Interview: Keith Giffen talks Larfleeze and Justice League 3000

I recently caught up with DC Comics writer, Keith Giffen, to talk about his new projects Larfleeze and Justice League 3000. Below is the interview, enjoy! Please note, this interview was conducted before "Larfleeze" #1 was released.

Harry: Hi, Keith, thanks for taking time out for this interview!

I'm going to jump straight in and ask some questions about one of your new projects: Larfleeze. What do you think you're doing that's different with this character?

Keith Giffen: Telling stories that will actually end, trawling the DC encyclopaedia. Having fun ( this one's been missing for WAY too long ). You know... just playing the radical again.

Harry: Now, most main characters have to be likeable or at least somebody you can sympathise with or relate to. Larfleeze isn't exactly the most likeable character, will you be doing anything to change this?

Keith: Why? It worked for Lobo.

Harry: What problems will Larfleeze be challenging in this series?



Larfleeze #1

Keith: Other-dimensional gods, an unwanted love interest, an unwarranted reputation, a cosmic posse and a whole bunch of new characters, concepts and situations.

Harry: How does it feel to be handed a solo series for one of the stand-out characters of Geoff Johns' legendary Green Lantern run?

Keith: Pretty damn good. Considering the orange clown is Geoff's creation, I'm surprised he trusts me to do right by the mangy cur. It's misplaced trust, sure, but it's the thought that counts.

Harry: What new characters will we be seeing?

Keith: Laord of the hunt, The Wanderer, Dyrge of all sorrows, Waddles the Wonder Goose. That last one was just a little something to rev up the internuts. Gentlemen, start your engines.

Harry: With every Green Lantern title getting a new creative team around the same time, what are you doing to stand out from all the others?

Keith: Again, having fun.


Larfleeze #2

Harry: What can you tell us about the first big villain of the series?

Keith: He's Larfleeze's butler. Ha! Didn't see that coming, did you? Just because you don't act like a villain, doesn't mean you're not.

Harry: What have you found to be the most enjoyable part of writing this series so far?

Keith: Working with Marc again. That and world building. I'm a huge fan of world building.

Harry: What can you tease about the future of Larfleeze?

Keith: Well... We're close to four issues in the can so I think it's safe to say the future will be there on time.



Justice League 3000 Superman
design by Howard Porter.

Harry: Now onto one of your recently announced projects, Justice League 3000. What can you tell us about this series?

Keith: Absolutely nothing except that it's the Justice League. And that we plan on spending the first four issues lying to you through our teeth.

Harry: There's been some talk about the relation between the 31st century Justice League team and the one in the current time. What's the relation between the two? Can we expect this to be a major aspect of the series?

Keith: That's be giving the farm away. Sorry.

Harry: We've already seen designs for Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and the Flash. Is this the roster for the book or can we expect future counterparts for other heroes ( or villains ) as well as these?

Keith: That's the roster for the foreseeable future.



Justice League 3000 Batman design
by Howard Porter

Harry: Can we expect any completely original members of the team in addition to these counterparts?

Keith: Never say never...

Harry: Can we expect ties to the current Justice League's stories in this series?

Keith: I'm going to say... no. The book's got to stand on it's own as a self contained entity. If you're reading JL3000, that's the only book you'll have to read to understand and ( hopefully ) enjoy JL3000.

Harry: With this set around the same time as the recently cancelled "Legion of Super-Heroes" series, can we expect any ties to that? What's different from it?



Justice League 3000 Wonder Woman
 design by Howard Porter

Keith: Aside from the name Fatal Five and one or two other names that are too good to let go of... not at all. There are no Legionnaires in JL3000, no LSH supporting cast members, no references to LSH at all. Not because I'm looking to erase the LSH, but because JL3000 has to be the only book you have to read to get the story or understand the concept of JL3000.

Harry: What can you say about who the first big villain of the series is?

Keith: The Fatal Five are not who you think they are.

Harry: With this series taking place mostly separate from all the other DC Comics titles, do you feel more of a sense of freedom when writing this book?

Keith: Absolutely!


Justice League 3000 the Flash
design by Howard Porter

Harry: What sort of tone can we expect this series to have?

Keith: Giffen, DeMatteis, Maguire. Yeah, it's exactly what you think it is.

Harry: Can we expect to see any other recognisable aspects of the DC Universe and what they're like in the 31st century?

Keith: I think that will have to happen sooner or later. As long as the aspects can be introduced as new there should be no problem.

Harry: What are you doing that will really make this book stand out from all of the other new books coming to the shelves?

Keith: Trying to point out that life doesn't end at grim and gritty. A little fun never hurt anyone.



Justice League 3000 Green Lantern
design by Howard Porter

Harry: What big changes will there be between the original Justice League and the incarnation in this series?

Keith: um... they're two completely different things? We're not an appendix to the JL, we're our own... um... well whatever we are, we're ours and ours alone. And DC's.

Harry: Thanks, Keith! Good luck with all of your new projects!

Larfleeze #1 is out now and Justice League 3000 #1 hits shelves in October!

(Images of Justice League 3000 designs courtesy of Comic Book Resources)