NIK: There has been some controversy over S&S #0's advance solicitation put out by PREVIEWS. Would you like to clear up the confusion of the killer and what the issue will be all about?

GEOFF: That was a small mistake in the previews article. The original Kid (for those who don't know) was killed by Solomon Grundy when he was under the control of a villain named Harlequinn. Icicle was a member of Harlequinn's group, Injustice Unlimited at the time. There's the connection. So all you continuity fans (including myself) can rest easy. The original Star Spangled Kid's death will be dealt with in more detail in SNS #4 when Solomon Grundy returns!

NIK: Courtney is destined to join the JSA after issue 3, which was originally planned to star Young Justice. Why was this issue moved back to #5, and what will issues #1-4 contain?

GEOFF: Due to the Day of Judgment crossover issue, which is #4, we pushed back the Young Justice 2-parter. Issues 1-4 will be the definitive "origin" adventures of the new Star Spangled Kid and S.T.R.I.P.E. setting up their path into danger for the next year.

NIK: Speaking of pushed back issues, the Seven Soldiers of Victory story, originally was planned to be in #7 & 8, but was delayed as well. Could you tell us why it was delayed and what #7 &8 will be all about now?

GEOFF: For the same reason as above. Too early to announce what is happening in #7 and #8, but look for an appearance by the Nebula Man and the man who helped Pat build S.T.R.I.P.E.

NIK: Since it has been announced the Courtney will be a founding member of the new JSA, will her teammates show up anytime soon? Of the JSAers, which is your favorite (besides Court) and least favorite? Why?

GEOFF: Most definitely! Besides Court, of course, my favorite JSAer. . .it's a tie between the new Hawkgirl and Jay Garrick. Because I really miss the Hawks and Flash has always been on the top of my list. Least favorite. . .I don't know. Hourman has grown on me since Tom Peyer's series has debuted so there isn't anyone I have disliked.

NIK: Besides her JSA friends, is there any one super-hero or super-heroine that will be Courtney's best friend? Arrowette and her seem to be similar enough to pull it off.

GEOFF: We'll have to see how her relationship with all the other heroes, young and old, develops.

NIK: Have any crossovers with other books been planned yet? Any you'd really love to see?

GEOFF: Nothing planned yet. I'd really like to see S uperboy, Flash and Starman crossover at some point.

NIK: DC's powers that be have loved your STARS AND S.T.R.I.P.E. work enough to award you with a couple TITANS-related books as well as this summer's mega-crossover. What will this crossover be named and what is the basic premise of it all?

GEOFF: Officially there is only one Titans mini-series I'm doing. Beast Boy. Flamebird will co-star. (LOVE Bette Kane!!) The fall crossover is called Day of Judgment. Basically, it’s the magic heroes of the DCU spotlighted and teamed up with the mainstream heroes of the DCU. It’s everyone vs. Spectre when Spectre literally freezes Hell and brings it to Earth. Look for Zatanna, Dr. Occult, Phantom Stranger, Deadman, Faust, Enchantress, Ragman and Raven among many many others.

NIK: How will this event affect Courtney, the JSA, and Young Justice? Will it have far reaching effects in to the Legion of Super-Heroes' time as well?

GEOFF: Courtney and Pat will be involved with the rest of the JSA. I'm not sure about Young Justice or Superboy. The Legion will touch on it in a very interesting way. . .

NIK: With former-Titan Magenta still living in Blue Valley, Nebraska, will she be showing up in the book?

GEOFF: Maybe down the line. No plans right now.

NIK: Who else is planned to guest-star in the next year?

GEOFF: Besides the Marvel Family and Young Justice. . .a couple Golden Age heroes who haven't been seen in awhile. One in a particular that will strike a chord with Pat. . .

NIK: Any words on why a fan should pick up this series when it comes out?

GEOFF: Because it’s gonna be a helluva lot of fun and Lee Moder and Dan Davis are really turning in beautiful artwork!

KS: There seems to be a renewed interest in Golden Age characters. Why do you think this is?

GEOFF: I think it's because the Golden Age is a fantastic mythology DC hasn't tapped into in years. The characters are classics, fighting the good fight. True Heroes. We could use more of those.

KS: Who has influenced you creatively?

GEOFF: James Robinson, Mark Waid, Jerry Seigel, Grant Morrison, Rod Serling, H.G. Wells, etc!- heck, a ton of talented people! Film, TV, comics & life.

KS: What do you think distinguishes Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E. from other super-hero books on the market?

