Comic book writer Geoff Johns to visit Norman Saturday



By Jeff Johncox

Transcript Sports Writer



In the world of comics, Geoff Johns is a superstar.

Johns is the prolific writer of the "Blade" television series on Spike TV. He's also the scribe on a multitude of DC comics titles including the current run of "Action Comics" with "Superman: The Movie" director Richard Donner, the first issue of which came out Wednesday.

And he's coming to Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman Saturday for a meet-and-sign from 3 to 6 p.m.

"They're a lot more personal than conventions, which I really like," Johns said. "You have more time to get to see people and talk with them. The crowd isn't really as big as it would be at a convention."

Johns is one of the biggest names in one of pop culture's fastest-growing mediums. Comics and graphic novels are at a level of popularity never before seen, with Hollywood knocking on the door every year as it turns more and more superheroes into big-budget blockbusters.

Johns' most popular titles include "Green Lantern," in which he brought back character Hal Jordan in 2004 with "Rebirth," and the groundbreaking weekly DC Universe series "52."

He's also tabbed to write the upcoming "All-Star Batgirl" series starting early next year. The All-Star titles are a big seller for DC, and writing one puts Johns in the same company as popular comic writers Grant Morrison (All-Star Superman) and Frank Miller (All-Star Batman).

"It's terrific (to be mentioned with those writers)," Johns said. "It's even more thrilling to work with J.G. Jones, who does our covers in '52.' He's a great artist and does a great job. It's been a lot of fun and a great experience."

Johns' current project is working with his mentor, Donner, in one of the most-anticipated comic story arcs of the year. Johns wrote the "Up, Up, and Away" story arc in Superman titles earlier this year with fellow DC scribe Kurt Busiek. But getting to work with Donner on the Man of Steel is something he's been looking forward to for a long time.

"It's fantastic. It's just incredible," Johns said. "I worked as (Donner's) assistant for 4 1/2 years when I first moved out to L.A., before I got into the writing. He's been my mentor for years, and to be able to work with him on a Superman title is just wonderful."

This will be the first time Johns has come to Norman. In fact, it's the first time he's stopped in Oklahoma for anything other than a quick bite.

"I've been through Oklahoma before, but never to Oklahoma," Johns said. "I think I had lunch in Oklahoma City when I was on my way out to L.A. the first time. I really look forward to seeing town and seeing a lot of the people out there, and seeing Tulsa, too."

Johns also will participate in a charity dinner for the Christopher Reeve Foundation Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m. There are 10 seats at the dinner, with six remaining as of press time, for a $200 donation to the foundation. All money raised will be given to the charity, one Johns strongly believes in.

"We wanted to do something special and important while we were in town," Johns said. "We're working with Dick (Donner) right now, and the Christopher Reeve Foundation is great because it means a lot to Dick, as did Chris.

"I had the pleasure of having lunch with (Reeve) at one point with Dick up in Santa Barbara about six months before he died. It was great, and anything we can do to help out a good cause is great."

For a town Norman's size, having three successful comic shops is a bit of an aberration. But it shows the popularity of the medium here. With OU in the middle of town, Johns' visit is sure to be a packed event.

And if fans don't have anything to sign, don't worry. Speeding Bullet ordered 400 copies of the Johns-Donner "Action Comics."

"It's going to be fun," Johns said. "I'm excited about seeing OU. I've never seen OU, and I get to on this trip."

Jeff Johncox 366-3528 jeff.johncox@gmail.com