Geoff Johns
{{Short description|American comic book writer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox writer
| image = 8.31.11GeoffJohnsNew52ByLuigiNovi1.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Johns in 2011
| birth_name = Geoffrey Johns{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/comic-book-legends-revealed-272/ |title=Comic Book Legends Revealed #272 |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=August 5, 2010 |website=CBR.com |access-date=February 7, 2019}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|1|25}}
| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
| death_place =
| alma_mater = Michigan State University
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Comic book writer
- screenwriter
- producer
}}
| employer = DC Entertainment
| title =
| years_active = 1997–present
| relatives =
| notableworks = Comics: JSA, The Flash, Teen Titans, Green Lantern, Infinite Crisis, 52, Action Comics, Blackest Night, Flashpoint, Justice League/Justice League of America, Shazam, Trinity War, Doomsday Clock, The Avengers, Ultimate X-Men
Television: Robot Chicken, Blade: The Series, The Flash, Titans, Doom Patrol, Batwoman, Stargirl, Superman & Lois
| awards =
| website = {{URL|GhostMachinePro.com}}
}}
Geoffrey Johns (born January 25, 1973) is an American comic book writer, screenwriter, and film and television producer. Johns's work on the DC Comics characters Green Lantern, Aquaman, Flash, and Superman has drawn critical acclaim.{{cite web|url=https://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/the-nifty-50-geoff-johns-comic-book-writer/|author=Gustines, George Gene|title=The Nifty 50: Geoff Johns, Comic Book Writer|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 8, 2010|accessdate=March 18, 2021|archivedate=January 12, 2010|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112041536/https://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/the-nifty-50-geoff-johns-comic-book-writer/}} His critically acclaimed work includes Sinestro Corps War, Blackest Night, Throne of Atlantis, Flashpoint, Doomsday Clock, and Superman: Brainiac. He co-created the DC character Courtney Whitmore based on his deceased sister. He also expanded the Green Lantern mythology, adding in new concepts and co-creating numerous characters. Among the DC characters and concepts he co-created are Larfleeze, the Sinestro Corps, the Indigo Tribe, the Red Lantern Corps, Atrocitus, the Black Lantern Corps, Jessica Cruz, Hunter Zolomon, Tar Pit, Simon Baz, Bleez, Miss Martian, and Kate Kane.
He served as Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of DC Entertainment from 2010 to 2018 and as President and CCO from 2016 to 2018.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/geoff-johns-exiting-as-dc-entertainment-president-1202840461/|magazine=Variety|author=Lang, Brent|title=Geoff Johns Exiting DC Entertainment President and Chief Creative Officer|date=June 11, 2018|access-date=March 1, 2021|archive-date=June 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611175617/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/geoff-johns-exiting-as-dc-entertainment-president-1202840461/}}
He is the co-founder and former co-chairman of DC Films and former co-runner of DC Extended Universe until 2018.{{cite news|last1=Hughes|first1=Mark|date=December 7, 2017|title=Jon Berg Moves Out Of Warner Leadership As Studio Reacts To DCEU Failures|language=en|work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/markhughes/2017/12/07/jon-berg-moves-out-of-warner-leadership-as-studio-reacts-to-dceu-failures/#647c08c443a4|access-date=December 16, 2017}} In film, he was a producer or executive producer of Green Lantern (2011), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Suicide Squad (2016), Wonder Woman (2017), Justice League (2017), Shazam! (2019), Birds of Prey (2020), co-wrote and produced the story for Aquaman (2018) and wrote the screenplay for Wonder Woman 1984 (2020).
Johns' involvement with DC Entertainment as producer, writer and executive has helped turn the DC Extended Universe franchise into the eleventh highest-grossing film franchise of all-time, having grossed over $5.6 billion at the global box office. The franchise's highest-grossing film, Aquaman, earned over $1.15 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing DC film to-date.
He co-developed the TV series The Flash (2014–2023), Titans (2018–2023), and Doom Patrol (2019–2023) and created and produced the TV series Batwoman (2019–2022), Stargirl (2020–2022) and Superman & Lois (2020–2024). His other work in television includes writing and producing various episodes of Blade, Smallville and Arrow.{{Cite web|author=Gelman, Samuel|title=Geoff Johns Working on Multiple DC Projects, Contradicting Ray Fisher's Claims|url=https://www.cbr.com/geoff-johns-remain-dc-ray-fisher/|website=CBR.com|date=January 7, 2021}}
In 2018, he stepped down from his executive role at DC Entertainment to open a production company, Mad Ghost Productions, while continuing to work with Warner Bros on writing and producing film, television and comic book titles based on DC Extended Universe and other DC properties such as films Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
In 2023, he co-founded the media company Ghost Machine alongside several other comic book writers and artists to publish independent work.
Early life
Geoff Johns was born January 25, 1973,{{cite web|last=Miller |first=John Jackson |author-link=John Jackson Miller |url=http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays |title=Comics Industry Birthdays |work=Comics Buyer's Guide |date=June 10, 2005 |location=Iola, Wisconsin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218031356/http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays |archive-date=February 18, 2011 |url-status=dead}} in Detroit, Michigan,{{cite web | url = http://www.comic-con.org/common/2010_geoff_johns.php | title = Geoff Johns Conquers the Universe | work = Comic-Con Magazine | date= Winter 2010 | pages= 7–11, 19 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100307031547/http://www.comic-con.org/common/2010_geoff_johns.php | archive-date= March 7, 2010}}{{Citation|author=Johns, Geoff|title=Justice League Vol. 1: Origin|publisher = DC Comics|edition= 1st |year=2012|page=Inside back flap|isbn=978-1401234614}} the son of Barbara and Fred Johns.{{cite news|last= Reardon|first= Wendi|date= June 15, 2011|url= http://www.clarkstonnews.com/Articles-i-2011-06-15-242056.113121-sub-Clarkston-grad-sees-green.html|title= Clarkston grad sees green|work= Clarkston News|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194417/http://www.clarkstonnews.com/Articles-i-2011-06-15-242056.113121-sub-Clarkston-grad-sees-green.html|archive-date= October 29, 2013|url-status=dead|df= mdy-all}} He is of half-Lebanese ancestry{{cite web |url= http://herocomplex.latimes.com/uncategorized/geoff-johns-the/|title= Geoff Johns brings the Legion to Smallville|first= Jevon|last= Phillips|date= January 15, 2009|work=Los Angeles Times|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140221023005/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/uncategorized/geoff-johns-the/|archive-date= February 21, 2014|url-status=live}} and grew up in the suburbs of Grosse Pointe and Clarkston.{{cite news |last=Henrickson |first=Eric |date=August 30, 2011 |url=http://blogs.detroitnews.com/geekwatch/2011/08/30/629/ |title=Metro Detroit native Geoff Johns talks DCnU |work=The Detroit News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193252/http://blogs.detroitnews.com/geekwatch/2011/08/30/629/ |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |url-status=dead}} As a child, Johns and his brother first discovered comics through an old box of comics they found in their grandmother's attic, which included copies of The Flash, Superman, Green Lantern, and Batman from the 1960s and 1970s. He has named the Flash as his favorite character, stating that he owns every issue of it.