GEOFF: A teenage girl who has HER OWN LEGACY to follow. She's not a WONDER, SUPER, or BAT girl. She's her own character. Plus she's got a huge pain in the butt, robotic step-father. A lot of us can relate to that... the step-parent I mean...

KS: You seem to be part of a growing trend of screenwriters making forays into comics. What do you think the appeal is?

GEOFF: Don't know. But it makes for preety good comics.

KS: Coke or Pepsi?

GEOFF: Root Beer

KS: What is your favorite comic book story?

GEOFF: Flash #79, Animal Man 1-4 & THE GOLDEN AGE.

KS: How would you rate your experience in the industry thus far?

GEOFF: Great. LOVE the guys at DC. Lee Moder & Dan Davis have put all their guts and energy into this book. Can't complain a bit.

KS: The new series takes place around a high school. What aspect of teen life are you most eager to portray?

GEOFF: The real stuff. Braces. Detention. Forgetting your locker combination, phone calls from the Principal, killer robots, dating, giant insects, History tests & joining a team like the JSA.

KS: Where do you see comics heading in the future?

GEOFF: Hopefully telling great, beautiful stories- and getting new readers.

KS: Geoff Johns: The Movie- who has the title role?

GEOFF: King Snarf.

NIK: Besides wanting to see a strong female teen, what inspirations did you draw upon to create the new Star Spangled Kid?

GEOFF: Well, I love fun superhero books. I love DC Comics. I love Golden Age characters. So I wanted to create a book where new comics readers could get an introduction to DC's golden age universe. It's going to be very reader friendly but at the same time established fans of the Golden Age stuff (like myself) will get to pick out little details referring to Golden Age characters like a "Find Waldo" book. Along with the new JSA, we're gonna be revisting a lot of these characters and ideas. I mean if you look at S.T.R.I.P.E. I'm sure he reminds fans of another Golden Age character. There's a definite connection there. And I can't wait to play with the Seven Soldiers of Victory.

I got Courtney Whitmore, the Star Spangled Kid, from my younger sister -- who's given me all the inspiration, energy and dialogue for the Kid. I didn't want a big-breasted bad girl -- I wanted to see a typical girl in a fantastic situation. That's much more interesting to me than a gun slinging playboy bunny.

NIK: There will be a #0 issue of STARS AND S.T.R.I.P.E.. Will this issue take place before #1? When will #1 and #0 be released?

GEOFF: #0 will be a sort of "flash forward" adventure co-starring Starman. It should be out around April, followed by #1 in May.

NIK: At this point do you know what kind of marketing DC will use to get people reading this new series?

GEOFF: House ads, promo stuff -- not really sure what yet. As far as launching the book in connection with others -- there are big plans.

NIK: What would Courtney's reactions be to the 6 kids of YOUNG JUSTICE, Red Tornado, and JSA off-spring Damage and the Ray II?

GEOFF: You can see her reaction to Young Justice in issues 3 and 4! As for the others, we'll see when that time comes.

NIK: If you could make an all-new Seven Soldiers of Victory, what 7 heroes would you use?

GEOFF: The Star Spangled Kid and S.T.R.I.P.E. of course, I can't reveal much else yet. . .plans are in motion.

NIK: What made you choose Blue Valley as the setting for STARS AND S.T.R.I.P.E.?

GEOFF: I wanted to use a small town, I love Kid Flash and I love the Midwest. So it was the first place I thought of. Plus, Nebraska needs a superhero!!

NIK: What powers exactly does the Star Spangled Kid's belt give Courtney?

GEOFF: I'll say this. The belt works differently on a girl. . .

NIK: Besides the current Starman and Young Justice, what team-ups would you like to see the Star Spangled Kid have?

GEOFF: That's easy -- the new JSA, Wonder Woman, Flash and Superman. Those are the big ones. I'd love to see the Kid and S.T.R.I.P.E. team-up with Superman since they originally appeared in ACTION COMICS and were created by Jerry Seigel. Plus, I love the patriotic angle.

NIK: If you had to have a one paragraph "mission statement" of STARS AND S.T.R.I.P.E., what would it be?

GEOFF: To tell cool, exciting, smart superhero stories and build upon the foundation of DC Comics' fantastic universe of characters. A lot of readers don't know a lot about the Golden Age -- it may seem too intimidating or confusing. My job's to make it fun.

NIK: Who will Courtney's arch-villain be, and have we ever seen this character before?

GEOFF: She's new -- and you'll see her in February's DC VILLAINS SECRET FILES.

NIK: Thanks Geoff!

GEOFF: Thank YOU Nik!