Grant Morrison In The Thick Of The "Action Comics"

[CBR News]

Grant Morrison isn't finished with Superman yet, discussing all things "Action Comics" from the mysteries of Clark Kent's past to the legacy of Siegel & Shuster, from the "Obama Meets Ali" Superman to the villain behind it all.


Full article here.

[Mr. Holmes]

I should say right away that he's not Mr. Mxyzptlk as some readers have speculated! [Laughs] It isn't C. W. Saturn from [the Elliot S! Maggin Superman novel] "Miracle Monday," either

So can we officially confirm Morrison reads these boards?

Also this was really interesting.

I'm sorry that people were discouraged, but anyone who expects me to take any stronger "stand" on this issue are going to be disappointed. I'm not the leader of a political party. I'm a freelance commercial writer who sells stories to pay the bills. I'm not an employee of any company except for the one run by me and my wife. I'm not a role model or the figurehead for any movement. I don't doubt that corporations can be underhanded, and I feel sorry for anyone who genuinely gets caught out. We live in a world where every day involves multiple negotiations with corporate power in one way or another, and all I can say is, enlist a lawyer to go through any contract before you sign it. Or self-publish.

Otherwise, my own relationship with DC Comics is a pretty good one. I have a lot of friends at the company. I've always been treated fairly and with respect. I get to do what I want without heavy-handed editorial interference. The accounting department pays regularly, it pays on time, royalties are good, my back catalogue is kept in print in multiple editions and honestly, I couldn't say the same for some of the small press or alternative publishers I've worked for in the past. Most of them still owe me for work done in good faith. Under DC's umbrella, with access to their printing facilities and distribution, I've been able to put out pretty idiosyncratic personal stuff like "Kill Your Boyfriend," "The Invisibles," "The Filth," "We3," "Joe the Barbarian" and others to a wide audience. Me and my collaborators own those books. No one can do "Before We3" but me and Frank Quitely! No one can do "After Seaguy" except me and Cameron Stewart. I never signed a contract I regretted, and I never felt cheated by DC. My own experience proves they can be reasonable and honorable, if you deal with them in an adult fashion and I have to take that into account before I condemn anyone working there today over decisions made in the past. I've found that "issues" rarely seem to come in convenient black and white, and that's pretty much my last word on this.

[neverender]

That stinks that it isn't Mxy that's behind all of this.

[Rakzo]

Pretty insightful interview. I especially liked how he does'nt take sides, how he sees DC simply as a corporation in which he was hired without making a huge deal about it (Take notes Mark Waid!).

Despite that I'm not enjoying his Action Comics as much as I wished, I have always admired Morrison's opinions about the comic book industry and the superhero genre, gonna miss him a lot.

[adkal]

I should say right away that he's not Mr. Mxyzptlk as some readers have speculated! [Laughs] It isn't C. W. Saturn from [the Elliot S! Maggin Superman novel] "Miracle Monday," either. The Little Man is a new character...

I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the ride.

I've been writing the last few issues simultaneously as it approaches the crescendo. It's a totally different approach to a Superman story, I think.

I'll be reading them as they come out but, from the sound of things, there may need to be some reading 'simultaneously' when the arc is over, too...

Interesting times ahead

Looking forward to The Bat's 'cynical twist'...

So can we officially confirm Morrison reads these boards?

[CagedLeo730]

Pretty insightful interview. I especially liked how he does'nt take sides, how he sees DC simply as a corporation in which he was hired without making a huge deal about it (Take notes Mark Waid!).

Despite that I'm not enjoying his Action Comics as much as I wished, I have always admired Morrison's opinions about the comic book industry and the superhero genre, gonna miss him a lot.

I like how he just cuts down every internet conspiracy about his status at DC and their relationship.
1. DC knew exactly what it was doing by allowing Action #9 to see print. He didn't "sneak" it by them.
2. He's leaving on his own terms with nothing but good things to say about DC.
3. He's not to be used as a figurehead or spokesman for creators in general. He's doing what's good for him.

[Sacred Knight]

So can we get off the idea now that DC somehow screwed Morrison or pissed him off hence the run ending at #16?