Johns eventually began to patronize a comics shop in Traverse City, recalling that the first new comics he bought were Crisis on Infinite Earths #3 or 4 and The Flash #348 or 349, as the latter was his favorite character. As Johns continued collecting comics, he gravitated toward DC Comics and later Vertigo, and drew comics. After graduating from Clarkston High School in 1991, he studied media arts, screenwriting, film production and film theory at Michigan State University. He graduated from Michigan State in 1995,{{cite web |url= http://alumni.msu.edu/newsArticle.cfm?id=319|title= Geoff Johns: The New 52|first= Robert|last= Bao|date= February 20, 2012|publisher= Michigan State University Alumni Association|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140110183634/http://alumni.msu.edu/newsArticle.cfm?id=319|archive-date= January 10, 2014|url-status=live}} and then moved to Los Angeles, California.
Career
=Early career=
In Los Angeles, Johns cold-called the office of director Richard Donner looking for an internship, and while Johns was being transferred to various people, Donner picked up the phone by accident, leading to a conversation and the internship. Johns started off copying scripts, and after about two months, was hired as a production assistant for Donner, whom Johns regards as his mentor.{{cite journal|last = Sands|first = Rich|title = Future Tense|journal = TV Guide|page= 39|date = January 12, 2009}}
While working on the production of Donner's 1997 film Conspiracy Theory, Johns visited New York City, where he met DC Comics personnel such as Eddie Berganza, reigniting his childhood interest in comics.
Berganza invited Johns to tour the DC Comics offices, and offered Johns the opportunity to suggest ideas, which led to Johns pitching Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E., a series based on the second Star-Spangled Kid and her stepfather,{{cite book|last1=Manning|first1= Matthew K.|chapter= 1990s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|year=2010|location= London, United Kingdom|isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9|page= 288|quote = Geoff Johns showed his love for the obscure corners of the DCU with his title Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E..}} to editor Chuck Kim a year later. Johns expected to write comics "on the side", until he met David Goyer and James Robinson, who were working on JSA. After looking at Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E., Robinson offered Johns co-writing duties on JSA in 2000,Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 288: "James Robinson left the title in the capable hands of [David] Goyer's new writing partner, Geoff Johns." and Johns credits both him and Mike Carlin with shepherding him into the comics industry. He also credits reading James Robinson's The Golden Age as the book responsible for his love of the characters featured in the book, and for his decision to accept writing duties on JSA.
That same year, Johns became the regular writer on The Flash ongoing series with issue 164. Johns' work on The Flash represents one example of his modeling of various elements in his stories after aspects of his birth town, explaining, "When I wrote The Flash, I turned Keystone City into Detroit, made it a car town. I make a lot of my characters from Detroit. I think self-made, blue-collar heroes represent Detroit. Wally West's Flash was like that. I took the inspiration of the city and the people there and used it in the books." Johns' Flash run concluded with #225.{{cite news |title=All Good Things...: Geoff Johns Leaves "The Flash" With #225 |url=https://www.cbr.com/all-good-things-geoff-johns-leaves-the-flash-with-225/ |work=Comic Book Resources |date=May 22, 2005 |access-date=May 7, 2018}}
He co-wrote a Beast Boy limited series with Ben Raab in 2000Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 294: "Beast Boy...found himself in deep trouble during his first miniseries, courtesy of writers Ben Raab and Geoff Johns, with art by Justiniano." and crafted the "Return to Krypton" story arc in the Superman titles with Pasqual Ferry in 2002.Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 306: "Scripted by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Pasqual Ferry, the story delivered an emotional punch as Superman and his father were reunited." After writing The Avengers vol. 3 #57–76 (Oct. 2002–Feb. 2004) and Avengers Icons: The Vision #1–4 (Oct. 2002–Jan. 2003) for Marvel Comics,{{gcdb|type=credit|search= Geoff+Johns|title= Geoff Johns}} Johns oversaw the re-launch of Hawkman and Teen Titans.Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 310: ""None [of the Teen Titans series] had reached the heights of the Marv Wolfman and George Pérez era until writer Geoff Johns and artist Mike McKone's relaunch."
Johns was responsible for the return of Hal Jordan in 2005 as the writer of the Green Lantern: Rebirth mini-seriesCowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 315: "Writer Geoff Johns took one of DC's greatest heroes to the top of the bestseller list with Green Lantern: Rebirth." and subsequent Green Lantern ongoing title.Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 320: "After successfully bringing Hal Jordan back as the Green Lantern in Green Lantern: Rebirth, writer Geoff Johns remained at the helm for Hal Jordan's further adventures." Johns was the writer of the Infinite Crisis crossover limited series (December 2005 – June 2006), a sequel to 1985's Crisis on Infinite Earths.Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 323: "A hugely successful, seven-part miniseries, Infinite Crisis was a sequel to 1985's Crisis on Infinite Earths. Written by Geoff Johns with art by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Jerry Ordway, Ivan Reis, and Andy Laning, Infinite Crisis was an epic crossover that revamped the DC Universe." Following this, Johns was one of four writers, with Mark Waid, Grant Morrison, and Greg Rucka, on the 2006–2007 weekly series 52.Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 325: "The title was masterminded by writers Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid, with Keith Giffen providing art breakdowns."
File:5.11.12GeoffJohnsByLuigiNovi1.jpg vinyl figure of Aquaman, one of the titles he wrote as part of The New 52]]
In 2006, Johns and Kurt Busiek co-wrote the "Up, Up and Away!" story arc in Superman and Action Comics. He then reunited with Richard Donner on the "Last Son" storyline in Action Comics with Donner co-plotting the series with his former assistant. The Justice Society of America series by Johns and artist Dale Eaglesham began in February 2007Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 329: "Writer Geoff Johns and artist Dale Eaglesham relaunched the JSA, with Alex Ross providing covers for the series." and six months later, he and Jeff Katz launched the new Booster Gold series. That same year, Johns helmed the critically acclaimed{{cite web |url= https://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/08/27/sinestro-demands-more-reprints|title= Sinestro Demands More Reprints|date= August 27, 2007|website= IGN|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140419122836/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/08/27/sinestro-demands-more-reprints|archive-date= April 19, 2014|url-status=live|access-date= September 3, 2007}}{{cite news |url= http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=129652|title= Best Shots: JLA Wedding Special, DD 100, New Avengers, and more|first= Troy|last= Brownfield|date= September 17, 2007|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071015081659/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=129652|archive-date= October 15, 2007|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url= http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=140352|title= The Lantern's Artists, I – Ethan Van Sciver|first= Vaneta|last= Rogers|date= December 20, 2007|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070623103614/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=140352|archive-date=June 23, 2007 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url= http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/10/15/sinestro-corps-war-is-what-world-war-hulk-should-be/|title= Sinestro Corps War is what World War Hulk SHOULD be|first= Brian|last= Cronin|date= October 15, 2007|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140222034729/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/10/15/sinestro-corps-war-is-what-world-war-hulk-should-be/|archive-date= February 22, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12282|title= Geoff Johns Thinking Big in the DCU, Part 1|first= Jeffrey|last= Renaud|date= January 9, 2008|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140222034830/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12282|archive-date= February 22, 2014|url-status=live}} "Sinestro Corps War" storyline in the Green Lantern titles.Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 330: "The series proved to be another successful epic in the Green Lantern saga, one of DC's most popular titles since Geoff Johns' revamp of the hero." He wrote the "Final Crisis" one-shot Rage of the Red Lanterns with artist Shane Davis{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/1386-geoff-johns-on-final-crisis-rage-of-the-red-lanterns.html|title= Geoff Johns on Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns|first= Vaneta|last= Rogers|date= October 27, 2008|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140224033948/http://www.newsarama.com/1386-geoff-johns-on-final-crisis-rage-of-the-red-lanterns.html|archive-date= February 24, 2014|url-status=live}} and collaborated with Gary Frank on Action Comics.{{cite news |url= http://tragicd.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=nearmint&action=print&thread=1310|title= Gary Frank Signs Exclusive With DC|date= May 10, 2007|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131229034713/http://tragicd.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=nearmint&action=print&thread=1310|archive-date=December 29, 2013 |url-status=live}} Johns and Frank produced the "Brainiac" storyline in which Superman's adopted father Jonathan Kent was killedCowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 335: "In Action Comics story arc 'Brainiac', writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank added another definitive chapter to one of the most iconic runs in the history of the comic." and retold Superman's origin story in 2009's Superman: Secret Origin.{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/1631-geoff-johns-telling-superman-s-secret-origin.html|title= Geoff Johns: Telling Superman's Secret Origin|first= Matt|last= Brady|date= November 28, 2008|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130609090720/http://www.newsarama.com/1631-geoff-johns-telling-superman-s-secret-origin.html|archive-date= June 9, 2013|url-status=live}}
Also in 2009, Johns teamed with artist Ethan Van Sciver on The Flash: Rebirth miniseries, which centered on the return of Barry Allen as the FlashCowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 337: "Writer Geoff Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver...joined forces again to relaunch Barry Allen as the Flash."{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/571-sdcc-08-johns-van-sciver-talk-flash-rebirth.html|title= SDCC '08 – Johns & Van Sciver Talk Flash: Rebirth|first= Vaneta|last= Rogers|date= July 24, 2008|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140203054729/http://www.newsarama.com/571-sdcc-08-johns-van-sciver-talk-flash-rebirth.html|archive-date= February 3, 2014|url-status=live}} and wrote the Blackest Night limited series.Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 339: "Flowing naturally out of writer Geoff Johns' legendary run on Green Lantern, the seeds of Blackest Night had been planted at the start of Green Lantern: Rebirth (December 2004) and it took an eight-issue series of its own to tell." Commenting on Johns's creation of such concepts as the Blue Lantern Corps, the Red Lantern Corps, and the Indigo Tribe, DC Comics writer and executive Paul Levitz noted in 2010 that "One of Johns' sharpest additions to DC mythology is the notion that the Green Lanterns are but one color within a rainbow spectrum, and that the other hues have their own champions. Folding in old concepts and inventing new ones, Johns has established limitless story possibilities."{{cite book|author-link= Paul Levitz|last=Levitz|first= Paul|chapter= The Modern Age 1998–2010|title= 75 Years of DC Comics The Art of Modern Mythmaking|publisher= Taschen|year=2010|location= Cologne, Germany|isbn= 9783836519816|page= 698}}
=President and CCO of DC Entertainment=
On February 18, 2010, Johns was named the Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment, which was established to expand the DC Comics brand across other media platforms.Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 340: "Publisher Paul Levitz stepped down, and co-publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee, along with DC Entertainment chief creative officer Geoff Johns, teamed up to helm DC Comics."{{cite web |url= http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/02/18/for-immediate-release-dc-entertainment-names-executive-team/|title= Jim Lee and Dan DiDio Named Co-Publishers DC Comics. Geoff Johns to Serve as Chief Creative Officer. John Rood Named EVP, Sales, Marketing and Business Development. Patrick Caldon Named EVP, Finance and Administration|first= David|last= Hyde|date= February 18, 2010|publisher= DC Comics|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100221121229/http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/02/18/for-immediate-release-dc-entertainment-names-executive-team|archive-date= February 21, 2010|url-status=dead|quote= The new senior executive team includes Jim Lee and Dan DiDio, who have been named Co-Publishers of DC Comics, and Geoff Johns, who will serve as Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment.}} Johns stated that the position would not affect his writing.{{cite web |url= http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/02/18/a-note-from-geoff-johns/|title= A note from Geoff Johns|first= David|last= Hyde|date= February 18, 2010|publisher= DC Comics|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100220065936/http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/02/18/a-note-from-geoff-johns/|archive-date= February 20, 2010|url-status=dead}} He then co-wrote the Brightest Day series with Peter Tomasi.Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 341: "Co-written by Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi, and illustrated by Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, Ardian Syaf, Scott Clark, and Joe Prado, Brightest Day was the start of the next chapter in the history of the DC Universe." He and Marv Wolfman were the principal writers of DC Universe Online, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game released in 2011.{{cite web|last=Thang|first=Jimmy|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/15/dc-universe-online-nabs-writer-geoff-johns|title=DC Universe Online nabs writer Geoff Johns|date=September 15, 2008|access-date=May 7, 2018|website=IGN}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/dc-universe-online-superheroes-go-to-battle-in-comic-book-mmo_0|title=DC Universe Online|date=January 11, 2011|access-date=May 7, 2018|website=Gamesindustry.biz}}
