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Supergods: What Masked Vigilantes, Miraculous Mutants, and a Sun God from Smallville Can Teach Us About Being Human [Hardcover]

Grant Morrison
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (99 customer reviews)

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Book Description

July 19, 2011

From one of the most acclaimed and profound writers in the world of comics comes a thrilling and provocative exploration of humankind’s great modern myth: the superhero
 
The first superhero comic ever published, Action Comics no. 1 in 1938, introduced the world to something both unprecedented and timeless: Superman, a caped god for the modern age. In a matter of years, the skies of the imaginary world were filled with strange mutants, aliens, and vigilantes: Batman, Wonder Woman, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, and the X-Men—the list of names as familiar as our own. In less than a century, they’ve gone from not existing at all to being everywhere we look: on our movie and television screens, in our videogames and dreams. But what are they trying to tell us?

For Grant Morrison, arguably the greatest of contemporary chroniclers of the “superworld,” these heroes are powerful archetypes whose ongoing, decades-spanning story arcs reflect and predict the course of human existence: Through them we tell the story of ourselves, our troubled history, and our starry aspirations. In this exhilarating work of a lifetime, Morrison draws on art, science, mythology, and his own astonishing journeys through this shadow universe to provide the first true history of the superhero—why they matter, why they will always be with us, and what they tell us about who we are . . . and what we may yet become.


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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Amazon Best Books of the Month, July 2011: According to Supergods, Superman comics say less about Superman than they do about Clark Kent. Superman was conceived as a symbol of strength and individualism for the Depression-era middle class--perhaps a more compelling portrait of the era than much literature of the time. But this is just one of the many superhero mythologies author Grant Morrison unpacks to give colorful historical and cultural context. Morrison, a prolific comics storyteller with a career spanning 20 years writing for both Marvel and DC Comics, may be the world's most qualified superhero scholar. (Morrison's reinvention of the Man of Steel, the All Star Superman series, is arguably the best comic of the past decade.) But Supergods isn't a book that appeals strictly to fanboys. Like his comics, Morrison's prose is swift yet powerful, and it's the broader strokes of the Supergods narrative that resonate most. The book succeeds at being a great history of comic books over the past century, but it's an even more convincing exploration of humankind as a whole. --Kevin Nguyen

Review

Praise for SUPERGODS

"Grant Morrison is the antimatter to the often mundane world of comics - SUPERGODS is the finely tuned death-ray. Far beyond deconstruction, it exposes, challenges, invigorates and detonates everything we know about this modern mythology. SUPERGODS gives meaning to the fictional worlds we create and live within and helps us make sense of the madness within ourselves through the four-color world of the super hero." --Gerard Way, lead singer of My Chemical Romance and author of The Umbrella Academy.

"Excellent ... engrossing ... Morrison is a skilled word magician, seeking creativity in a cosmological dimension." --Publishers Weekly

"Morrison is ideally suited to the task of chronicling the glorious rise, fall, rise, fall and rise again of comic-book superheroes. As thorough an account of the superhero phenomenon as readers are likely to find, filled with unexpected insights and savvy pop-psych analysis. Those who dare enter will find the prose equivalent of a Morrison superhero tale: part perplexing, part weird, fully engrossing." --Kirkus

#1 in Wired's "10 Books That Will Fry Your Mind This Summer" "Grant Morrison has a hell of a tale to tell: The graphic novelist who co-created Batman's twisted game-changer Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth tripped on psilocybin mushrooms, fought movie execs to keep the Joker in high heels and reaped the benefits of going 50 hours without sleep in order to better access his unconscious. Subtitled What Masked Vigilantes, Miraculous Mutants, and a Sun God from Smallville Can Teach Us About Being Human, this trippy autobiography-cum-critical essay gathers up the deep thoughts and otherworldly hallucinations experienced by the comics writer." --Wired.com

NPR's "Summer High Fliers" "Grant Morrison is one of the world's leading experts on comic books, and he draws on his entire body of work in Supergods, charting the history of superheroes from the very beginning. Morrison places the figures we all know -- Superman, Spider-Man, the X-Men -- in a broad cultural context, invoking art history, science and mythology to explain why we are so fascinated by the superhuman." --NPR.org

