This issue, flaws and all, gives a perfect blueprint for the rest of Morrison's career and the themes he would continue to play with. He's been described as the most independent creator to work in mainstream comics, and that checks out. Plus, his interviews are always a joy to listen to. Maybe bring him on for a shoot interview soon?
Also the semi driver and hitchhiker are listening to "Roadrunner" by Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers. He conspicuously omits the lyrics "Roadrunner, Roadrunner" which is repeated A LOT in that song...only showing the part about driving "past the stop-n-shop." This is great writing and a nice way to insert a nod without having a neon sign that says "HEY YOU LOOK AT MY REFERENCE"
Morrison isn't afraid to swing big. Hits or misses, I have to give him credit for stepping up to the plate. I recommend Flex Mentallo and All Star Superman. Those are some of my favorites
Remember that the truck says “Ajax” on it. In the coyote’s world, his cannon says “Ajax.” It’s like the ACME of his world. So Coyote travels to “our” world. Now he goes from being the hunter to the hunted. What’s hunting him? The company that makes the tools he uses, the ones that don’t work. That’s always been his nemesis, and now that nemesis is using the coyote’s method (hunting) to deliberately hurt him (as opposed to hurting him via passive incompetence). It follows the theme of this world being a more cruel world than the one coyote came from.
My FIRST Kayfabe appearance! (My name is in the letter column for the issue from a letter written by teenage me.) I need to send you guys some supplemental Morrison reading!
Morrison is kinda like if Alan Moore didn't care that much about story structure but instead just pummeled you with mind blowing idea after mind blowing idea. I can see how that would annoy some people, but I actually prefer his more flawed approach to Moore's complete package.
I loved reading Animal Man and Doom Patrol by Morrison, there was nothing but Swamp Thing and Sandman that was different and unique in the 80s. DC could take a obscure character and make it a hit.
I do not think I have ever read a single Animal Man issue in thirty years of reading comic books. I picked this book up at my shop for a few bucks today after seeing this video. This what a unique read this was and I enjoyed it very much. Thanks guys.
Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol is a fun read from back in the day. So much of his newest DC stuff is building on his earlier stories and seems more insular and hard to recommend to newer readers. I find them super enjoyable and love them so maybe I have to give newer readers more credit ... maybe It's a case of me being a condescending ass. Anyway thanks guys. You rock.
Ed, now that you are into body horror and splatter punk and other such transgressive genres I would suggest that you read/re-read Morrison's highly under appreciated and under-rated title The Filth, I think that you will really get into both the story as well as the fantastic art.
Okay, first off, I have to state that I'm a HUGE Grant Morrison fan (I def don't think his work could be described as average!!!); his JLA run got me back into superheroes, and I think you should check out his The Filth with Chris Weston or All Star Superman with Frank Quitely! Masterpieces! That said, regarding this issue of Animal Man, I agree with you, and I also don't get exactly why the silver bullet kills the coyote. Still, the tragedy of the ending (which you pointed out and analyzed so well) really hits home with me. It's just too sad!
I'm also a huge Morrison fan (he's like top five creators for me) and was taken aback by the "average" comment as well. Hoping for more Morrison love from this channel in the future. For me this issue is rooted in religious symbolism as sort of foreshadowing of the creator theme that's prevalent throughout Morrison's run as well as fantasy logic i.e. anthropomorphic wolf man son of god is weak to silver bullet forged from silver cross. Morrison isn't big on spelling things out for people and speculation is part of what makes his work endearing for me.
I figure it's because the silver bulletbis said to kill a werewolf and the shooter believed the Coyote was some type of were wolf creature. The shooters belief of that lore combined with the significance of the cross it was made from to the shooter gave the bullet the supernatural power needed to kill the coyote.
Memories. I read all these as a youngster, and it was one of my subscriptions (that i had NO idea what I was signing up for, I just liked Animal Man’s costume in some promo art.) mind blown
You guys should check out Pax Americana by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. It’s their take on Watchmen. Morrison is definitely at his best with Quitely
Such an iconic issue! And who could ever complain about those great Boland covers! Side note, received my copy of Octobriana yesterday, can't wait to check it out under blacklight. Well done Mr. Rugg!
