The Multiversity
The Multiversity | |
---|---|
Cover of The Multiversity #1 (October 2014), art by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado. | |
Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
Schedule | Monthly |
Format | Limited series |
Genre | |
Publication date | August 2014 – April 2015 |
No. of issues | 9 |
Creative team | |
Written by | Grant Morrison |
Artist(s) | Ivan Reis, Frank Quitely, Cameron Stewart, Chris Sprouse, Karl Story, Ben Oliver, Doug Mahnke |
Collected editions | |
Deluxe Edition | ISBN 978-1401256821 |
The Multiversity is a limited series of interrelated one-shots set in the DC Multiverse in The New 52, a collection of universes seen in publications by DC Comics. The one-shots in the series were written by Grant Morrison, each with a different artist. The Multiversity began in August 2014 and ran until April 2015.
Background and creation
In the conclusion to the 1985 comic book crossover, "Crisis on Infinite Earths", the DC Multiverse collapsed with the history of five universes being merged into one single new universe. In the 1998–1999 series, The Kingdom, author Mark Waid introduced the concept of Hypertime, co-created by Grant Morrison, a super-dimensional construct that allowed for all publications to be canon or in-continuity somewhere. Hypertime, although infrequently used, was a replacement and explanation for the multiple timelines and histories DC had published through the years.[1]
In the 2005–06 crossover, "Infinite Crisis", the survivors of the first Crisis Alexander Luthor, Jr. from Earth-Three, Superboy-Prime from Earth-Prime, and Kal-L of Earth-Two had attempted to create a perfect world to replace the current DC Universe (DCU), with Luthor restoring, merging, and destroying worlds that had once existed in Multiverse or were featured in Elseworlds publications. Luthor failed due to the intervention of the universe's heroes and inadvertently altered the history of the DC Universe. Prior to the publication of Infinite Crisis, editor Dan DiDio revealed that Hypertime no longer exists in the DCU.[2]
Following "Infinite Crisis", the year-long weekly maxi-series 52 (2006–2007) led to the revelation that Multiverse still exists, in the form of 52 alternate universes. Author Grant Morrison stated that the return of the Multiverse was intended to launch new franchises, explaining:
The parallel Earths you see in issue #52 are not the familiar pre-Crisis versions. If you think you recognize and know any of these worlds from before, you'd be wrong. We all wanted to do something new with the multiple Earths so what you've already seen in 52 is simply the tip of the iceberg – each parallel world now has its own huge new backstory and characters and each could basically form the foundation for a complete line of new books. If you like the ongoing soap opera dynamics of New Earth, you can watch Mary Marvel turning to the dark side as her skirt gets shorter and shorter, or you can buy the Earth 5 line of books featuring more iconic versions of the Marvel Family. If you miss Vic Sage as the Question, you should be able to follow the adventures of Vic's counterpart on the Charlton/Watchmen world of Earth 4.The idea behind the Megaverse is to basically create a number of big new franchise possibilities. It's like having several comics companies and universes under one umbrella, so, as I say, there could be one book or a whole line of books spinning out of the new Earth 10 (I handled that particular revamp, so I can tell you that the original concept of the Freedom Fighters on a world where the Nazis won World War 2 has been greatly reconsidered, expanded and intensified into something that's a bit more Wagnerian and apocalyptic and a bit more adult) That's how I'd like to see the Megaverse played out as we move forward. And no crossovers! Each of the parallel universes should exist in its own separate stream with no contact from the others – not until we have a story worthy of bringing them together.[3]
In 2007–08, as a follow up to 52, and lead-in to DC's next line-wide crossover "Final Crisis", another weekly series began publication, Countdown (later retitled Countdown to Final Crisis) and various spin-off titles featured the new Multiverse. The Multiverse plays a large part in the Final Crisis (2008–2009) series, where a team of Supermen from across the Multiverse assemble to defeat a rogue Monitor, Mandrakk. The series introduced a new Superman from Earth-23, Calvin Ellis, who is the President of the United States. Grant Morrison based the character on Barack Obama.[4] The character would later appear in Grant Morrison's Action Comics #9 (July 2012) and was a central character in The Multiversity. "Final Crisis" was described by editor Dan DiDio as the finale in a trilogy of stories about the Multiverse, describing each Crisis: "The death of the Multiverse, the rebirth of the Multiverse, and now the ultimate story of the multiverse."[5]
