Amazing issue, almost right up there with Multiversity #1.
My revised ranking:
1. The Multiversity #1 - 9.5
2. Pax Americana #1 - 9.2
3. The Just #1 - 8.4
4. S.O.S. #1 - 7.6
After reading it a couple of times I feel I have a pretty good grasp of the story, though there are still a few mysteries and I'm guessing a lot of stuff below the surface that I've missed. Might understand it a bit more once I've read the whole series, though that being said I'd say out of all the one-shots so far this one seems to have the least to do with the overarching meta story.
Earth 41 is DC's take on Image comics.
http://www.newsarama.com/22847-the-multiversity-s-earth-41-takes-on-image-comics.html
Multiversity ends in April.
THE MULTIVERSITY: ULTRA COMICS #1
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY
Cover by DOUG MAHNKE
1:10 B&W Variant cover by DOUG MAHNKE
1:25 Variant cover by DUNCAN ROULEAU
1:50 Variant cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
1:100 Variant cover by GRANT MORRISON
On sale MARCH 18 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
The penultimate chapter of the greatest adventure in DC’s history is here!
The acclaimed FINAL CRISIS team of Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnke reunite for a story so big it could only take place in the real world – that’s right, Earth-33 is back!
With the Multiverse under attack, a team of scientists create one final savior to take on the otherworldly threat…and its name is Ultra Comics! Literally held in your hands, one being will attempt to halt the annihilation of creation – and you, the reader, will have a front-row seat as you become an integral part of the resistance!
It’s another exciting, experimental story told by two of today’s top creators! You won’t want to miss this exciting issue which acts as chapter eight of THE MULTIVERSITY storyline.
THE MULTIVERSITY #2
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
1:10 B&W Variant cover by IVAN REIS
1:25 Variant cover by MICHAEL ALLRED
1:50 Variant cover by JOHN ROMITA, JR. and KLAUS JANSON
1:100 Variant cover by GRANT MORRISON
Advance solicit • On sale APRIL 1 • 56 pg, FC, $5.99 US • RATED T
Every event in the history of the DC Universe has been leading to this! The final chapter of the greatest adventure of all time is here!
Issue #1 artist Ivan Reis reteams with mastermind Grant Morrison to end THE MULTIVERSITY and bring together the greatest and bravest heroes of the DC Multiverse to fight one last battle. But more than just some cabal of super-villains, they face the greatest evil that ever existed. An evil so massive, they actually may not stand a chance!
Who are the mystic Justice League of Earth-13 and what role does their leader Super Demon play in the crisis rising all around them? What shocking secret motivates the dark, nightmare henchmen known as The Gentry? And what is the final fate of Nix Uotan – the Super-God?!
You cannot miss this final, stunning chapter of Grant Morrison’s ultimate super hero epic!
Multiversity: Thunderworld Preview
http://www.newsarama.com/22982-dc-first-look-the-multiversity-thunderworld-adventures.html
New interview with Morrison.
So, it looks like Earth 34 is an homage to Astro City and Earth 35 is Liefeld's Extreme.
Was it a freeing experience to run wild inventing new Earths and (anti)heroes, while tearing down established ones?I tried to color within the lines. DC Comics has a rich history of parallel Earths and as I said, I kept the ones I liked, sharpened them up a little, and created a few new universes (!) based on rival superhero comic book publishers like Marvel, Image or Extreme. For some perverse reason, I get off on taking money for making up daft analogues of existing characters, like “Spore” instead of “Spawn,” “Major Max” instead of “Captain Marvel,” or “Doctor Nemo” instead of “No-Man.” There’s quite a bit of that and it’s all in the upcoming “Multiversity Guidebook,” where you’ll see analogues of Rob Liefeld or Kurt Busiek’s own analogues of DC and Marvel characters. These are twice-removed analogues — copies of copies — where something like Busiek’s Captain Marvel stand-in, the tuxedo-wearing Gentleman, becomes Earth-34’s L’il Abner-lookin’ Good Guy. Where Rob Liefeld’s Wonder Woman knock-off, Glory, turns into Earth-35’s Majesty, Queen of Venus and so on. Riffs upon riffs of riffs. It’s like guitar feedback.
Originally posted by ares834
Good wins.And the corrupting influence of the Gentry is either banished or thrown in the trash.
hmm, where did you get the idea that the gentry is directly involved? not saying you're wrong, just legit curious.
i also loved the issue. if morrison took on a cm book, i'd be first in line to buy. 👆
on a separate note: i get that sivana, and others, have been inspired by this comic that is being disseminated throughout the multiverse, but....do we know yet who is behind the dissemination? and just how do the characters actually know that the book really IS tales from other ACTUAL mutliverses?
i'm loving the takes on rl comic company universes, but i'm still REALLY foggy on just what is happening, the general, over-arching idea, and the impact the first book is intended to be having.... i feel really dumb reading this series. 🙁
i haven't gone through and read any other literature about the series (interviews, reviews, etc...) because in general i don't think a reader should be required to do so. but in this case, i'm thinking about breaking my own rule for the sake of my sanity and understanding. i REALLY hate feeling like i can't understand a comic book. 😐