In September 2011, following the conclusion of Johns's mini series, Flashpoint, and the crossover storyline of the same name, DC Comics instituted an initiative called The New 52, in which the publisher cancelled all of its superhero titles and relaunched 52 new series with #1 issues, wiping out most of the then-current continuity. Johns and artist Jim Lee, DC Comics' Co-Publisher, launched the line with a new Justice League series, written and illustrated by Johns and Lee, respectively. The series' first story arc was a new origin of the Justice League, which depicted the return of DC's primary superheroes to the team.{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-06-01-dc-comics-why-the-change_n.htm |title=DC Comics ready for a risky yet relevant publishing change |first=Brian |last=Truitt |date=May 3, 2011 |newspaper=USA Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906042045/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-06-01-dc-comics-why-the-change_n.htm |archive-date=September 6, 2013 |url-status=live}} Johns's contributions to The New 52 include a serialized Shazam! (Captain Marvel) backup feature in Justice League that began with issue #7, as well as the relaunched Aquaman and Green Lantern monthly titles.{{cite web|url=http://www.comicvine.com/articles/interview-geoff-johns-talks-justice-league-aquaman/1100-144173/ |title=Interview: Geoff Johns Talks Justice League, Aquaman, Green Lantern & 'Shazam!' |first=Tony |last=Guerrero |date=January 26, 2012 |publisher=Comic Vine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223043356/http://www.comicvine.com/articles/interview-geoff-johns-talks-justice-league-aquaman/1100-144173/ |archive-date=February 23, 2014 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url= http://ifanboy.com/articles/interview-geoff-johns-on-green-lantern-aquaman-justice-league-shazam/|title= Interview: Geoff Johns on Green Lantern, Aquaman, Justice League, & 'Shazam!'|first= Conor|last= Kilpatrick|date= February 29, 2012|publisher= iFanboy|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131029211921/http://ifanboy.com/articles/interview-geoff-johns-on-green-lantern-aquaman-justice-league-shazam/|archive-date= October 29, 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-04-23/Aquaman-comic-book-series/54487090/1 |title=Aquaman's sea world expands with introduction of the Others |first=Brian |last=Truitt |date=April 23, 2012 |newspaper=USA Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408181727/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-04-23/Aquaman-comic-book-series/54487090/1 |archive-date=April 8, 2014 |url-status=live}}
Johns and Gary Frank collaborated on the Batman: Earth One graphic novel, an out of continuity story, released in mid-2012,{{cite book|last1= Manning|first1= Matthew K.|chapter= 2010s|title= Batman: A Visual History|publisher= Dorling Kindersley|year= 2014|location= London, United Kingdom|page= 328|isbn= 978-1465424563|quote= The Batman mythos was reimagined in this alternate take on the hero's origin in this hardcover special. It brought together writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank for their first Batman story.}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2009/12/07/dcu-in-2010-welcome-to-earth-one |title=DCU in 2010: Welcome to Earth One |first=Alex |last=Segura |date=December 7, 2009 |publisher=DC Comics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219213759/http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2009/12/07/dcu-in-2010-welcome-to-earth-one |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |url-status=dead}} which served as the first in a series of graphic novels intended to redefine Batman.{{cite web |url= https://www.aintitcool.com/node/43302|title= Bug continues the Earth One goodness with Batman: Earth One writer Geoff Johns!|date= December 7, 2009|publisher= Ain't it Cool News|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130512032158/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/43302|archive-date= May 12, 2013|url-status=live}} In 2013, after writing Green Lantern for nine years, Johns ended his run with issue 20 of the New 52 series,{{cite web |url= https://news.yahoo.com/geoff-johns-stepping-down-green-lantern-writer-160624604.html|title= Geoff Johns stepping down as Green Lantern writer|first= Matt|last= Moore|date= February 11, 2013|publisher= Yahoo! News|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130520032543/http://news.yahoo.com/geoff-johns-stepping-down-green-lantern-writer-160624604.html|archive-date= May 20, 2013|url-status=live}} which was released May 22, 2013.{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=6022|title= Green Lantern #20|first= Doug|last= Zawisza|date= May 22, 2013|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140410194546/http://comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=6022|archive-date= April 10, 2014|url-status=live}} Archive requires scrolldown DC Comics' All Access webcast announced on February 4, 2014, that Johns would be writing the Superman series which would be drawn by John Romita Jr.{{cite web |url= http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/02/04/scoop-the-new-look-for-john-romita-jrs-superman-and-confirmation-that-geoff-johns-will-be-writing-it/|title= Scoop: The New Look For John Romita Jr's Superman – And Confirmation That Geoff Johns Will Be Writing It|first= Rich|last= Johnston|date= February 4, 2014|publisher= Bleeding Cool|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140206025726/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/02/04/scoop-the-new-look-for-john-romita-jrs-superman-and-confirmation-that-geoff-johns-will-be-writing-it/|archive-date=February 6, 2014 |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/john-romita-jr-signs-dc-677049|title= John Romita Jr. Signs with DC for Superman with Geoff Johns|first= Graeme|last= McMillan|date= February 4, 2014|magazine= The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140206030642/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/john-romita-jr-signs-dc-677049|archive-date=February 6, 2014 |url-status=live}} The Johns/Romita Jr. team was joined by inker Klaus Janson.{{cite news|url=http://comicsalliance.com/superman-geoff-johns-john-romita-jr-dc-comics/ |title=Geoff Johns Returns To Superman in Collaboration With John Romita Jr. |first=Andy |last=Khouri |date=February 4, 2014 |work=ComicsAlliance |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140206030224/http://comicsalliance.com/superman-geoff-johns-john-romita-jr-dc-comics/ |archive-date=February 6, 2014 |url-status=dead}} In May 2016, Johns was promoted to President and Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment and reported to Diane Nelson, the President of DC Entertainment.{{cite news | url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/07/26/scoop-geoff-johns-is-now-president-as-well-as-chief-creative-officer-of-dc-entertainment/ | title=Scoop: Geoff Johns Is Now President As Well As Chief Creative Officer Of DC Entertainment | publisher=Bleeding Cool | date=July 26, 2016 | access-date=July 28, 2016 | last=Johnston | first=Rich | newspaper=Bleeding Cool News and Rumors | author-link=Rich Johnston}}{{cite web|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/geoff-johns-confirmed-as-president-915028|title=Geoff Johns Confirmed as DC Entertainment President|date=July 27, 2016|access-date=May 7, 2018|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}
Johns and Gary Frank collaborated on Doomsday Clock, a limited series featuring Superman and Doctor Manhattan.{{cite web|url= https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/05/14/johns-franks-doomsday-clock-pitts-superman-vs-dr-manhattan-4-part-stand-alone-series/|title= Johns and Frank's Doomsday Clock Pits Superman vs. Dr. Manhattan in 4–Part Stand–Alone Series|first= Dan|last= Wickline|date= May 14, 2017|publisher= Bleeding Cool|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170517015722/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/05/14/johns-franks-doomsday-clock-pitts-superman-vs-dr-manhattan-4-part-stand-alone-series/ |archive-date= May 17, 2017|url-status=live|df= mdy-all}}{{cite web|url= https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/05/15/geoff-johns-continues-dc-rebirth-saga-in-doomsday-clock|title= Geoff Johns Continues DC Rebirth Saga in Doomsday Clock|first= Jesse|last= Schedeen|date= May 14, 2017|website= IGN|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170619085948/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/05/15/geoff-johns-continues-dc-rebirth-saga-in-doomsday-clock|archive-date= June 19, 2017|url-status=live|df= mdy-all|quote= Johns, artist Gary Frank and colorist Brad Anderson will chronicle the long-awaited meeting between Superman and Watchmen's Doctor Manhattan in a mini-series entitled Doomsday Clock.}} Johns and Richard Donner co-wrote "The Car" chapter in Action Comics #1000 (June 2018) which was drawn by Olivier Coipel.{{cite news|url= https://www.cbr.com/action-comics-1000-superman-review-2018/|title= Action Comics #1000 Shows Superman Still Looks Good at 80 Years Old|first= Jim|last= Johnson|date= April 18, 2018|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180426144840/https://www.cbr.com/action-comics-1000-superman-review-2018/|archive-date= April 26, 2018|url-status=live|df= mdy-all|quote= Richard Donner joins Geoff Johns and Olivier Coipel in the inspiring 'The Car', finally explaining just what happened after the events shown on the iconic cover of Action Comics #1.}}