Praise for Grant Morrison
 
“Grant Morrison is one of the great comics writers of all time. I wish I didn’t have to compete with someone as good as him.”—Stan Lee
 
“Grant’s whole body of work inspired me.”—Gerard Way, My Chemical Romance
 
“I suddenly realized that everything that I’m trying to say in my nonfiction work, and in some of my fiction work, had been so beautifully and so imaginatively expressed in the work of Grant Morrison.”—Deepak Chopra

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 464 pages
  • Publisher: Spiegel & Grau; First Edition edition (July 19, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1400069122
  • ISBN-13: 978-1400069125
  • Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.3 x 9.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (99 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,819 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Grant Morrison is one of comics' greatest innovators. His long list of credits includes Batman: Arkham Asylum, JLA, Seven Soldiers, Animal Man, Doom Patrol, The Invisibles and The Filth. He is currently writing Batman and All-Star Superman.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 58 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Part Sociology, Part Biography of an Industry June 8, 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
Grant Morrison, comic book luminary, presents a thoughtful dissection of the comic book industry, from its origins to the present. It's not what I was expecting, but it was very interesting, and an analysis worthy of a doctoral thesis. It is, in turns, the biography of the comic book industry, an examination of the sociology of the western world since the depression-era appearance of Superman, autobiography of Morrison himself, and review of how real life and the world of the superheroic are converging.

Morrison begins his book, fittingly, with an examination of what made Superman and Batman iconic when they first appeared. For me, this was fascinating, recognizing that the Superman I knew had started not just as an archetypal hero of strength with bold colors of the daytime, but a symbol of the strength of the individual and middle-American farmers against industry and big business during the Great Depression. On the other end of the spectrum was Batman, a big-city, wealthy hero in the dark of night, whose intellect was his only power. Batman was tested by a series of villains inspired by psychiatric disorders, whom he would physically beat into submission.

From there, the author broadens his scope to track the development of the industry as it is influenced by political and cultural changes such as McCarthyism, heroes from the age of science inspired by Kennedy's presidency, the rise of psychedelia and the drug culture, the gritty vigilantism of the 70s and 80s, the events and repercussions of 9/11, and expansion into the film industry.

At the end, Morrison discusses not just what happens to superheroes as they are influenced by the times to become more realistic and lifelike in comic books, but recognizes a growing movement in the real world for individuals influenced by comic book heroes to do good deeds while donning costumes of their own.

While there was a point in Morrison's autobiographical tale where I found myself not relating to him because of his life-choices, By the end, I understood him as he gained understanding of himself and why he made those choices.

I highly recommend this book as a thoughtful, well-researched and reasoned history and socio-political presentation on superhumans and the creators who chronicle them.
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Who should buy Supergods? Some of the negative reviews below are from readers complaining that this book isn't what they thought it was. To clarify: Supergods is partly a history and critical analysis of the superhero concept and partly Grant Morrison's autobiography as an artist. There are dozens, perhaps a hundred pages in the book that analyze key superhero comic book classics (Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, various Golden Age and Silver Age classics), so if you haven't read those yet, start there. Also, in my opinion there's little point in reading a writer's biography if you haven't read some of their best works. For Morrison, the best to start with are Arkham Asylum, All Star Superman, We3, and The Invisibles, (while fans of longer, more traditional superhero series may want to check out his bestselling runs on New X-Men, JLA, and Batman). Readers already well-versed in superhero comics and particularly readers already familiar with Morrison's unique brand of cerebral, trippy, idea-filled fiction will get the most from Supergods.

About half the book traces the history of the comic book superhero, from its creation in the Golden Age of comics through its multiple (and discrete) evolutions in the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, and '00s. Morrison analyzes key superhero comics at length, and his dissections of their creative origins, meaning, psychological underpinnings and relation to their times are generally fun and interesting. I sometimes skipped his descriptions of comics I haven't yet read. Morrison brings his best insights to sustained explications of The Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen, and although these masterpieces have been analyzed to death by commentators over the past two decades, Morrison's analyses are surprisingly fresh and original. I've read Watchmen half a dozen times and Morrison points out a number of things I never noticed or considered. Which, let's recall, is what important critics do. Unfortunately by the time Morrison gets to the '90s and '00s, he has little negative or truly critical to say about other prominent and/or best-selling superhero works, most of which were written by his friends or colleagues (Mark Millar, Mark Waid, Warren Ellis and others). Although he analyzes their importance well enough, I got the sense that he didn't want to say anything bad about the works of his friends or creators younger than himself.

