this mini-series taking place in the 31st century, people might think... well, this isn't going to really affect my current DCU comics that I read. What would you tell those people about this story?

GJ: It's a story I'm extremely proud of, a comic I'm extremely proud of. Whether it “affects” the current DCU or not is irrelevant…but it does. A lot. Long live the Legion.

[BubbaKanoosh]

Crap

I have become a Legion Fan.

[BoosterGold-]

Can't wait to see how this all plays out.

LONG LIVE THE LEGION!


-Michael C

[nietoperz]

I'm really looking forward to this (despite the fact that Geoff's favourite Legionnaires are very different to mine), but I really wish we were acknowledging the 5YG Legion, as it seems they have been shunted away.

[MattBrady]

Originally Posted by nietoperz

I'm really looking forward to this (despite the fact that Geoff's favourite Legionnaires are very different to mine), but I really wish we were acknowledging the 5YG Legion, as it seems they have been shunted away.

Kent Shakespeare and Laurel Kent live in my heart forever.

MattB

[Bevbos]

Well, I have about -100% interest in the Legion of Super Heroes, but Geoff Johns is on it, so I have to try it. I hope he sells me on it. Seems like a reaaaaaally hard pitch to me, personally, to make me interested in any given "boy" or "lad", since I didn't grow up with these characters and they seem like knockoffs of other, better properties. But another Johns epic sounds great to me, and if anyone can make the pitch, he's the one to do it.

[Korvac]

Three cheers for someone else (GJ) who likes Wildfire. One of my favorite Legionnaires ever since I was a little kid.

[49er]

I enjoyed the Geoff Johns interview.I haven't bothered with the Legion since Abnett and Lannings series and I can't stand the way artists continually change characters looks.However,I'd buy anything with Perez on art-he's a real pro,not a second rater,and Geoff Johns at this moment in time is DC's writing god.The only complaint I have on this article is the interviewer didn't ask Geoff what's happened to the event of my century-namely the Rogues revenge series.Just where is this story and when is this story-even Newserama hasn't mentioned it's non scheduling.Considering the Flash is 1 of the top 5 dc characters,he's been treated like a piece of crap by the Dc people.I knew we were in trouble when Geoff left the series,but I didn't realise just what we would have to put up with.All I can think is that the DC Didio people hate the character.Why escapes me-he's such a beaut visually and character wise(Barry/Jay and Wally) plus the best villains in comics bar none.It's a very sad do-the continual Flash stabbing.For god's sake do something positive with the comic-good writer/good artist-it's not much to ask surely ?

[ElijahSnowFan]

Newsarama: we found out Johns is interested in writing an ongoing Legion comic.

*chanting emanating from ElijahSnowFan's Comics-Reading Den"

Oh, Sweet Jesus, make it so.
Oh, Sweet Jesus, make it so.
Oh, Sweet Jesus, make it so.
Oh, Sweet Jesus, make it so.

[canugrok]

Great interview and it sounds like lots of great things to come.

And yes Vaneta...Geoff's excitment comes through loud and clear.

I've been a LSH fan since the very beginning. (Yes, I'm older. Sue me. ) but I don't think I've ever had such eager anticipation for a Legion book.

Thanks Geoff. Maybe early for thanks for a series that hasn't come out yet, but thanks. Hey..if people on here can bitch about a series before it comes out....


and Geoff likes Nightwing!

[ElijahSnowFan]

My favorite Legion characters are the three founders – Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad – and Brainiac 5, Wildfire and Dawnstar, and Polar Boy and Sun Boy. And essentially, those eight are going to be my main Legionnaires.

*sniff, sniff*

wow. it just got REALLY DUSTY in the 'ol Comics-Reading Den.

marry me, Geoff Johns! yeah, i got a wife already, but she knows of my man-crush!

[btjs]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Kent Shakespeare and Laurel Kent live in my heart forever.

MattB

Gand. Her name was Laurel Gand, and she was awesome. She's my childhood Supergirl. I hope some of those Legionnaires are acknowledged.

Some of Johns' faves are mine, and there are others he didn't mention I hope he'll just use, like Jeckie, Lyle, Jan, etc.

[Ace]

The weird thing for me is that you can't really name favorites without naming the versions.

I like Pre-ZH Dream Girl but post ZH Brainiac 5 and both post ZH and the current Invisible Kid and all three versions of Cosmic Boy.

They're the same, but they're not.

I always found the pre-ZH Brainiac 5 to be a little ill-defined compared to how sharp and biting and interesting the post ZH one was.

There are VERY few takes on the characters pre-ZH that I like more than the two most recent versions. Projectra as Sensor Girl would be another.

[Rubber Sled]

There was a Laurel Kent, too...a descendant of Clark Kent. But during the Millenium crossover, they revealed she was a Manhunter android!

