DC featured a question and answer session with Grant Morrison today which was more entertaining than I could have ever imagined. Morrison was charming and funny, but always thoughtful and serious about his approach to his writing. What struck me most was that, for a guy who is notorious for his layered and sometimes complex storytelling, he has very straightforward ideas about the characters he writes.
The writer discussed a number of projects that he is working on, but most questions centered around DC Comics’ two most famous heroes: Superman and Batman.
Morrison said he has about 16 issues of Action Comics planned and that his characterization of the Man of Steel would be similar to his protagonist in All-Star Superman. He also said that the story he is working on is bigger than the story he told in All-Star.
Morrison described Superman as a champion of the oppressed and, though has lost a race of billions from his home planet and his adopted parents, “there is no way to keep his spirit down.” Morrison said that he’s not sure what George Perez has planned for the character in Superman, “I’m doing his as a farm boy.” This was in response to a question from a fan who brought up a solicitation that indicated Superman would be more connected to his Kryptonian roots than his Earth upbringing.
Morrison describes his Superman as proactive, an outlaw, a go-getter and that he’s not necessarily a friend of the law who might see him as a vigilante in the beginning. He also said that Clark Kent will play a big part in the book, using his role on the Daily Planet to expose corruption.
Morrison said there is nothing dark about his take on the character. “He’s not dark and brooding. He won’t be standing in the darkness on a gargoyle.”
And speaking Dark, Morrison also discussed his current and upcoming work on the Dark Knight. After almost six years writing Batman books, Morrison will conclude his run on Batman, Incorporated with a 12-issue storyline featuring the villain Leviathan. He said that this is culmination of his entire Batman run. Morrison added that there will be a surprising reveal in issue #10 when readers learn who Leviathan is.
When all is said and done on his Batman runs, Morrison said “You will cry, and cry, and cry.” He said this again in the Batman panel and said that it will tie into what Peter J. Tomasi establishes in his Batman and Robin run which pairs Bruce Wayne with Damian as Robin for the first time. Spoiler or red herring? Time will tell.
The writer also stated that long-awaited Multiversity was still on track, but didn’t attach any dates. When asked if he’d every be interested in writing Wonder Woman, the writer said he would and that he has a few story ideas for the character that would help contemporize her.
The highlight of the Q&A? Morrison doing a New Jersey-accented tirade filled with expletives. He claimed to watch Jersey Shore weekly. The man will never fail to surprise.
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