Morrison's not shy about engaging the works of Alan Moore, though, and Supergods is his most sustained explanation of his relationship with Moore's works. Morrison and Moore are arguably the two greatest living interpreters of the superhero concept, rival gods warring over the same turf who have planted their career-defining flags on the same soil (deconstruction of the superhero and the incorporation of "magic" into narrative)... and Morrison has always seemed uncomfortable, even insecure, about that. I've read a dozen interviews over the years where Morrison casually dismissed or outright insulted Moore and his works. In Supergods, though, Morrison seems to set these petty issues to rest. He admits his praise for Moore's work and maturely articulates what he did and does dislike about some of them, while keeping a bit of the (bestselling, fan-favorite) Morrison/Moore super arch-rivalry intact.

The third string in Morrison's narrative quartet is his autobiography as a comics creator. He recalls his family upbringing in Scotland, followed by a portrait of the artist as a young man and his climb up the ladder of the small but vibrant UK comics scene of the '80s. We get a solid history of when and how he wrote his major works, starting with the "British invasion" of the early '90s under the Vertigo label (a golden age that I, and many comic readers of my generation, fondly recall as practically life-altering in influence). We also get a lot on his travels around the world, his fascinating attempts to make his art influence his life, and his experiments with psychedelics, including an extended description of the (seemingly drug-induced) vision/out of body experience/"alien abduction" he experienced in Kathmandu just as he began writing The Invisibles. Morrison's views on "magic" and "rituals" would get tiresome in the hands of lesser writers, but the fact that he's built one of the most artistically and financially successful careers in comics on those foundations makes his exploration of those far-out concepts hard to dismiss.

As Morrison readers know, the man has a seemingly unlimited supply of ideas that erupt from his brain onto the page, too numerous for him (or us) to begin to explore in depth, and this is the root of his biggest strengths and weaknesses. The pages of Supergods are littered with mostly interesting asides and concepts, whole handfuls of them just tossed out there, but the book can get a bit exhausting, especially because of insightful but fairly long descriptions of comics we either haven't read or don't have in front of us for comparison, like listening to film commentary tracks without seeing the films. Morrison's ardent belief in a few questionable new age concepts may raise some eyebrows (like the ability to heal pets through sheer force of will and a theory on solar radiation and zeitgeist that made even me, a lifelong Morrison reader, shake my head), but again-- it's Grant Morrison. His best works are never easy and I'm willing to roll with some occasional nonsense.

The fourth and arguably most important part of Supergods is the theory Morrison uses to tie this all together. In the illuminating final chapters, Morrison weaves together the lessons from his life, his art, and the superhero, and points out the ways that we, the readers, can begin to apply them to our own art and lives.

In short, Supergods is a summation of Morrison's lifelong artistic journey, a synthesis of lessons learned from years of fearless (and tireless) personal and artistic experimentation. And surprise! The psychedelic enfant terrible, the Johhny Rotten of comic books, has mellowed and matured into one of the sanest, most grounded, most decent, most human voices in the medium. I've never personally thanked a writer in an Amazon review before, but thanks, Grant. I feel truly enriched by your many great journeys and now by Supergods.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I, for one, welcome our super saviors... November 7, 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Grant Morrison's saga of the superhero from its birth to its many tomorrows is a welcome breeze wafting from an endless summer somewhere in the future where we will all become superbeings. Welcome to me, at least, who, like the author, grew up absolutely enthralled by comic books.

And like Morrison, I'm tired and bored with the dystopian, snarling pretenders in tights who masquerade as superheroes these days. I'm no Pollyanna or prude afraid of the dark - I've spent a fair share of my career writing about dark worlds present and future - but there's still that kid in me who grew up believing in Stan Lee's admonition that "with great power comes great responsibility." Too many superheroes have mistaken their shirking of responsibility for a punk rebellion against authority.

The contrasts between the Green Lantern and Captain America movies highlight this problem. Hal Jordan allows himself to be convinced - all too easily - that he doesn't deserve the ring he's been given by a dying hero. His acceptance of his role finally comes rather perfunctorily, as a necessity for the final act, rather than from any real desire to live up to his destiny. Not so with Steve Rogers, who is untiring in his efforts to shoulder more responsibility than his weak frame can handle.

