The Best Grant Morrison Comics

Undertaking a listing of the Best Grant Morrison comics is a troublesome train. Few writers within the trendy period have been as prolific and influential inside comics as Morrison, which implies they’ve a different and intensive physique of labor, spanning a long time, publishers, and full fictional multiverses. It’s quite a bit.

Morrison has additionally been the topic of so many comics essays, so many social media threads, so many on-line debates — narrowing their work right down to a listing of 10 favorites is inherently tough. Surely, there will probably be disagreements, doubtless vehement ones. But I’ve accomplished my greatest, dishonest only a bit by together with a number of “also reads” that put extra Morrison books in play. Ultimately, in case you’re new to Morrison, I hope you’ll discover a roadmap to begin exploring; in case you’re a long-time fan, I hope you’ll nod no less than just a few instances, earlier than heading off to re-read some outdated favs.

Anyway, with out additional adieu — my picks for Best Grant Morrison comics might be discovered alphabetically beneath…

All-Star Superman

Penciled By: Frank Quitely
Inked and Colored By: Jamie Grant
Lettered By: Phil Balsman and Travis Lanham
Publisher: DC Comics
Why It’s Cool: I consider this guide because the definitive Superman story for the long-time Superman reader, touching because it does a lot of the character’s core idea, great solid of characters, and lengthy publication historical past. On a narrative degree, it’s additionally extremely shifting and well-told. I’ve seen it lauded as an ideal Superman comedian handy to non comics readers, and I’m undecided I’d say that (Superman: Secret Identity says howdy). But nonetheless, it’s a masterful work from two titans of superhero storytelling, a must-read for anybody involved in Morrison or their view of comics and the world.
Like This? Also Read: While a few of the “also read” strategies on this listing will get a bit extra sophisticated, this one is straightforward as a result of Morrison has twice additionally written Superman-centric runs of comics, together with the New 52 launch of Action Comics and the newer miniseries, Superman and the Authority.
Buy-It Here: Paperback

Animal Man

Pencilers: Chas Truog with Tom Grummett
Inker: Doug Hazlewood
Colorist: Tatjana Wood
Letterer: John Costanza
Publisher: DC Comics
Why It’s Cool: This is the run the place you possibly can maybe greatest watch as Grant Morrison finds their voice. It begins as a well-recognized sufficient superhero story, however in Animal Man #5 the run begins to turn into one thing totally different, kind of transcending the acquainted trappings of a straight-forward comedian to turn into one thing new. It’s possibly an oversimplification to say that that one thing else is meta-fiction, however that’s the outline most carefully related to these comics. I additionally suppose this can be a must-read run earlier than beginning my private favourite Morrison (extra on that beneath…).
Buy-It Here: Deluxe Edition Book 1 / Deluxe Edition Book 2 / Omnibus

Batman

Artists: Andy Kubert, John Van Fleet, Tony S. Daniel, Ryan Benjamin, J.H. Williams, David Finch, Phillip Tan, Yanick Paquette, Ryan Sook, Frank Quitely, Frazer Irving, Declan Shalvey, Chris Burnham, Scott Clark, Cameron Stewart, Jorge Lucas, and extra
Publisher: DC Comics
Why It’s Cool: Morrison’s work on Batman is their longest and arguably most elaborate work with a single character. It definitely spans probably the most comics and sequence, including up for a complete of three ominbi (busses? who is aware of…). While there are definitely particular person highlights — Batman & Robin; Batman, Inc., come to thoughts — I believe these comics are greatest taken as an entire. Admittedly, I’m a completionist with my studying, however I simply suppose the beautiful nature of the general imaginative and prescient for this run is one followers of Morrison ought to expertise.
Like This? Also Read: Well, Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Gothic are definitely different comics written by Morrison that even have Batman in it, however that guide is from a wholly totally different period of their work. If you’re on the lookout for well-realized Morrison visions of singular DC characters, you’d do higher to learn their Green Lantern run with Liam Sharp, or their trilogy of Wonder Woman: Earth One graphic novels with Yanick Paquette.
Buy It Here: Omnibus Book 1 / Omnibus Book 2 / Omnibus Book 3

