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Post by henrythemorerecent on Jun 2, 2015 16:05:47 GMT -5
Has anyone read this? I'm really curious about it but a $40+ pricetag is whats stopping me. All the reviews are very "An interesting look at the early writing of Grant Morrison" and "see his crazy ideas being born" etc, but nobody is actually saying if the story is good. |
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Post by tundra on Jun 2, 2015 17:20:48 GMT -5
tl;dr The story is good.
It was published in weekly episodes in 2000AD from the mid 80s on, which may make it read a little awkwardly, although I think it holds together well.
The art by Steve Yeowell is really great in stylised B&W.
A lot of themes Morrison used later in his career turn up here in particularly raw form - there are very strong echoes of it in something as recent as Multiversity for instance.
How much of the story are you getting for $40? If it's the whole thing it doesn't sound too bad.
There were 4 books (or phases) published over about 5 years, so Morrison was quite well established by the end of it. The 4 phases are very distinct from each other in tone, with 3 & 4 exploring the larger themes seen later in his work to a much greater extent. Book 3 was not published in collection for years because of legal troubles relating both to Morrison's ownership of Zenith and various British comics heroes who appear in the story - some as homage characters and some as themselves.
At the time it was coming out it was just about my favourite thing in comics, although Doom Patrol took over part way through.
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Post by BatFonz on Jun 3, 2015 2:25:59 GMT -5
I remember picking up Zenith as part of 2000AD but skipping them focusing on other strips like Slaine Judge Dredd and Rogue Tropper then being stuck at a friends house for ages I read his issue of 2000AD cover to cover and loved it so much I quickly pulled all the issues out and read Zenith several times.
The art just blew me away, as I began to study art I gained more and more appreciation of how good it was and how clever and skillful it was to story tell in this 2 tone way. The fourth book still blows my socks off and sadly I don't have the originals anymore so this thread has made me crave a rereading...
Is it available digitally anywhere does anyone know? some digging is required I reckons.
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Post by tundra on Jun 3, 2015 2:51:59 GMT -5
The good news - Zenith is available digitally from the 2000AD app or webstore.
The bad news - still only phases 1 to 3. Like you I haven't read phase 4 in years and would like to.
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Post by BatFonz on Jun 3, 2015 6:15:35 GMT -5
Meh... bit gutted now, I might drop 2000AD a line and see if Phase 4 is likely to happen Digitally anytime soon.
Just checked and I can get it physically which won't kill me but it would be so nice to have the lot on my tablet when I am travelling.
I still have specific images from Phase 4 I think in my head and my on-demand cravings are killing me not being able to download and read this, even though I expect I wouldn't actually look at it till the w/end.
Nope its no good, just in the time its taken me to type this I have decided to call my LCS and see how quick he can get it in... it's all Henry's fault asking inquisitive questions about stuff... how bloody dare you!!!
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Post by tundra on Jun 3, 2015 6:34:09 GMT -5
Yeah, Phase 4 has always been tough to get. Phase 3 only came out digitally very recently, though, so there is hope.
Good luck with your LCS. 2000AD don't have Phase 4 listed in hard copy either, so it will be a matter of tracking down a copy of the original Rebellion collection, I think. Amazon do have a few HC copies listed...
Found an interesting thing whilst looking for it, though... 2000AD are taking advance orders for an oversized "Apex Edition" of Phase 1, a full-sized reproduction of Yeowell's original artwork. Expensive at £65, but sure to be beautiful.
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Post by BatFonz on Jun 3, 2015 9:10:27 GMT -5
Yes you nailed it 'My Guy' can't get Phase 4 as anything but Hard Cover... don't know if I want it enough to pay that much, I've mailed 2000AD and asked if they have an ETA for Zenith Phase 4 on Digital, my on-demand monster is calmer now I know the price tag if I want it this week.
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Post by henrythemorerecent on Jun 3, 2015 15:41:30 GMT -5
Thats half the problem. I dont read digital and the Phases are available in single volumes but they're just that bit too pricey where I don't know if I'm willing to risk it. I might keep my eyes open for a secondhand copy at my LCS or online. From what I hear here and from Grant Morrison himself, the 4th part is crazy. But there's 3 phases to get through before that. Hmmm...
