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."