In June 2018, Johns stepped down from his executive role at DC Entertainment and entered into a writer and producer deal with Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment. He opened Mad Ghost Productions, a production company that works on film, television and comic books based on DC Comics properties.{{cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/geoff-johns-exits-dc-entertainment-writing-producing-deal-1118131|title=Geoff Johns Exits DC Entertainment for Writing and Producing Deal (Exclusive)|date=June 11, 2018|access-date=June 11, 2018|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}
=After DC Entertainment=
At San Diego Comic-Con in 2018, DC announced a new "pop-up" imprint, The Killing Zone, to be curated by Johns.{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Cohen |url=https://www.cbr.com/geoff-johns-comic-imprint-killing-zone/ |title=Geoff Johns To Write For, Curate New DC Comics Label, The Killing Zone |publisher=CBR.com |date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611233630/https://www.cbr.com/geoff-johns-comic-imprint-killing-zone/ |archive-date=June 11, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first= |last= |url=http://www.madghostproductions.com/category/comics/ |title=Category: Comics |publisher=Mad Ghost Productions |date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613212837/http://www.madghostproductions.com/category/comics/ |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |url-status=dead }} It was initially set to begin publishing in May 2019.{{cite web |first=Jenna |last=Anderson |url=http://comicbook.com/dc/2018/07/20/geoff-johns-dc-comics-the-killing-zone-imprint-sdcc-2018/ |title=Geoff Johns Shares First Details About His New DC Comics Label |publisher=Comicbook.com |date=July 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720041837/http://comicbook.com/dc/2018/07/20/geoff-johns-dc-comics-the-killing-zone-imprint-sdcc-2018/ |archive-date=July 20, 2018 |url-status=live }} In May 2020, Johns confirmed that the imprint was in development.{{cite web |first=Noah |last=Dominguez |url=https://www.cbr.com/dc-killing-zone-imprint-still-in-the-works-geoff-johns/ |title=DC's Killing Zone Imprint Isn't Dead - Just Delayed |publisher=CBR.com |date=May 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526220911/https://www.cbr.com/dc-killing-zone-imprint-still-in-the-works-geoff-johns/ |archive-date=May 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}
In November 2020, it was announced that Johns would launch a new creator-owned series from Image Comics titled Geiger with long-time collaborator Gary Frank, to debut in April 2021. The series would be his first independent comics series in more than ten years.{{cite web|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/index.php/heat-vision/geoff-johns-moves-to-image-comics-for-geiger|title=Geoff Johns Moves to Image Comics for 'Geiger'|date=November 13, 2020|access-date=November 13, 2020|work=The Hollywood Reporter}} In September 2021 it was reported that Johns and Frank would expand "The Unnamed Universe" of Geiger, starting with Junkyard Joe in October 2022.{{Cite web|author=Johnston, Rich|title=Geoff Johns Unveils Unnamed Geiger Timeline & Junkyard Joe For 2022 |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/geoff-johns-unveils-unnamed-geiger-timeline-junkyard-joe-for-2022/|website=Bleeding Cool|language=en|url-status=live|date=September 1, 2021|access-date=November 20, 2022|archivedate=September 1, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901191645/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/geoff-johns-unveils-unnamed-geiger-timeline-junkyard-joe-for-2022/}}{{Cite web |title=GEOFF JOHNS & GARY FRANK EXPAND GEIGER'S 'THE UNNAMED' UNIVERSE WITH NEW HIT JUNKYARD JOE, PREMIER ISSUE RUSHED BACK TO… |url=https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/geoff-johns-gary-frank-expand-geigers-the-unnamed-universe-with-new-hit-junkyard-joe-premier-issue-rushed-back-to-print|website=Image Comics|language=en|access-date=November 20, 2022}}
On October 12, 2023, Johns and a group of colleagues announced at the New York Comic Con that they were forming a cooperative media company called Ghost Machine, which would publish creator-owned comics, and allow the participating creators to benefit from the development of their intellectual properties. The company publishes its books through Image Comics, and its other founders includes Brad Meltzer, Jason Fabok, Gary Frank, Bryan Hitch, Francis Manapul, and Peter J. Tomasi, all of whom would produce comics work exclusively through that company.{{cite web|url=https://graphicpolicy.com/2023/10/16/nycc-2023-ghost-machine-launches-a-cooperative-media-company/|title=NYCC 2023: Ghost Machine Launches A Cooperative Media Company|publisher=Graphic Policy|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 16, 2023|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 19, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231019175511/https://graphicpolicy.com/2023/10/16/nycc-2023-ghost-machine-launches-a-cooperative-media-company/}}{{Cite news|author=Gustines, George Gene|title=A Comic Book Upstart Seeks to Shake Up the Industry|language=en-US|url-status=live|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/12/business/ghost-machine-comic-book-publisher.html|date=October 12, 2023|access-date=October 19, 2023|archive-date=October 14, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231014085457/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/12/business/ghost-machine-comic-book-publisher.html|issn=0362-4331}} Johns' inaugural work for the company was writing Geiger: Ground Zero, a two-issue series drawing by Frank that serves as a prequel to their 2021 miniseries of the same name.{{cite web|url=https://www.superherohype.com/comics/550981-ghost-machine-launches-image-comics-nycc|title=Ghost Machine: Geoff Johns, Gary Frank and More Launch New Image Comics Imprint|author=Dominguez, Noah|publisher=SuperHero Hype|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 13, 2023|access-date=October 19, 2023|archive-date=October 19, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231019180222/https://www.superherohype.com/comics/550981-ghost-machine-launches-image-comics-nycc}} Set in a post-apocalyptic future, the book centers upon a man named Tariq Geiger{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/johns-hitch-frank-fabok-tomasi-meltzer-manapuls-ghost-machine/ |title=Johns, Hitch, Frank, Fabok, Tomasi, Meltzer & Manapul's Ghost Machine|author=Johnston, Rich|publisher=Bleeding Cool|language=en-GB|url-status=live|date=October 12, 2023|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 19, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231019175721/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/johns-hitch-frank-fabok-tomasi-meltzer-manapuls-ghost-machine/}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/ghost-machine-comic-book-artists-writers-media-company-brad-metzler/|title=Comic Book Artists, Writers Launch Creator-Owned Media Company 'Ghost Machine'|publisher=TheWrap|author=Connelly, Eileen A.J.|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 12, 2023|access-date=October 19, 2023|archive-date=October 19, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231019175721/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/johns-hitch-frank-fabok-tomasi-meltzer-manapuls-ghost-machine/}} who lost his family and his humanity in a nuclear war, when he was transformed into the Glowing Man, a being who can absorb radiation but struggles to contain it. Ground Zero would be followed by an ongoing Geiger series.