Thank God for Geoff Johns...I've never been this happy to be a Legion fan...(Yay Wildfire!)

[Rubber Sled]

Side note: remember when Wildfire could duplicate most of the Legionnaire's powers? Was that ever addressed after his first appearance? I know that his ability to duplicate powers (and his seeming lack of an original ability) was why he was initially rejected...Man, I love that story...

[holtom2000]

Originally Posted by BubbaKanoosh

Crap

I have become a Legion Fan.

that's about how I feel

[whoME?]

Originally Posted by nietoperz

I'm really looking forward to this (despite the fact that Geoff's favourite Legionnaires are very different to mine

Ahh, but is that not the beauty of the Legion? A series that appeals to near everyone by virtue of the sheer size of its cast? That's why I love it.


k!

[Zombie Uatu]

You know, it's just occurred to me that the way for DC to be able to use Superboy or a young Superman again is just to call him Superlad after all the Legion characters named that way. Heh.

I've never been a legion fan before, but keenly followed Karate Kid and Una in Countdown and was sad to see them go. The way Geoff Johns talks about these characters and this project just really makes me want to read this, as it sounds like the sort of project he's genuinely deeply passionate about and that's sucked me in. Johns may make a legion fan out of me yet if this is book has as much passion in it as this interview.

[Carter101]

Great Job V, this was another great one. Ok, i am now so looking foward to this, in the last two years i have been trying, (it can be tough on a college budget) to read all the great stories from all three legions and I think if anyone can do a story with all three it would be Johns. Praise be to dc.

[M. Bloom]

Hmm, looks like I'll have to pick up Action 864. I hadn't planned on that, but I've been waiting for a decent writer to actually explain what the hell was up with "Una" in Countdown.

I'm still eagerly anticipating this mini, and while I know it'll deal mostly with the un-boot Legion (as I like to call it), I do hope to see a lot of the post-ZH characters (Livewire, Leviathan, Kinetix, XS, etc.), as I've really missed them. But if you're listening Geoff, reboot Triad is my all-time favorite Legionnaire, please don't let her get killed by rats.

[dalegon]

Crap !!!

I am already a huge Legion fan, although the current incarnation was wearing thin before Shooter took over.

I'm so looking forward to this

[Leocomix]

back in 1984, New Teen Titans and LSH were the two best DC titles. I'm glad Geoff is practising his magic at returning DC features at their greatest. I stopped being a fan shortly before Zero Hour (after Giffen left actually). I never liked Waid's versions. I enjoy Shooter's current work. And I do want to see the Five Years later Legion too (it can be the fourth legion).

[jccalhoun]

Originally Posted by Bevbos

Well, I have about -100% interest in the Legion of Super Heroes, but Geoff Johns is on it, so I have to try it. I hope he sells me on it. Seems like a reaaaaaally hard pitch to me, personally, to make me interested in any given "boy" or "lad", since I didn't grow up with these characters and they seem like knockoffs of other, better properties.

2008 is the 40th anniversary of the Legion's first appearance so there's a very good chance that the Legionnaires came before any other similar characters.

Originally Posted by Rubber Sled

Side note: remember when Wildfire could duplicate most of the Legionnaire's powers? Was that ever addressed after his first appearance? I know that his ability to duplicate powers (and his seeming lack of an original ability) was why he was initially rejected...Man, I love that story...

The ability to replicate powers was because of his suit. The suit got destroyed and of course it was one of those things that they could never manage to reproduce even though Brainiac 5 is so smart.

[vbartilucci]

Originally Posted by btjs

Gand. Her name was Laurel Gand, and she was awesome. She's my childhood Supergirl. I hope some of those Legionnaires are acknowledged.

Respect yer elders. kid...

Originally Posted by Rubber Sled

Side note: remember when Wildfire could duplicate most of the Legionnaire's powers? Was that ever addressed after his first appearance? I know that his ability to duplicate powers (and his seeming lack of an original ability) was why he was initially rejected...Man, I love that story...

IMS, they came up with some explanation that the second suit he wore couldn't do all the stuff the first one did. More real-world, thay realized that an energy-being is much more interesting a character to play off.

[Nas-Vell]

Originally Posted by Vaneta Rogers

You know, I don't know if this is going to come across in the written interview, but the tone of your voice and the way you're talking, it's almost overwhelming how excited you are about writing these characters.

It definitely comes through, even in the written interview. My god, I've become a Legion fan purely because of this man's enthusiasm for the characters. I'm very excited to pick this up, and DC Universe #0, and Final Crisis. I think I'll buy a coupla copies of DCU#0 and leave them laying about on campus, in my doctor's office, etc. In fact, I think I'll start my working day when they come out by slapping down some cash in front of my boss and buying some copies to hand out to kids and passersby.

Love Live The Legion!