When asked about his future role in expanding the Multiverse following "Final Crisis", Morrison stated: "I'm in the early stages of putting together material for a Multiverse series but I want to spend a lot of time getting it exactly right, so there are currently no deadlines and I don't anticipate any of this coming out until 2010."[6] Morrison later revealed that he had been working on a new book set on Earth-4, featuring Charlton Comics characters, but inspired by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's 1986 limited series Watchmen, which in turn was proposed initially as being based on Charlton Comics characters.[7]
In Wizard #212 (April 2009), Morrison detailed his project, The Multiversity, intended for publication in 2010. Morrison states that the series: "will pick up a bunch of strands from 52 and Final Crisis." He noted that his work would include a one-shot for each of seven different universes, where they: "all link together as a seven-issue story that re-imagines the relationship between the DCU and the Multiverse."[8][9]
Morrison provided Jeffrey Renaud of Comic Book Resources with further details, explaining the reasoning behind the project: "The idea was to do seven books that would be #1 issues for seven different teams on seven different Earths. Each of these would be the bible for what could potentially be an entire comic line for each of these Earths." Originally, his co-writers (Geoff Johns, Mark Waid, and Greg Rucka) on 52 would have had a hand in the project.[10]
Grant Morrison[10]
In 2010, it was revealed that Morrison's frequent collaborators Cameron Stewart and Frank Quitely were, at the time, the only artists chosen for The Multiversity. Quitely would illustrate Pax Americana,[11] featuring Morrison's reworking of the Charlton characters, based on Earth-4. Stewart's one-shot would be Thunderworld,[12] focusing on Captain Marvel of Earth-5.[13] Artist Frazer Irving stated that Morrison "reserved a small part of my soul" to do work on The Multiversity.[14]
In 2011, DC Comics announced that its entire line of publications would be cancelled following "Flashpoint" (2011), leading into a rebooted DC Universe known as The New 52.[15] The finale of Flashpoint #5 (September 2011) saw three distinct universes from the Multiverse—WildStorm Universe, Vertigo, and the DC Universe—merge into one universe, designated "Prime Earth". Dan DiDio clarified that there is still a Multiverse, but gave no details on how it has changed and suggested The Multiversity might provide answers.[16] Morrison later revealed that The Multiversity would not be out until 2012,[17] noting that Quitely had just begun working on his issue.[18] Morrison also gave a definitive length for the series, 9 one-shots, where two are book-ends with the other 7 each focusing on a different universe.[19] Tonally, Morrison has described The Multiversity as feeling similar to his work on Seven Soldiers (2005).[20]
In September 2012, as part of MorrisonCon, DC Entertainment officially confirmed The Multiversity, giving the series a publication date of late 2013.[21] It was also revealed that the series would feature 8 one-shots, each 38-pages long along with an 8-page backup.[22] Morrison also confirmed that The Multiversity had not been affected by anything in The New 52, but would still feature a "little sort of wave over to the DC Universe,"[23] and that The New 52 fits: "really nicely into the scheme without doing any damage."[24]
In February 2013, Morrison stated that he had created a guide book for DC's Multiverse, incorporating all 52 alternate universes, which other authors work off of when working with the multiverse concept. The guide book was included as the sixth installment of The Multiversity and published in January 2015, containing maps and blueprints to the Multiverse, as well as brief descriptions of the meta-humans that populate forty-five out of its fifty-two alternate Earths (with details about Earths 14, 24, 25, 27, 28, 46 and 49 omitted).[25]
Publication history
In April 2014, The Multiversity was announced for publication in August 2014. The announcement also revealed more of the series' artists including: Chris Sprouse, Karl Story, Ben Oliver, Frank Quitely, Cameron Stewart, Ivan Reis and Joe Prado.[26] In May 2014, the first issue was officially solicited by DC Comics, by artists Ivan Reis and Joe Prado.[27] Each subsequent one-shot will be published monthly.