=Film=
File:Geoff Johns by Gage Skidmore.jpg to promote DC Comics film projects]]
Johns served as a co-producer and creative consultant for the 2011 Green Lantern film directed by Martin Campbell and starring Ryan Reynolds.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/riffing-with-creators-green-lantern-writer-producer-geoff-johns-waxes-rhapsodic-about-hollywood-hal-jordan-and-his-brightest-days/2011/06/15/AG8yYcXH_blog.html |title=Riffing With Creators: Green Lantern writer-producer Geoff Johns waxes rhapsodic about Hollywood, Hal Jordan and his brightest days |first=Michael |last=Cavna |date=June 16, 2011 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705212811/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/riffing-with-creators-green-lantern-writer-producer-geoff-johns-waxes-rhapsodic-about-hollywood-hal-jordan-and-his-brightest-days/2011/06/15/AG8yYcXH_blog.html |archive-date=July 5, 2014 |url-status=live}}
Johns was an executive producer on the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.{{cite web |url= http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140131005753/en#.U08s6Uko7IU|title= Jesse Eisenberg and Jeremy Irons Join the Cast of Warner Bros. Pictures' Untitled Superman/Batman Film from Director Zack Snyder|date= January 31, 2014|publisher= Business Wire|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140413124445/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140131005753/en#.U08tYkko7IU|archive-date= April 13, 2014|url-status=live}} Following negative critical reception to the film, Johns and Jon Berg were named to jointly run the DC Extended Universe and a newly established Warner Bros. division, DC Films, in May 2016.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/batman-v-superman-fallout-warner-895174|title='Batman v. Superman' Fallout: Warner Bros. Shakes Up Executive Roles (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=June 11, 2018|language=en}} They served as producers on the 2017 film Justice League.{{Cite web|title='Batman v. Superman' Fallout: Warner Bros. Shakes Up Executive Roles (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/batman-v-superman-fallout-warner-895174|last=Kit|first=Borys|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 17, 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160620081333/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/batman-v-superman-fallout-warner-895174|archive-date= June 20, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2016}} Johns also co-wrote the story for Aquaman with James Wan and Will Beall, co-wrote the story for Green Lantern Corps with David S. Goyer and co-wrote Wonder Woman 1984 with Patty Jenkins and David Callaham.{{cite web|last=Keene|first=Allison|title=Wonder Woman Screenwriters Confirmed by Warner Bros|url=https://collider.com/wonder-woman-screenwriters-geoff-johns-allan-heinberg/|access-date=July 27, 2016|website=Collider|date=July 11, 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160814183659/http://collider.com/wonder-woman-screenwriters-geoff-johns-allan-heinberg/|archive-date= August 14, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title=Aquaman Movie Hooks Gangster Squad Writer (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/aquaman-movie-hooks-gangster-squad-913639|access-date=July 29, 2016|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 22, 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160811230852/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/aquaman-movie-hooks-gangster-squad-913639|archive-date= August 11, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/green-lantern-corps-warner-bros-david-goyer-justin-rhodes-dc-1201884133/|title=Warner Bros Sets David Goyer, Justin Rhodes For 'Green Lantern Corps'|work=Deadline Hollywood|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=January 12, 2017|access-date=May 7, 2018}} In January 2018, after Justice League underperformed at the box office, Jon Berg was replaced by Walter Hamada as the head of DC Films, with Johns still working "closely" with Hamada on future productions.{{cite web |last1=Nolan|first1=Liam |title=Geoff Johns Will Continue to Help Steer DC Films with New President |url=https://www.cbr.com/geoff-johns-new-dc-films-position/|website=CBR.com |access-date=December 30, 2020 |date=January 4, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109111942/https://www.cbr.com/geoff-johns-new-dc-films-position/}}{{cite web|last=Lang|first=Brent|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/dc-films-justice-league-1202632214/|title=DC Shake-Up After 'Justice League' Stumbles (Exclusive)|date=December 7, 2017|work=Variety|access-date=May 7, 2018}}{{cite web|last=Lang|first=Brent|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/warner-bros-taps-walter-hamada-to-oversee-dc-films-production-exclusive-1202652878/|title=Warner Bros. Taps Walter Hamada to Oversee DC Films Production (Exclusive)|date=January 4, 2018|access-date=May 7, 2018|work=Variety}}
=Television=
"Recruit", a 2005 episode of the Superman prequel series Smallville, on which Johns's studio mate Jeph Loeb was a writer–producer, featured a villain by the name of Geoff Johns. In 2008, Johns wrote "Legion", the eleventh episode of the eighth season, in which he introduced the three core members of the Legion of Super-Heroes.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Smallville-Legion-casting-1000013.aspx |title= Smallville Casting Scoop: Doomsday Scenario Brings 'Legion' Heroes to Town |first= Matt|last= Mitovich|date= November 20, 2008|magazine=TV Guide|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130729022845/http://www.tvguide.com/news/smallville-legion-casting-1000013.aspx|archive-date=July 29, 2013 |url-status=live|access-date= November 24, 2008}} At the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con, he announced that he was writing another Smallville episode, titled "Society", based on the Justice Society of America. The success of his first episode and the ambitious nature of his follow-up episode enabled the producers to transform it into a two-part story, which subsequently aired as a feature-length episode titled "Absolute Justice".{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/3487-sdcc-09-smallville-live-geoff-johns-to-write-jsa-ep.html|title= SDCC 09 – Smallville Live! Geoff Johns to Write JSA Ep.|first= Albert|last= Ching|date= July 26, 2009|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140224002626/http://www.newsarama.com/3487-sdcc-09-smallville-live-geoff-johns-to-write-jsa-ep.html|archive-date= February 24, 2014|url-status=live}}
In 2006, Johns co-wrote the story for the Justice League Unlimited episode "Ancient History", which starred Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Hawkman, Shadow Thief, and Vixen.
Johns and David S. Goyer co-wrote the pilot for the Spike TV drama Blade, which premiered in June 2006. Johns served as one of the writing staff on the television show. Later that year, Johns teamed up with Matthew Senreich of Robot Chicken fame to write the screenplay for a holiday family-friendly movie titled Naughty or Nice for Dimension Films. Johns and Senreich are billed as directors of the movie, with actor/producer Seth Green set to provide a lead voice as well as serving as voice director on the film. This association led to Johns contributing material to the fourth season of Robot Chicken.{{cite news |url=http://www.newsarama.com/tv/120807-Johns-Robot-Chicken.html |title=Geoff Johns: Getting His Robot Chicken On|first= Matt|last= Brady|work= Newsarama|date=December 7, 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130626170944/http://www.newsarama.com/1690-geoff-johns-getting-his-robot-chicken-on.html|archive-date=June 26, 2013 |url-status=live|access-date= December 11, 2008}}
In 2012, Johns joined The CW's Green Arrow origin series Arrow, as a writer. He first contributed to the first-season episode "Muse of Fire", which served as the introduction of The Huntress, the teleplay for which he co-wrote with executive producer Marc Guggenheim from a story by co-creator Andrew Kreisberg. Later in the season, Johns wrote the sixteenth episode, "Dead to Rights". The episode was directed by frequent Johns collaborator Glen Winter.{{cite web|url=http://voice.fan.tv/2013/02/27/arrow-geoff-johns-and-glen-winter-on-whats-coming/|title=Arrow: Geoff Johns and Glen Winter on What's Coming|first=Jenna|last=Busch|date=February 27, 2013|publisher=Fan Voice|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911080740/http://voice.fan.tv/2013/02/27/arrow-geoff-johns-and-glen-winter-on-whats-coming/|archive-date=September 11, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=September 6, 2014}}
On July 30, 2013, it was announced at the summer TCA tour that Johns and Arrow co-creators Kreisberg and Greg Berlanti would be introducing Barry Allen in the second season of the show, with the potential of a spin-off for the character with the 20th episode acting as a backdoor pilot.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/flash-series-arrow-producers-works-595486|title=Flash Series From Arrow Producers in the Works at CW|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 30, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140706010509/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/flash-series-arrow-producers-works-595486|archive-date= July 6, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=September 6, 2014}} CW executives were so pleased with the handling of the character that they forwent the backdoor pilot, in favor of a full-fledged version.{{cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2013/11/cws-the-flash-to-do-standalone-pilot-instead-of-arrow-backdoor-pilot-episode-637625/|title=CW's The Flash To Do Stand-Alone Pilot Instead Of Arrow Backdoor Pilot Episode|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 18, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141007045213/http://deadline.com/2013/11/cws-the-flash-to-do-standalone-pilot-instead-of-arrow-backdoor-pilot-episode-637625/|archive-date= October 7, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=September 6, 2014}} In May 2014, The Flash was picked up to series, to premiere later that year.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/05/cw-series-orders-2014-flash-izombie-jane-the-virgin-messengers-726746/|title= CW Picks Up The Flash, iZombie, Jane the Virgin & The Messengers To Series|first= Nellie|last= Andreeva|magazine= Deadline Hollywood|date=May 8, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140907052530/http://deadline.com/2014/05/cw-series-orders-2014-flash-izombie-jane-the-virgin-messengers-726746/|archive-date= September 7, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=September 6, 2014}} Johns serves as co-developer and executive producer. He co-wrote, with Kai Yu Wu, the episodes "Going Rogue", which introduces the villain Leonard Snart/Captain Cold to the series, and "Revenge of the Rogues", which brought the rogue Heat Wave to the series fully after being introduced off screen in "Going Rogue".
