Back to Trinity War – you’ve got the Trinity of Sin and three different Justice Leagues. Does each League have a patron member of the Trinity of Sin?
It’s not as easily divided like that. In issue #1, there’s a lot to be said about ‘what is the Trinity?’ Is it a Trinity War between the three Justice Leagues? Is it a fracture between Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman? Is it the Trinity of Sin? Pandora, Question and Phantom Stranger play roles in the story, but maybe not the roles that people expect them to.
The Question, just from what we know so far, seems like one of the more radical character changes in the New 52, making him this pseudo-demonic entity from the beginning of time or so. I’ve read before that you’re taking a cue from the Justice League Unlimited animated series as far as making him a conspiracy buff, which is great, but he seems like a straight-up supervillain at this point.
I think you’re going to be very surprised, ultimately, by where his story goes. We learn his real name very soon, and that’s going to probably send a lot of people scratching their heads, but ultimately, his story plays out and I think Question fans are going to be extremely happy about where it goes, as bizarre as it is now. I’m all about the core of the characters, and right now, I think the Question probably looks about as far away from the core as you could possibly get – but keep reading. Just like Shazam – by the time the story is over, Shazam, for me, is a modern day version of the original character. Billy Batson is not going to ever be perfect, he’s going to be a kid, he’s going to have magic, he’s going to love when he punches a car and it breaks in half – he’s still going to think that’s awesome. He’s going to cause property damage, but at the same time, he’s going to be a hero, and a modern day version of that classic character. The Question, by the time you see where his story goes – and his story continues a little past Trinity War, too, it keeps going – you’ll realize what I’m talking about. Does that help?
Yeah – just judging by your path with Shazam, I think I can understand that you might bring the Question around somehow.
It’s so bizarre, I know. You know what, though? I think almost every character I’ve ever introduced, I really do try to stay true to the core value of the character. Whether it’s Superman or Hawkman or anybody, there’s a core essence there that matters, and we’ve got to keep that heartbeat.
Is Renee Montoya involved with any of this?
Not in Trinity War.
Is she even tied in with The Question anymore?
I can’t really speak about that aspect of it.
Fair enough. So you’ve wrapped up Green Lantern. How do you feel, in retrospect, coming off of that epic run, and about how much you’ve opened up the Green Lantern mythos over that time? Also, how quickly after you left Green Lantern did you try and bring Hal Jordan back into Justice League?
I’m really, really proud of what I’ve done with all my collaborators on Green Lantern over the years. We went from one book to a bunch of books, with a lot of new characters who I think are going to live well past our run, and concepts that will live well past our run. Hopefully, it’s fertile ground for other people to play in, now. Nine years is a long time on a book, and to keep a book like that as successful as it has been for that long is pretty tough to do. I think, next to Batman and Spider-Man, he’s still one of the top selling solo characters in comics, and I’m really proud of that. That last issue, 66 pages – it took forever. It wraps up just about every single thread – just about everything we’ve ever done in that book, I think, is wrapped up in that issue, and more. I’m really, really proud of the ending, too. I think the ending is very emotional. One of the things I did want to do is make sure that there’s an emotional sense to it. As I was writing the last issue, I realized that ultimately, the way the story unfolded organically, this series hasn’t only been about Hal, but also Sinestro. Those two characters have been at the center of the entire run, from Rebirth to Sinestro Corps to Blackest Night to the end here. I’m really happy with it, and I’m really anxious for people to get it. I hope they enjoy it. I’m really grateful for everyone who’s read it and stuck with it for this long.
You start with Rebirth and end it with Hal dying within the Black Lantern ring. Was it planned that way?
Yes, it was a good bookend.
The last thing I wanted to ask was about obscure characters, which I know you’re a fan of spotlighting. With someone like Vibe getting an A-list treatment, are there any other classic DC characters that aren’t as high-profile that you will be bringing back – or maybe just want to bring back within the New 52?
This fall and winter, there are some characters that will be coming back in Justice League in a pretty big way who are off the table right now. There are always characters waiting in the wings. Really, I’m concentrating on the Justice League. Hal Jordan will return to Justice League fairly soon – not right away, but fairly soon.
He has to be mixed up in the Trinity War, right?
No, he’s not, actually. But he’ll be back soon. There are a couple of big villains coming back. I like villains as much as heroes, you know. Captain Cold, Black Adam, Sinestro, Lex Luthor, Black Manta – I could write those guys all day long. Black Manta is like the Boba Fett of the DC Universe. That’s all you have to say – he’s Boba Fett.
Everyone tends to make fun of the helmet, but that is a great description of Black Manta. I love that guy.
The difference between Black Manta and Boba Fett is when Black Manta kills you, he takes his helmet off so he can look in your eyes and gut you like a fish, and there’s something very creepy about that.
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