It’s not so often that such a huge creative shift happens, but yesterday the industry was abuzz about Geoff Johns leaving “Green Lantern.” It’d been his baby for nearly a decade, and with him went the creative teams from the other three Lantern books. While those are big books as well, we’re mostly curious as to who will follow Johns as the next writer of Green Lantern. Today on Multiversity Comics Countdown, fellow MC writer Brian Salvatore and myself share the eight writers we think are most likely to follow Johns up in sculpting the world of the Green Lanterns.
Who do you think will be the next writer on GL? Share your thoughts in the comments.
David: Do I think Wiebe is likely for this book? No, not really. DC will almost certainly go with a comic book household name for this book, and Wiebe is certainly not that. That said, they have been targeting Image talent lately, and somehow they have not went after Wiebe yet even though he’s one of the best young voices at Image or in comics. Consider that when we were thinking Image creators who could take over Green Lantern, multiple MC writers immediately thought Wiebe. We hold him in high esteem. That said, he’s not likely to take over this, but would I be surprised to see him on New Guardians or Red Lanterns? No way.
Brian: Parker has been penning Marvel’s “Red She-Hulk” and “Dark Avengers” as of late, but rumors of “Dark Avengers” demise have been persistent (some would have you believe that it will be ending with May’s issue; Marvel solicits are due this week, so time will tell). Parker also recently was announced as writing a chapter of DC’s new Superman digital first series, “The Adventures of Superman,” just a few months after penning a story for their Batman digital first title, “Legends of the Dark Knight;” could these be tune up gigs for Parker, a guy who knows how to manage an ensemble, to be taking the reins of a franchise with lots of moving parts?
Brian: The fact that Fialkov kept “I, Vampire” going for 20 issues is a testament to his skills as a writer, as well as to the idea that a good story can sell a book (Andrea Sorrentino’s fantastic art didn’t hurt matters, either). Imagine what Fialkov could do with a book that didn’t need to convince readers of its necessity? Fialkov effortlessly weaves action and introspection, and paired with the correct artist, could be the sort of guy to plot the next long GL run. He had a whole third year of “I, Vampire” planned, and so imagine how far out he could plan a book that is in no danger of being cancelled? Plus, when he spoke to me last month, he mentioned that a new DC project would be “announced in March.” Coincidentally, the June solicits come out in March. Hmmm…
David: Layman is a bit of a badass.
I wanted to start that way.
Now, as far as Layman as a potential Green Lantern writer is concerned, I think he’ll be on DC’s shortlist. Or was, rather, if they have already decided. And there’s good reason why – his Detective Comics work has earned him a lot of praise; it’s selling incredibly well; and Chew has been a critical darling since it arrived. We know he can handle a book with a strong lead and a considerable supporting cast, and we know he can fit into the machinations of the world of crossovers. He’s definitely a guy who’ll be considered, but my main question is would he want to do it? Maybe. Or maybe he’ll want to keep focused on Chew as we get deep into its second half.
David: To me, it seems like they’ve been preparing Fawkes for a big book that he carries himself. He’s been co-writing a number of books with Jeff Lemire – Johns’ main man right now – and he’s seemingly proving himself to them very well. Given that Johns’ hadn’t really gotten huge before GL (he’d revitalized JSA, but its sales weren’t huge), maybe DC will go for a rising star like Fawkes for their flagship? We’d love to see what he has to offer on something like this, but he’s probably not proven enough for GL proper yet. GLC or New Guardians though? Intriguing…
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Brian: While Robinson may not jump out as an obvious choice (especially due to his public acknowledgment that Alan Scott his favorite Green Lantern to write), but he has a few things going for him: a track record of success and a relatively light comics work load (only “Earth 2” and his upcoming Image series “The Saviours,” which still has no release date). Robinson also tends to be a world builder, like Johns, and has no trouble navigating thick continuity, which is a pre-requisite for writing this book. He is one of the few writers that may not see a huge drop off in readers from what Johns was bringing in, as well.
David: Tomasi is the very, very obvious answer of who would be next for Green Lantern. He’s currently writing the #2 GL book – Green Lantern Corps – and would make a ton of sense to ease the transition; he’s a Johns’ guy and a long-time DC’er; and he’s leaving GLC at the same time Johns is leaving GL. He’s ready made to take over, really? That said, I don’t think it’s going to happen. The reason why is I think, even though he’s a known commodity to comic fans, he doesn’t quite have the sales appeal of Johns or really any A-list writer. GLC is closer to New Guardians and Red Lanterns in sales than it is Green Lantern, and it’s not close. They’re going to want someone who could define Green Lantern for the next generation. Right now, Tomasi is the outgoing generation, so I think he’s out of that world entirely.
I think.
Brian: From “Sweet Tooth” to world domination in just over three years. Lemire is a busy dude, already writing or co-writing four monthlies at DC (“Justice League Dark” and “Constantine” with #4 pick Ray Fawkes, “Green Arrow” and “Animal Man” solo), but I could see him dropping any two of those for the chance to write “Green Lantern” – especially if he was also drawing it.
Look, I know that Lemire’s art style is not what DC probably wants for “Green Lantern,” but talk about a bold move; the book would look like nothing else on the shelves, and especially nothing like any top-tier character’s book. It’s an idea that would be bold without being risky – DC seems confident that Lemire can deliver a solid product – but it would also a sign that DC is willing to shake things up and take risks, something the’ve seriously stalled out on since the New 52 launched.
