As usual – his review is right on the money. GayComicGeek consistently has great reviews of comics, books, shows and movies that interest me. So OF COURSE he’s put up his opinion on Smallville: Absolute Justice…
I’m SO EXCITED!!!! I’m trying to explain the historical significance of the Justice Society of America’s first Primetime appearance to Popapathy but don’t think he’s feeling my joy.
A bit surprised Clark never thought to ask why they all looked so young. I’m hoping that Geoff Johns is grooming JSA to be Smallville’s spinoff successor. But if he is, the costumes need work. Stargirl looked OK, but how hard is it to design a belly shirt and hot pants. I stick by my original assertion that Hawkman should have been played by someone who was more believable as a mace-wielding barbarian. The ab covering harness looked ridiculous with Shanks’ (nice for an ordinary human but far from the Hawkman we are accustomed to) arms coming out of it. Dr Fate looked like he was wearing football pads under his blue spandex. Either cast actors who have the physique to fill the costume or hire better costume designers.
BUT enough negativity… costumes aside I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the 2 hour special episode. I hadn’t realized Checkmate was part of it until I read the on demand episode synopsis. Pam Grier as Amanda Waller is sheer brilliance and it looks like we’ve not seen the last of her… or hopefully the JSA. FINGERS CROSSED! WE LOVE YOU GEOFF JOHNS!
Smallville Absolute Justice airs on the CW for 36 days
The highlight of the last season of Smallville was the Legion of Superheroes episode written by Geoff Johns. So of course I was overjoyed to hear that he was bringing the superteam he made great again to the small screen – The legendary Justice Society!!!! Hawkman, Dr. Fate and Stargirl are the announced guest stars, but I’d expect a few more easter eggs for the fanboys in the viewing audience. Absolute Justice is a special 2 hour Smallville event so be sure to tune or set your VCR, Tivo or whatever on Friday, February 5th at 8pm! Not to be missed. THERE WILL BE A TEST.
I’m not sure how I feel about the casting of Michael Shanks as Hawkman – I loved his character on Stargate, but he does not have the body of a mace-wielding winged barbarian. Carter Hall may be an archeologist by trade, but he looked more like a mercenary. Maybe I’ll feel differently when I see the episode, but from the look of Shank’s arms in the costume, I doubt it.
If you are 1/2 the Geoff Johns fan that I am you are waiting on pins and needles for the January episode of Smallville entitled “Society.” Johns gave fans the following tidbits via Twitter…
Yes, Hawkman will have wings. And a big mace. Oh. And he and Green Arrow don’t get along. At all.
Michael Shanks just cannot get away from Egyptian symbology as he’s stepped away from the Stargate but into the harness of Hawkman, whose origin is deeply rooted in ancient Egypt. The actor playing Doctor Fate is another Stargate refugee… Brent Strait. The presence of Britt Irvin as Stargirl threw me – I was thinking abut the predecessors of the JLA in a mentoring role to Clark, not so much the modern legacy JSA members. I wonder if any of the other new blood will show up?
I LOVED last season’s Legion episode. I would be overjoyed to see a spin-off from either that episode or this upcoming “Society.” I think both are rife with possibilities. Especially if they involve the mind of Geoff Johns. My only fear is him becoming a bigtime writer for TV and not having time for the red-headed bastard stepchild that is the comics industry. I’m talking to YOU Heinberg!
Watching now! So Lois is back from the future… but who is this bitch in black after her? Oh Oh she has heat vision! A brunette Andromeda a.k.a. Laurel Gand? can’t be Laurel Kent – she only has invulnerability. Hmm neither – she’s one of Zod’s.
COOL! Clark wears the S Shield! I saw preview photos but still a cool moment. Though I preferred the moment from the first issue of Geoff Johns Superman: Secret Origin – his mother making the costume and him being embarrassed to wear it was priceless. They should REALLY let him loose on Smallville for more than just the one episode (JSA!!!!) that he is penning this season. Or better yet a new movie OR TRILOGY! But I digress and the commercial is almost over…
Does Chloe not know her cousin Lois at ALL??? She fell for the old “I need a sedative” bit?
