28. Batman Incorporated Vol. 1: Demon Star

Writer:  Grant Morrison

Artist:  Chris Burnham

First Publication:  2012

Challenge:  Graphic Novels Challenge (#15)


Grant Morrison’s Batman is highly regarded by me.  Some people don’t care for it.  This collection starts the finale of Morrison’s Batman epic.  The battle with Leviathan is heating up.  I can see various plotlines from his early issues coming to bear in this series.  When Morrison is finished with it, I plan on going back and re-reading his entire catalog of Batman stories.  I think it will be even better the second time around.  This is not a good place to start.  I would recommend starting with “Batman and Son”.  It is worth the effort to read all of Morrison's epic.  One of the things I liked was all of the Batman stories are in continuity.

Zenith: Book 1: Tygers

Writer:  Grant Morrison
Artist:  Steve Yeowell



Zenith is one of the "Holy Grail" books for me. It has only appeared in collected form in England. Some imported copies have appeared but I always seem to miss them at conventions. I finally managed to track them down and they were definitely worth the search.


"Zenith Book 1" is another great Morrison read. The story begins with the showdown between the British superhero "Maximan" and the Nazi superhero "Masterman" at the end of World War II. Maximan is overly confident and Masterman easily beats him. At this time, the Americans drop the atomic bomb on the duo bringing an end to the conflict.


Back in England, their scientists use the procedure to create a super team called Cloud 9. Cloud 9 become the darlings of the 60s. Two of them end up together and become parents to the first of the next generation of heros-Zenith. Unfortunately for them, Zenith is only interested in partying and his music career. He does enough heroic acts to help further his career.


Unknown to the winners of WWII, a secret cult survived the war. They are followers of "The Many Angled Ones" who were the real power behind Masterman. As their plot unfolds, Zenith is forced into teaming up with the remaining members of Cloud 9 to take on the new Masterman and his masters.


This is a well thought out, tightly plotted, mystery filled story that is another example of why Morrison is one of my favorite comic book writers.


Highly recommended.

Fantastic Four 1 2 3 4

Writer:  Grant Morrison
Artist:  Jae Lee





The art by Jae Lee was a disappointment. It was not in the same class as his work on "The Inhumans". At times it looked good but overall it was sloppy. Sometimes it was hard to tell who the characters were. A more consistent art job would have helped the story.
Grant Morrison's story had flashes of brilliance but was not his best work. The concept of Doctor Doom being the bad part of Reed Richard's mind brought to life was intriguing. In Doom's mind, this makes Reed the biggest villain in the world. It absolves him of blame. All of the atrocities performed by Doctor Doom are actually Reed's fault. It is an interesting look into a fantasy created by a madman.
Doctor Doom's plot fell apart too easily at the end. "1 2 3 4" is a decent Fantastic Four story but there are many that are much better.

Action #2 & #3

Writer:  Grant Morrison
Pencillers: Rags Morales & Brent Anderson
Inkers:  Rick Bryant & Brent Anderson


Like the first issue, Morrison keeps the action coming.  Luthor captured Superman at the end of the first issue and spends half of this issue torturing him.  In addition to the Superman vs. Lex Luthor and the U.S. Army, we get to see Lois Lane in action.  And, in orbit around Earth, is an alien ship that is communicating with Lex.


This continues to be one of the top comics being published today.  The art by Morales, Anderson, and Bryant is fantastic.


Morrison continues to reveal more about the early life of Superman as the action is going on.  


Highly recommended.  This should be on everyone's pull list.

Writer:  Grant Morrison
Pencillers:  Rags Morales & Gene Ha
Inkers:  Rick Bryant & Gene Ha


The story takes a slightly unorthodox approach with the short story at the front of the book and the main story in the back.


Gene Ha does some of his best work on the "World of Krypton" short story.  Innovative designs, non-standard panel layout, and fantastic art combine to make this a beautiful story to look at.  Morrison's story fills in some of the background of what went on during the final days of Krypton.


The main continues the story from the previous issues.  Clark is trying to bring down Glen Glenmorgan down while the media is opening an all out assault to ruin Superman.  Meanwhile, Lex Luthor finally comes face to face with the alien he has been in contact with.


Morrison and the various artists continue to make this a must read title.

Action #1, Superman #1

Superman #1

Script & Breakdowns:  George Perez

Pencils & Inks:  Jesus Merino

The best way to describe this is it was a mixed bag.  As always, the layouts by George Perez are excellent.  He puts more panels on a page than any other artist.  Jesus Merino manages to add little touches that allow his art to show through the layouts.  The most notable example are the scenes with Superman’s cape.  The cape looks like the way Moreno drew it in the past.  Other panels are very much like Perez.  Perez’s script leaves much to be desired.  The plot bounces all over the place without much focus.  Keith Giffin and Dan Jurgens are already announced to take over the series.  I think they will be better suited for Superman.  

Action #1

Writer:  Grant Morrison

Penciller:  Rags Morales

Inker:  Rick Bryant

I cannot remember any other Grant Morrison title that is this fast paced.  Action is an appropriate title for this comic.  Something that Morrison has done in this issue is he fills the story with characterization while the action is going on.  It is definitely one of the most accessible Morrison stories ever.  He continues to be one of my favorite writers.  Action #1 is a look back at the early days of Superman.  He is still working on his costume, establishing a life in Metropolis, and meeting some of his first enemies.  The art by Rags Morales compliments the script.  Morales adds little touches to help flesh out the characters.  Highly recommended.