The Multiversity #1

By Grant Morrison, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado & Nei Ruffino

Grant Morrison’s long-awaited foray into the depths of DC’s New 52 Multiverse arguably blows every other title released this week out of the water. Most of Morrison’s work carries certain expectations: in-depth, scope and immersive. These are all cornerstones of an iconic comic, which The Multiversity exemplifies in spades.

This comic is presented as a double-sized issue, with the epic story that Grant is looking to tell, it deserves it. He brings back the last monitor (beings who originally policed the various universes making up the Multiverse), Nix Uotan. He is called into action to save Earth-7, but encounters a new, unfathomable threat. To combat this new menace, Nix sends the only remaining hero of that world, Thunderer, to gather great heroes from across the Multiverse. Superheroes such as Captain Carrot and Superman form Earth-23 are forced to work together in an effort to save all existence. This is just a bare bones synopsis; the rest should be experienced while traversing the book.

While reading this one-shot, one might as well have Wikipedia next to them because the plot is laden with DC’s Multiverse mythos. Despite having so much history within the material, Morrison is able to keep to narrative just exoteric enough not to alienate readers. The story is so offbeat and fresh that it will suck any reader in. I will say that to fully appreciate the work, absolutely research some of the characters and elements; having that context makes The Multiversity that much more satisfying.

Each page is densely detailed. This is not only due to Ivan Reis and Joe Prado’s gorgeous imagery, but also to the thorough attention to the foreground and background. One panel early on has a hidden message written in the sky, but the attention is focused, of course, to the action in the foreground. Its nuances like this that truly elevates the medium. This tale has scope, not only in terms of the script, but in the art as well. The first panel depicts a louse; from there the book opens the doors to so many possibilities and worlds…now that’s scope! Nei Ruffino brings each of these Earths to vivid life. Ruffino brings character to each universe and the color palette chosen suits the setting and events unfolding.

I could sit here on my soapbox and preach the gospel of The Multiversity, but it’s better to live it. Pick up this post-modern comic and fall down the rabbit hole.