7 Mind-Bending Grant Morrison Comics to Read Now

Grant Morrison is recognized for their extensive DC Comics work, yet they’ve always been one of the most productive creators in the industry. Morrison has revealed plans to revisit Batman, a character they’ve written numerous times throughout their career, which has left their fans eagerly anticipating. Over the years, Morrison has developed a unique writing style that allows them to tackle virtually any kind of comic story. While DC superheroes have been a significant part of Morrison’s career for quite some time, they’ve demonstrated their ability to write diverse genres. Throughout their career, Morrison’s work has captivated readers from the UK to the US with its groundbreaking narratives.

Apart from well-known works such as “All-Star Superman” and “JLA”, Grant Morrison’s writing portfolio extends beyond these classics. His exceptional stories span a broad range, encompassing mature reader masterpieces and thought-provoking Marvel comics. Upon Grant Morrison’s departure from active comic book writing, an impressive collection of work was left behind. For those eager to explore Morrison’s oeuvre, these seven comics – none of which are published by DC (three come from Vertigo, but who’s counting?) – serve as an excellent starting point for immersing oneself in the world of Grant Morrison.

Nameless

In essence, Grant Morrison’s works have traditionally dabbled in cosmic horror, but “Nameless” fully embraces this genre. This comic, influenced by Morrison’s own occult beliefs, follows the story of Nameless, an occult detective tasked with a space mission to a colossal object hurtling towards Earth. However, what they discover is far more terrifying than anything they could have imagined, encountering something that can only be described as a deity. The plot then takes an unexpected turn, transforming into a story unlike any other readers initially expect. Morrison collaborated with Chris Burnham on this project, and the artwork is truly exceptional. Burnham pushes the boundaries here, crafting visuals that will linger in readers’ minds long after they finish reading. In summary, “Nameless” showcases Morrison at their finest.

Marvel Boy

By the close of the ’90s, I had dedicated more than a decade of my career to DC Comics, but a strained partnership with the publisher led me to make the switch to Marvel. My debut project at Marvel was the 2000 release of “Marvel Boy,” collaborating with artist J.G. Jones. In this series, Noh-Varr, an alternate reality Kree whose multiversal ship was destroyed by Doctor Midas, takes center stage. Swearing revenge, Noh-Varr’s story became one of my most audacious works – a bold claim, indeed. “Marvel Boy” is a testament to big concept Morrison creativity, filled with thrilling action and thought-provoking ideas. Jones’ artwork served as the cherry on top, brilliantly bringing my script to life. Despite my brief tenure at Marvel, my work there was nothing short of extraordinary, and “Marvel Boy” stands as a testament to that fact.

New X-Men

Following my stint with Marvel Boy and Fantastic Four: 1234, which was enjoyable but not among their finest, I was given the opportunity to take charge of the X-Men series, rebranding it as New X-Men. From issue #114 onwards, I collaborated frequently with Frank Quitely. Over the next 40 issues, artists such as Ethan Van Sciver, Igor Kordey, John Paul Leon, Phil Jimenez, Chris Bachalo, and Marc Silvestri joined forces with me.

In New X-Men, I introduced readers to new adversaries like Cassandra Nova and John Sublime, weaving an intricate narrative throughout our tenure. While I delved into classic X-Men themes – the Shi’Ar, the Phoenix Force, Weapon X, Magneto – I presented them in fresh, innovative ways that truly embodied the spirit of the series. To this day, some fans believe that New X-Men represents the pinnacle of the X-Men’s storytelling potential, and it’s easy to see why they feel that way.

Unfortunately, much of what I created during my time on New X-Men was later reworked by Marvel after my departure, as they described our collaboration as “weekly shouting matches” in their book Supergods. However, the groundbreaking elements of our run have undeniably inspired future X-Men titles like Uncanny X-Force and the Krakoa Era.

Zenith

Prior to settling in the U.S., Grant Morrison was employed at 2000 A.D. in the UK. In collaboration with artist Steve Yeowell, Morrison introduced the character Zenith in 1987, who graced the pages of the series until 1992. The popularity of Zenith soared, and the stories were compiled for readers’ convenience. Unlike the superhero deconstruction trend that was prevalent in the late ’80s, Morrison and Yeowell aimed to tell a distinctly different story with Zenith. The character embodied the spirit of Generation X, a reflection of their slacker lifestyle, yet also captured the essence of a generation on the brink. Moreover, it showcased the larger-than-life superhero elements that would later become synonymous with Morrison’s work. Nowadays, Zenith is rarely discussed – it’s quite hard to find and hasn’t been reprinted for a while – but it serves as an early glimpse into Morrison’s creative prowess.