In July 2014, during San Diego Comic-Con International, DC Comics held a panel titled "The Multiversity Enrollment", with panelists Grant Morrison, Cameron Stewart, and editor Eddie Berganza. Posters featuring a map of the Multiverse, designed by Morrison and Rian Hughes were handed out to attendees of the panel. DC later included a version of the map as a "Channel 52" exclusive at the end of books published in the week of July 28, 2014.[28]
In May 2015, a director's cut of the Pax American one-shot was published.[29]
Synopsis
The Multiversity featured a story arc about the DC Comics multiverse being invaded by a race of cosmic parasites known as the Gentry. The Gentry come from beyond the immediate DC "local" multiverse, and each member is a cultural fear or "bad idea" personified as a living, demonic entity. Intellectron is the immoral genius; Demogorgunn is the mindless, sprawling horde; Hellmachine is unchecked, uncontrollable technology; Dame Merciless is the ultimate extreme of the Femme Fatale; and Lord Broken is insanity and despair.
The Gentry were drawn to the multiverse by the emanations of ruined dreams and negative ideas. They want to seize ownership of every single mind in existence, and in doing so, control all thoughts and stories. To this end, they use Ultra Comics #1 as a vector to infect the multiverse, and they simultaneously launch an attack on every earth in the Orrery of Worlds.
Various heroes from across different universes are forced to band together to face this extra-dimensional threat, initiating the "Battle for All Creation."
Structure
The series contained nine issues and consisted of six one-shots, a guidebook containing a map of the multiverse and entries describing each earth, and a two-part story serving as a prologue and conclusion - which Morrison described as an: "80-page giant DC super-spectacular story."[30] Each one-shot took place on a different universe, and each publication featured different trade dress and a different storytelling approach. [30] Morrison explains: "each comic looks like it comes from a different parallel world, so they're all slightly different."[24]
Morrison stated that when developing the series, he had to think of a way for the featured universes to communicate with each other. He recalled the "Flash of Two Worlds" storyline from The Flash #123, where the adventures of the Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick of Earth-2, were documented as a comic book on Earth-1. He incorporated this device into The Multiversity, stating: "they're reading each other's adventures, so there's some way that if a real big emergency arises, they can communicate using comic books. So each world has a comic from the previous world which has clues to the disaster that's coming their way, and they all have to basically start communicating using writers and artists so it's my big, big statement."[31] Morrison further explained how the device was used to create a cohesive story: "[I]t's almost like a baton race or a relay race where each of the worlds can read a comic book that's published in their world but which tells the adventures of the previous world. The characters are actually reading the series along with the readers."
The Multiversity #1
The first chapter, illustrated by Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, and Nei Ruffino, The Multiversity featured Calvin Ellis, President of the United States and Superman of Earth-23.[26] Morrison described The Multiversity as a big team book, featuring characters from all over the Multiverse,[10] the team looked: "after the welfare of the entire multiverse and they're headquartered in a place called the Multiversity."[23] Morrison compared the team to a Justice League of the Multiverse.[32] The team includes characters such as Captain Carrot, and Thunderer, an Aboriginal version of Marvel Comics' Thor.[33] It was published in August 2014.[26]
The Society of Super-Heroes: Conquerors from the Counter-World
The second chapter, illustrated by Chris Sprouse and Karl Story, The Society of Super-Heroes: Conquerors of the Counter-World ("SOS") featured the Society of Super-Heroes from Earth-20 and their villainous counterparts from Earth-40. The Society of Superheroes is a pulp-style, Justice Society of America, led by Doc Fate, who had previously appeared in Superman Beyond.[34] Morrison describes him as: "kind of a Doc Savage-come-Doctor Fate guy who teams with the Mighty Atom, the Immortal Man, Lady Blackhawk and her Blackhawks and Abin Sur, the Green Lantern. It's all kind of a 1940s retro thing. As I say, it's a pulp take on superheroes,"[10] along with other recreated "primitive pulp characters".[34] Morrison described this Earth as having a population of only "two billion people, even though it's 2012." There has been a recent global war akin to World War II, albeit directed against a scion of the al-Ghul dynasty, and an alliance of Arab/Islamic states, the "Desert Crescent"."[34] Earth-40 invaders devastate Earth-20 as its super villains wage global war against the Society of Super Heroes in defense of their home alternate. It was published in September 2014.[35]
The Just
The third chapter, illustrated by Ben Oliver, The Just features a world of legacy characters and children of superheroes from Earth-16,[36] such as Connor Hawke and the Super-Sons: "this is those guys but they're not the main heroes. There's a whole younger generation of heroes – kind of media brats almost."[10] Morrison describes them as "children of superheroes – a son of Superman, a son of Batman, etc. – who exist in a world where they have incredible abilities, but the previous generation had ushered in a utopia, so they don't really have any notion of where to direct it, and they're very unhappy with the world as is."[37] Morrison cites MTV's The Hills as his inspiration for The Just.[30] Morrison described the idea as: "What happens when your mom and dad fix everything? Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman have kind of fixed everything so the kids have nothing to do," instead resorting to battle reenactments, "these kids, they dress up but they've never fought anything."[34] Morrison had originally conceptualized a "Super-Sons" story as part of his All-Star Superman series, where Superman and Batman had stopped all crime, noting: "One day, I might get to them or some version of it. There's a little bit of that in the "Multiversity" series that I'm doing".[38] Morrison originally designated this universe as Earth-11.[30] The one-shot was published in October 2014.[36] Dame Merciless is the Gentry member who is assigned to this world, working confusion and disorientation into the lives of Kyle Rayner/Green Lantern, Alexis Luthor and Offspring, appearing in an artwork by Kon-El/Superboy.
