A little over a week ago it was announced that DC Entertainment CCO Geoff Johns was ending his historic ten year run writing Green Lantern and leading the related family of books. Then we found out that all of the Green Lantern books were going to receive a creative team shake-up.
This morning we found out via DC’s The Source blog, just who those new creative teams will be, with the bonus announcement of a new book featuring a fan-favorite character.
Green Lantern: Writer Robert Venditti and artist Billy Tan.
Green Lantern Corps: Writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Bernard Chang.
Green Lantern: New Guardians: Writer Justin Jordan and artist Brad Walker.
Red Lanterns: Writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Alessandro Vitti.
And the new book:
Larfleeze: Writer Keith Giffen and artist Scott Kolins.
As a long time fan of of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps, I was bummed when the creative teams and/or stories after The New 52 reboot didn’t do much to thrill me and that feeling continues here with this new announcement. If there’s a writer I like then they are paired with an artist I don’t and/or a character I don’t. Then again, my overall Green Lantern malaise could be that I just want “Hal Jordan, Space Cop” stories.
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That’s a line-up I can get behind (though, no interest in Larfleeze)
Robert Vendetti sounds familiar, did he work on any DC animated movies or something? Im kinda glad Tomasi is off GL Corps, maybe Ill try these books when the new creative teams take over. And Larfleeze is getting his own series? Thats so crazy I’m checking it out just to see if it works.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Venditti
Crap, I loved “the Surrogates” and I still haven’t learned his name yet! In that case I’m definitely trying GL when he takes over.
Venditti’s been doing a great job over on X-O Manowar, in my opinion; plus, his first two issues of Demon Knights were strong. I’d like to check out Surrogates someday . . .
Venditti has been doing AWESOME work on Valiant’s X-O Manowar!
Can’t wait to read his GL.
And everyone should try X-O Manowar.
Hmm… well, I’ve heard nothing but praise for X-O Manowar and I, Vampire, so maybe these will be awesome choices! I hold out hope that this will lead to a more scaled-back, “Space Cop” type series.
Venditti relaunched X-O Manowar for Valiant and took over Demon Knights from Paul Cornell, both of which are very good books. Of all of them I think I am most excited for Green Lantern Corps, Justin Jordan is great on Luthor Strode and Bernard Chang is currently the artist on Demon Knights, which is also great.
I didn’t know he took over Demon Knights, I’ll have to check that out again. X-O has been terrific so far. Sounds like I won’t be dropping GL or GL Corps.
I’d definitely recommend giving Demon Knights a try — it’s been one of my favorite books since issue one . . .
This doesn’t bode well for the longevity of my beloved Demon Knights.
Agreed on Vendetti doing well on Demon Knights. Not to mention that Bernard Cheng (listed on one of the GL books) was (and hopefully still is?) the artist of Demon Knights…
Love that series, one of the best things to come out of new 52… please don’t go away!
Finally I can remove a book from my pull.
So Venditti had to pull out of Constantine because of his schedule but he can do this? Wonder what else got dropped from his workload or if the excuse behind leaving Constantine was B.S.
As for Larfleeze, what kind of demand does DC think this book has? lol. 5th wave? get it ready!!! because this is dead by issue 6.
Otherwise…I’m really happy for Fialkov. I, Vampire got the short end of the stick after its trade sales coup, but once DC editorial snagged Sorrentino it was a wrap anyway.
Perhaps the schedule conflict was the GL book? They’ve probably known about the changes over at DC for awhile…
As much as I love Larfleeze, I don’t believe he can support a monthly title. Happy to see Venditti on GL. I’ll reserve my judgment on Tan till I see his pages.
As long as he has a good supporting cast , or a straight man, the book should be interesting enough.
Red Lanterns has lasted significantly longer than I thought it would, so maybe this will too. The creative team is pretty good.
Come to think of it, Connor, I can’t remember the last time we had “Hal Jordan, Space Cop” stories…probably not since the Silver and Bronze Age stories (excluding the GL:AS books). Johns’ run has had the larger storyline in the background since Rebirth.
Thinking about Larfleeze…. There has been hints for a long time that there’s a really tragic story behind that character. There is a *possibility* that the book *might* be okay. It depends on whether they go the comedic route or if they explore his origins and losses (maybe more of a “Secret Origin” story line – has the potential to be very dramatic). I’m *really* doubtful that will happen, but…
I believe his tragic origin has been more than hinted at. Somewhere, I recall seeing a Larfleeze flashback of him losing his wife and kid(s)? (Perhaps it was that Larfleeze Christmas Special from a couple years back.) Which is a fairly “been-there-done-that” character background; and with Giffen here, I have to think this will be DC’s attempt at a monthly comedy book. Which I will try and try to like, most definitely – especially with Scott Kollins’ wonderful talent involved! I still cherish his Flash work from long ago 🙂
I’m actually pleasantly piqued by this new line-up. Josh Fialkov is an awesome writer – that alone brings this boy to the RL / GL Corps yard, at least for the first issues. Though honestly? I still think there is way too much GL in the current New 52 title roster. *Two* titles is all that’s necessary: 1) Green Lantern (for Hal Jordan and his adventures) and; 2) Green Lantern Corps (for the rest of our favorite GL’s, with regular visits from the other color Lantern corps).