Doom Patrol

Artist: Richard Case with Doug Braithwaite, Kelley Jones, Steve Yeowell, Vince Giarrano, Sean Phillips, Mike Dringenberg, and extra
Inkers: Scott Hanna, with Carlos Garzon, John Nyberg, Mark McKenna, Kim DeMulder, Doug Hazlewood, Stan Woch, Malcom Jones III, and extra
Colorist: Danny Vozzo
Letterer: John Workman
Publisher: DC Comics
Why It’s Cool: This is my private favourite comedian on this whole Best Grant Morrison comics listing. It’s simply such an entire journey begin to end, and it ends on the best possible observe of any run in superhero comics, with a poetic end that speaks to the character of why these tales endure. This can also be an additive run that introduced the Doom Patrol a number of characters which have gone on to turn into central to the idea. I believe it could be greatest learn proper after ending Animal Man, and whereas I believe it’s too singular to have direct also-reads, I believe Flex Mentallo makes a pleasant comedown after this run.
Buy It Here: Book One / Book Two / Book Three

The Filth

Penciller: Chris Weston
Inker: Gary Erksine
Colorists: Matt Hollingsworth and Hi-Fi
Letterer: Clem Robins
Publisher: DC Comics – Vertigo
Why It’s Cool: If I needed to wager, I’d guess this could be probably the most controversial alternative for this listing of the ten Best Grant Morrison comics. But I’ve a case for it: 1. I believe Weston and Erksine’s work on this guide is (paradoxically) a few of the cleanest in any Morrison comedian and a masterclass in clear storytelling for nonconventional concepts; 2. It’s actually the last word conclusion to concepts that confirmed up first in Zenith after which later and extra instantly in The Invisibles. Which brings me to…
Like This? Also Read: This may also show a bit controversial however I believe this guide is a kind of conclusion that concepts that first confirmed up all the best way again in Morrison’s early 2000AD work, Zenith (which was possibly probably the most painful lower I made to get this listing to 10). Those concepts are explored extra in The Invisibles, too, a guide that has a really devoted following however is just not as near my coronary heart because the others on our listing correct.
Buy It Here: Deluxe Edition

Flex Mentallo: Man of Muscle Mystery

Artist: Frank Quitely
Colorist: Peter Doherty
Letterer: Ellie De Ville
Publisher: DC Comics – Vertigo
Why It’s Cool: This four-issue miniseries might, maybe, be learn as a distant extension of the Doom Patrol run, however in my view (and that’s actually what all these selections are), it’s so good it ought to have a spot on this listing of its personal. From the primary web page on, this can be a comedian that’s attractive and attention-grabbing. All of the Morrison-Quitely collaborations are robust, however that is maybe probably the most freed from them, not beholden to typical superhero comics buildings as books like All-Star Superman and New X-Men have been. And, narratively, it goes to extra attention-grabbing locations to that, in the end serving as a really private comedian about Morrison’s personal relationship to comics as a medium.
Buy It Here: Paperback

JLA

Pencillers: Howard Porter, Oscar Jimenez, Arnie Jorgensen, Mark Pajarillo
Inkers: John Dell, Ken Branch, Chip Wallace, David Meikis, Mark Pennington, and Walden Wong
Colorists: Pat Garrahy
Letterers: Ken Lopez, Ruben Diaz
Why It’s Cool: I believe this run is basically JLA run of the fashionable period, and fairly presumably the very best Justice League run of all time. It’s simply such a definitive take, rating additionally as a few of the greatest mainstream comics Grant Morrison has ever made. Morrison’s profession positively oscillates between durations of accessibility, and that is them and their work at its most accessible.
Like This? Also Read: I’d tack some auxiliary studying onto your JLA expertise, and that would come with Aztek: The Ultimate Man, JLA: Paradise Lost, and — as a capstone to your Morrison Justice League expertise — JLA: Earth Two.
Buy It Here: Omnibus