Pax Americana
The fourth chapter, illustrated by Frank Quitely,[11] Pax Americana: In Which We Burn[39] takes place on Earth-4 and features characters from Charlton Comics. It has been described by Morrison as: "if Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons had pitched the Watchmen now, rooted in a contemporary political landscape."[9] Rather than the Cold War focus of Watchmen, the title's focus is on international terrorism and conspiracy in a world of superheroes.[40] The story is told with an 8-panel grid, similar to Watchmen's 9-panel grid layout. The story is based around musical harmonics, as each world in the Multiverse vibrates at a different frequency,[41] with Quitely explaining: "music, and vibration… musical vibrations, the octave, the eight as a repeated motive, and creating patterns leading the eye around the page in a specific way."[42] Morrison describes Pax Americana as his Citizen Kane.[43] The Captain Atom of this universe had been introduced in Final Crisis as his world's analogue to Superman.[9] Morrison describes The Question as: "a little bit like Rorschach but absolutely nothing like Rorschach."[44] Peacemaker is described as a good guy, but assassinates the President of the United States.[44] The story revolves around the assassination, and the failures on part of the Charlton characters.[22] The one-shot was published in November 2014.[45]
Thunderworld Adventures
The fifth chapter, illustrated by Cameron Stewart,[12] Thunderworld Adventures[46] takes place on Earth-5 and features characters from the Captain Marvel family. Morrison described this book as: "a classic Shazam book but it's done in a way almost like a PIXAR movie or the way we did All Star Superman. It captures the spirit of those characters without being nostalgic or out of date."[10] Morrison called it his "attempt to see if you can get the pure note of Captain Marvel, with no irony and no camp and just make it work for everyone. It's like a myth, a little folk tale. It's pure."[37] The one-shot was published in December 2014.[47]
In this chapter, Doctor Sivana reads a copy of The Society of Super-Heroes: Conquerors of the Counter-World, and the comic book inspires him to recruit an army of alternate versions of himself from across the multiverse. Sivana and the Legion of Sivanas pool their resources to develop synthetic, crystallized time called Suspendium, and they use their invention to create an eighth day of the calendar week called Sivanaday. Sivana then pilots a gigantic, technological copy of the Rock of Eternity into the heart of the Multiverse and captures the wizard Shazam.
Sivana's machinations result in time distortions all over Fawcett City. While reporting for WHIZ Media, Billy Batson sees a vision of himself from the future - warning his past self to keep careful track of time. Billy is suddenly attacked by Doctor Sivana's children: Magnificus, Thaddeus Sivana Jr., and Georgia, all of whom have been given superpowers to rival the Marvel Family. Billy transforms into Captain Marvel and battles the Sivanas and the Monster Society of Evil with assistance from Mary Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr., the Lieutenant Marvels, and Mister Tawky Tawny.
