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Geoff Johns Steps Down as GREEN LANTERN Writer

After nine years, Johns leaves behind Hal Jordan, Simon Baz, and the expansive world he has created.

Today marks the end of one of the most memorable runs in recent comic book history. Geoff Johns announced he is stepping down as writer of GREEN LANTERN. Johns began his run in 2004 of the mini-series GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH and rebooted the world of Green Lantern for a new generation of DC readers.

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Geoff Johns took a good character (Hal Jordan) and made him great after Hal's reintroduction into the DC Universe. Johns expanded on the Green Lantern world by creating a plethora of new Lantern characters from the whole spectrum of light and gave us great story lines like the Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night.

I'm really proud of all the stuff we've built with Green Lantern — from Larfleeze to the different corps...The universe has expanded and will live well past my run. It was more than just telling another story, but really giving back to the character by expanding and adding to their mythology.
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Johns' last issue will be Green Lantern #20, in which he promises a huge issue, which will be drawn by Doug Mahnke. This final story will be a 64-page issue

I was getting to an end point and a story line that made sense for me. I felt like it was time to close my run and focus all my energies on the Justice League corner of the DC Universe...It was a very, very hard decision. I absolutely love these characters but I felt like I had a story line that really made sense and felt emotionally satisfying and felt very big and very epic.

Johns will continue to write JUSTICE LEAGUE and AQUAMAN. Thank to Geoff Johns for an amazing 9-year run on GREEN LANTERN and reinventing this character for a new age.

What do you guys think about this news? What's your favorite Green Lantern story from Johns' run?

Source: Associated Press

190 Comments

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redmanta

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Edited By redmanta

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

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obscurefan

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Edited By obscurefan

Well... that certainly wasn't the news I was expecting to hear this morning.

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kennybaese

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Edited By kennybaese

This is a bummer. I've really loved what he has done with Green Lantern, and I'll be sad to see him go. I wonder who will end up replacing him?

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HempKnight757

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Edited By HempKnight757

All hail Aquaman!

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the_stegman

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Edited By the_stegman  Moderator

Wow....just...wow....I did not see this coming at all.

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deactivated-5c901e667a76c

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Edited By deactivated-5c901e667a76c  Moderator

Second most surprising story I've heard today, after the Pope resigning.

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GhettoBond

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Edited By GhettoBond

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AQUAMAN! BRILLIANT!

Thanks to Geoff Johns for the great run. He made a proper comic reader out of me. Wonder who's going to take over...

EDIT: and of course they fix the typo. Boo! We were onto the next big thing with Justice League of Aquaman.

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UltimateSMfan

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Edited By UltimateSMfan

NOOOOO!!!!!! I srsly hate Mondays!!!!!!! Well then here's to 9 good yrs of aquaman hopefully........damn I wanna kno who's gonna follow this run.

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MatKrenz

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Edited By MatKrenz

Well this is suprising.

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MuyJingo

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Edited By MuyJingo

I dislike that he made other colored lanterns....I think that was a negative thing. But his stories with Hal have been good.

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neiliusprime

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Edited By neiliusprime

NOOOO

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ObsideonDarman

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Edited By ObsideonDarman

NO!!!

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Samwritescomics

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Edited By Samwritescomics

Noooooooooooooooooooo!!!

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cobra88king8

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Edited By cobra88king8

Truth be told I'm looking forward to seeing some new blood on the series. It's going to be an interesting new run, Will they start from scratch or carry on his legacy? I can't wait

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Icarusflies

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Edited By Icarusflies  Moderator

NOOOO!!!!

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Mezmero

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Edited By Mezmero

Awww man. That's a shame. Johns has come a long way in making a respectable new DC character with Baz as well as make Sinestro my favorite Lantern of all. Hal is great and all but giving him Sinestro as a foil made this one of my top New 52 reads. I have to say with all the good will he's given to the series I'd say he has the right to pass the torch if he feels the time is right. Looking forward to his remaining issues and wish him well on every other title he continues to write.

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doordoor123

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Edited By doordoor123

This is bullish*t.

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krspaceT

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Edited By krspaceT

Maybe he's taking on a title coming in fifth wave. Maybe he's going to write AMBUSH BUG.....or some other character no one really cares about . And really, couldn't it had been a good thing for comics, like say Bendis being a born again christian and leaving comics to live in a gated community with no T.V?

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Lvenger

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Edited By Lvenger

No damn it no! Green Lantern was awesome under Johns' guidance. This is very sad news to hear him go. He really innovated Hal and the Green Lantern franchise for a new age and has been one of the main reasons I like Hal and the Green Lantern mythology so much. Johns has made an undeniable mark on the GL universe that won't be overlooked any time soon. I wonder who will replace him?