There's kind of a Gnostic edge to this story. Wiley, a created being, lives in an unjust and artificial world, dies there and is reborn into a higher res world. There he vows to find a new way to live. He wants to change this world. The artist, as the Demiurge, intrudes to stop him. I was waiting to watch him confront the artist's machinations in some original and instructive way. But you turned to the final panels and it was not to be. Existential stuff to be sure! Food for thought. Great comic.
To me, Morrison's work is akin to Borges, where mind-blowing ideas are hinted and left to broader reader introspection and interpretation. As someone who enjoys the rabbit hole of interpretation, I appreciate the space to do so. Maybe his X-Men run was a bad fit or didn't work at the end of the day, but it was also the last time the X-Men mattered IMO (outside of Grand Design, ha). I forgive the plot holes or unfinished ideas or diversions, ultimately because he swings hard and tries to push the boundaries. You suspend disbelief because the concepts make it worthwhile. Eddie P, read more Morrison and tell me it's average. Specifically -- The Filth, Nameless, We3, All-Star Superman (I never thought Superman was a very interesting character until Morrison's take), The Invisibles. Also, I'm a reformed meat eater so I can get behind that.
Just thought that I'd add (even though it's a bit late) that Chas Troug got his start in an marvel Epic comic, Coyote written by Steven Englehart. This story was, in a way, Troug going full circle.
Slightly better than average? I respectfully disagree. He is much better than that but I understand its not for everybody. He is probably my favorite writer in comics though
Good stuff. I really like this issue. I can see how many people would have issues or not go full in to Morrison writing style. I REALLY enjoy some of his wok and some of it just kind of puts me off. The first time I read this one, I didn't really know how to feel. It was just weird. Years later I read it again and got more out of it.
You guys should read his last issue in Animal Man, Deus Ex Machina, with this. It’s entirely interconnected, and much of the “gaps” tie in very nicely.
Appreciate your honesty here, but you guys should dive into his X-Men. An awesome series, and considering both your history and varying fandom with the property, would be incredibly fascinating to see what you make of it.
The truck driver was there because the "creator" put him there and gave him the motivation. It's all just Morrison going meta to the extreme. Morrison for life!
Based on the deep love of the Xbooks in childhood, surprised you guys haven’t covered Morrison’s New X-Men. Even if Morrison’s writing doesn’t gel with you, Quitely’s art is nuts.
Doom Patrol is his masterpiece. You also have to remember that during this era in his career he was experimenting with a lot of psychadelic drugs, which probably had something to do with things feeling unfinished or having gaps. I'd love to see you guys interview him, even if his work never really resonated with you the man is a font of comics knowledge.
Interesting artifact, I do find Morrison to be a tad corny for my tastes, as if he's going for a Moore/Miller/Gaiman level but doesn't get there, and perhaps doesn't register when those more gifted writers run slightly into the cornball side of their work. Always has an interesting idea at the center though.
Ed's Patreon: www.patreon.com/edpiskor
Jim's Patreon: www.patreon.com/jimrugg
Review some Peter Bagge Hate and Buddy Bradley stuff.
This issue, flaws and all, gives a perfect blueprint for the rest of Morrison's career and the themes he would continue to play with. He's been described as the most independent creator to work in mainstream comics, and that checks out. Plus, his interviews are always a joy to listen to. Maybe bring him on for a shoot interview soon?
Also the semi driver and hitchhiker are listening to "Roadrunner" by Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers. He conspicuously omits the lyrics "Roadrunner, Roadrunner" which is repeated A LOT in that song...only showing the part about driving "past the stop-n-shop." This is great writing and a nice way to insert a nod without having a neon sign that says "HEY YOU LOOK AT MY REFERENCE"
Morrison isn't afraid to swing big. Hits or misses, I have to give him credit for stepping up to the plate. I recommend Flex Mentallo and All Star Superman. Those are some of my favorites
Remember that the truck says “Ajax” on it. In the coyote’s world, his cannon says “Ajax.” It’s like the ACME of his world. So Coyote travels to “our” world. Now he goes from being the hunter to the hunted. What’s hunting him? The company that makes the tools he uses, the ones that don’t work. That’s always been his nemesis, and now that nemesis is using the coyote’s method (hunting) to deliberately hurt him (as opposed to hurting him via passive incompetence). It follows the theme of this world being a more cruel world than the one coyote came from.
