10 Best Grant Morrison Stories in Comic Book History, Ranked

Grant Morrison is considered one of the most important comic book writers working today. They’ve created innovative comics for many publishers, consistently challenging what comics can be. Morrison’s stories are known for being complex, imaginative, and often exploring big ideas about life, reality, and what it means to be human. They’ve delivered iconic takes on popular heroes like Superman, Batman, and the X-Men, while also breathing new life into lesser-known characters and crafting original stories. Whether working with DC or Marvel, Morrison has consistently produced some of the most memorable and influential comics ever written.

Grant Morrison is a remarkably innovative writer. For more than four decades, they’ve created compelling characters and complex stories, consistently expanding the boundaries of what comic books can achieve.

10) Flex Mentallo: Man of Muscle Mystery

Grant Morrison has a knack for making incredibly strange ideas into brilliant stories. Their comic Flex Mentallo: Man of Muscle Mystery is a prime example. It centers around Flex Mentallo, a character who can literally change reality by flexing his muscles. Originally created for comics, Flex is now a real person investigating the evil plans of a former friend, ‘the Fact.’ The story also follows Wally Sage, Flex’s creator, as he battles his own mental health struggles. The series is both a tribute to and a playful send-up of classic Silver Age comics, especially the old Charles Atlas bodybuilding ads. Beyond its quirky premise, Flex Mentallo explores deeper themes like growing up, the power of optimism, taking responsibility, and finding the hero within yourself.

9) Multiversity

As a huge DC fan, I was blown away by Grant Morrison’s Multiversity after the New 52 relaunch. It really dives deep into the 52 different universes that make up the DC Multiverse. What’s so cool is it’s not just one story, but a bunch of self-contained tales that all tie into a bigger plot. Seriously, the worlds they explore are wild – everything from a world where the Nazis won the war, to one populated by babies, and even a world that feels like a Watchmen sequel. There’s a pulp adventure world, a take on Captain Marvel’s universe, and even a universe where the comic book is the world and talks directly to you! On top of all that, heroes from across these realities team up to fight this terrifying villain called the Empty Hand. It’s an amazing trip through the DC Multiverse and introduces this incredible team, Justice Incarnate, who are multiversal heroes!

8) “E is for Extinction”

Considered one of the most impactful X-Men stories ever told, “E is for Extinction” is a highlight of Grant Morrison’s celebrated New X-Men series. The story introduces Cassandra Nova, Professor X’s previously unknown and malicious twin sister, who teams up with Donald Trask to unleash a devastating attack on the mutant island nation of Genosha. This attack, carried out by powerful Wild Sentinels, nearly wipes out Genosha’s entire population of 16 million. This event remains one of the most tragic in X-Men lore. The story also marked the debut of Emma Frost’s diamond form and her official joining of the X-Men team. Even now, “E is for Extinction” is remembered as a defining moment for the X-Men in the 21st century.

7) “Rock of Ages”

Grant Morrison’s run on JLA is widely considered one of the best Justice League stories ever told, and “Rock of Ages” is often seen as its highlight. The story revolves around Lex Luthor getting a powerful artifact called the Philosopher Stone and forming a new team of villains to fight the Justice League. Meanwhile, Green Lantern, Flash, and Aquaman are shown a terrifying future where Darkseid has conquered Earth if the League wins. This creates a difficult dilemma for the heroes: how can they save the present without causing that bleak future to happen? Morrison’s story is full of unexpected surprises that keep readers engaged and guessing until the very end.

6) “Crawling From the Wreckage”

As a comic book fan, I always thought the Doom Patrol were a bit of a forgotten team, but then Grant Morrison came along in 1989 and totally blew my mind. He turned them into the wonderfully weird, but surprisingly emotional, group they are now. The story arc, “Crawling From the Wreckage,” focuses on Robotman trying to get the team back together after a disaster. It’s where we meet some truly unique characters alongside the familiar faces – like Rebis, an intersex version of Negative Man, and Crazy Jane, who’s got 63 different personalities, each with their own powers! They end up fighting these creepy villains called the Scissormen, who are literally cutting people out of existence. Honestly, it’s a wild, mind-bending adventure that’s super creative and even breaks the fourth wall – and it really defined everything Doom Patrol would be going forward.

5) “The Coyote Gospel”

Grant Morrison transformed the relatively unknown superhero Animal Man into a profound and groundbreaking work of art, especially known for pushing the limits of storytelling in comics. The highlight of Morrison’s run was arguably “The Coyote Gospel,” a story about a cartoon character similar to Wile E. Coyote who endures constant suffering for comedic effect. After escaping his world, this Coyote confronts Animal Man, questioning the purpose of his pain as entertainment. Morrison is known for creating stories that explore the nature of fiction and existence, and this storyline is one of their most compelling and philosophical works.

4) “Batman: R.I.P.”

Grant Morrison’s run on Batman is widely considered the best ever, and a highlight of that run is the storyline “Batman: R.I.P.” This dark and disturbing story pits Batman against the Black Glove, a sinister secret society that enjoys pushing people to their limits in deadly games. They cruelly strip Batman of everything he needs to operate, even drugging him to the point where he believes he’s lost everything and is living on the streets. “Batman: R.I.P.” pushes the Dark Knight to his absolute breaking point – financially, physically, and emotionally – and he’s forced to fight his way back. With compelling villains, a mind-bending plot, and a deep exploration of Batman’s character, it’s one of his most intense and psychologically thrilling adventures.

3) Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth

If you thought Batman stories couldn’t get any scarier, Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth is a truly nightmarish experience. This graphic novel traps Batman inside Arkham Asylum, which has been overrun by the Joker and other villains. Every hallway is filled with danger. The story, brought to life with stunning and surreal artwork by Dave McKean, feels like a distorted and gothic dream. To stop the Joker, Batman must confront all of the Asylum’s dangerous inmates, including Killer Croc, Two-Face, Scarecrow, and Clayface. Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth brilliantly and disturbingly delves into the fractured minds of both Batman and his enemies.

2) The Invisibles

Published by DC’s Vertigo, The Invisibles is a creatively wild and artistic comic book series that blends conspiracy theories, cosmic horror, chaos magic, and classic 90s comic tropes. The story centers around the Invisibles – a group of freedom fighters and paranormal investigators working for the secret Invisible College. Led by characters like King Mob, Ragged Robin, Lord Fanny, Boy, and Jack Frost, they fight against the Outer Church, a shadowy organization comprised of Lovecraftian monsters and their human followers who secretly control the world. With compelling characters, a truly original plot, stunning artwork, and a rebellious science fiction/fantasy style, The Invisibles stands out as one of Grant Morrison’s most imaginative and daring works.

1) All-Star Superman

Many consider Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman, a 2006-2008 miniseries, to be the best Superman story ever told. This critically praised series presents a unique take on the classic hero, as Superman learns he has only one year to live. Facing his own mortality, he focuses on helping others and ensuring his legacy. The story beautifully captures the essence of Superman – why he’s endured as a hopeful and complex symbol for over eight decades. All-Star Superman isn’t just a tribute to the Man of Steel; it’s a celebration of everything the superhero genre represents.

2026-05-17 20:15