American comic book writer Geoff Johns greets fans and signs books after his lecture Oct. 9, 2013, at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum. Johns is also an MSU alumnus and the chief creative officer of DC Comics. Irum Ibrahim/The State News
To supplement this year’s Homecoming “Creating Spartan Super Heroes” theme, comic creator and alumnus Geoff Johns has returned to campus as this year’s grand marshal.
Johns has worked with film director and producer Richard Donner on movies including “Conspiracy Theory” written episodes of the TV show “Smallville” and co-produced the action movie “Green Lantern.”
Johns also has transformed the look of iconic superheroes such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and The Flash — characters he has favored since childhood.
“I’ve always gravitated towards Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Justice League and all those guys,” Johns said. “In the ‘80s, when I read a lot of things like Frank Miller’s ‘Dark Knight Returns’ … There were a lot of fantastic creators that, for me, really revitalized DC Comics … And really inspired me because they were so good.”
Johns is an author of a few The New York Times’ best-selling graphic novels, including “Green Lantern: Rage of the Red Lanterns” and “Justice Society of America: Thy Kingdom Come, Part 3.”
Johns graduated from MSU in 1995 with a degree in telecommunication media arts and film.
In writing the comic “Justice League #1,” Johns said he focused heavily on the individual personalities of the characters to create the comic.
“I think everyone looks at the Justice League and assumes that they’re all friends,” Johns said. “I played to that perception too, but behind closed doors, Green Lantern drives Batman crazy. When you focus on these A-list characters, it’s all about their interaction.”
Considering this year’s theme, MSU Alumni Association Group Travel and Events Coordinator Regina Cross said Johns was the natural choice for grand marshal.
“His name surfaced after an editor of the alumni magazine did an interview with him a couple of years ago,” Cross said. “He’s an MSU alumnus, he works in the comic book industry and knows a lot about superheroes. He fits this year’s theme perfectly, and we’re honored to have him.”
Johns said his advice to any young writer, artist or creator is to take advantage of the opportunities you are given.
“It’s all about taking the opportunity,” Johns said. “Michigan State has the biggest comic library in the world. If you want to be a creator, you have to put yourself in a position where you are writing, drawing, creating your own comic books and reading a lot of comic books.”
Johns currently is employed by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. and is working on the TV series “Arrow,” and upcoming shows “Flash” and “Gotham.”
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