In a July 2015 interview, Johns said he was collaborating with Reginald Hudlin and Denys Cowan on a live-action digital Static series from DC and Warner Bros. Blue Ribbon division.{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/cbr-tv-sdcc-geoff-johns-talks-the-flash-tv-making-justice-league-count|first= Jonah|last= Weiland|date= July 16, 2015|title=CBR TV @ SDCC: Geoff Johns Talks "The Flash" TV, Making Justice League Count|website=Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160126113839/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/cbr-tv-sdcc-geoff-johns-talks-the-flash-tv-making-justice-league-count|archive-date= January 26, 2016|url-status=live}}
Kreisberg, a producer on the TV series Supergirl, credits Johns with the idea that Hank Henshaw was really Martian Manhunter during production of that series' pilot in 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/harewood-leigh-supergirl-eps-discuss-tonights-major-reveal |title='SUPERGIRL' EPS, HAREWOOD & LEIGH DISCUSS TONIGHT'S MAJOR REVEAL |first=Amy |last=Ratcliffe |website=CBR.com |date=December 7, 2015 |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-date=December 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210195959/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/harewood-leigh-supergirl-eps-discuss-tonights-major-reveal |url-status=dead }}
In July 2018, Johns announced that he would be writing and executive-producing a DC Universe television series about Courtney Whitmore, a character that he created, titled Stargirl.{{cite web |last1=Patten |first1=Dominic |title=Geoff Johns To Write & Produce 'Stargirl' Series For DC Universe – Comic-Con |url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/geoff-johns-stargirl-tv-series-dc-universe-greg-berlanti-wbtv-comic-con-1202429776/ |website=Deadline |access-date=July 19, 2018 |date=July 19, 2018}} The series premiered in May 2020.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/stargirl-premiere-date-may-dc-universe-the-cw/|title=Stargirl receives May premiere dates on DC Universe and The CW|last=Agard|first=Chancellor|date=March 4, 2020|access-date=June 4, 2020|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}
In April 2020, it was reported that Johns is to produce a series based on Green Lantern for HBO Max.{{Cite web|author=Perrine, Aaron|title=Green Lantern: Geoff Johns to Produce New HBO Max Series|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/green-lantern-hbo-max-geoff-johns-produce-new-series/2|website=ComicBook.com|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=April 26, 2020|access-date=March 24, 2022|archivedate=March 24, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324162453/https://comicbook.com/dc/news/green-lantern-hbo-max-geoff-johns-produce-new-series/2/}}
In October 2022, it was announced that Paramount Television Studios would develop a TV adaptation of Geiger from Johns and Justin Simien, with Johns writing the pilot, serving as showrunner, and executive producing along with Jamie Iracleanos for Mad Ghost Productions, and Gary Frank.{{Cite web |last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=2022-10-20 |title='Geiger' Comic Series Getting TV Adaptation By Justin Simien, Geoff Johns & Paramount Television |url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/geiger-comic-series-tv-adaptation-justin-simien-geoff-johns-paramount-television-1235151070/ |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Johns' younger sister, Courtney, was a victim of the TWA Flight 800 crash. The DC Comics superheroine Courtney Whitmore/Stargirl, whom Johns created, is based on her.{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/2816-best-shots-legion-wonderland-literals-and-more.html|title= Best Shots: Legion, Wonderland, Literals and More|first= Troy|last= Brownfield|date= May 8, 2009|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140417005236/http://www.newsarama.com/2816-best-shots-legion-wonderland-literals-and-more.html|archive-date=April 17, 2014|url-status=live}}
In a 2010 interview, Johns named Steve McNiven as an artist he would like to collaborate with, J. Michael Straczynski's run on Thor as his then-favorite ongoing comic book.
Johns is a comic book retailer{{cite web|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21559|title= ReTales|first= Jud|last= Meyers|date= June 6, 2009|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140408042017/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21559|archive-date= April 8, 2014|url-status= dead|access-date= July 12, 2009}} who co-owns Earth-2 Comics in Northridge, California.
Selected bibliography
{{main|Geoff Johns bibliography}}
{{category see also|Works by Geoff Johns}}
{{Div col}}
- Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #0-14 (1999–2000)
- JSA #6–77, 81 (2000–2006)
- Hawkman #1–6, 8–25 (2002–2003)
- Justice Society of America vol. 3 #1–26 (2007–2009)
- The Flash vol. 2 #164–225 (2000–2005)
- Teen Titans vol. 3, #1–26, 29–46, 50 (2003–2007)
- Green Lantern: Rebirth #1–6 (2004–2005)
- Green Lantern vol. 4 #1–67 (2005–2011)
- Green Lantern vol. 5 #0–20 (2011–2013)
- Infinite Crisis #1–7 (2005–2006)
- 52 #1–52 (2006–2007)
- Action Comics #837–840, 844–846, 850–851, 855–873 (2006–2009)
- Booster Gold vol. 2 #0–10 (2007–2008)
- Superman: Secret Origin #1–6 (2009–2010)
- The Flash: Rebirth #1–6 (2009–2010)
- Blackest Night #0–8 (2009–2010)
- Brightest Day #0–24 (2010–2011)
- The Flash #1-12 (2010-2011)
- Flashpoint #1–5 (2011)
- Justice League vol. 2 #0–50 (2011–2016)
- Aquaman vol. 5 #0–19, 21–25 (2011–2013)
- Forever Evil #1–7 (2013–2014)
- Batman: Earth One Volume 1–3 (2012–2021)
- DC Universe: Rebirth (2016)
- Doomsday Clock #1–12 (2018–2020)
- Shazam! vol. 2 #1–11, 13–14 (2019–2020)
- Batman: Three Jokers #1–3 (2020)
- Flashpoint Beyond #0–6 (2022)
- The New Golden Age #1 (2022)
- Justice Society of America #1–12 (2023–2024)
{{Div col end}}
Filmography
=Films=
{{category see also|Films based on works by Geoff Johns}}
class="wikitable" |
rowspan=2|Year
! rowspan=2|Title ! colspan=2|Credited as ! rowspan=2|Notes |
---|
Writer
! Producer |
rowspan=2|1997
| rowspan=3 {{no}} |rowspan=4 {{no}} |Assistant to Richard Donner, as Geoffrey Johns |
Double Tap
|Assistant to Mills Goodloe and Alex Collet |
1998
|Assistant to Richard Donner |
rowspan=2|2011
|Green Lantern: Emerald Knights |{{yes}} |Two segments |
Green Lantern
|rowspan=3 {{no}} |{{yes}} | |
2013
|Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox |rowspan=4 {{partial|Executive}} | |
rowspan=2|2016
|Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice | |
Suicide Squad
|{{no}} |Additional photography/ reshoots{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/davidayermovies/status/1491467753722503173|author=Ayer, David|publisher=Twitter|language=en-US|url-status=live|title=(Untitled)|date=February 9, 2022|access-date=August 10, 2022|archivedate=August 10, 2022|archiveurl=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220810170845/https://twitter.com/davidayermovies/status/1491467753722503173}} |
rowspan=2|2017