One of my all time favorites issues! Greetings from Brazil!
Truck goes Beep Beep. Like Roadrunner.
I just recently read Morrison's Flex Mentalo and enjoyed it a lot.
My FIRST Kayfabe appearance! (My name is in the letter column for the issue from a letter written by teenage me.) I need to send you guys some supplemental Morrison reading!
It's cartoon logic. That's how the coyote hunted the Road Runner.
Morrison is kinda like if Alan Moore didn't care that much about story structure but instead just pummeled you with mind blowing idea after mind blowing idea.
I can see how that would annoy some people, but I actually prefer his more flawed approach to Moore's complete package.
I loved reading Animal Man and Doom Patrol by Morrison, there was nothing but Swamp Thing and Sandman that was different and unique in the 80s. DC could take a obscure character and make it a hit.
I do not think I have ever read a single Animal Man issue in thirty years of reading comic books. I picked this book up at my shop for a few bucks today after seeing this video. This what a unique read this was and I enjoyed it very much. Thanks guys.
Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol is a fun read from back in the day. So much of his newest DC stuff is building on his earlier stories and seems more insular and hard to recommend to newer readers. I find them super enjoyable and love them so maybe I have to give newer readers more credit ... maybe It's a case of me being a condescending ass.
Anyway thanks guys. You rock.
The We3 mini series is my favorite Morrison work.
Ed, now that you are into body horror and splatter punk and other such transgressive genres I would suggest that you read/re-read Morrison's highly under appreciated and under-rated title The Filth, I think that you will really get into both the story as well as the fantastic art.
+1 on The Filth. One of his most transgressive stories and beautiful art by Chris Weston.
Agreed. FILTH was great 👍
Okay, first off, I have to state that I'm a HUGE Grant Morrison fan (I def don't think his work could be described as average!!!); his JLA run got me back into superheroes, and I think you should check out his The Filth with Chris Weston or All Star Superman with Frank Quitely! Masterpieces! That said, regarding this issue of Animal Man, I agree with you, and I also don't get exactly why the silver bullet kills the coyote. Still, the tragedy of the ending (which you pointed out and analyzed so well) really hits home with me. It's just too sad!
I'm also a huge Morrison fan (he's like top five creators for me) and was taken aback by the "average" comment as well. Hoping for more Morrison love from this channel in the future. For me this issue is rooted in religious symbolism as sort of foreshadowing of the creator theme that's prevalent throughout Morrison's run as well as fantasy logic i.e. anthropomorphic wolf man son of god is weak to silver bullet forged from silver cross. Morrison isn't big on spelling things out for people and speculation is part of what makes his work endearing for me.
I figure it's because the silver bulletbis said to kill a werewolf and the shooter believed the Coyote was some type of were wolf creature. The shooters belief of that lore combined with the significance of the cross it was made from to the shooter gave the bullet the supernatural power needed to kill the coyote.
These stories don't need logic to justify them. That's not what's important about them. They're about something else!
I would LOVE to see the guys look thru THE FILTH.
@@fad23 I was actually thinking the same - to me Grant Morrison stories are a bit like music. It's about the feeling it gives you.
Now that you mention covers, I want to see you look at Dave McKean!
Memories. I read all these as a youngster, and it was one of my subscriptions (that i had NO idea what I was signing up for, I just liked Animal Man’s costume in some promo art.) mind blown
You guys should check out Pax Americana by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. It’s their take on Watchmen. Morrison is definitely at his best with Quitely
Such an iconic issue! And who could ever complain about those great Boland covers! Side note, received my copy of Octobriana yesterday, can't wait to check it out under blacklight. Well done Mr. Rugg!
There's kind of a Gnostic edge to this story. Wiley, a created being, lives in an unjust and artificial world, dies there and is reborn into a higher res world. There he vows to find a new way to live. He wants to change this world. The artist, as the Demiurge, intrudes to stop him. I was waiting to watch him confront the artist's machinations in some original and instructive way. But you turned to the final panels and it was not to be. Existential stuff to be sure! Food for thought. Great comic.
I would highly recommend Morrison's "Mystery Play" which he did with Jon J. Muth. It's a short "graphic novel" with stunning water color art.
