An elightening history of both comics & Morrison

An enjoyable journey chronicling Superhero fiction and its evolving contextual relevance, which also happens to include the life of the author.

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Part biography/part superhero history

If you could sum up Supergods in three words, what would they be?

Potted superhero history

What was one of the most memorable moments of Supergods?

This is a factual book rather than fiction but I particularly found the descriptions on how certain visual aspects of comic books were created interesting, it made me think of stories that I'd read in the past in a whole new light.

Have you listened to any of John Lee’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to any other John Lee narration but I thought his tone suited the book really well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I found it good to dip in and out of.

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2 people found this helpful

A must for comic fans

Superb. Part autobiography, part superhero deconstruction. Great writing and decent narration (although, as an American, he does struggle with some of the British references, making Govan sound like somewhere in Middle Earth and rebranding boyband Bros as Bro's).

Narration niggles aside, this is wonderful, inspiring stuff, as Morrison (creator or several seminal milestones in modern comics history) revels in his deep knowledge and infectious passion for the superhero genre.

His own life history merges and mingles with the evolution of the comics artfor, as art and life cross over and over until the boundaries between reality and imagination become beautifully blurred.

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3 people found this helpful

Innnnnnnnnteresting.

It would be fair to say that Grant is one of the giants in comics. His 'This town needs an enema' attitude, while at times seemingly fueled by ego, arrogance and sheer bloodimindedness, is commendable given the industry he made his name in.
An industry notorious for callously bending over and screwing its creators.
But at times I found myself thinking what a pain in the arse he must have been to work with! Such is the burden of genius I guess.
Overall, a valuable story of one man's search to satisfy his desire to take a medium and turn it on its head, while both enjoying the benefits of his success and trying not to self destruct at the same time.

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1 person found this helpful

Hugely rewarding

Once it settled, this history / memoir / celebration / call-to-arms was enthralling. Interesting, funny, moving, and genuinely inspirational. Reawakened my love of Grant Morrison. Unsure of the voice reading at first, it was masterfully executed. Writing and reading very Hunter S Thompson in places, if you like that sort of thing, which I do.

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Great mix of History and personal biography

I really would have loved if Morriosn had read this himself but I suspect his Scottish accent would ahve been difficult for many people. John Lee does a fine job anyway.

The best way to describe this books is that it is the history of comics through the eyes and experiences of the author (who is a very well known and accomplished comic writer) rather than an objective outside view. I'm a fan of Morrison so this isn't an issue for me, but it may be for those with no interst in Morrison's life, particularly the more esoteric magick sections. Personally, the biography passages where my favourite parts.

Great book, well read.

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History and hope

As well as a history of the comic book industry Morrison also give is his life story. But more than that he gives us the hope of what we will become in the future, The Supergod.

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Part biography, part comic book history.

I knew of Grant Morrisons work on Batman and Superman but really was not sure what this book would be like. I am pleased I bought it as it is an insight into the writer, the history of comics and recent superhero cinema but above all its a philosophers view. Sounds pretentious - well its not supposed too. I have now revisited Grant Morrisons comics and graphic novels and also a number of films which the author discuses in some depth and details how the genre has developed. Didn't like Unbreakable first time round - after reading this book and seeing the film again I realise its a bit of a gem.

I would challenge any reader, comic collector/reader or not, not to enjoy this book. I would ay it will enlighten you but mostly it will make you think, At the end, you may just doubt that there are no such things as super heroes.

I liked it. Grant Morrison is great writer. Ok I wasn't too impressed with the writings of a drug induced coma half way through but that too help in the way the writer shows his passion and eagerness to get right to the core of superhero worship.

I still gave this book 5 stars as if there is a similar book out there, I have never see it. And I am sure there isn't going to be one which is so inspirational

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5 people found this helpful

Not just for die-hard fans

I come away from this book with two overall thoughts:

1) Grant knows what he is talking about: and
2) I'd quite like to have a pint with him.

Enjoyed this very much, despite not being a die-hard comic fan.

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1 person found this helpful

Fluctuates between depth and stoner philosophy

I like comics but have always struggled with Morrison as a writer: he often leaves out a lot of the context needed and uses obscure references and themes which can sometimes make his work hard to enjoy (eg final crisis or batman rip which need high levels of comic history knowledge along with eastern philosophies and odd psychology experiments to adequately comprehend). But there's always a feeling of genius within his work.
This is fully on display in this book: part comics history, part autobiography, part stoners ramblings and part thoughtful meditations on life and meaning. It veers between insightful, thoughtful and dull and self-indulgent. There's more privilege and bragging than I expected and it's shift towards autobiography is unexpected and a little disappointing in places, but interesting in others.
I'm glad I listened to this and the performance helped ensure I listened to the end (though some interpretations of famous comic scenes with the accents were frankly bizarre).
Just be aware that, around the half way mark, the scope of the book expands away from hero history and reflections to a collection of sporadic essays and insights that may or may not be of interest.
It was genuinely inspiring from a creative point though, and made me excited for possible future storylines.

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