|rowspan=1 {{partial|Uncredited}} | |
Justice League
|{{no}} | |
2018
|{{Partial|Story}} |rowspan=6 {{partial|Executive}} |Wrote story with James Wan and Will Beall |
2019
|rowspan=2 {{no}} | |
rowspan=2|2020
| |
Wonder Woman 1984
|{{yes}} |Wrote screenplay with Patty Jenkins and Dave Callaham, story with Patty Jenkins |
2022
| rowspan=2 {{no}} | |
rowspan=2|2023
| |
The Flash
|{{partial|Uncredited}} |{{no}} | Additional literary materialhttps://directories.wga.org/project/1206053/the-flash/ |
=Television=
class="wikitable" |
rowspan=2|Year
! rowspan=2|Title ! colspan=2|Credited as ! rowspan=2|Notes |
---|
Writer
! Producer |
2005–2006
|rowspan=3 {{yes}} |{{no}} |1 episode |
2006
|{{yes|Consulting}} |Writer (4 episodes), consulting producer (12 episodes) |
2008–2009
|{{no}} |5 episodes |
2009
|{{Partial|Story}} |{{yes}} |Story by (8 episodes), co-producer (9 episodes) |
2009–2011
|rowspan=9 {{yes}} |rowspan=2 {{no}} |Writer (3 episodes), actor (1 episode) |
2010
|Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III | |
rowspan=2|2012
|Robot Chicken DC Comics Special |{{yes|Executive}} | |
Metal Hurlant Chronicles
|rowspan=2 {{no}} |1 episode |
2012–2014
|5 episodes |
2014
|Robot Chicken DC Comics Special 2: Villains in Paradise |{{yes|Executive}} | |
2014–2018
|rowspan=2 {{no}} |Developed with Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg |
2015
|Robot Chicken DC Comics Special III: Magical Friendship | |
2018–2023
|rowspan=5 {{yes|Executive}} |Created with Akiva Goldsman and Greg Berlanti |
2019–2023
|rowspan=2 {{no}} | |
2019–2022
| |
2020–2022
|{{yes}} |Also creator and showrunner |
2021–2024
|{{No}} | |
Awards and recognition
- 2002 Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent (for The Flash)
- 2005 Wizard Fan Award for Best Writer (for The Flash, Infinite Crisis, Green Lantern and Teen Titans){{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/wizard05.php|title= 13th Annual Wizard Fan Awards|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130902222811/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/wizard05.php|archive-date= September 2, 2013|url-status=live|access-date= October 28, 2010}}
- 2006 Wizard Fan Award for Best Writer (for Infinite Crisis){{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/wizard06.php|title= 15th Annual Wizard Fan Awards|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130902222817/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/wizard06.php|archive-date= September 2, 2013|url-status=live|access-date= October 28, 2010}}
- 2008 Project Fanboy Award for Best Writer{{cite web |url= http://www.projectfanboy.com/index.php?pageid=pfa_winners|title= The Project Fanboy Award Winners – 2009 Winners and 2008 Winners|year= 2009|publisher= Project Fanboy|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100902051409/http://www.projectfanboy.com/index.php?pageid=pfa_winners|archive-date= September 2, 2010|url-status=dead|access-date= October 28, 2010}}
- 2009 Project Fanboy Award for Best Writer
- 2009 Spike TV Scream Award for Best Comic Book Writer{{cite web|url= http://www.spike.com/articles/44cyc8/scream-scream-awards-2009-winners|title= Scream Awards 2009 Winners|year= 2009|publisher= Spike|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140222170535/http://www.spike.com/articles/44cyc8/scream-scream-awards-2009-winners|archive-date= February 22, 2014|url-status= dead|access-date= April 19, 2014}}
- 2010 Spike TV Scream Award for Best Comic Book Writer (for Blackest Night, Brightest Day, The Flash and Green Lantern){{cite web |url= http://www.spike.com/event/scream/|title= Scream Awards 2010 Winners|year= 2010|publisher= Spike |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101101204637/http://www.spike.com/event/scream/|archive-date= November 1, 2010|url-status=dead}}
- 2024 Ringo Award Winner for Best Series for Geiger: Ground Zero{{cite web|url=https://ringoawards.com/|title=Ringo Awards - The Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards|access-date=March 1, 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{official website|http://www.madghostproductions.com/}}
- [http://ghostmachinepro.com Ghost Machine Productions website]
- {{IMDb name|0424315}}
- {{gcdb|type=credit|search=Geoff+Johns|title=Geoff Johns}}
- {{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=102|title=Geoff Johns}}
{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| title = Justice Society of America writer
| before = James Robinson
David S. Goyer
| after = Bill Willingham
Lilah Sturges
| years = 2000–2009
(with David S. Goyer in 2000–2003)
}}
{{succession box
| title = The Flash writer
| before = Mark Waid
Brian Augustyn
| after = Joey Cavalieri
| years = 2000–2005
}}
{{succession box
| title = Hawkman writer
| before = William Messner-Loebs
| after = Jimmy Palmiotti
Justin Gray
| years = 2002–2004
(with James Robinson in 2002–2003)
}}
{{succession box
| title = Superman writer
| before = Jeph Loeb
| after = Steven T. Seagle
| years = 2002–2003
}}
{{succession box
| title = The Avengers writer
| before = Kurt Busiek
| after = Chuck Austen
| years = 2002–2004
}}
{{succession box
| title = Teen Titans writer
| before = Dan Jurgens
(Teen Titans vol. 2)
Peter David
(Young Justice)
| after = Adam Beechen
| years = 2003–2007
}}
{{succession box
| title = Green Lantern writer
| before = Ron Marz
| after = Robert Venditti
| years = 2005–2013
}}
{{succession box
| title = JLA writer
| before = Kurt Busiek
| after = Bob Harras
| years = 2005
(with Allan Heinberg)
}}
{{succession box
| title = Action Comics writer
| before = Gail Simone
| after = Greg Rucka
| years = 2006–2009
(with Richard Donner in 2006–2008)
}}
{{succession box
| title = Booster Gold writer
| before = Dan Jurgens
| after = Dan Jurgens
| years = 2007–2008
(with Jeff Katz)
}}
{{succession box
| title = The Flash writer
| before = Alan Burnett
| after = Francis Manapul
Brian Buccellato
| years = 2010–2011
}}
{{succession box
| title = Justice League writer
| before = Keith Giffen
J. M. DeMatteis
| after = Bryan Hitch
| years = 2011–2016
}}
{{succession box
| title = Justice League of America writer
| before = James Robinson
| after = Matt Kindt
| years = 2013
}}
{{succession box
| title = Aquaman writer
| before = Tad Williams
| after = Jeff Parker
| years = 2011–2013
}}
{{succession box
| title = Superman writer
| before = Scott Lobdell
| after = Gene Luen Yang
| years = 2014–2015
}}
{{succession box
| title = Justice Society of America writer
| before = Marc Guggenheim
| after = Incumbent
| years = 2022
}}
{{end}}
{{DC Rebirth|state=collapsed}}
{{Green Lantern |state=collapsed}}
{{The New 52 |state=collapsed}}
{{Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johns, Geoff}}
Category:20th-century American writers
Category:21st-century American screenwriters
Category:American business executives
Category:American comics writers
Category:American television writers
Category:American writers of Lebanese descent
Category:American male television writers
Category:Michigan State University alumni
Category:People from Clarkston, Michigan