The Early Work Of Grant Morrison

A comprehensive look at the early, mostly obscure work by the popular writer, Grant Morrison. This includes his first published work in Near Myths to creating Zenith for the British anthology, 2000 AD.
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#BronzeAge #ModernAge #Comics #GrantMorrison #Zenith #OverlordComics

[@iansmart4158]

Zoids was big in the early 2000s. The anime, toys, and video games were a big part of my chikdhood

[@Gigas0101]

It seems like one of those things that really caught on in some places but not others, I remember seeing a ton of commercials for Zoids but nobody I knew really thought about or mentioned them.

[@paulnash9851]

Just to say, STARBLAZER was brilliant. As a young English kid, it was a great, affordable way to get good, different every time, sci-fi stories in comic form. I LOVED STARBLAZER, I wish it was still around.

[@marcustmachado]

Amazing episode. Make an episode two of Morrisson's career, please. Thanks! 😎

[@fad23]

Zoids were certainly available in America and even got TV advertising. I owned at least one.

[@notsosmartguy6254]

I remeber watching the anime super early on cartooj netwtork as a kid.

[@Kuikkamies]

They also were available in European markets. The Euro micros got the first games too, before the Japanese developed any.

[@Cincinnatijames]

I had them as a kid in the 80's then I bought them in my early 20's when they relaunched around '99. I had fun building them.

[@johnmunro4952]

It's always amazing to watch content like this and suddenly see stuff you remember from your childhood. I started out with Transformers and Action force before moving on to 2000ad. I remember the issue mentioned here, obviously not realizing it was by the same writer who would later blow my mind with Zenith. Fantastic!

[@KK-qq1cb]

Your channel is so underrated

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Thank you very much! Feel free to tell everyone. :)

[@troycruikshank1027]

Your videos are seriously awesome. They make me love comics even more, without even being a comic themselves. Great work. I will be telling people about this channel.

[@Zer0xD34th]

You make excellent well-thought-out videos. Thank you for making them.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

And thank you for watching them!

[@sketchstevens5859]

That Zenith design based on Morrison actually looks really good

[@grassygnoll3345]

Zenith phase 3 is the best multiverse storyline to date, and you can't talk about Zenith without crediting Yeowell's art, which is top notch.

[@ferment4life]

Yes! What a treat seeing this as I'm making my morning coffee... lovely ❤️

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Well, I hope it was a pleasant addition to your first cup of the day, Rogue. :)

[@ferment4life]

@@StrangeBrainParts it most certainly was, cheers! Any plans on a part 2? and/ or a focus on other writer/ artists early work?

[@StrangeBrainParts]

@RoguePryde - There are a few other works by Mr. Morrison that I will get to eventually. And, yes, it's safe to presume I will focus on other writers or writer/artists in the future. Steve Gerber, for example, will get a retrospective in the future.

[@ferment4life]

@@StrangeBrainParts brilliant! That's great news. I love your approach, and your choice of subjects in general, so I'm very much looking forward to more.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

@Rogue Pryde - Thank you, sir or madam! I appreciate you taking a moment to say so.

[@muttjones222]

It’s funny seeing that quote about Watchmen and then seeing his later thoughts and turns in his character and career. He’s an interesting man

[@therealmrmago9077]

yeah he must of became more humble with age

[@francozambrano4980]

omg i love zoids but i never got a toy i only watch the anime. im from Perú btw i know weird.

[@sethleoric2598]

That arc with the alternate universe superheroes still gives me shivers lol.

[@marcustmachado]

I would like to see more episodes about morrisson's work like The Filth and Invisibles. Some really strange stuff that i didnt fully understand. Thanks for explaining to us fans. Great work.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Thanks! I do have a few other Morrison related videos planned.

[@therealmrmago9077]

the humble beginnings of my favrioute writer

[@ZillMob]

Sure would like a full episode for the invisibles. More vertigo in general! You already do lots of vertigo I appreciate it

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Indeed, I would like to do a full episode on The Invisibles. That takes some work, let me tell you.

