10 Best Non-Superhero Grant Morrison Comics

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Grant Morrison is a celebrated writer in the world of comics. Beginning their career in the UK, they were brought over to DC Comics as part of a wave of British talent. Since then, Morrison has created some of the most acclaimed stories in the medium, achieving a level of success many comic creators aspire to. Over a nearly 40-year career, they’ve penned significant stories featuring iconic heroes from both the DC and Marvel universes (though their time with Marvel was shorter and involved fewer titles). Beyond superheroes, Morrison has also produced a wide range of impressive non-superhero works.

Grant Morrison rose to prominence with early Vertigo comics, playing a key role in developing comics for adult readers in the 1990s. Throughout their long American career, beginning in the late 1980s, Morrison has created many exceptional non-superhero stories. Here are ten of the best, showcasing their incredible talent as a writer.

10) Seaguy

Grant Morrison joined Marvel in 2000 and created a highly acclaimed run of X-Men comics, but left in 2004 due to disagreements with editors. They then returned to DC Comics, immediately launching three new series under the Vertigo imprint, all of which are considered standouts. Seaguy is arguably the most captivating of these. Collaborating with artist Cameron Stewart, Morrison delivered a comic reminiscent of their Doom Patrol work—a bizarre, Dada-influenced story where the hero battles Mickey Eye, a wildly popular character within their world. The book is incredibly funny, but also subtly critiques the increasing commercialization of storytelling. Stewart’s vibrant, cartoonish art perfectly complements the book’s chaotic energy and reveals the unsettling darkness beneath its cheerful surface.

9) Vimanarama

Written after Grant Morrison returned to DC, Vimanarama, created with Philip Bond, tells the story of Ali, an Indian man living in England. He’s facing a difficult life and feels anxious about his upcoming arranged marriage. Things improve when he falls in love at first sight, but a relative’s actions soon throw everything into chaos – they open a gateway to the Earth’s core, releasing monsters. The only potential saviors, the Ultra-Hadeen, actually make the situation worse, as Ali’s new bride is connected to an ancient prophecy. Morrison drew heavily on Indian mythology, particularly the Vedas, to create this exciting story about a man caught in the middle of a mythological awakening and how he copes with it. It’s a thrilling sci-fi adventure with a surprisingly emotional heart, and considered one of their strongest works – a funny and intense tale.

8) Mystery Play

As a big comics fan, I always go back to Grant Morrison’s early Vertigo work, and one series that really deserves more attention is The Mystery Play, illustrated by Jon J. Muth. It’s a fantastic, strange story set in a struggling British village putting on these medieval, religious “mystery plays.” But things go sideways fast when the actor playing God turns up dead! Detective Sergeant Frank Carpenter arrives to investigate, and he quickly gets tangled up in something way bigger and weirder than he expects, to the point where he starts questioning everything. This is Morrison at their most thought-provoking, and Muth’s art is just stunning—sometimes genuinely unsettling. Books like The Mystery Play are what made Vertigo so special, creating a reading experience that still feels fresh decades later. It’s often collected with another overlooked Morrison gem, Sebastian O, which is honestly better than a lot of stuff people still talk about.

7) Nameless

Nameless is a truly terrifying cosmic horror story. Writer Grant Morrison and artist Chris Burnham follow Nameless, an occult detective caught up in a world-ending crisis as a strange object approaches Earth. He’s tasked with saving the planet and uncovering the horrifying truth about the object and a previous encounter with something similar. The story is complex and draws on Morrison’s personal beliefs about the occult and Gnostic Christianity, which might be overwhelming for some. It’s a masterful example of cosmic horror, brought to life by Burnham’s incredibly frightening artwork. Like many of Morrison’s works, it’s a book you can revisit again and again, discovering new layers with each read.

6) Annihilator

Science fiction and comic books have always been a great match, and Grant Morrison is a master of the genre. Their comic Annihilator, illustrated by Frazer Irving, was published by the film production company Legendary Pictures and delves into the world of Hollywood. The story centers on a screenwriter struggling with addiction as he tries to complete his latest script, all while his grip on reality begins to slip. The comic brilliantly blurs the lines between fiction and reality, keeping readers guessing throughout the six-issue series. Irving’s artwork is stunning and perfectly complements the narrative. It feels as though Annihilator was originally conceived as a film, and it translates beautifully to the comic book format – a truly captivating sci-fi experience.