[George Taylor]

Such an interesting interview and although I'd want that GM continued with Superman for a long time at least I'm glad I'm enjoying his run despite it'll be a relatively short one. He took a neutral position regarding DC as just a company for which he just sells stories and nothing else. On a side note, the Little Man turned to be a completely different character than the ones the fans were theorizing but still retained some sort of Dr. Hurt function, a villain acting in the background to destroy Superman just like Hurt with Bats.

[AndItsOn!]

So can we get off the idea now that DC somehow screwed Morrison or pissed him off hence the run ending at #16?

I never had that idea. I think Grant is just too influential of a figure. DC doesn't have balls to piss him off. he goes as he goes....however, this interview is such an insightful piece as to what Grant has in mind when he conducted those stories. The idea behind all those is just phenomenal.

[Mr. Holmes]

I think Little Man could be a New God. It would help explain the Multiversial nature of the character. Are there any Apokoliptians that resemble him?

[LoneNecromancer]

I think Little Man could be a New God. It would help explain the Multiversial nature of the character. Are there any Apokoliptians that resemble him?

Well, the interview said he's a new character. I guess he could be a New New God.

Interesting interview, wish it went on for a little longer (as I do for Morrison's run :wink). I'm guessing the cynical twist is that at first their friendship stems out of Bats' desire to keep an eye on the super-powerful alien?

But yeah, I find myself somewhat...assured? I really get the feeling he's planned it out and it won't seem rushed or anything.

[Sacred Knight]

Yeah I'm not thinking things are going to seem as rushed as people think. The talk is how to wrap up all this by #16, but the thing is, who says anything has to be wrapped up? Who says that's even his intent? Could very well be his main intent was to just introduce these threats, so they're there and established, not to necessarily wrap anything up with them. The Superman Army for example. One by one their origins are being explained, but really what more needs to be done than that? They're established as existing, and that's that. Same with the Little Man.

My concern with this run ending satisfactorily is minimal. I'm way more concerned with what Morrison has established in the sandbox being free to be played with by other writers and not constrained by the infamous Superman editorial.

[Mr. Holmes]

Well, the interview said he's a new character. I guess he could be a New New God.

Ooh, I missed that he's an entirely new character. Still, I hope there is something significant about him, related to something we are familiar with. New God, Fifth Dimension, etc.

Interesting interview, wish it went on for a little longer (as I do for Morrison's run :wink). I'm guessing the cynical twist is that at first their friendship stems out of Bats' desire to keep an eye on the super-powerful alien?

But yeah, I find myself somewhat...assured? I really get the feeling he's planned it out and it won't seem rushed or anything.

Yeah I'm not thinking things are going to seem as rushed as people think. The talk is how to wrap up all this by #16, but the thing is, who says anything has to be wrapped up? Who says that's even his intent? Could very well be his main intent was to just introduce these threats, so they're there and established, not to necessarily wrap anything up with them. The Superman Army for example. One by one their origins are being explained, but really what more needs to be done than that? They're established as existing, and that's that. Same with the Little Man.

My concern with this run ending satisfactorily is minimal. I'm way more concerned with what Morrison has established in the sandbox being free to be played with by other writers and not constrained by the infamous Superman editorial.

Yeah I've been saying I think he's doing a 16 issue run to set a road map for the New 52. Not everything has to culminate.

[dvader]

I have to still read Action Comics so I'm skimming through these comments and even the GM interviews because I don't want anything spoiled for me. I am wondering for those who have read Action Comics and these recent GM interviews, do you think, in your opinion, that everything GM has started will be wrapped up by the end of the second volume without it feeling like he was rushed?

I'm not saying that everything has to be resolved, but that you can end vol. 2 and feel like you read two excellent and completed volumes.

[LoneNecromancer]

I have to still read Action Comics so I'm skimming through these comments and even the GM interviews because I don't want anything spoiled for me. I am wondering for those who have read Action Comics and these recent GM interviews, do you think, in your opinion, that everything GM has started will be wrapped up by the end of the second volume without it feeling like he was rushed?

I'm not saying that everything has to be resolved, but that you can end vol. 2 and feel like you read two excellent and completed volumes.

Yes. I'm pretty sure of it.