Captain Marvel journeys through the Multiverse to the Rock of Eternity to put a stop to Sivana's scheme. He discovers that Sivana has stolen the secret of Shazam's magic lightning, and Sivana becomes a hulking, musclebound brute called Black Sivana. Black Sivana appears to be winning the fight, but Captain Marvel transforms back into Billy Batson and uses the Suspendium crystals to transmit a message back through time. The meaning of the message is revealed: each member of the Legion of Sivanas stole Suspendium from the group, depriving Sivanaday the full 24-hours to last a complete day. Sivanaday runs out of time and Sivana loses his powers. Having saved the day, Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family fly off to the next big adventure.
Guidebook
The sixth chapter, illustrated by various artists, featured the Multiversity Guidebook, consisting of detailed entries on all 52 Earths, a map showcasing "all known existence", and a history of the "Crisis" events. The one-shot was published in 80-Page Giant format in January 2015.[48]
In this chapter, the Little League of the Chibi Earth-42 is attacked by the Legion of Sivanas. The Batman of Earth-42 must team up with the displaced Batman of post-apocalyptic Earth-17 to escape from the Sivanas' army of killer robots. While the Batmen attempt to activate the device used by the Sivanas for crossing from earth to earth, the Batman of Earth-42 learns about events transpiring on Earth-51 by reading about them in the Multiversity Guidebook comic, where they appear as fictional characters.
On Earth-51, Kamandi, Prince Tuftan, and Ben Boxer investigate a mysterious tomb on the Island of the God-Watchers. They are observed from afar by New Gods of Supertown, who identify the tomb as the place where Darkseid was caged and contained. It is revealed by the New Gods of Earth-51 that they can exist across the multiverse as "emanations." It is also revealed that Darkseid has been freed from his tomb by Nix Uotan - unleashed to assume new forms and spread evil across all reality.
The Batman of Earth-17 escapes to the House of Heroes with the Multiversity Guidebook, only to arrive just as Gentry member Hellmachine launches an all-out assault. The slain members of the Little League return to life, commanded to live and die over and over again by the unseen master of the Gentry: the all-powerful "Empty Hand."
Mastermen
The seventh chapter, illustrated by Jim Lee and Scott Williams,[49] Mastermen,[50] takes place on Earth-10,[30] and features characters from Quality Comics as part of the Freedom Fighters and Nazi versions of various heroes. The concept is borrowed from Earth-X, a universe where Nazi Germany won World War II, featured in stories before Crisis on Infinite Earths. Morrison describes this one-shot as a "big, dark Shakespearean story."[10] The members of this world's Freedom Fighters include a Jewish Phantom Lady, a homosexual Ray, and an African Black Condor, with other members also being representative of groups targeted by the Nazis, such as Doll Man and Doll Woman, who are Jehovah's Witnesses.[51] Overman, the Superman of this world, landed on Earth in 1939 in Nazi territory and was raised by Adolf Hitler. The story is set around a utopia built by this world's Superman after he realizes the evil nature of Hitler;[30] this Superman "knows his entire society, though it looks utopian, was built on the bones of the dead. Ultimately it's wrong and it must be destroyed."[52] The one-shot was published in February 2015.[49]
In this chapter, Kal-L landed in the contested Sudetenland in 1939 and his ship was discovered by the Nazis. Kal-L is dubbed Overman by Adolph Hitler and is raised to be a living super-weapon and a symbol of Nazi supremacy. In April 1956, Overman presided over the fall of the United States amidst the devastation of Washington DC. Sixty years later, in 2016, Overman is a member of the New Reichsmen, his world's version of the Justice League, which consists of the Valkyrie Brunnhilde (an alternate Wonder Woman), Underwaterman (an alternate Aquaman), Leatherwing (an alternate Batman whose grandfather was Hans von Hammer, the protagonist of Enemy Ace), Blitzen/Lightning (an alternate version of the Flash, who is a female speedster), the Martian (an alternate Martian Manhunter), and unnamed alternate versions of Green Lantern and Red Tornado. The world is a technologically advanced utopia, built on the genocide of millions. The guilt-ridden Overman is haunted by the death of his cloned sister, Overgirl, and has recurring nightmares of a towering, ruined house - Lord Broken of the Gentry.