Ok who else is considering kneeling before Zod? Tess might take a shot at it if he gets past her “obstinate” side.
Brian Austin Green is part of the cast now? Metropolis’ kissing bandit? What’s that about? Hmm John Corben? a.k.a. Metallo!!!
The clocktower set is shaping up nicely.
They are following Smallville with America’s Top Model? I hope that isn’t a choice for the season. Is something else premiering soon? If not no worries – then I can turn to Medium!
What I don’t get is why did Lois come back from 1 YEAR in the future, shouldn’t it have taken her to the Legion’s era?
Oliver Queen ULTIMATE FIGHTER!
here is a recap of last season for those who missed some of it…
I’m SO happy to have Conner Kent back among the living with a title (almost all) his own that I can’t even find the energy to nitpick…much. I’d be remiss if I didn’t say I was worried about the relaxing rural feel of the title thus far until I saw Brainiac and Luthor getting familiar (I’m guessing the pace will pick up very soon). I’m glad Conner is enjoying his adjustment back to life in Smallville, but I want to see him in action. Also, I’m not LOVING the artwork but I’ll definitely give it more than a few issues to grow on me.
Superboy is back and living out his teenage years in Smallville. But all is not as it seems in Superman’s hometown. And while Conner reunites with his former girlfriend, Wonder Girl, to see if they have a future together, Lex Luthor and Brainiac form a partnership that will cause havoc throughout the DC Universe. But what do their plans have to do with Conner and the other students at Smallville High?
Plus, in the Legion of Super-Heroes co-feature, which takes place all the way in the 31st century, Lightning Lad travels to the prison planet of Takron-Galtos to confront his brother, Lighting Lord. There, Lightning Lord informs Lighting Lad of a shocking family secret that sets the pieces in motion for a war that will decide the future of the universe. Yeah, the universe. No big.
I’m glad DC has brought back the back-up stories that I grew up with. It is a great way to showcase characters that don’t get the time they should in other books (Ravager, Blue Beetle and the new Question are great choices for back-up stories). But it DOES sadden me a bit to think of the mighty Legion of Super-Heroes relegated to back-up status.
If Geoff John’s retelling of Superman’s “Secret Origin” starting at his boyhood in Smallville and running through his early days in Metropolis is only 1/10th as good as what he did for Green Lantern’s Secret Origin, it will be one of the better titles out this fall.
The moment we’ve all been waiting for is close at hand. The superstar team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank reunite to present the modern origin of the Man of Steel, and it all starts with a gigantic 48-page first issue.
We know Geoff Johns likes Smallville (he’s working on a new episode for this season), so it’s no surprise that he threw in a nod to the early episode when Clark saved Lana from a tornado by instinctively flying. I’m sure this will be a wonderful melding of various previous versions and some exciting original ideas meant to spice up a familiar story.
“Secret Origin” is a DC term. It’s a classic one that I think should be back and carefully and selectively done. If there’s a “Creeper: Secret Origin” next month, the title’s just been wasted. It’s more than the term though – Year One is great, but it’s only Year One. Just by the nature of the title, it doesn’t encompass everything. [Green Lantern: Secret Origin] is from the time Hal [Jordan] is 10 years old until the time he really accepted his role as a Green Lantern. I think a “Secret Origin” can allow for a lot more ground to be covered.
We haven’t seen a modern day retelling of Clark’s first adventure as Superboy with the Legion of Super-Heroes, or the day Superman met Jimmy Olsen or the origins of Superman’s long time enemies like the Parasite and Metallo. More importantly, Clark Kent himself will be explored in his earlier years in a way I don’t think he’s ever been explored before… [U]nlike previous Superman origin stories, this will be told almost entirely from Clark’s eyes. We won’t be spending an issue on Krypton. We’ll be opening on one of Clark’s earliest memories as a kid and moving forward from there. This is his story of self-discovery and the world’s story of meeting Superman.