[@ZillMob]

@@StrangeBrainParts yeah i bet. you know its weird, there are hardly any videos about sandman either? I would like more videos in the world that are about the actual stories in the book and what they mean. What i want most is basicly a page by page breakdown of cerebus, explaining all the historical and comic book history referecnces. maybe just the first half. cerebus kinda falls apart after that

[@therussiancomicbookgeek]

Fantastic video bro 🤔

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Thank you, sir!

[@SlobZombie]

Thanks for this wisdom, i needed to hear it. I stop myself from creating and releasing stuff become its not "just right" or perfect. I like the idea of getting stuff out there in order to create room for ne ideas Peace!

[@rcct44444]

My favorite creator in comics

[@pablom.g-m]

Fabulous vid as always. Out of curiosity, is the opening theme your own composition?

[@StrangeBrainParts]

No. That's a piece I found through KZbin. I do believe it's called, "Abbey Cadence."

[@pablom.g-m]

@@StrangeBrainParts Thanks, I'll check it out.

[@jacob_ian_decoursey_the_author]

Any chance of you covering The Enigma miniseries by Vertigo? There is an unfortunate lack of coverage on it on comicTube.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Yes! That is one I've been meaning to get to for a while now.

[@jacob_ian_decoursey_the_author]

@@StrangeBrainParts YES!

[@jacob_ian_decoursey_the_author]

@@StrangeBrainParts One of the best books nobody's ever heard of!

[@leavonfletcher4197]

Very cool topic! Love it!

[@unrulysimian3897]

I knew none of this. Now I must read Zenith.

[@NapoleChan]

Awesome, I've always been a fan of Grant Morrison so to hear about some of his earlier works helps me find some works of his I haven't read yet.

[@alanhiggs5826]

Your channel is really awesome!!!

[@jeffmiller4845]

I always loved Zenith, he was modeled after Morrissey

[@sounddwwave4702]

The Legend.

[@kurtoogle4576]

14:24 Cool character design on the helmed person. Who is this?

[@sparklyhyena7339]

Don't know if this eas just a trick since it goes to the very end and starts a ad but... I bet Nameless is what you would be looking for

[@fernandoorozco5968]

he is my favoire writter

[@luthermanning6945]

Very well done and inspirational. Do the GD work!

[@youraveragecrownofthorns8919]

I've noticed that you and overlord have made ref to this concept ( show up, do the work) before. As a motivational footnote, this was a favorite point Harlan Ellison liked to drive home repeatedly in his essays. You probably know this, but just to mention👌

[@luthermanning6945]

Overlord reminded me of it recently! It is very true

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Oh! That's where it's from. I couldn't remember whom I stole that from. Harlan Ellison...of course. It's the best advice for any creative person.

[@eyeseer1]

Hope you explore Grant Morrison’s early work in his Kid Eternity 3-part series.

[@dennismason3740]

@Strange Brain Parts - sorry, did I miss your self-illustrated story?

[@leonconcepcion2079]

Zoids were big in the early 90s, even having its own Saturday morning cartoon and toy line in the United States, so if you never heard of the zoids you probably were into something other then toys and cartoons.😊

[@debrachambers1304]

So Zenith was the zenith of his early career?

[@StrangeBrainParts]

You got it!

[@nigelgreen9369]

Interestingly, and appreciate the curation. Grant has some good ideas and has consistently melded these into his work. I personally find he, at his best, reframes tropes in writing to confront the reader and expand common perception. However, at his worst he can be lazy, throw synonyms at the wall until they stick, lack personal development in terms of character and be derivative rather than the homage he obviously intends. Personally, Zenith was his high point for cohesive wry storytelling (I was crazy enough to scan every page of the 2000 AD run to bind it into a book including Phase 4 in colour, years before it was available, and photocopied the entire run to send to a friend in Japan cause it wasn't available there, AND am sorry he had a shit time here in NZ simply because no one realised he simply wanted to drink whisky and get stoned - duh - idiots). Significant parts of the Invisibles was not great, especially when he appeared to have a psychotic break but at least most of his DC and Marvel work was entertaining even when he employed the Star Trek trope of integrating a three word deus ex machina to explain the next ridiculous aspect of the plot. I hope he gets the whisky that he needs.