After the Human Bomb attacks an Overgirl memorial in Metropolis, Overman and the Reichsmen attempt to uncover the truth behind a new terrorist organization called the Freedom Fighters and their leader, the mysterious figure known only as "Uncle Sam." Uncle Sam warns of a terrible revenge for the Nazi atrocities of the past, and the Reichsmen suspect that they have a traitor on the team. Overman has growing doubt about his cause, but prepares to attend a performance of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen with his wife, Lena.
Uncle Sam carries out his masterplan, and the Human Bomb detonates on board the Reichsmen's orbiting satellite base. The damaged satellite falls to earth, and Overman is unable to stop it from crashing into the city of Metropolis. Millions die and the city is utterly destroyed. Overman is the only survivor, left alone in a crater of ash. The destruction of Metropolis marks "the beginning of the end" of the Nazi empire.
Ultra Comics
The eighth chapter, illustrated by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy,[53] Ultra Comics takes place on Earth-33, an alternate name for the real world. It features Ultraa, the first superhero of Earth-Prime. Morrison describes this book as: "the most advanced thing I've ever done. I'm so excited about this. It's just taking something that used to be done in comics and captions that they don't do anymore and turning it into a technique, a weapon, but beyond that I don't want to say. It's a haunted comic book, actually, it's the most frightening thing anyone will ever read. It's actually haunted—if you read this thing, you'll become possessed."[31] This one-shot was published in March 2015.[53]
The eighth chapter concerns the creation of Ultra Comics: a synthetic, completely fictional comic book superhero created by "memesmiths" to battle and defeat a dangerous idea designated as a Hostile Independent Thought-Form. After exploring the ruins of a bizarre, post-apocalyptic New York City, Ultra Comics is betrayed and the HIT is revealed to be Intellectron of the Gentry. Collaborating with the Gentry are the "Neighbourhood Guard," a group of feral, cannibal children, and other versions of Ultra characters from the DC Multiverse, including Ultra-Man, Ultra the Multi-Alien and several others. The Ultras all serve Ultraa, consort of Maxima and joint ruler of her world Almerac. Ultra Comics is ultimately destroyed by Intellectron, but not before trapping it on the last page of the comic - effectively sealing it inside the end of the narrative. The final caption ominously warns the reader that their mind has become infected.
The Multiversity #2
The ninth and final chapter, illustrated by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado, The Multiversity #2 features the final battle between the Gentry and the combined superheroes of the DC Comics Multiverse. The issue was published in April 2015.[53]
The corrupted Nix Uotan opens doorways across the multiverse that allow the Gentry to complete their invasion, despite attacks from Aquawoman, Thunderer, President Superman, Captain Carrot, Red Racer, and the Retaliators of Earth-8. Ultimately, Nix Uotan is freed from Gentry control by the Red Racer, working in tandem with every speedster superhero in existence. Uotan reveals that he resisted the Gentry while under their control, and arranged for the same doorways that summoned the Gentry to summon the champions of the Multiverse. The Harbinger AI from the House of Heroes transmits a cosmic SOS across every Earth, calling on all superheroes everywhere to rise to the defense of their worlds.
The Gentry are defeated and driven back. A small group of superheroes pursue the Gentry to the ruined world of Earth-7, where they discover that the members of the Gentry that they fought were merely part of a vast legion of Gentries. The Gentries labor to complete a Multiverse-destroying doomsday weapon called the Oblivion Machine. They are watched over by their master – a shadowy, unknowable entity called as "The Empty Hand." The Empty Hand informs the gathered heroes that its assessment of the Multiverse is finished, and it then effortlessly banishes the heroes from Earth-7.
At the House of Heroes, the assembled super-beings of the Multiverse vow to work together to protect their worlds from future threats to reality. Organized by President Superman of Earth-23, they form a pan-universal superteam called Justice Incarnate. The superheroes offer to reward Nix Uotan for his role in the rescue of multi-trillions of lives. At first, Nix Uotan declines, but then he remembers something and asks for a small favor. The story ends with Nix in his human form, waking from a dream. He now has the $800.00 he owes to his landlord, and he pays in full.