Kill Your Boyfriend

Grant Morrison is widely recognized for crafting intricate superhero tales and terrifying horror narratives, yet they’ve penned a variety of engaging stories throughout their career. One such captivating piece is the graphic novel “Kill Your Boyfriend,” illustrated by Philip Bond. Released in 1995 under Vertigo, this one-shot comic bears some resemblance to the movie “Natural Born Killers” set in England. However, “Kill Your Boyfriend” is not as dark as “Natural Born Killers“; it’s more about drugs, dance music, and sexual escapades that were Morrison’s preferred themes during the mid-90s when they were self-publishing. The narrative revolves around a middle-class British schoolgirl who falls for a dangerous new boy, leading her to murder her boyfriend. They embark on a crime spree across the UK, culminating in a life-altering showdown. Despite Bond’s cartoonish art style seeming unsuitable for a crime comic, it complements Morrison’s unique storytelling. “Kill Your Boyfriend” is a gem of the 90s, a fascinating slice of pop culture history that has largely been overlooked. Over the years, DC Comics has reprinted it several times, often alongside another Morrison/Bond Vertigo book titled “Vimanarama“. Whether you find a standalone volume or a collected edition, it’s worth seeking out.

Flex Mentallo: Man of Muscle Mystery

Grant Morrison developed the character Flex Mentallo during his tenure on the “Doom Patrol” comic series. Flex Mentallo was modeled after the old Charles Atlas bodybuilding advertisements from Silver and Bronze Age comics. Initially, young Flex was a scrawny beachgoer getting sand kicked in his face, but he obtained a book promising muscle mastery secrets. With incredible control over his muscles, Flex could bend reality to his will, giving birth to the enigmatic hero, Flex Mentallo, Man of Muscle Mystery. However, this is only part of the story. In reality, Flex Mentallo was a psychic manifestation of Wallace Sage, but that’s another “Doom Patrol” tale.

The graphic novel “Flex Mentallo, Man of Muscle Mystery,” illustrated by Frank Quitely, takes place in a world where characters like Flex and those created by Sage were tangible beings. Here, Flex embarks on a quest to find his missing friend the Fact, while at the same time, comic writer Wallace Sage embarks on a personal journey reflecting Flex’s own odyssey.

“Flex Mentallo” is a story about stories and their origins, offering a semi-autobiographical glimpse into Morrison’s life in the late ’90s. It’s another brilliant piece from Morrison, showcasing an extraordinary blend of creativity. The team of Morrison and Quitely achieves wonders in this book. The artwork is exceptional, arguably among Quitely’s best works.

Due to legal disputes with the Atlas estate, DC/Vertigo had to halt production of the book for years until a new edition was released in the early 2010s. The book was repainted, and remarkably, the recoloring significantly enhanced its appearance. “Flex Mentallo, Man of Muscle Mystery” is a testament to Morrison’s genius, and any serious comic enthusiast should read it.

The Invisibles

In the 90s, “The Invisibles” stands as Morrison’s groundbreaking masterpiece. Morrison, an adept of chaos magic, chose to weave a spell through a comic book, with “The Invisibles” being part of that enchantment. The story revolves around King Mob, Lord Fanny, Ragged Robin, Boy, and their latest recruit, Jack Frost – a cell within the secretive group known as the Invisibles. These Invisibles are a band of freedom fighters fighting against the Lovecraftian entities of the Outer Church, dark deities and their human minions who covertly control the world. “The Invisibles” embodies every 90s conspiracy theory, offering a glimpse into life during the twilight years of the last millennium. This comic is violent, profane, terrifying, breathtakingly beautiful, and everything in between, an experience unlike any other you’ve encountered in literature. Over its six-year run, Morrison collaborated with numerous talented artists such as Jill Thompson, Steve Yeowell, Chris Weston, Phil Jimenez, Phillip Bond, Frank Quitely, and many others, each contributing their unique style to give “The Invisibles” a distinct character all its own. “The Invisibles” showcases Morrison at the peak of their creative powers, and is one of the most imaginative and transformative comics you could ever read.

2025-05-02 17:16