The Multiversity: Mastermen #1
Written by: Grant Morrison
Art by: Jim Lee & Scott Williams
So, for my first solo review of a DC title (aside from the review of Kingdom Come that got me this gig) I read The Multiversity: Mastermen numero uno. This issue is spec-freaking-tacular and that's no surprise when you see the heavy hitters who are responsible for the creation of this baby. The whole series it seems revolves around Overman (Superman) landing in Germany during the Nazi occupation and being raised by Hitler. It's an interesting premise and such a tale has been touched on in comics like Red Son and so forth, but this felt unbelievably dark. The Justice League crew is all here, but they've all been influenced by Hitler's reign throughout this alternate history. Going up against Overman's crew is Uncle Sam, a superhero interpretation of American freedom. He doesn't seem to have any extremely powerful special powers, but he's got some powerful friends. The last panel is one that would look good as a print, framed on a wall. Pure beauty.
They say that the only two things that are sure in this world are death and taxes, well, they should add Grant Morrison absolutely destroying at writing to that. The guy's dialogue is so smooth that if you go away for a few second to admire the art and come back, it's like you never stopped reading. Like honey over a page. Add the amazing premise to this and it's just a beautiful melding of creativity. We here at ComicsTheGathering read Marvel's Civil War for our book club this month and I began seeing a few parallels between the two. Including Overman being called "The Man of Iron" and the fact he was going up against a very patriotic foe. And like that series, I have absolutely no idea who to root for yet and I probably won't have an answer for who is the true villain until the end of the series. This is odd for a comic book where Nazis are the main focus. Everybody knows to hate Hitler and Red Skull, but Superman as a Nazi? What do you do? Who do you side with? Only time will tell.
I met Jim Lee a couple years back and he couldn't have been a nicer guy, this will not sway my opinion of his art in this comic, nor could it. The guys can draw. That's about it. Every single panel was beautiful and every single page was amazing. Even his interpretation of Hitler was spot on (and comical). Where he really shined though was that last panel. It was gorgeous and I would have added to this review, but I'd rather you just see it when you get the issue because it's definitely a "moneyshot". Lee is a god. Williams inked all of Lee's penciling and was given second billing in the art. He obviously did an amazing job as well. Just fantastic. True talent all around.
This was a great first issue. Easy 10/10. Pick it up DC fans.
Art by: Jim Lee & Scott Williams
So, for my first solo review of a DC title (aside from the review of Kingdom Come that got me this gig) I read The Multiversity: Mastermen numero uno. This issue is spec-freaking-tacular and that's no surprise when you see the heavy hitters who are responsible for the creation of this baby. The whole series it seems revolves around Overman (Superman) landing in Germany during the Nazi occupation and being raised by Hitler. It's an interesting premise and such a tale has been touched on in comics like Red Son and so forth, but this felt unbelievably dark. The Justice League crew is all here, but they've all been influenced by Hitler's reign throughout this alternate history. Going up against Overman's crew is Uncle Sam, a superhero interpretation of American freedom. He doesn't seem to have any extremely powerful special powers, but he's got some powerful friends. The last panel is one that would look good as a print, framed on a wall. Pure beauty.
They say that the only two things that are sure in this world are death and taxes, well, they should add Grant Morrison absolutely destroying at writing to that. The guy's dialogue is so smooth that if you go away for a few second to admire the art and come back, it's like you never stopped reading. Like honey over a page. Add the amazing premise to this and it's just a beautiful melding of creativity. We here at ComicsTheGathering read Marvel's Civil War for our book club this month and I began seeing a few parallels between the two. Including Overman being called "The Man of Iron" and the fact he was going up against a very patriotic foe. And like that series, I have absolutely no idea who to root for yet and I probably won't have an answer for who is the true villain until the end of the series. This is odd for a comic book where Nazis are the main focus. Everybody knows to hate Hitler and Red Skull, but Superman as a Nazi? What do you do? Who do you side with? Only time will tell.
I met Jim Lee a couple years back and he couldn't have been a nicer guy, this will not sway my opinion of his art in this comic, nor could it. The guys can draw. That's about it. Every single panel was beautiful and every single page was amazing. Even his interpretation of Hitler was spot on (and comical). Where he really shined though was that last panel. It was gorgeous and I would have added to this review, but I'd rather you just see it when you get the issue because it's definitely a "moneyshot". Lee is a god. Williams inked all of Lee's penciling and was given second billing in the art. He obviously did an amazing job as well. Just fantastic. True talent all around.
This was a great first issue. Easy 10/10. Pick it up DC fans.
A Look Inside