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Post by tundra on Jun 3, 2015 17:22:39 GMT -5
Honestly, I love the series but I'm not sure I'd pay for it in individual hardcover volumes. You should be able to get the first three phases cheaper than that with some hunting around - they've all been published in paperback - but AFAIK phase 4 has only been collected in hardback.
IMHO (I'm sure others will disagree) phases 1-3 work well as a standalone story, with phase 4 being somewhere between a sequel and an epilogue. The strangeness is there right from the start, but really kicks in between phases 2 and 3. Phase 3 is my favourite, incidentally, but that has something to do with loving all the strange old UK comics characters who cameo in it.
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Post by BatFonz on Jun 4, 2015 2:33:48 GMT -5
My friend believes he has Phases 1 - 3 at his parents house, I was talking to him last night about this conversation and saying it was his fault that I got into Zenith and 2000AD in general and he just drops into conversation "Oh all my 2000ADs are still in my parents attic room" - although I am sure the wife will kill me I am in deep negotiation with him to buy him a few beers as part of a transfer fee...
He did say give me £10 and take the lot which is good and even better when I consider that knowing his mum I reckon she'll pay me £20 to take them away!!!
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Post by jonathansoko on Jun 4, 2015 16:38:19 GMT -5
Honestly, it's one of my favorite things ever written. It's hard to explain to you why I love zenith so much. I myself am not completely sure but it's one of those stories that just feels so perfect. To me at least. I have never looked at online reviews because I tend to stay away from looking at criticisms of my favorite works. I just don't like seeing people be so negative about things I love. They have a right to express that, I just don't like reading it.
I don't want to spoil any bit of it, I just really want you guys who haven't read it to seek it out and read it for yourself. It's wonderful.
Luckily for me a friend of mine as a gift gave me all of their original 2000ad collection, which is how I discovered it. I cherish those books! It's one of those collections I always keep in close proximity in my room. I'm weird like that.
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Post by BatFonz on Aug 6, 2015 10:03:49 GMT -5
So Phases 1 - 3 reloaded! - my memory was faulty it was Phase 3 that I loved it is gorgeous, the artwork is just so clever and if that comes out over-size £65 or £100 I am 'avin 'it!!!
I think Phase 3 is both creators hitting their peak with Morrison having all the key characters fleshed out and Yeowell seems to kick it up a gear with the clever shadow visuals its really something special. I'd also forgotten that Morrison had named each part after famous UK TV shows, that mixed with the old UK heroes makes this a very warm stroll down memory lane.
Not sure if I will ever get hold of Phase 4 but I did google it and the art is a bit of a change-down Yeowell is working with someone else and the stuff I saw wasn't quite as impacting as the two-tone Phase 3 work.
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Post by CraigPetersenArt on Apr 15, 2016 10:38:08 GMT -5
Man, I loved Zenith! I read Phase I when I was borrowing 2000 ADs from a friend of mine, then collected Phases II - IV myself as single issues/progs. I bought Phase I when it became available as a softcover collection. I think Morrison's writing got a lot weirder after Zenith (with his love of runningallthewordstogetherwhenpeoplestarttobabble). I thought Yeowell's art was hard to beat at the end of Phase II and then Phase III blew me away! That massive collection of British heroes brought out from the dusty shelves where they'd been hiding was compelling reading! If only the 'net was more available back then, I would have researched those heroes a whole lot more! I liked Phase IV, but I thought Yeowell had to simplify his art because he added the colours himself. I've got to admit that I was a little disappointed that his high-contrast work and detail got knocked back. His work on The Red Seas seemed to take the same inking approach. Phase I - III must have taken ages but, man, it was worth it! It's really strange that Phase IV is only available in hardcover. The whole series turned the standard US world of superheroes on its head (and presumably helped start the British Invasion of UK writers and artists into American comics). I love the set up of the world in Phase I and the villainous Master Man. Phase III is just epic ("It's Mr. Why!"). Zenith's youth and selfishness made great reading! I don't want to post spoilers here, but it's great that you guys seem to love the series as much as I did. Now, I want to have a big chat about the plot and characters! Argh!  |
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