Collected editions
The series has been collected into a single volume:
- The Multiversity Deluxe Edition (collects all issues of The Multiversity, 448 pages, hardcover, October 21, 2015, ISBN 978-1401256821)[54][55]
Future
On the future of the Multiverse, Morrison explained, "each one of the episodes also sets up a potential series. You could do a Multiverse range of books out of this. All of them are designed to be issue one of potential long-running series as well as being self-contained. It's been a storytelling challenge, but the whole idea is to set stuff up for future development – not necessarily by me, but by DC in some way."[37] At San Diego Comic-Con International 2015, Morrison announced a series of original graphic novels under the title Multiversity Too. The series will continue to be written by Morrison, with the first entry, Multiversity Too: The Flash scheduled to debut in 2016.[56]
References
- ↑ Yarbrough, Beau (December 31, 1998). "Waid on the keys to 'Kingdom,' defining Hypertime and overturning 'Crisis'". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- ↑ Pagan, Ryan (July 19, 2005). "Topic: SDCC DC INFINITE CRISIS PANEL". ComiCon. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- ↑ Brady, Matt (May 8, 2007). "The 52 Exit Interviews: Grant Morrison". Newsarama. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- ↑ Lyons, Beverley (January 29, 2009). "Exclusive: Comics writer Grant Morrison turns Barack Obama into Superman". Daily Record. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- ↑ Khouri, Andy (April 20, 2008). "NYCC: Final Crisis with Grant Morrison and JG Jones". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- ↑ Brady, Matt (February 4, 2009). "Grant Morrison: Final Crisis Exit Interview, Part 2". Newsarama. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- ↑ Renaud, Jeffrey (March 20, 2009). "Morrison on the Return of Seaguy!". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- ↑ Wizard #212 (April 29, 2009)
- 1 2 3 Warren, Kirk (April 30, 2009). "The Multiversity – Grant Morrison, Watchmen 2, All-Star Captain Marvel & More!". The Weekly Crisis. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Renaud, Jeffrey (May 6, 2009). "Grant Morrison's Multiversity". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- 1 2 Johnston, Rich (September 17, 2010). "Grant Morrison And Frank Quitely's Pax Americana From DC Comics". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- 1 2 Johnston, Rich (July 23, 2010). "Thunderworld – 38 Pages Of Captain Marvel by Grant Morrison and Cameron Stewart". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ↑ Johnston, Rich (July 23, 2010). "Grant Morrison And Geoff Johns To Collaborate On New DC Project (UPDATE)". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ↑ Phegley, Kiel (October 25, 2010). "The Bat Signal: Frazer Irving". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ↑ Hyde, David (May 31, 2011). "DC Comics Announces Historic Renumbering of All Superhero Titles and Landmark Day-and-Date Digital Distribution". The Source. DC Comics.com. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- ↑ Manning, Shaun (July 22, 2011). "CCI: DC's Friday "New 52" Panel". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ↑ Esposity, Joey (July 23, 2011). "Comic-Con: Multiversity Release Date?". IGN. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ↑ Adam (June 30, 2011). "Grant Morrison Supergods interview transcript". Mindless Ones. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ↑ Morrison, Grant (July 27, 2011). "SDCC 2011: Grant Morrison Explains 'Mutliveristy'". MTV. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ↑ Rogers, Vaneta (September 2, 2011). "Morrison Writes a Social Justice Superman in ACTION COMICS". Newsarama. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
- ↑ Nagorski, Alex (September 29, 2009). "MULTIVERSITY Is Coming!". DC Comics. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- 1 2 Kit, Borys (September 29, 2012). "Comics Legend Grant Morrison Unveils DC's Multiversity Story". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- 1 2 Flanagan, Josh (September 29, 2009). "Interview: Grant Morrison on MULTIVERSITY & Exclusive Frank Quitely Art". iFanboy. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- 1 2 Campbell, Josie (October 1, 2012). "MORRISONCON: Morrison Officially Discusses". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
