Zenith: Phase Two (2)

There are many reasons to buy this book and to love this book. It is early Morrison, yes, but it's also my favorite Morrison. In an article written a long time ago regarding this series (All four phases), Morrison and the amazing artist Steve Yeowell talked about how they stole from everything. From Alan Moore's Miracleman to Claremont's X-Men. Grant not only does a super hero. But he does a bratty selfish rock star who can't help but accidentally save the day. It's funny, ironic, touching and exciting. And, it even suggests a reason for heroes and their destiny that has not been done yet. Ironically, in the years since, Morrison has even stolen from this -- Seven Soldiers Of Victory is one example. Phase Two, of course, is an interim phase and really sets up Phase 3 and ultimately Phase 4. If this particular Phase is not as satisfying and the fantastic Phase 1, rest assured that once you read Phase 3, you'll be convinced of the genius of even this Phase/story. Zenith is a remarkable work and I hold it up with Doom Patrol and Animal Man as my favorite works from Morrison. If I was one a desert island and could have only one bookshelf, all four Phases of Zenith would be on it.

All the storyline of Zenith has kept me awake and focussed ever since I read it the first time more than ten years ago. To separate comments for each of the parts of the whole 4-part series is for me impossible. I really like to have them in this format which is quite different from the one I read it in a Swedish comic book all those years ago. I would have liked to tackle all four parts at once so I will not write anything for the others since these lines cover it all. Nice printing quality, nice design, nice format and a fantastic Grant Morrison like story - oh yes it IS GM who has written it...... Alan Moore, Grant Morrison and a few more British comics writers - what more could you really ask for! Oh yes, the good artists they generally work with - Zenith no exception.

If you like Grant Morrison...here he is near the beginning of his craft. Wonderful material. Four volume set coming out. Three are out now. I love the story and artwork. Go Grant!!

Delving further into the story of Zenith and the things surrounding his birth and life we see the aftermath of the battle with the reborn Nazi antihero with the second line of super heroes recovering their powers and fighting to prevent the destruction of their planet. As the story proceeds, you begin to see the conspiracy side of things that develop with the second series of heroes and with the British government as well. Overall the story is stellar with the art lining up very well too. One thing that comes through is Morrison's dislike for Margrett Thatcher and her government of the time really is evident through the story. Many of the writers from that time frame really had a large dislike for Thatcher and her government and this was reflected in a number of comics in the 1990's. Hellblazer, Zenith, and Watchmen to name a few. Looking forward to reading book 3 and getting pahse 4 when it comes out.