5) Kill Your Boyfriend

Grant Morrison has created many essential comics, and one that doesn’t get enough attention is Kill Your Boyfriend, illustrated by Philip Bond. This story from the mid-90s is similar to Natural Born Killers, but set in the UK and centered around the rave scene. It follows a schoolgirl who falls for a rebellious teenager, and together they embark on a crime spree across Britain. It’s a classic example of Morrison’s energetic style – a story about young love, drugs, and murder that doesn’t take itself too seriously. While it’s not a deep crime drama, it’s a fun and energetic look at 90s British culture. Many fans have overlooked it over the years, but it’s a fantastic standalone story, and pairs well with Vimanarama as a great representation of different moments in UK culture.

4) The Filth

Grant Morrison often incorporates real-world issues into their stories. Their work from the 1990s reflected a hopeful belief in a brighter future as the new millennium approached. However, events like 9/11 in the 2000s proved that optimism misplaced. The comic series The Filth, with art by Chris Weston, captures this disillusionment. It centers on members of the Hand, a group that brutally maintains the existing power structure and controls the population. In many ways, it’s the opposite of The Invisibles; the story follows a member of the Hand as they carry out terrible acts and ultimately uncover the truth about the organization. Morrison really pushed boundaries with this series, and the title is perfectly fitting – it’s shocking and gritty in every sense. But beneath the surface, it’s packed with the complex, thought-provoking ideas Morrison is known for. Chris Weston’s artwork is phenomenal. He seamlessly transitions from everyday scenes, like a man feeding his cat, to bizarre and epic imagery, such as giant sperm attacking Los Angeles (and both look incredible). His detailed and realistic style is a perfect match for the story, elevating an already exceptional comic.

3) We3

Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely are a legendary writer-artist team, and their 2004 return to DC Comics resulted in one of their most popular creations: We3. This graphic novel tells the touching story of three stolen pets—a dog named Bandit, a cat named Tinker, and a rabbit named Pirate—who are turned into government weapons, then liberated by a sympathetic scientist. The creators playfully described it as a “Western manga,” a fitting description given its unique style and stunning artwork by Quitely. We3 has everything: compelling characters, thrilling action, and genuine emotional depth. Released 21 years ago, it’s considered a comic book masterpiece – and it’s guaranteed to pull at your heartstrings.

2) Flex Mentallo: Man of Muscle Mystery

Though it features the superhero Flex Mentallo, who first appeared in Doom Patrol, Flex Mentallo: Man of Muscle Mystery isn’t a typical superhero story. It’s a thoughtful exploration of how comics can impact a person’s life. The story follows Flex as he searches for a missing friend, coinciding with comic creator Wally Sage’s decision to end his life. This semi-autobiographical tale delves into the power of creativity and its profound effects. A classic collaboration between Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, it was out of print for years due to a legal dispute with the Charles Atlas estate (Flex is inspired by the old ‘hero of the beach’ advertisements common in comics from the 1960s and 70s). Thankfully, it’s now back in print, allowing a new generation to experience this gem. It’s everything a comic book can be, and deserves far more recognition.

1) The Invisibles

As a huge fan, I can tell you Grant Morrison’s The Invisibles is a masterpiece. It’s where they really poured everything they loved into a comic, and the result is just… incredible. It follows a group called the Invisibles – they’re like freedom fighters connected to this secret society, the Invisible College – as they fight against truly terrifying beings called the Archons, who are basically Lovecraftian monsters controlling the world from the shadows. Seriously, this comic has everything – sex, drugs, violence, tons of ’90s references, magic, dance music… you name it. Over the course of its three volumes and six-year run, Morrison creates some unforgettable characters and throws them into the most mind-bending stories you’ll ever read. It’s pretty much a perfect work, and honestly, once you read it, it stays with you forever.

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2026-01-27 17:20