Open Letter To Geoff Johns

To: Geoff Johns, Undisputed Master of the DC Universe:

I am writing this in the hopes that either you will stumble across this while Googling your name, or that you have been reading this page regularly for some time, whether silently, or with comments under a false name. I am writing this to make a request of you. I'm making this request as someone who first became of aware of you during your stint on The Avengers. I liked Jack-of-Hearts and Scott Lang, so the inclusion of both, even if they were adversarial, was enjoyable. The Black Panther nearly punching the Red Skull's filthy Nazi jaw off? Fantastic. That issue with Thor vs. Iron Man, with Cap in the middle? Gave me even more respect for the Sentinel of Liberty. I'm not trying to suck up (that's what "Undisputed Master of the DC Universe was for), just establishing my credentials. As to the actual purpose of this note. . .

As I understand it, you will be writing a storyline in Teen Titans soon, involving a group known as Titans East. This group will include one Cassandra Cain, formerly Batgirl. If you have read my blog previously, you know my liking for the character, and my dismay at her portrayal in Robin a few months ago. If you haven't been reading, well, to put it succinctly, I'm less than pleased that she seems to be firmly in the bad guy camp since One Year Later, what with her conflict with Robin and all.

Upon hearing about your Titans East story, I was overjoyed. There was hope! But then I start seeing things like 'consisting of former heroes Batgirl. . .', and 'formed by Deathstroke' and my hopes fell. Look, let me cut to the chase. Here's what I'd like to see from Cassandra Cain.

You know how the Punisher frequently kills criminals, and then after the fact, he finds some innocent victim of those now deceased criminals who needs his help? I want Cassandra to be the reverse (this is based on the assumption you won't let her go all the way back to being Batgirl again. If you will, then by all means, do that). What I mean is, when fighting with a criminal, Cassandra's first instinct (or order, if her League of Assassins is with her), is to safeguard innocent lives. To get the bystanders to safety. After that, then she can beat, subdue, and if the person is deemed evil enough, kill them. She's certainly not a hero, but her concern for innocent life means she isn't a villain either. "But why should I bother", you ask? Because I can make it worth your while.

If you give me this, not only will I never say anything about having to wait six weeks for an issue of Teen Titans again, I will guarantee my purchase of the first thirty issues of Justice Society of America, no matter how confused I may be as you delve deep into DC continuity I don't understand. Consider that as an avowed Marvel and especially, Spider-Man fan, I could only give New Avengers 20 issues before concluding I couldn't afford to keep tossing my money at it. You're getting almost another year of my patronage, guaranteed! But wait, there's more!

If given my heart's (realistic) desire, I will give any DC comic a two month trial on my pull list, provided it meets the following criteria: It is not a solo title for any of the Trinity characters. It's not written by Brad Meltzer or Judd Winick. It's not from the Wildstorm or Vertigo Universes. It's not Flash. It's not Supergirl. Everything else is fair game. Consider that. Right now I spend $3.00 a month on DC comics. This could add, what $40 or $50 a month to your employers' coffers? C'mon, all it takes is probably just a little tweak to your story. So what if the book comes out a little later? You're Geoff Johns. No one is going to say "Boo" to you.

"But what if I'm not interested," you ask? Well, then. . . nothing. I'm not going to make threats. And I don't mean that in the whole 'I don't make threats, I make promises' way, either. Anger doesn't accomplish much. Hal Jordan fans had to scream for over a decade before you came along and made him a Green Lantern again. Cassandra doesn't have nearly the fan base to mobilize, and besides, I'm trying not to let anger determine my actions. I'm not going to make some big deal about how "I'll never buy DC again". Honestly, if you aren't interested in bringing in some extra money each month for your company, I doubt you're concerned about the possible loss of $3.00. So yeah, I'm bribing you. That's not such a bad thing, is it?

So there it is, all reward, no downside. Why not go for it? You'll make so many people happy. And like I said, you're Geoff Johns. If Didio gave you any grief, you could probably tell him to go to hell and get away with it.

Just Giving You Something To Consider,

CalvinPitt