Issue #1 starts out with Clark’s earliest memories in Smallville. #2 details his first meeting with teens from the future – the Legion of Super Heroes. #3 takes him to Metropolis and the Daily Planet. #4 looks to be about the creation of his Fortress of Solitude and discovery of his true origins. #5 introduces recurring foes – Brainiac, Lex Luthor and The Parasite (I think – hard to tell without his telltale purple). The cover to the final issue, #6 is less clear – Looks like possibly Bizarro.
At this year’s SDCCSmallville panel it was revealed that Johns would be bringing another super team that is close to his heart into the Smallville mythos – The Justice Society of America (which he almost single-handedly made relevant when he wrote “JSA” from 1999-2006 and followed it up with “Justice Society of America”).
When approached shortly after the ninth season was commissioned by the network to see if he was interested in writing a JSA episode, his answer was “yes,” with one caveat… He said “Yes. I‘d be interested, if I could bring another DC property that’s never been brought to live action, to live action.” Hmmmm what do you think he wants to work on? I hope he’s thinking Spin-off, Smallville can’t last forever.
There is no official airdate for the episode yet, but Johns speculated it would air about the same time (mid-January) as the Legion episode.
Lets hope Smallville does fishnets better the second time around (their Black Canary casting and costume were let’s say not good). If you like the women of the DCU, then the guest star of an episode titled “Hex” is an obvious choice. My personal favorite backwards talking sorceress… ZATANNA!!!! But Cheer up it looks like their casting director has regained his or her sight. Actress/model Serinda Swan (seen below alongside Adam Hugh’s version of Zatanna) has been cast to play the daring daughter of Zatara.
For those who don’t think Zee is that big a DC property, remember Zatanna is arguably the most powerful member of the JLA, on a par with Marvel’s Scarlet Witch. In addition to her comics appearances, she’s been seen in numerous Batman cartoons. She can alter reality with a spoken word. If only she had taken that Silent Spell metamagic feat – she’d be unstoppable.
From the looks of her website’s gallery – I’m sure Serinda is up to looking the part. The costuming interpretations of the Legion costumes were spot on so I hope wardrobe can cook up a sufficiently sexy yet sophisticated version of Zatanna’s classic garb.
Lightning Lad’s cape joke was one of many nods to comic book fans. I loved the episode. I enjoyed the performances and thought the styling and costuming was excellent – I wouldn’t have minded a hunkier Lightning Lad (he looked a bit too Ron Weaslyish). I’m sad that they are gone now. I hope there are further plans for the Legion as either recurring guests like Green Arrow, Black Canary Martian Manhunter and the Flash or as a NEW SPIN OFF!!! (C’mon SOMETHING has to replace Smallville – I could see them getting to 9 seasons from what I’ve seen of this season (and the Legion showing up opens all SORTS of possibilities for another season) but not 10.
SPOLILERIFIC COMMENTS: I had a problem with the Legionaries first instinct being that Chloe must die – then when with a little thought after Kal insists they not stab her in the heart, they’re like Oh yeah we can totally save her, no worries. Part of me just went along because of their argument about not knowing Chloe even though they know about Clark, Lois, Lana and Jimmy. Since season 1 I have been expecting Chloe to die in just about every episode because SHE DOESN”T BELONG THERE! But after 8 seasons, I kinda like her. So I was hoping for a way to rectify her being part of Superman’s past in Smallville without being mentioned in his present in Metropolis, and him having to kill her to save the world would fit. And in this episode, she ACTUALLY gives him a pass if the situation ever comes up again so you never know. She may just die yet.
The founding members of the 31st century’s Legion of Super Heroes are making their primetime debut on Geoff John’s much anticipated episode of Smallville tonight. Not only is this an eagerly awaited story written by one of the biggest name in Comics today, but it is also the first new episode since November. And it looks like there’s a lot going on in the the eighth season of Smallville.