Marvel Boy

Artist: J.G. Jones
Inkers: J.G. Jones, with Sean Parsons
Colorists: Avalon Studios and Matt Milla
Letterers: J.G. Jones and Avalon Studios
Publisher: Marvel Comics – Marvel Knights
Why It’s Cool: I in all probability gained’t win many reputation factors for saying it, however in relation to Morrison’s work at Marvel Comics, Marvel Boy is my favourite of the bunch, over even New X-Men, which is definitely way more well-known. But Marvel Boy is an basically good six-issue miniseries, one which feels free and attention-grabbing and unpredictable all through. The solely qualm I’ve with these comics is that the mentioned sequel by no means got here to fruition. Nonetheless, that is is a satisfying learn, and my favourite Morrison imaginative and prescient of the Marvel Universe.
Like This? Also Read: That is all to not say, nonetheless, that I dislike New X-Men, definitely not. There are some completely unimaginable highs in that run, among the many greatest X-Men comics ever, and there was a time in my younger life when my main preoccuaption was counting days between the discharge of New X-Men points. So, I’d definitely advocate it, and I’d additionally advocate Morrison’s different main foray into the Marvel Universe, Fantastic Four 1 2 3 4.
Buy It Here: Marvel Boy

Seven Soldiers of Victory

Artists: J.H. Williams III, Simone Bianchi, Cameron Stewart, Ryan Sook, Mick Gray, Frazer Irving, Pasqual Ferry, Yannick Paquette, Michael Bair, Doug Mahnke, Billy Dallas Patton, Freddie Williams II, and Serge LaPointe
Colorists: Dave Stewart, Nathan Eyring, Moose Baumann, Dave McCaig, and Alex Sinclair
Letterers: Todd Klein, Rob Leigh, Pat Brosseau, Jared Okay. Fletcher, Phil Balsman, John Kalisz, and Nick J. Napolitano
Publisher: DC Comics
Why It’s Cool: I write about this typically on this website, however my favourite DC Comics tales are sometimes those who use the writer’s much less heralded concepts and characters. This guide is definitely that, with a wholesome topping of latest concepts, too. It’s an intricate and sprawling imaginative and prescient for what oddball superhero storytelling might be, and I completely find it irresistible. I additionally suppose it’s an particularly nice learn in case you’re doing all of Morrison’s DC work so as, however it’s also possible to simply decide this one up with solely a cursory data of the concerned characters and simply go.
Like This? Also Read: I believe there are a number of traces in Morrison’s work, comics that lead instantly into different comics, by way of their foundational concepts and bedrock themes. Those connections are definitely as much as interpretation, however a transparent line for me goes proper from Seven Soldiers to Final Crisis and in the end to Multiversity, each of that are very a lot value your time in case you loved Seven Soldiers.
Buy It Here: Book One / Book Two

WE3

Artist: Frank Quitely
Inker and Colorist: Jamie Grant
Letterer: Todd Klein
Publisher: DC Comics – Vertigo
Why It’s Cool: We3 — whereas completely and completely emotionally devastating, particularly for animal lovers — could be Morrison’s greatest and most accessible standalone work. There’s no contemplation about chaos magic or villains mendacity beneath the floor of actuality on this one. It’s in some ways a straight-up motion/espionage thriller with a deep and heartfelt emotional core. It’s additionally the kind of self-contained story one can decide up and simply learn any afternoon. I can’t advocate it sufficient.
Like This? Also Read: Finally, I don’t actually have any even tentative connections right here, however there are two extra favourite Morrison comics of mine that I did need to point out earlier than concluding this listing of the Best Grant Morrison comics — the Dan Mora badass Santa comedian from BOOM! Studios, Klaus, and the perpetually underrated Phillip Bond team-up, Kill Your Boyfriend.
Buy It Here: Deluxe Edition