Re:Larfleeze, there was a scene with Larfleeze and one of the Star Sapphires recently as well. Giffen can do big, space drama, but you’re probably right that it’s going to be a comedy book. Too bad.
I’m pretty happy about the lineup as well. I might be one of the few people who is enjoying all of the GL books – I was hoping to drop some after the current cross-over, but I’ll be in for at least the first few of all of them.
I haven’t been reading any Lantern books or know much about the creators and with Conor’s lack of enthusiasm, it doesn’t inspire much interest for me.
I’ve only been reading Green Lantern: New Guardians since the New 52. It seemed the most accessible to me having never read anything GL, and it was. I enjoyed it, and Kyle Rayner is a cool character. Anybody know anything about that writer. Is he any good? Is it time to bail?
So Fialkov will be writing for DC and Marvel at the same time? When’s the last time that happened?
Nick Spencer is the most recent that comes to mind.
Joe Keatinge has a Marvel (Morbius) and a DC (DC Presents) book out today.
None of these writers hold any interest for me. I’ve been with all the titles since GL: Rebirth and this seems like the perfect time to jump off the green Lantern line completely.
None for me thanks.
Hate to be negative, but there’s nothing here that interests me. I think I’ve just had my fill for a while. I hung in there for a long time, but like Conor mentions in so many words, you can only do the epic stuff for so long before readers start to tune out. I’ve been back on since Rebirth, and my interest battery is quickly approaching 0%. Johns’ departure couldn’t come at a better time for me. Not because I’m looking for new blood, but because the completist in me needs a reason to drop this without any guilt.
I’ll see ya further on up the road, Hal.
Hey, at least give DC credit for going with fresh, younger writers with a background in independent books rather than 90s era throwbacks. Who knows if they will be given the space to develop by editorial, but at least it’s a step in the right direction. And I’ve actually enjoyed Giffen’s “Threshold” much more than I would have guessed. Maybe it’s just me, but I try not to get all cynical about a new creative direction four months before the first issues come out.
Well said
Agreed.
Great point about the fresh talent. It’s a good move for DC, I think.
Venditti has been great on the X-O manowar series. I guess I won’t be dropping GL
i’ve always liked the idea of Green Lantern, but have never really been able to get into the books. I’d love a “Space Cop” type of GL comic series that was not so continuity and epic soap opera epicness. I just remember trying it at the New 52 launch and being lost right away, so i’ve stayed away ever since.
I hope this Larfleeze thing doesn’t kill Giffen’s Threshold. The first two issues have been great.
Vendetti and Fialkov seems like a good grounding element to a new direction for GL. Not too happy about Billy Tan, but… we’ll see.
You know, I used to think the same thing, but then his issues of Uncanny X-Force looked great. I think he’s an artist who’s art is made or broken by whoever colors and inks him.
My thoughts exactly. I’m excited for all of the talent listed about except Billy Tan. I’d much rather have Vitti or Chang on art for the main book…
The end of Johns’ run after several years of reading Green Lantern feels like the perfect place to hop off. DC would’ve had to pull a killer line up of replacements to keep me around. This isn’t it. Nothing against the creators. I’m only familiar with some of their work and most of it is pretty good. Not a typically fan of Billy Tan though and he’s on the lead title.
What I find surprising is DC didn’t re-number and re-structure the books. The Green Lantern books were by far re-booted the least and weren’t very accessible as part of the New 52. Is there still a need for a Red Lanterns book? I guess they’ll keep publishing a title in order until it fails.
I am intrigued by Giffen and Kolins’ Larfleeze book. I still haven’t read Threshold but is that is good perhaps this will be too. Also, for the same reason I read Red Lanterns for a while, I’m curious how the heck a series focusing on Larfleeze will even work.
This GL announcement is the latest in a series of very questionable decisions. I would like to see a shift in the mindset of DC’s current regime. Utilize emerging creative talent similar to the new 52 assignments. Eliminate the practice of hiring cronies.
Not sure I understand your complaint… how are Venditti, Jordan, and Fialkov “cronies”? They all came up from independents, and would seem to me to fit your description of “emerging talent.” In fact, Fialkov was one of the original new 52 assignments, with I, Vampire.
Yeah, your comment makes no sense.
These guys are “emerging creative talent”.
Not cronies.
Pretty lame lineup i must say, though larfleeze sounds kinda fun
I’m actually happy with this set of creators. Giffen’s a mainstay, and Venditti, Jordan, and Fialkov have a pretty strong record of independent books. My real hope is that DC lets these guys work together and run the line without too much editorial interference. I know each of these guys are capable of good stuff, but we haven’t always seen that translate well in the current editorial environment — although, I do think Fialkov did a nice job with I, Vampire.
