--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't want to take the DC universe…" description: "\"I didn't want to take the DC universe, put it in a box, shake the box and pour it out. I wanted to take the major characters and show what they could b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/geoff-johns-9485_box_i-didn-t-want-to-take-the-dc-universe-pu_969231.jpg" --- # I didn't want to take the DC universe, put it in a box… ![“I didn't want to take the DC universe, put it in a box, shake the box and pour it out. I wanted to take the major characters and show what they could be like if they were put on a different path.” quote by Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/geoff-johns-9485_box_i-didn-t-want-to-take-the-dc-universe-pu_969231.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/geoff-johns-9485_box_i-didn-t-want-to-take-the-dc-universe-pu_969231.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/geoff-johns-9485_box_i-didn-t-want-to-take-the-dc-universe-pu_969231.jpg) > “I didn't want to take the DC universe, put it in a box, shake the box and pour it out. I wanted to take the major characters and show what they could be like if they were put on a different path.” [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The creator wants to explore major DC characters in new storylines, showing how different choices could reshape their identities. **In simple terms:** Explore alternate character paths. Key Takeaway Reimagine familiar heroes. Themes creativity reimagination character development Mood curious speculative Type creative analytical When to use this quote - writing workshops - fan fiction - media analysis Key Concepts alternate universes storytelling character arcs Questions to Reflect On - What if your favorite hero made a different choice? - How do alternate narratives affect your perception? A Different Perspective Risk of alienating core fans. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) [Different path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-path/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) ## Related quotes > [Every villain in the DC Universe wants something different, and not all of them want to rule the world. Or at least, not all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/every-villain-in-the-dc-universe-wants-something-different-and-not/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [The DC Universe has the best villains in fiction, right? I don't think there's any group of villains collectively or anywhere else that come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/the-dc-universe-has-the-best-villains-in-fiction-right-i-don-t-think/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [I like DC, and I love the DC Universe. It's a source of never-ending joy to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-simone/i-like-dc-and-i-love-the-dc-universe-it-s-a-source-of-never-ending/) [Gail Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-simone/) > [One of the strengths of the DC Universe has been the strength of the rogues' gallery. Often times they're as famous - if not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-lee/one-of-the-strengths-of-the-dc-universe-has-been-the-strength-of-the/) [Jim Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-lee/) > [The DC Universe Animated made for videos, which we do in cooperation with Warner Animation, are very intentionally scheduled at 3-4 a year, depending…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-nelson/the-dc-universe-animated-made-for-videos-which-we-do-in-cooperation/) [Diane Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-nelson/) > [The decision to work with Marvel for a while isn't any sort of denigration of DC. I had a fantastic time there, I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-soule/the-decision-to-work-with-marvel-for-a-while-isn-t-any-sort-of/) [Charles Soule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-soule/) > [“After five seconds there was a click, and the entire Universe was there in the box with him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/after-five-seconds-there-was-a-click-and-the-entire-universe-was/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [Aquaman is one of the greatest characters at DC Comics and one of my favorites.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/aquaman-is-one-of-the-greatest-characters-at-dc-comics-and-one-of-my/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [I think Aquaman feels - and deservedly so - like an A-list, premier DC hero. I hope that carries on; it certainly will carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/i-think-aquaman-feels-and-deservedly-so-like-an-a-list-premier-dc/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [I love every character in the DC universe, except for Rampage. Rampage is a She-Hulk rip-off, and I like She-Hulk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/i-love-every-character-in-the-dc-universe-except-for-rampage-rampage/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [Aquaman has the ability to be a huge character, and I think we really brought him to a new level in comic books, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/aquaman-has-the-ability-to-be-a-huge-character-and-i-think-we-really/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [Evil is relative - and what I mean by that is that our villains are as complex, as deep and as compelling as any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/evil-is-relative-and-what-i-mean-by-that-is-that-our-villains-are-as/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > ['Forever Evil' is my love letter to DC super villains. It's my chance to take all of the villains I've worked with and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/forever-evil-is-my-love-letter-to-dc-super-villains-it-s-my-chance-to/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [With 'Invincible', I wanted to create my own version of the Marvel or DC universe, with my own heroes and villains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-grossman/with-invincible-i-wanted-to-create-my-own-version-of-the-marvel-or-dc/) [Austin Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-grossman/) > [Hitman does well and it certainly does well enough to survive, but at the same time I don't want to involve the character into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-ennis/hitman-does-well-and-it-certainly-does-well-enough-to-survive-but-at/) [Garth Ennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-ennis/) ## More by Geoff Johns > ['Forever Evil' is my love letter to DC super villains. It's my chance to take all of the villains I've worked with and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/forever-evil-is-my-love-letter-to-dc-super-villains-it-s-my-chance-to/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [I want to do character driven epic storylines with Throne of Atlantis kicking off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/i-want-to-do-character-driven-epic-storylines-with-throne-of-atlantis/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [Evil is relative - and what I mean by that is that our villains are as complex, as deep and as compelling as any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/evil-is-relative-and-what-i-mean-by-that-is-that-our-villains-are-as/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [I put my comics that are really valuable into regular mylar because I like to look at them. Once they're in those clam shell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/i-put-my-comics-that-are-really-valuable-into-regular-mylar-because-i/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [We are finding new areas in the ocean every day. It's as alien as going to outer