The kernal of a great idea resides here - that kernal germinated into the TV programme of the same name, which I watched before reading this. In that medium there was enough time to develop the ideas, characters and plot into a compelling story - one with a sense of humour not likely to appeal to all - but unique, original and insane. Here, everything is too compressed  - no room to breathe. It needed a longer run, in other words.

Zenith: Phase 1 - 'Grant Morrison', 'Ste...

Nazis from another dimension are trying to take over the world and only a British pop star can stop them.

Zenith was one of Grant Morrison's earliest published works. You can see here several of the ideas that recur throughout Morrison's career. The concept of higher dimensional beings attempting to enslave or destroy the Earth, which ran all through his Invisibles series, provides the core plot here. The idea of superheroes as pop culture celebrities, which he revisited in Final Crisis and Multiversity, shows up here for the first time. The story moves very quickly and is surprisingly violent for Morrison, but it was originally published in 2000 AD, home to Judge Dredd and other ultra-violent British comics.

I have wanted to read Zenith since becoming a fan of Morrison in the 90's. Unfortunately this edition was published without the consent of the creators due to a long running dispute over the rights to the material. Purchasing this edition was a choice between violating the wishes of the creators or probably never getting to read the series in my lifetime. It is a sad commentary on the comics industry that so much material, including the classic Watchmen series, is only available in additions that rip-off the creators.

I have my first class tomorrow, and I'm nervous, probably because of all the other stress I'm dealing with.  I keep trying to read for next week, but, meh, gonna enjoy reading comics while I can!

This is dark and gritty, SD is funny, and I find I can bounce between them as my mood changes.   I'm halfway through the next volumes of both of these two, and right now I'm totally into the darkness of Spawn.   

Firstly, if you’re easily offended by bad language, this comic is NOT for you because swearing abounds. As does bloodshed and quite a body count. This tale of an ex-detective down on his luck teaming up with an imaginary blue flying horse is original, nicely-illustrated and well worth a look, especially if you’re already familiar with Grant Morrison’s dark writing. I enjoyed this for its storytelling and it kept me interested until the inevitable ending. Recommended to all lovers of crime comics and fans of the creative team.