Morrison thinks superheroes are archetypes of aspiration, untiring and, in the end, always undefeated. His book chronicles the pop culture history of this archetype in many of its manifestations, not just in comics but also in similar trends in music and fashion. I've read many of the comics he calls upon as exemplars, and I loved reading another author's heartfelt and deeply illuminating appreciation of these works.

Heartfelt is the key word for this book. Grant Morrison is laying it bare, confessing to his love of the good guys, and using biographical moments to back it up. Even if I were inclined to disagree with his analysis - and I am surprisingly on the same page for the majority of it - I could never argue with his passion and love for the writers and artists whose work consumed by childhood.

I do, however, have a geek critique. Even though Morrison admits that he couldn't give a shout out to all his favorite comics stories, I still would have liked to have seen more attention given to Steve Englehart for his Secret Empire saga in Captain America and his Detective Comics collaboration with Marshall Rogers, both of which I feel are keystones worth mentioning in the evolution of the superhero in the `70s and early `80s. But I can't complain too much - he does give proper attention to Starlin's Warlock, after all.

This is probably the best book to give to someone who hasn't read comics in a long time and might be looking to rekindle their interest in the men and women of tomorrow. It's also a great introduction for Jungians and archetypal psychologists who have yet to turn their analytical gazes to the primordial pop culture pool in which our culture swims.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars not bad, but not great either
I like a lot of what Morrison had to say about the history of comics and their reflections of society over the years, but there might have been too many "I'm a genius! Read more
Published 4 days ago by Jacob Boyer
4.0 out of 5 stars Mostly good though sub-title is a bit misleading
Grant Morrison is among a small handful of fiction writers who have most inspired and informed the style of non-fiction writing that I do in my column Hero Worship. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Pop Mythology
4.0 out of 5 stars Fast shipping
Got my books in a few days in mint condition & the book is really good! I've only read one chapter so far bc i hav other books to read but its off to a nice start & i will def... Read more
Published 20 days ago by Ashly Small
4.0 out of 5 stars Grant Morrison is a brilliant mad man
This book begins as an detailed account of the birth and transformation of the superhero through history, from the golden age to the present, within the context of popular culture... Read more
Published 2 months ago by _JB_
5.0 out of 5 stars I can understand this
A long time ago, Grant Morrison wrote books that anyone could pick up and enjoy. As a casual reader I simply don't have the background or energy to understand what his modern... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Owen Gard
3.0 out of 5 stars A good beginning leads to a forgotten thesis and boring autobiography
Advertised as analyzing the mythology of superheroes on American culture, Supergods began as such before stumbling into Morrison's lifetime as a noted comic writer/artist himself. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ari Melman
2.0 out of 5 stars Unanswered Premise
I was originally bought this book because I was interested in the title. What Masked Vigilantes can teach us about being human? Read more
Published 3 months ago by JR610
3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting, if smug, attempt to analyse why super-heroes still...
Morrison is a thinker, not just outside the box but outside the 3 dimensions that make the box. At times this can provide an interesting and out-of-left field analysis of what... Read more
Published 3 months ago by David Grodsky
5.0 out of 5 stars Vessels of Myth
Grant Morrison's part autobiography, part comic book history Supergods is, as an autobiography, not really worth your time. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Comment Magazine
4.0 out of 5 stars We all work for Grant Morrison, but it's all cool.
I'm a fan of Grant Morrison's work in general; above and beyond his comic book writing, i think the guy's madly expanded consciousness and theories of existence ((still somehow... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Norbert J. Rozek
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Supergods Reviews
If you are part of the Vine Program you can get lots of pre-release books. Nothing "shifty" about it.

I got my copy and reviewed it and thing it is an absolutely outstanding books. I liked it so much that I'm going to get a regular copy when it comes out.

As far as illustrations... Read more
Jul 9, 2011 by Robert Moore |  See all 7 posts
What's this Grant Morrison one about?
I'm almost positive it's a traditional book. Larger page count and it's not being published by DC.
Feb 4, 2011 by B. S. Barker |  See all 5 posts
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