To me, Morrison's work is akin to Borges, where mind-blowing ideas are hinted and left to broader reader introspection and interpretation. As someone who enjoys the rabbit hole of interpretation, I appreciate the space to do so. Maybe his X-Men run was a bad fit or didn't work at the end of the day, but it was also the last time the X-Men mattered IMO (outside of Grand Design, ha). I forgive the plot holes or unfinished ideas or diversions, ultimately because he swings hard and tries to push the boundaries. You suspend disbelief because the concepts make it worthwhile.
Eddie P, read more Morrison and tell me it's average. Specifically -- The Filth, Nameless, We3, All-Star Superman (I never thought Superman was a very interesting character until Morrison's take), The Invisibles.
Also, I'm a reformed meat eater so I can get behind that.
3:56 - Gaiman's Sandman came out in '89, Morrison's AnimalMan in '88.
you are in for a treat! Morrison's doom patrol is my all time fav.
Just thought that I'd add (even though it's a bit late) that Chas Troug got his start in an marvel Epic comic, Coyote written by Steven Englehart. This story was, in a way, Troug going full circle.
The truck driver is a road runner.
you you check out the Doom patrol issue from the same era Morrison wrote in the style of Silver age Kirby FF..it's a trip!
This issue means so much to me! I've got the entire run in storage but just got the new hardcovers for my shelf.
Slightly better than average? I respectfully disagree. He is much better than that but I understand its not for everybody. He is probably my favorite writer in comics though
I don't need to know the chain of events that lead the trucker to the coyote. What isn't written is a skill and I don't see it as a plot hole.
Good stuff. I really like this issue. I can see how many people would have issues or not go full in to Morrison writing style. I REALLY enjoy some of his wok and some of it just kind of puts me off. The first time I read this one, I didn't really know how to feel. It was just weird. Years later I read it again and got more out of it.
You guys should read his last issue in Animal Man, Deus Ex Machina, with this. It’s entirely interconnected, and much of the “gaps” tie in very nicely.
Appreciate your honesty here, but you guys should dive into his X-Men. An awesome series, and considering both your history and varying fandom with the property, would be incredibly fascinating to see what you make of it.
The truck driver was there because the "creator" put him there and gave him the motivation. It's all just Morrison going meta to the extreme. Morrison for life!
I highly recommend Morrison’s doom patrol one of my favorite comic runs
Dang, when you've read Doom Patrol, I'd be very curious about your take on Doom Force!
Love Doom Force!!
@@basscot17 I figure since it's directly parodying the Image crew, it would be an interesting subject.
Morrison delights in missing pieces.
Its funnier in retrospective since looney toons characters had crossovers with the dc superheroes
I'm feelin kinda kayfabey this morning, i'm diggin this new vid.
This reminds me of James O’Barr’s story in Bone Saw, the goth tpb from Tundra (just before the Crow? Just after?).
Based on the deep love of the Xbooks in childhood, surprised you guys haven’t covered Morrison’s New X-Men. Even if Morrison’s writing doesn’t gel with you, Quitely’s art is nuts.
Doom Patrol is going to rock your shit Ed, just a fair warning.
Can't go past Invisibles :)
It was deliberate mythmaking. Myth's have stupid plot holes.
Can't have everything.
I get the fell that th whole channel is gonna change up a bit if Eddie P. connects with doom patrol... That run is a one way ticket to psycodelia
Great episode.
Always thought the end had something to do with the Robert Johnson devil at the crossroads story.
Doom Patrol is his masterpiece. You also have to remember that during this era in his career he was experimenting with a lot of psychadelic drugs, which probably had something to do with things feeling unfinished or having gaps. I'd love to see you guys interview him, even if his work never really resonated with you the man is a font of comics knowledge.
please read flex mentallo its one of my favorite comics ever
THE best
Is Animal Man the inverse of Bugs Bunny in this? Thats my take away.
Interesting artifact, I do find Morrison to be a tad corny for my tastes, as if he's going for a Moore/Miller/Gaiman level but doesn't get there, and perhaps doesn't register when those more gifted writers run slightly into the cornball side of their work. Always has an interesting idea at the center though.
Morrison surpassed Miller a long time ago, and he's definitely on the Moore and Gaiman level.