space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/we-are-finding-new-areas-in-the-ocean-every-day-it-s-as-alien-as/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [My sister was the inspiration for the character, the good qualities instilled in the character. The initial inspiration was there, but Stargirl has taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/my-sister-was-the-inspiration-for-the-character-the-good-qualities/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [I'm really proud of all the stuff we've built with Green Lantern - from Larfleeze to the different corps. The universe has expanded and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/i-m-really-proud-of-all-the-stuff-we-ve-built-with-green-lantern-from/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [I like collecting comics, I like buying comics, I like looking at comics, but I also read comics on digital readers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/i-like-collecting-comics-i-like-buying-comics-i-like-looking-at/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim and Andrew Kreisberg are fantastic producers and showrunners, and they lead a very, very positive, fun, creative environment to work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/greg-berlanti-marc-guggenheim-and-andrew-kreisberg-are-fantastic/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [The best thing about my job is that I work with the best creative people in the business in their fields.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/the-best-thing-about-my-job-is-that-i-work-with-the-best-creative/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [The idea of introducing the Seven Seas is absolutely to challenge Aquaman on an emotional and personal level. His responsibility is unification of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/the-idea-of-introducing-the-seven-seas-is-absolutely-to-challenge/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [You're always learning about yourself, if you're honest with yourself. It's very tough to be honest with yourself. We all are dishonest with ourselves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/you-re-always-learning-about-yourself-if-you-re-honest-with-yourself/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [“Everyone looks up to you. They listen to you. If you tell them to fight, they'll fight. But they need to be inspired. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/everyone-looks-up-to-you-they-listen-to-you-if-you-tell-them-to-fight/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [The truth is, we're all cyborgs with cell phones and online identities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/the-truth-is-we-re-all-cyborgs-with-cell-phones-and-online-identities/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [I really explored self-awareness and emotions through 'Green Lantern.' It might sound goofy, but I do believe that emotions have power. We're all driven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/i-really-explored-self-awareness-and-emotions-through-green-lantern/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) [Explore all 72 Geoff Johns quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) ## More Box quotes > [I don't think that 'Just Mohabbat' or 'Tarzan' were a hindrance. 'Tarzan' didn't do well at the box office but I would say the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vatsal-sheth/i-don-t-think-that-just-mohabbat-or-tarzan-were-a-hindrance-tarzan/) [Vatsal Sheth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vatsal-sheth/) > [Our whole thing was that we wanted to challenge ourselves and go out of the box that everyone else was doing, and even what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-real/our-whole-thing-was-that-we-wanted-to-challenge-ourselves-and-go-out/) [B-Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-real/) > [Everyone knows you use box dye to do violet red.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-mondo/everyone-knows-you-use-box-dye-to-do-violet-red/) [Brad Mondo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-mondo/) > [A lot of times, my work is looked at very much on the surface. It's very easy to just want to put something in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-koons/a-lot-of-times-my-work-is-looked-at-very-much-on-the-surface-it-s/) [Jeff Koons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-koons/) > [It's not that I don't want to do different films. The non-mainstream stuff that I did started to get successful... But for an industry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhay-deol/it-s-not-that-i-don-t-want-to-do-different-films-the-non-mainstream/) [Abhay Deol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhay-deol/) > [I want people to get from 'Pariah' that it's okay to be you and not to check a box as a parent or child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-rees/i-want-people-to-get-from-pariah-that-it-s-okay-to-be-you-and-not-to/) [Dee Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-rees/) > [I'm a storyteller - that's my chamber, that's my box. I'm always tryin' to give you the best story from our side of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raekwon/i-m-a-storyteller-that-s-my-chamber-that-s-my-box-i-m-always-tryin-to/) [Raekwon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raekwon/) > [I love finding out why people don't love things. And if you ask people why they don't like things, particularly when they get into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stew/i-love-finding-out-why-people-don-t-love-things-and-if-you-ask-people/) Stew > [The low point for neon came in 1982, when Holiday Inn did away with its signature 'Great Sign,' replacing the neon extravaganza with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/the-low-point-for-neon-came-in-1982-when-holiday-inn-did-away-with/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [I've always said the bass just happens to be the crayon I picked out of the box. I'd still be drawing the same pictures...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-claypool/i-ve-always-said-the-bass-just-happens-to-be-the-crayon-i-picked-out/) [Les Claypool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-claypool/) > [When you got competition, it makes people think outside the box.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-steiner/when-you-got-competition-it-makes-people-think-outside-the-box/) [Scott Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-steiner/) > [I want to live outside of the box, and I definitely don't want to put God in a box, so I want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-benson/i-want-to-live-outside-of-the-box-and-i-definitely-don-t-want-to-put/) [Jodi Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-benson/) > [I'm such a sucker for the Tiffany blue box.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fallon/i-m-such-a-sucker-for-the-tiffany-blue-box/) [Jane Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fallon/) > [When I was young I didn't care about education, just money and box office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-chan/when-i-was-young-i-didn-t-care-about-education-just-money-and-box/) [Jackie Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-chan/) > [The box office in an arthouse film is always going to be small. We have to face this and overcome this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiran-rao/the-box-office-in-an-arthouse-film-is-always-going-to-be-small-we/) [Kiran Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiran-rao/) Browse all 658 Box quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I didn't want to take the DC universe, put it in a box, shake the box and pour it out. 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