Do you feel that Geoff Johns is still pulling the strings on the GL books?

[Andrew NDB Shot Caller Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew NDB]

Yes, he's neither the editor or writer or even co-writer of any Green Lantern or Green Lantern-related books... but exactly to what extent is his interactions with the editors and writers of said books? As "Chief Creative Officer," we may have heard the vague broad strokes of it in equally vague interviews but how much do we actually know about what he does on the day to day?

Can we absolutely say with full confidence he has no say and exerts no influence on the Green Lantern books, or any other books? Are we just chalking up the writers of the Green Lantern family of books following his pre-existing pattern (Big Event, Big Event Big Event, all connected at the hip to Geoff's rainbow brigade) to just some coincidence, or writers desperately trying to mimic him?

I'm not so sure. He's always been an "ideas" man... who eventually ran out of ideas. Who's to say that now he's not in his most enjoyable position? You know... he gets to sit back these days, dictate ideas and then let actual writers figure out how to execute them. I've noticed that in every interview with any writer on any GL book since his tenure ended on GL, if asked about how closely they work with Geoff or what his involvement is now, that they almost immediately clam up, stammering out only praise for him before either the subject is changed or they change the subject themself (or otherwise provide a non-answer).

Is he, in fact... the Geoffather?

[Mister Ed Horse of a Different Color Find all posts View Profile Close Mister Ed]

I don't think what he is doing rises anywhere near the level of "pulling the strings". On the other hand I find it equally unlikely that he has ZERO influence, whatsoever. I'd be surprised if he never mentioned to anybody what he thought about GL's current direction, or bounced any ideas around, but I don't think he's getting on the phone and saying, "Do THIS!", which is what "pulling the strings" suggests to me.

And I don't doubt for a second that he has the POTENTIAL influence to, say, put the kibosh on something that is in the works that he REALLY doesn't like. But whether that has ever happened, I haven't the foggiest. And I haven't seen any compelling evidence that he has done so.

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

I love that photoshop.

Anyway, I still don't believe he has a true hold on the books, but I do believe he has a reputation that makes the new teams unwilling to completely overwrite his stuff.

[Andrew NDB Shot Caller Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew NDB]

I don't believe anybody has gotten on the GL books without his thumbs-up... and I don't believe -- at the very least -- the writers aren't being prodded to actively consult with Geoff on storylines and most especially these Big Events.

Also veto power over anything and everything in GL -- WB gave him that with the GL movie, I'm pretty sure he has it over the comics.

[Trey Strain Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Trey Strain]

I don't believe anybody has gotten on the GL books without his thumbs-up... and I don't believe -- at the very least -- the writers aren't being prodded to actively consult with Geoff on storylines and most especially these Big Events.

Well you might have a point there. He might be involved in who gets hired and put on what books. And he probably dreams up all the the crossovers.

The thing is, by the time he left GL he had made it almost impossible to write any more without a complete reboot. So the damage was already done.

[Andrew NDB Shot Caller Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew NDB]

I had the thought that "Lights Out" was originally supposed to be a way for the current writers to "write out" the other colored Corps, so as to focus on and bring the limelight back on the GLC. But clearly that idea never stuck. You know... if there's 6 less Corps using the Light that will eventually undo the universe, the 1 that is can keep doing what they're doing.

Or was vetoed. Wonder by who.

[Mister.Weirdo Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Mister.Weirdo]

It would seem odd that he would be pulling the strings, considering how much the writers have seemingly tried to destroy what was established or introduced in Johns run.

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

It would seem odd that he would be pulling the strings, considering how much the writers have seemingly tried to destroy what was established or introduced in Johns run.

But how have they done that? They broke up John and Fatality but they've already set up a reason for them to get back together. Kyle easily could still fulfill his future. The rainbow brigade still remains. Sinestro is still the best ever.

The only thing I see close to what you're talking about is the reservoir concept and even that didn't undo Geoff's continuity.

[Rotten2thecorps Alpha-Lantern Find all posts View Profile Close Rotten2thecorps]

Tin foil hat anyone?

[Mister.Weirdo Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Mister.Weirdo]

But how have they done that? They broke up John and Fatality but they've already set up a reason for them to get back together. Kyle easily could still fulfill his future. The rainbow brigade still remains. Sinestro is still the best ever.

The only thing I see close to what you're talking about is the reservoir concept and even that didn't undo Geoff's continuity.

Well the entities are all dead now (excluding Parallax) and a lot of concepts that Johns introduced seem more or less like they've been "watered down". The Blue Lantern Corps is also destroyed.

In fact it wouldn't surprise if another corps got destroyed after Godhead.

I believe that Venditti is trying to up Johns run, more than I believe that Johns still has a direct hand in the book, but maybe I just think that because I'm unhappy with the main book currently.

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

Johns started the elimination of the entities.

And I don't think the Blues are going to stay dead. There's still one ring. It's on New Genesis, but I don't thing the NGs are going to keep those rings.

Well, I don't feel he has direct control. As I said, I think it's more of an influence thing--like people not wanting to reverse Stan Lee and Jack Kirby at first.

[Hypo Lil' Leaguer Find all posts View Profile Close Hypo]

[Sylent_Asassin Black Lantern Find all posts View Profile Close Sylent_Asassin]

I really doubt Johns is pulling any strings as he's far too busy now, but I would say that he has a bit of influence, and could possibly be consulted on some of the story arcs. Saying that he's pulling strings is giving him too much credit.

[Big Daddy Dave Skywalker Moisture Farmer Find all posts View Profile Close Big Daddy Dave Skywalker]

I don't imagine any writers or artists that have any marquee value will get assigned to the any GL title in the near future. I think that's the extent of his string pulling; making sure that franchise's best success is in the past when he had it.

[Trey Strain Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Trey Strain]

I don't imagine any writers or artists that have any marquee value will get assigned to the any GL title in the near future. I think that's the extent of his string pulling; making sure that franchise's best success is in the past when he had it.

I've mentioned this before but it bears repeating. It's a truism in business that you should never let anyone choose his own successor. The reason for that is pretty obvious.