Q1. Firstly, how did the new JSA series come about?
DG: I had been helping James (Robinson) plot Starman and he was interested in doing a new JSA book. He asked me if I wanted to write it with him and we wrote a proposal for DC. They liked it, but decided they wanted us to do a one-shot featuring the original, 40s JSA first -- to reintroduce people to the team. That one-shot then blossomed into the entire JSA Skip Week monstrosity.
A few issues into the new books, James was getting tired of comics and decided he wanted to leave. So with issue #3 James started slowly phasing out of the book, with me taking over more and more of the reins.
The notion of resurrecting Fate, his new identity, the use of Scarab, and Mordru's inclusion as a villain were my first big contributions to the new JSA.
Q2. How did you choose what storyline to start the new series with? Was it always intended to deal with the death of Sandman, and the rebirth of Dr Fate, or were there other ideas?
We always intended to begin the new book with the death of Wesley Dodds, but originally, this was going to be tied into a story involving the old Paul Kirk Manhunter clones. We shelved that (we'll be bringing it back later on) and decided to go for something much more epic -- the birth of a new Dr. Fate.
Q3. How long do you hope to stay on this book?
I have committed to 2 years and have already more or less plotted out the stories for that duration.
Q4. And what issue are you currently working on?
I am currently scripting issue #12 with Geoff (Johns), so we're half way. There have been more clues to the book's ultimate direction dropped than people might be aware of.
Q5. How has the reaction to the new JSA comic been in the DC offices? Positive?
Generally, DC has been very happy with the book. Sales are quite good and they like the way the fans have been responding. They've given us fairly free rein to do what we want.
Q6. What did you think of the 1992 JSA series by Len Strazewski and the late Mike Parobeck?
I enjoyed the short-lived '92 JSA series, but I thought it lingered a bit too much in the past, recycling the same (quite small) JSA rogues gallery, etc.
That was one of the reasons we introduced Mordru and (in issue #6) Black Adam. Later on, we will see a new Injustice Society. We wanted to expand the JSA's rogues gallery.
Q7. Who are your favourite JSAers, new and old?
My favorite JSAer is Wildcat. I love writing him. After that, my next favorites would be Black Canary and Dr. Mid-nite. You'll see what I mean in issue #8!
Q8. Why did you decide to explore the return of a new Dr Fate, and not the return of another JSAer, for e.g, a new Hawkman, new Spectre or new Sandman?
We decided to bring Dr. Fate back because the Spectre issue was already being dealt with in Day of Judgement.
Hawkman was a larger issue which is being worked out as we speak -- but at the time we were pitching the series, DC still wasn't ready to give us the green light on a Hawkman resurrection.
As for Sandman -- well, Sandy needed to be in the book from the beginning for obvious reasons. And we were prohibited from actually naming a new character Sandman by Gaiman and the Vertigo folks. In the DCU, that name is exclusively Morpheus' now.
Q9. How do you think fans will react when we find out the identity of the new Dr Fate?
I think most of the fans will be very happy with Dr. Fate's identity.
Q10. What can you tell us about Fate's identity or parentage?
All the clues to Fate's identity have already been given in the first three issues. It's basically been spelled out for people, if they read carefully enough. But no, all will NOT be revealed in issue #4. You're going to have to wait until the end of the second year for the final answers!
Q11. It's been said that Hawkman will be returning some time next year, but are you able to reveal with version?
We can't reveal which Hawkman will be returning, but it will happen round about issues #15-16 in the JSA/JLA crossover.
Q12. What team will the new Hawkman be joining? JLA or JSA?
You'll just have to see.
Q13. What do you think of the whole Sentinel/Green Lantern name debacle?
I would prefer Sentinel to be called Green Lantern, but his name/costume has been changed so many times that I think we're going to have to stick with what we've got right now. We may, however, be providing him with a new ring some time soon.
Q14. Also, why does Sentinel wear his old Green Lantern costume? Is there a specific reason, or is it more for nostalgia?
As for Sentinel keeping his old costume, yes, it's more for nostalgic reasons.
Q15. Some fans have claimed that Dr Midnite (Charles McNider) was possibly gay. What is your opinion on this situation?
It is my personal belief that McNider may very well have been gay. If we have the opportunity, we may address it one day in a story.
Q16. For how long will Jack Knight (Starman) be taking a leave of absence from the JSA (to deal with issues in Opal City)?
Starman will be out of the book from issues #5-#10. Then he will be back for another six issues or so, and then his book will be ending, so...I can't really say anything more than that.
Q17. What are your thoughts on the new Hourman? Does he have potential as a character, or is replacement a possibility?
I personally find the new Hourman very difficult to write. He still seems nearly omnipotent to me and we often have a difficult time figuring out how to have the villain/villains incapacitate him.
However, I think Peyer's solo book is excellent. It's just that we don't often have the space to let Ty's personality quirks really shine. I think he has a great deal of potential, though, and we'll be playing around with that at the end of the first year.
Q18. Are there reasons for Hippolyta not being permanently included in the lineup of the new JSA?
Hippolyta's on-going inclusion in the roster was more a function of the team being very crowded. We like her a great deal, though, and she will be returning near year's end for six issues or so. I'm particularly fond of the silver armor Steve had her wearing in the first few issues.
Q19. What's happening with JJ Thunder? Is he a possible future candidate for membership?
J.J. Thunder should be showing up some time near the end of the 2nd year. We've got some other fish to fry before we deal with him, though.
Q20. Are there plans for JSA/JLA crossovers again? And will they be happen yearly?
I don't know if the crossovers will be yearly or not. At the moment, the only one we have planned is the Hawkman arc. Q21. Will the issue of Hypertime be dealt with in JSA?
Hypertime will be explored -- see the above answer regarding Hourman.
Q22. Are there any upcoming JSA-related mini-series or one-shots planned?
There has been talk of a Hawkgirl and/or Dr. Fate one-shot/mini, but nothing definite yet.
Q23. Any plans for a return of the Freedom Fighters?
Geoff and I have a Freedom Fighters idea -- we'll just have to see where it fits into our current plans. Right now, we've got our hands full up until issue #20 or so.
Q24. What can you tell us about the future of the JSA?
As for the JSA's future -- tumultuous. We are going to be putting their asses in the proverbial ringer! The threats will be continuing to escalate and they will be quite sweeping in their nature -- not just world-threatening, but universe threatening. I don't want to get too specific, though.
Q25. Can you give us a one-word clue about the new Dr Fate? The suspense is truly killing us!
As for a clue regarding the new Dr. Fate -- you've only got a few more weeks to wait for the big bomb to be dropped. Then, unfortunately, you've got another year or so for the other, BIGGER bombs to start falling.
Many thanks to David Goyer for taking part in this interview. Not only am I very appreciative for him taking time out to answer these questions, but I'm sure that many fans will be appreciative as well.
And thanks are also in order to David (and James) for helping to bring back the greatest team of all time - the JSA!
Petar G
JSA Returns - http://zap.to/jsa