For Geoff Johns, who wrote the episode after pitching the Legion’s appearance to the Smallville producers, the chance to bring the Legion to a live action series fits right along with his revitalization of the team in comics during the last year. As the Legion celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008, Johns re-introduced the original Legion team to his Action Comics series and later launched the current Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds mini-series with George Perez for DC.
I myself am not watching the clips because I like to be surprised. But if you enjoy spoilerific teasers…watch these!
As comics readers know, the Legion of Super-Heroes is a group of super-powered teenagers from 1,000 years in the future who are inspired by the historic legend of Superman. When the Legion was introduced in comics, the founders of the team, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad, traveled back in time to meet a young Clark Kent and became some of his closest friends.
Now the story from the comics will be echoed in “Legion,” this week’s Smallville episode, as actors Alexz Johnson (Saturn Girl), Calum Worthy (Lightning Lad) and Ryan Kennedy (Cosmic Boy) portray the three Legion founders as they travel back in time to meet Smallville’s young Clark.
The upcoming Geoff Johns penned January 15th Legion of Super Heroes episode of Smallville has a lot of people excited about the series again. After 7 seasons, its not always easy to keep the fresh ideas coming, but this is probably the best concept they’ve had for the show yet. Its also the most obvious as the Legion are the only super powered people who Clark Kent actually DID interact with in Smallville. Hard to believe they didn’t think of it before.
Three young heroes from the future, Lightning Lad, Cosmic Boy and Saturn Girl have landed in present day Smallville Kansas, But are they alone? It looks like there might be some villains from the 30th Century as well… That guy with the axe looks like The Persuader to me.
Posted in Comics, Creators on 11/28/2008 02:17 pm by fanboi
DC Universe Executive Editor Dan Didio revealed on Wednesday that Geoff Johns and Gary Frank will leave Action Comics to bring us a six-issue miniseries re-telling how Clark Kent became Superman. Since the Infinite Crisis, hints have been dropped about subtle alterations to the history of the Man of Steel.
After reading Geoff Johns retooled secret origin of Hal Jordan in the issues leading into the Blackest Night event he has planned, I eagerly await what he has planned for Kal-el and his supporting casts in Smallville and Metropolis. Will we see Chloe? I kinda hope not. In Green Lantern, Johns took a well known origin and history and managed to add many elements, make it fresh and modern yet didn’t destroy anything that came before. It takes an amazing talent to make something old new again without pissing off the diehard oldschool fanbase – but he did it with style. I can’t wait to see what this team will do to the big blue boy scout.
Superman: Secret Origin will feature new looks at the origin of not only Superman, but some of his greatest allies, enemies and supporting cast and it will tie into everything Gary and I have done so far on Action Comics as well as setting the stage for the future.
It goes from Clark’s teenage years, through his first adventure with the Legion of Super-Heroes and into his arrival and introduction to Metropolis as Superman. We’ve included the first four covers with the interview and you can see a pretty big part of Clark Kent’s history is being reintroduced as well – namely, Superboy. But with a bit of a twist.
This isn’t Smallville or Superman: The Movie or Superman: The Silver Age, this is Superman: Secret Origin by me and Gary. It’s a different look at the beginnings of the characters and mythos of Superman that will set the stage for the monthly Superman comics. And this does not signify the end of my involvement with the Superman Family.
With the single exception of his death at Doomsday’s hands, followed by the emergence of Kon-el, the Eradicator, Steel and the Cyborg Superman, I hadn’t really cared about Superman or his stories since the John Bryne revamp in the 80’s.
Geoff Johns’ words combined with Gary Frank’s images have gotten me so interested in Superman again that it’s one of my most eagerly anticipated purchases. I can’t wait to read this and see what they have in mind to follow it!
Geoff Johns definitely seems to be a fan of the Legion of Superheroes…
Clark Kent’s boyhood pals have shown up in the pages of his current arcs on “Justice Society of America” and “Action Comics” as well as being the central focus of his fan favorite “Final Crisis” tie-in, “Legion of 3 Worlds” with artist George Perez.
