Pop Mythology Pop Mythology: Movie, Book, Comic reviews & commentary
There’s only one comic pull for this week’s pick: DC’s The Multiversity: Society of Super-Heroes #1 … and it’s everything that I like in a comic.
Part of Grant Morrison’s Multiversity, this title takes on a pulp-era action flavor with the heroes of Earth (whichever one) defending itself from invaders from a counter-earth. I’ll be honest: I’m not too sure which earth this is set in, but I really don’t care. It was a great snap-shot adventure set in one of my favourite milieus re-interpreting some of DC’s characters in a terrific new light.
This particular issue features the work of one my favourite artists – Chris Sprouse. If you’ve read any of Alan Moore’s Tom Strong stories, then chances are you’ve seen Sprouse’s stunning work and been amazed by it. In all seriousness, he has to be one of the most defined and clean-lined artists in the business.
If you’ve ever read Tom Strong, then you know it’s a pulp-style adventure story as well. I can’t help but wonder if this was a deliberate choice in selecting Chris for this issue, given his background. He is the perfect choice for this comic.
This is from my collection. Chris did this drawing for me a few years back and though it’s a fairly basic drawing of Tom Strong, you can tell how precisely he has rendered it. Every pen stroke is carefully placed and you can tell, this is a guy who knows his craft. I’d love to see more of his work.
Which is exactly the effect you get after reading The Multiversity: Society of Super-Heroes. Morrison does well with the idea of infinite earths and inter-dimensionality, and while I truly enjoyed reading this, it wasn’t hard for a writer of his talents. It’s a fairly truncated story, but it’s quick, it’s deliciously entertaining and definitely fun to read. In short, Morrison did well with this one and it’s worth picking up and reading.
It’s rare when a comic really hits all the marks: pace, mix of talent and such a high level of entertainment. If the rest of the Multiversity is this good, then DC has a winning publishing event.
