Saying Daniel Warren Johnson is one of the hottest creators in comics today is like saying the Transformers are robots. Because Johnson is a pop auteur on the level of ‘80s Frank Miller, turning his passions into full-fledged wonderment with each new comic he tackles. This week, Skybound hosted an AMA with Johnson, whose Extremity: Signature Edition just wrapped a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign. Here are the highlights…
On whether he’ll do a sequel to Do a Power Bomb…
I for sure have ideas, but nothing in the works just yet. I don’t think I have another full pro wrestling book in me (art wise), but possibly with someone else on art duties? We shall see! I have a prequel idea and I also have a sequel idea. Whew!
On how he approaches Optimus Prime…
Mostly, I just go with a vibe I’m feeling, and just try and write the character as honestly as I can. It’s almost like I can imagine OP actually being alive somewhere out in the universe, kind of like he’s talking to me (is this weird? Prolly yes). I’ve just loved the character for so long I think it comes second nature to me, honestly.
OP is my main man. Always. Forever. And ever. And ever.
On whether he and new Transformers artist Jorge Corona will alternate art duties while Johnson continues as writer…
I have completed my art duties for TF. I had a great time, but I’m now working on art for other books. That being said, I’ll still be doing all the covers! Also, it’s been amazing to see Jorge kill it on this book and trust me when I say, YOU WILL BE IMPRESSED.
Working on the EU has been a blast, and it’s been super fun to play in the TF sandbox along with the rest of the universe (like GI Joe, etc).
On his favorite creator-owned work…
DO A POWERBOMB. It’s just the most put together and well-rounded thing I’ve ever done. I also stuck that landing really well, better than any other book I’ve worked on.
On the biggest non-comic inspirations for his work…
Def movies. CHILDREN OF MEN is my fave movie of all time followed closely by ALIENS and GROUNDHOG DAY. Also, novels! HYPERION and FALL OF HYPERION, the LOTR Trilogy, among others. Good stuff! (Read Hyperion RIGHT NOW.)
On the comic that made him realize comics are one of the if not the best medium out there…
That prize would have to go to a few titles such as: DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, CALVIN AND HOBBES, BATMAN YEAR ONE, BPRD/HELLBOY, BATTLE CHASERS, (Marvel) TRANSFORMERS. These were just some of the books that really stuck with me and made me want to try to do this for a living.
On the artists he looks up to…
James Harren, Tim Lowly, Otomo, Kirby, Shirow, Kentaro Miura.
On how he entered the Energon Universe, and what’s to come…
THEY CALL, I ANSWER, I DESTROY. Prepare thyself for more wrestling moves, your welcome.
On how difficult it’s been to write the next Transformers arc since he’s not drawing it…
Honestly, it wasn’t too hard. Or rather, not any more or less hard than it is when I draw stuff. I was having trouble following the characters’ voices for a little bit, but that always happens when I transition to a new section of a story, like when you get into a brand-new arc with new things happening, new bad guys, etc. After a while though, things really have come together, and seeing Jorge’s art on issue 7 really helped me get excited about finishing this second arc. What a blast we’re gonna have!
On how he handles writing and drawing a book…
I love being in total control of the creative process, and writing AND drawing is the best way to achieve that. I do love drawing, and it does come easier to me, but writing can be truly rewarding in its own right, even though I feel I’m not as good at it as I am with art.
I try to come up with an outline of sorts first, and then separate things into issues with natural “ramp ups” in the story at the end of each 20-page issue. I then start scripting as best I can, and change the outline as needed when the script takes me to unforeseen places. Then we get to drawing! Whew. It’s a long road but it’s one that helps me not have to take any U-turns in the creative journey.
On the kind of story he’d tell if he had a run on a Star Wars comic…
ROGUE SQUADRON. MINISERIES OF SIX ONE SHOTS, ALL ON THE NO NAMES OF THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY. We got:
–“SHES GONNA BLOW” Black guy X-wing pilot that loses in a bad way (what’s his story?????)
–”I CAN HOLD IT” The best pilot in the galaxy is THIS overweight guy???
–”I’M HIIIIIIT” Y-wing pilot with the bat symbol on his helmet, what a champion
–”I FEEL LIKE I CAN TAKE ON THE WHOLE EMPIRE MYSELF” What a loser, spills beer on Luke Skywalker at some point.
–I don’t have any more right now, you get it.
On what inspired him to give Optimus Prime Megatron’s arm…
I drew it in my sketchbook as a joke at first! I thought Hasbro would never sign off on it! But Sean over at Skybound said he thought of it as well and so we pitched it as an idea, and everyone loved it! So fun.
On the Transformers characters he was excited to write…
I really wanted to do justice to Megatron. We shall see if I succeed….
I mostly pulled from my faves for the first line of Autobots, except Arcee, because it was asked that there be a female Autobot in the cast (which of course I was cool with), and the Decepticons were mostly me just rocking and rolling. Skywarp is my fave Decepticon, so yeah, he made it in 😊
On how he plans a story…
I start by doing a large overview, writing things out so that it’s deadpan and simple. “This happens and then this happens because of that…” and after that’s mostly done and I have a “sketch,” I start trying to type things out issue by issue. What usually happens is issue 1 is pretty solid, issue 2 less, so, and issue 3 even LESS so. Then, as I start scripting issue 1, I change/add to the issue outlines later on as I get further down into the story. This allows me to really be organic when things change sometimes in the script process and I’m not writing to a rigid grid that I’ve set up for myself before I really had a grip on the story. And I use GOOGLE DOCS! I’m a simple guy. And video game? Probably MGS 3: Snake Eater! I made it through 75 percent of that game without killing ANYONE. Super hard but super cool.
On his future plans…
I’m just trying to make things that get ME excited, so it’s so awesome to see that come back around from other people. The thing I’m most passionate about is making my own stories, and that’s what I’ll be doing next. I’m writing a book for another artist that will drop with Image sometime in the fall, and next year? Oh boy…. Next year will be my next major writing and drawing project and…you’re not ready.
TRANSFORMERS TM & © 2023 Hasbro
For exclusive Skybound coverage and rewards, join Skybound Insiders now. Free to join!