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LordRequiem

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Edited By LordRequiem

Sinestro Corps war and blackest night were excellent stories. But in my opinion the main green lantern title has become stale since Simon Baz was introduced so a change is needed. That picture intrigues me though, Kyle Rayner is in a white lantern suit (yes!!!), so it's a very new picture, and Hal Jordan is there along with Baz. That figure exuding that power looks similar to the first lantern, but it also looks like Sinestro and he is nowhere else to be seen. Can any explain this?

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StMichalofWilson

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Edited By StMichalofWilson

Oh well. Thanks Mr. Johns for an incredible run. I'm a GL fan because of you.

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reignmaker

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Edited By reignmaker

It appears it's all about the Justice League for Johns now.

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haydenclaireheroes

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This actually surprised me when I heard the news. I didn't see this one coming. I am not a big fan of all of Geoff John's books but I really liked his run on Green Lantern. I hope whoever takes over gives us a fresh take on the Green Lantern's character and doesn't screw up all of Geoff Johns work. I wonder why he quit though will he be picking up a new title or just concentate on the bussiness side of things.

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Batnandez

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Edited By Batnandez

@krspaceT: I don't really like Bendis so I'd be cool with that news.

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Gambit1024

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Edited By Gambit1024

No way, man! WHAT?!

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zombietag

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Edited By zombietag

so whos going to take over?

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Lvenger

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Edited By Lvenger

@Gambit1024 said:

No way, man! WHAT?!

I know, it's a sad day man.

@zombietag: No official news yet and I haven't heard any speculation yet.

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Gambit1024

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Edited By Gambit1024

This is nuts. I figured that he was gonna cancel a title, but this one is a complete surprise. I wish whoever's next the best of luck.

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Arkhamc1tizen

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Edited By Arkhamc1tizen

@LordRequiem said:

Sinestro Corps war and blackest night were excellent stories. But in my opinion the main green lantern title has become stale since Simon Baz was introduced so a change is needed. That picture intrigues me though, Kyle Rayner is in a white lantern suit (yes!!!), so it's a very new picture, and Hal Jordan is there along with Baz. That figure exuding that power looks similar to the first lantern, but it also looks like Sinestro and he is nowhere else to be seen. Can any explain this?

simon baz is a good charter but with johns leaving he is charter wont be given time to develop and he will just be a boring green lantern who does nothing and will allways be unfinished.

I will miss johns writing green lantern but wonder who will take over, please not dan dido please

scott snyder anyone

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Spideycap

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Edited By Spideycap

Thanks Geoff for helping to make GL and all the corps what they are today, its some of the richest and most amazing stuff in comics. Still am eagerly anticipating JLA!

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Mbecks14

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Edited By Mbecks14

Sad news. But I guess it had to happen eventually. Nine years is a long time to be on a comic, so I'm glad we got as much out of him as we did.

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TerryBogard2014

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Edited By TerryBogard2014

Good.I dislike Geoff johns

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Gambit1024

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Edited By Gambit1024

@Lvenger: I'm not really sad to tell you the truth. Just surprised. As much as I liked his run (well, from what I did read,anyway) I welcome the change.

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StrangeMan

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Edited By StrangeMan

Thank God!, don't get me wrong, i loved the concepts that he added to the mythos (do all the Power Rangers jokes that you want about the colored corps, but the idea of the different emotional spectrums was awesome and executed very well), but i'm happy because the guy just didn't know how to write Hal Jordan, he made him an arrogant (for lack of a better word), unlikeable douche who gets owned every two seconds (yeah that's another thing that bugs me about GJ, to make a character relevant or look "cool" he almost always make the character "own" another, prime examples would be Hal punching Batman in GL: Rebirth or Aquaman killing Parademons with sharks 'n shit after Hal said he was useless), so yeah, i'm sad that he won't be able to continue adding to the mythos, and to be fair he was doing a good job with Hal lately (in his own title at least), but i really dislike his portrayal of the character.

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Logan Reilly

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Edited By Logan Reilly

@darkrider: that's exactly what i say!

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Autopsad

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Edited By Autopsad

Thanks Geoff, you made me like AND care about the Corps and it wasn't an easy thing to do.

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CrashBang

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Edited By CrashBang

I can't believe this! Johns has done so much for GL. I don't think I can express my shock and sorrow without sounding melodramatic; this is really horrific news. Johns has never put out a single bad issue of GL and now I fear for its future, regardless of who takes over.

Still, I'm an optimist so I'm sure the next writer will be someone more than capable (unless it's Scott Lobdell).

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cc1738

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Edited By cc1738

This sucks!! I love Green Lantern. Who's going to be the new writer?

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braynehurricane

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Edited By braynehurricane

@LordRequiem:

"So what will GREEN LANTERN #20 bring? The bizarre return of Hal Jordan, the final fate of Sinestro, the revelation of the First Lantern and an ending that I hope pays off everything we’ve ever done and ever created with GREEN LANTERN. It has art by Doug Mahnke, Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis and Joe Prado and I’ve poured everything I can into the script."