That said, while I applaud the writer assignments (and some of the artists), these books aren’t really my cup of tea. I’m not a huge fan of this expanded GL universe, and it feels like the vein has been exhausted at this point. But… If I hear that there’s some serious innovation and renovation going on… I might just have to check out a few of these.
I dropped GL recently because I’ve thought the New 52 stuff has been pretty boring. I like Venditti so I might give it a try again now.
Venditti – what little I’ve read from him was great
Fialkov – what little I’ve read from him was okay
Jordan – what little I’ve read from his was boring
So I can’t say I’m super excited about this line-up, other than the main GL book and Larfleeze, but I will give them a shot.
I’ve never been a huge Green Lantern fan, though I am curious to see what Venditti does with Hal. My budget is really tight at the moment, so I’ll probably pass on Green Lantern unless I hear terrific things about it. Same goes for Giffen and Larfleeze, though in that case my interest in the character is even less. However, I do think that these are good choices by DC, as least as far as writers go.
I think the most important thing DC should do with this is stop the endless crossovers between these books and pointless events. I am more than happy to give each of these teams a chance to impress me, but I am about event-fatigued out. Let them tell independent stories for a while, maybe we’ll get some of that space-cop goodness we’re all hungry for…
After thinking about it for a minute, you make some good points. Mainly about the creative teams. I’ll make an effort to pick one book for a few months and see what’s what.
I haven’t read much from the writers presented except for Mr. Giffen.
I currently subscribe to all of the Green/Red Lantern comics and they are good stories.
Having new writers come on board is a good chance to have new and interesting stories.
I want new and a little bit different.
I plan on giving the new writers/artists the opportunity to wow me.
I look forward to each of these books.
Can’t say any out these have me overly excited. The writers I’m interested in but most of the artists here I don’t for at all. Hopefully they’ll turn out well because I’d be bummed if I had to drop the Green Lantern books around the same time as the show is going of the air.
If nothing else, I hope this gets a few more people to check out Venditti’s THE SURROGATES, Fialkov’s TUMOR and ECHOES, and Jordan’s THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE. Indie comics, FTW!
I’ve been a fan of Fialkov’s independent work for a few years now. I constantly recommend it to people. Really happy to see him moving up in the ranks of the DCU.
I would be happy if all three GL titles just tell individual stories for a while. Like a solid year without crossing. I’ve been very underwhelmed post relaunch as with the GL titles. Right now only GL still is getting bought by me.
I will try the first of the GL, GLC and New Guardians. But that could change depending on how this whole first lantern thing shakes out.
The authors don’t strike me as “must buy”, and only im only famliar with Chiangs work.
I really enjoyed the good cop/bad cop dynamic between Hal Jordan and Sinestro. Then blackest night bs crept in and made me sad. Then I thought Simon Baz was pretty cool and then the first lantern bs started. I still like Red Lanterns! If it wasn’t forced into all the GL crossover nonsense. Hopefully when that’s over Red Lanterns will get back on track.
I agree! Simon Baz won me over…solid story telling and a great intro to a new character. What a novel idea!
I will be back on red lanterns if there is more Bleez and Atrocitus conflict. I liked it, but it didn’t last long enough.
Green Lantern is one of my favorite characters, but I’ve disliked the books in the New 52. But as a guy who has loved XO Manowar, Luther Strode, and Last of the Greats, I couldn’t be more excited about the new writers. These are the types of writers I want DC to build around.
As for the artists, I’ll take a wait-and-see approach.
Props for DC in going outside the box when it comes to these announcements. But apart from the Larfleeze series, of all things, the creative teams don’t interest me at all. Weird that a big name, along the lines of Johns, isn’t taking over the main series considering how much it has rejuvenated DC at one point. Like, Green Lantern was ‘THE’ title at DC for the longest time and to give it to Venditti just doesn’t seem right.
I wish them all the best and if I hear good things I’ll jump in. But nothing out there screams for me to rush it in my pull bin.
I’m kind of wait and see on this one, Green Lantern is currently on my pull list and i’ll check out the first few issues with new creative.
I like the writers they chose but my pull list is looking mighty full these days and i’m not sure I have room for extra books so I will probably wait to hear whats worth reading, maybe hop off the main book for new guardians or something, will have to wait and see.
Seeing Chang off demon knights makes me worry as it doesn’t sell great and I think it has actually gotten better with venditti writing it.
I liked Fialkov’s writing in I,Vampire….just not the characters. I’m looking forward to his run in the GL Family. I’ve always liked Giffen, so I’m onboard for Larfreeze. This is truly the beginning of the “New 52” for the GL titles.
So Connor, what are some good old-fashioned Green Lantern “space cop” type of stories? Johns early run?
Larfleeze, eh? Giffen, eh?
Not a fan of Kolins, but I’ll give it a shot.
A Larfleeze series by Giffen and Kolins sounds awesome.
+1.