[@leavonfletcher4197]

When did he develop the trope of using forgotten Golden Age characters?

[@StrangeBrainParts]

I would say that developed early in his Animal Man run.

[@leavonfletcher4197]

@@StrangeBrainParts I need to see if i can find that run in a trade paperback. I didnt really discover Grant until his JLA run.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

@Leavon Fletcher - It should be pretty easy to find in a trade. So...I hope you enjoy!

[@leavonfletcher4197]

@@StrangeBrainParts Thanks!

[@RighteousBrother]

It may be worth noting that British golden age characters turn up in Zenith. Well before his animal man run.

[@liamwalpole3873]

Do one like this on Garth Ennis please

[@fad23]

I've read through volume 5 of Zenith (ZEN-ith, not ZEE-nith). I heard about a 6th volume but haven't seen or read it.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Yup, you got me on the pronunciation. In my defence, as weak as it is, ZEE-nith is how I've heard the word pronounced in this part of the world. I'm not sure a sixth volume exists. After all, with the exception of a one shot story, I'm reasonably sure Morrison hasn't returned to the character following the end of Phase Four.

[@fad23]

@@StrangeBrainParts yeah, I said Zenith like the American TV company for a long time until hearing him mention it.

[@fad23]

Titan reprinted these as volumes and not phases. So I think phase four was starting with volume 5. I'm not clear on how those match up.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

@fad23 - From the looks of it, the Titan Book 5 goes to the end of Phase Three (2000 AD Prog. 670). I don't believe they reprinted the final phase. I recall that Mr. Morrison had an issue with Titan at some point regarding these reprints, so that may have prevented a final volume. This is also why the Titan reprints were so rare. However...that's from my memory. I'm not certain that is factual.

[@youraveragecrownofthorns8919]

I don't mean this in any sort of negative way...but how you managed to sort that out past his Scottish accent is beyond me! I can barely understand a word he says...but again, no ethnic slur intended. It's just my brain has difficulty processing that dialect.

[@Dan200]

Lots of gaps in this video. What about Big Dave??

[@kellyjane2662]

Loved algol the terrible! Starblazer's were cool!

[@MemeViceGanda]

wow! i did not know he can draw

[@jackofallclaws6672]

Many Angled Beings...HEY,MARVEL RIPPED HIM OFF!!!!

[@fernandoa2004]

I love Zenith.And after all.I dont know the Hitlers book here in Brazil.

[@treygreene4298]

ZOIDS!

[@timetravellerregisteredtra850]

Morrison's OK, nothing special for British comics. He got away with it all due to being backed up by some of the best artists, especially for covers, in the history of comics. Take away the artistic power and his work is no better or worse than many American or especially British writers.

[@Ronno4691]

Don't forget Alan Moore and Frank Miller walking away from Marvel and DC Comics in the late 1980s over the then Ratings controversy and shit treatment of Jack Kirby, leaving the field open for himself and Neal Gaiman to rise unchallenged to the top...

[@ZillMob]

Invisibles is pretty damn great

[@timetravellerregisteredtra850]

Gideon Stargrave = complete ripoff of Jerry Cornelius. If you don't know who Cornelius is, read more. A lot more.

[@alucardprinceofgayvampires8526]

Hey morrison uses they pronouns Edit: i think morrison came out after this video i apologize

[@cicolasnage5684]

Dude shut up. Idiot.

[@cicolasnage5684]

And cue the Grant is “they” corrections in 5… 4… 3…. 2…. And 1

[@StrangeBrainParts]

This has already been pointed out. Subsequent videos discussing Morrison have used the correct pronouns.

[@redappl3video]

Morrison's entire career can be defined as collecting a paycheck