That's a quote from Geoff Johns in an official statement or letter he made regarding the ending to his run. You can see the rest here: http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2013/02/11/geoff-johns-on-the-conclusion-to-his-epic-green-lantern-run

It might not totally answer your questions but it at least reveals a little?

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sora_thekey

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Edited By sora_thekey

Wow! Everybody seems horribly affected by this... Quick someone get me all the GL trades where Johns is the author so I can yell "Nooooo!" in a Vader-manner too!

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braynehurricane

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Edited By braynehurricane

I'm greatly saddened by this news. It was Johns' run on GL that really got me into comics again. That said, he's done such a great job expanding the mythology and adding depth to characters making that corner of the universe the better for it. Despite my anxieties, I'm excited to see who will come in to herald a new saga and I hope they have the courage to venture out into unknown territory as well.

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Captain13

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Edited By Captain13

I am SHOCKED. Green Lantern is his baby. I expected him to leave Aquaman like he left Flash, Booster Gold, and Hawkman. And this seems to be a drastic reduction in his insane workload. I was actually worried about how he would balance his time. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I was worried if he would crack under the pressure of his name and position.

The Green Lantern franchise has needed a new voice since Blackest Night, but Johns has told some of the best Green Lantern stories of all time. Whoever takes his place has very big shoes to fill.

With Lemire co-writing Justice League and Johns leaving Green Lantern, I have to wonder if Johns is going to be working on something new--like Shazam! or Cyborg or another Justice League title (with R.B. Silva).

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Captain13

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Edited By Captain13

Also, I hope that he has enough time to put all of his toys back into the box and doesn't leave any loose threads.

And whoever replaces him must have had his pitch GRILLED. The GL franchise may take a hit with the exit of Johns. This book will need fresh, new, BIG ideas.

---

Now I see the Red, Yellow, Pink, Orange, and Black Lantern corps as essential to the mythology now. Getting rid of them would be like getting rid of Joker, Riddler, Scarecrow, Penguin, Catwoman, and other members of Batman's rogues gallery. It's a bad idea.

I don't care for the Blue Lanterns, but they are well known from the cartoon. The only corps I could see getting cut is the Indigo one. We can also try to forget about the White Lanterns.

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ptigrusmagus

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Edited By ptigrusmagus

So was Simon Baz even Geoff's idea? Why is he leaving so soon after introducing the new GL? Rise of the Third Army was subpar, extremely underwhelming, especially the "ending" - which cost $5 too much. DC please ditch Baz and reinstate Hal or reboot GL, should have been done with the rest of the DCU after Flashpoint anyways. Either way glad I can add GL back onto my pull list, it was time for a change.

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TheMess1428

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Edited By TheMess1428

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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Jonny_Anonymous

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Edited By Jonny_Anonymous

@Arkhamc1tizen said:

@LordRequiem said:

Sinestro Corps war and blackest night were excellent stories. But in my opinion the main green lantern title has become stale since Simon Baz was introduced so a change is needed. That picture intrigues me though, Kyle Rayner is in a white lantern suit (yes!!!), so it's a very new picture, and Hal Jordan is there along with Baz. That figure exuding that power looks similar to the first lantern, but it also looks like Sinestro and he is nowhere else to be seen. Can any explain this?

simon baz is a good charter but with johns leaving he is charter wont be given time to develop and he will just be a boring green lantern who does nothing and will allways be unfinished.

I will miss johns writing green lantern but wonder who will take over, please not dan dido please

scott snyder anyone

Johns will still be writing Baz in JLA

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Raw_Material

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Edited By Raw_Material

I'm speechless!!! Never thought I would get to see the day Geoff Johns resigns from writing for Green Lantern. I mean, he's been writing for GL about 9 years now and made a huge mark for himself and Hal Jordan within his run on the title. Besides Peter David's 12-year run on 'The Incredible Hulk', I believe Geoff Johns' 9-year run with Green Lantern belongs on top of that list of the one of the most successful runs on a series in comic history. Can't wait to see what he has in store for us in the Justice League titles now that they are his primary assignments and see how far he can expand on the character, Aquaman. Very sad day for all us Green Lantern and Aquaman fans, indeed. All Hail Geoff Johns!

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JamesKM716

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Edited By JamesKM716

This seems somewhat fitting, but somewhat odd. I kinda feel like he should have finished his run with Blackest Night and his "trilogy". But, Wrath of the First Lantern is looking to be epic, and Baz has been fantastic so maybe i'm crazy.

Best of luck to him though, he's one of my favorite writers.

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evilvegeta74

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Edited By evilvegeta74

Damn!

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Crash_Recovery

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Edited By Crash_Recovery

@inferiorego: This is nothing but good news.

Geoff had a nice nearly 10 year long run, and it's time for him to move on and inject some new blood into the equation.

While I'd highly recommend his run to anyone, it has been getting a bit long in the tooth as of late.