So who better to introduce the Legion of Super-Heroes into the “Smallville” mythos than Johns?
Geoff Johns, former assistant to Richard Donner, said it has “always been a dream of mine to work with a director much the same way I watched [screenwriter] Brian Helgeland work with Richard Donner during ‘Conspiracy Theory’” and he got his wish with this project…
Whether it be Gary Frank on ‘Action Comics’ or Ivan Reis on ‘Green Lantern’ or Ethan Van Sciver on ‘The Flash,’ the idea is that I am the writer but the artists are essentially the directors. So working with a director on set like that, and seeing him bring the Legion to life. Being there to help support that vision and work on the story and the script and the dialogue and everything, is a culmination of everything I like doing.
via CBR (read the whole article – some interesting stuff…)
Geoff Johns makes an appearance on the CBR Boat Show and talks about his upcoming stint writing an episode of Smallville, and not just any episode. The Legion of Super-Heroes are coming. I’m betting on Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy and Lightning Lad (maybe called Livewire) will be the envoy from the 31st century, any more Legionaries would be ultra-cool geektastic gravy.
The Legion of Super Heroes is coming to Smallville! I for one cannot believe it took this long to get the only superheroes who ACTUALLY did visit Smallville (in comics continuity) on the show! For those who didn’t know the only “superheroes” that visited Smallville, Kansas while Clark was Superboy in DC Comics continuity were Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad and Cosmic Boy, the founders of the Legion of Super Heroes from the 31st century. Geoff Johns (author of the eagerly anticipated Legion of 3 Worlds miniseries with art by George Perez) will be writing the episode!
Posted in Comic Book TV on 05/04/2008 10:11 pm by fanboi
Michael Rosenbaum from one of Alex Ross’ TV Guide Covers Dec. 2-9 2001
In Smallville news, Kryptonsite has announced that everyone’s favorite teenage bald archvillain in training, Lex Luthor will NOT be deviling Clark in season 8. Michael Rosenbaum will be leaving after season 7. Can’t blame the guy, he just wants to grow a head of hair. This revelation comes barely a month after we learned that show creators and chief creative force, Al Gough and Miles Millar are leaving after seven seasons, and will not be part of season 8.
It is reported that although Kristen Kreuk (who has played a significant role in the series as Clark’s high school sweetheart, Lana Lang) has also been rumored to be out for season 8, but outgoing exec Gough says she will be back for an “undetermined but small number of episodes.”
To make sure that Clark has something to do for a final season, new villains are being cast as you read this…
Doomsday: In season eight, Clark will face his ultimate challenge with the appearance of the legendary, unstoppable destroyer Doomsday, who appears on “Smallville” for the first time. As comic book fans know, Doomsday is notorious for being the only character in the DC Comics universe to have killed Superman.
The level of CG we’ve seen thus far on the series makes me believe it won’t be Doomsday as we remember him from Death of Superman, but a very different reimagining.
Female villain: Doomsday won’t be Clark’s only nemesis in the upcoming season. The executive producers are tight-lipped about a new female villain they will be introducing, but they can say she will be familiar to many fans and will set her sights on Clark in ways Lex never could. Intelligent, brilliantly manipulative, and dangerously sinister, our gorgeous new villain has one more weapon in her arsenal: Her mutual attraction with Clark may prove to be as deadly as kryptonite for him.
Speculation on who she may be includes: Blaze? Maxima? Ursa? Silver Banshee? Thorn? Matrix? Livewire? Superwoman? Any other suggestions?
I happened upon an online copy (no longer available) of the unaired pilot for the canceled Aquaman series starring Smallville’s own emerald archer Oliver Queen Justin Hartley. I like Hartley, but liked the way Alan Ritchson fills Arthur Curry’s speedos. You may have seen the pilot when they put it out on iTunes, but I missed it and only saw the trailer, so here it is.
