Official Day

Eddie Berganza (left) hosted Spotlight on Geoff Johns (right) at Comic-Con 2009. (Photo by Sylvia Quintanilla)


The San Diego Convention Center is expected to house “140,000 people over the weekend” according to the KUSI News in San Diego, Calif.

I saw at least a couple of thousand were waiting in line for the Twilight Saga: New Moon panel at 1:45 p.m., I read on CNN.com that people camped out since midnight Wednesday to catch a glimpse of Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. Though I wasn’t able to get into the panel, I did get a Team Edward crown.

Missing out on the New Moon panel freed up my time to go to the Spotlight on Geoff Johns, the writer of the biggest summer event for DC Comics, the Blackest Night. Johns was very witty and told outlandish stories of his times as an intern and then assist to Richard Donner (Johns wrecked Donner’s “free car” on the Warner Brothers lot).

Johns announced that the projects he is working on are Adventure Comics, Superman Secret Origins, Blackest Night: Flash and the Flash movie. Speaking of the Blackest Night, during the Superman Panel, writer Greg Rucka confirmed he will be writing Blackest Night: Wonder Woman, what twisted enemy would like a word with her?

At the Superman Panel, it was said by a writer that the upcoming story arcs to all Superman universe titles will lead to a 2010 event.

Though Johns couldn’t say anything about the Flash film, he did give a great answer and possible hint for the story of the movie. When asked about the mass appeal of a Flash movie he said, “People are caught up in speed.” With everyone texting, checking e-mail and eating breakfast in the car, “people forget to slow down.”

Johns’ Spotlight, like most panels at the Con, was in a question and answer format. One answer to a sophomore in college majoring in journalism was simple yet great advice from one of comic books well known writers, you “just need to write.”

When asked if he’d taken on a Batman story one day and what he’d like to do, Johns replied he’d do a “grounded take on Batman,” and he’d “probably give him a yellow ring (Green Lantern reference, Yellow Lanterns instill fear).”

“I believe in the thematic of over coming fear” said Johns as the reason why he took the job of writing the Green Lantern. Johns added that people all deal with the theme. Johns said that he will not be “leaving Green Lantern for a long time.”

When asked about the intense violence in the Blackest Night, Johns responded “(I) don’t know what you’re expecting.” Adding that the event is “very story driven” and “is really emotional.”

Black Lantern rings were handed out at a table in the DC Comics booth, wearable rings are in all five Comic-Con Green Lantern Exclusive Collectibles as well (but why would you want open those?), Johns mentioned at his Spotlight that other colored rings will be coming soon.

Eddie Berganza, is an editor at DC Comics and hosted the Spotlight, recalled his first meeting with Johns saying it was at a Comic-Con years ago. Berganza said that Johns was enthusiastic then and still has that enthusiasm now. “DCU has become the Geoff Johns Universe,” said Berganza.












Catwoman, myself, Chris and Batman. Comic-Con, where you meet your heroes!