- ↑ Rogers, Vaneta (February 6, 2013). "Morrison Closes Out ACTION COMICS Run, Teases MULTIVERSITY". Newsarama. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- 1 2 3 Gerding, Stephen (April 14, 2014). "EXCLUSIVE: Morrison, DC Unleash The Multiversity in August". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ↑ "DC Comics FULL AUGUST 2014 SOLICITATIONS". Newsarama. May 19, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ↑ Siegael, Lucas (July 25, 2014). "SDCC 2014: DC Comics: MULTIVERSITY Enrollment with Grant Morrison Panel". Newsarama. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Preview: The Multiversity: Pax Americana: Director's Cut #1". Comic Book Resources. May 27, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Brettauer, Kevin M. (May 15, 2013). "All Becoming Starchildren: An Evening With Grant Morrison". MTV. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- 1 2 Uzumi, David (August 8, 2011). "Grant Morrison Talks About Action Comics, His Batman Mega-Story, and Mothers Interview". Comics Alliance. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- ↑ Radish, Christina (May 14, 2013). "Grant Morrison Talks DC Comics, Being a Rock Star in the Comics World, and His Take on Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Multiversity". Collider.com. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- ↑ Abboud, Patrick (October 5, 2013). "Comic writing 'legend' to unleash Aboriginal superhero". SBS. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Khouri, Andy (September 29, 2012). "Multiversity Grant Morrison Interview and Frank Quitely Art From Morrisoncon". Comics Alliance. Archived from the original on July 23, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
- ↑ Casey, Dan (June 13, 2014). "EXCLUSIVE: Grant Morrison's THE MULTIVERSITY: THE SOCIETY OF SUPER-HEROES: CONQUERORS OF THE COUNTER-WORLD #1 Cover and Solicitation". Nerdist. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
- 1 2 Ringerud, Tanner (July 12, 2014). "DC Superheroes Get The Paparazzi Treatment In "The Multiversity"". Buzzfeed. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- 1 2 3 Hunsaker, Andy (May 10, 2013). "Grant Morrison Talks "Multiversity," "Wonder Woman: Earth One"". CraveOnline. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- ↑ Mahadeo, Kevin (February 21, 2011). ""All Star" Interview: Grant Morrison". Comic Book Resouces. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
- ↑ "iTunes - Books - The Multiversity: Pax Americana: In Which We Burn (2014-) #1 by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely". Apple. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
- ↑ Hudson, Laura (October 18, 2010). "Grant Morrison Discusses "Batman Inc" Lord Death Man, and the Alan Moore Interview". Comics Alliance. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- ↑ Sneddon, Laura (July 5, 2012). "Glasgow Comic Con: Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely in Conversation". comicbookGRRRL. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
- ↑ Fernández, David (September 5, 2012). "Interview with Frank Quitely". Zona Negativa. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
- ↑ Sneddon, Laura (September 15, 2012). "Grant Morrison: Why I'm stepping away from superheroes". New Statesman. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
- 1 2 Campbell, Josie (September 20, 2012). "MORRISONCON: Morrison and Artists Talk Batman Inc, Happy! & Multiversity". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
- ↑ "DC Comics Full November 2014 Solicitations". Newsarma. August 18, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- ↑ "iTunes - Books - The Multiversity: Thunderworld Adventures (2014-) #1 by Grant Morrison & Cameron Stewart". Apple. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
- ↑ "DC Comics Full December 2014 Solicitations". Newsarma. September 15, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
- ↑ "DC COMICS' JANUARY 2015 SOLICITATIONS: "SUPERMAN," "BATMAN & ROBIN" TEASE BIG CHANGES". Comic Book Resources. October 20, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
- 1 2 Seitz, Dan (November 16, 2014). "Exclusive: See What’s Next For Grant Morrison’s ‘Multiversity’". Uproxx. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
- ↑ Rogers, Vaneta (April 15, 2014). "Everything We Know About Grant Morrison's Multiversity From Years of Hints". Newsarama. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- ↑ Khouri, Andy (September 29, 2012). "‘Multiversity': Grant Morrison Interview And Frank Quitely Art From MorrisonCon". Comics Alliance. Archived from the original on July 23, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
- ↑ Hayner, Chris (May 10, 2013). "First look: Grant Morrison's 'Wonder Woman: Earth One' and 'Multiversity' comic books". zap2it.
- 1 2 3 Seitz, Dan. "Exclusive: See How Grant Morrison Will End ‘The Multiversity!’". Uproxx. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ↑ "The Multiversity Deluxe Edition". DC Comics.com. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ↑ "DC AUGUST 2015 Solicits - COLLECTIONS & VERTIGO". Newsarama. May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
- ↑ Mahadeo, Kevin (July 11, 2015). "SDCC: MORRISON, DC ANNOUNCE "MULTIVERSITY TOO," "BATMAN: BLACK & WHITE" OGNS". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved July 23, 2015.