amazingcomics.it - Intervista
Originally published on www.spinnerrack.com, date and author unknown. Translated into Italian by Matthew Losso and published at www.amazingcomics.it, 18th February 2002. Translated back into English by me and Google Translate, 2011
INTERVIEW: GRANT MORRISON
Grant Morrison is Scottish, 42 years years old, an active environmentalist and is one of the most popular and innovative writers of comics today. When he made first came to prominence with Animal Man, he not only surprised and enchanted readers worldwide with his poetic prose and burning issues, but set another milestone on the road of graphic literature.
From that moment on, Morrison made hit after hit and was able to show the many facets of his diverse style, which mixes, among other things, intelligence, adventure, psychology, esoterism, humor and sensuality.
After working for years with independent publishers and DC Comics (who also published his memorable Doom Patrol). and after the strange and unfortunate Skrull Kill Krew , Morrison has recently signed with Marvel Comics. His first offering is the carefree, anti-globalisation miniseries Marvel Boy, followed by his highly anticipated New X-Men, a series that the author has tried to recreate on his own terms without frustrating older fans, making the stories understandable and attractive to a younger generation.
What are you working on now?
Comics: New X-Men, Marvel Boy 2, The Filth, LeSexy.
Music: Lucky Monkey, a spoken word piece with music, and a CD collection of new acoustic folk songs, which still has no name.
Film: The Invisibles, Sleepless Knights.
Games: Citizen Death.
What is the best part of your job?
I get paid to create every day.
And the worst part?
Organizing my time.
How did you discover comics for the first time?
My family read them. They were always around the house, but I became a real "fanboy" at the age of 12, when they gave me a pack of superhero comics during a hospital stay.
If you weren't working in the comics field, what would you be doing?
I'd be writing anything else, probably horror stories, or teen TV drama. Or writing for the theatre, that was always my first love.
What's the weirdest thing a fan has told you?
"Why can't you be Pete Milligan? Pete is so ... so different, so sexy ... "
What bothers you most about publishers?
That we need publishers.
Who's been the greatest influences on your work?
William Burroughs, David Rudkin, Alan Garner, Michael Moorcock, Robert Anton Wilson, The Sex Pistols, Dan Treacy, Jean Cocteau, Syd Barrett, Carl Jung, Aleister Crowley, JRR Tolkien, Jim Morrison, Thomas De Quincey, The Beatles, David Sherwin, Malcolm McDowell, John Broome, Chris Claremont, The Smiths, Percy Shelley, Philip Larkin, Noel Coward, Don McGregor, Nigel Kneale, HG Wells, Enid Blyton, HP Lovecraft, Patrick McGoohan, Brendan McCarthy ...
Take your pick.
What is the single work you're most proud of?
There are lots that I love. My favorite is Flex Mentallo, Man of Muscle Mystery.
What was the last comicbook you bought?
Usually I get given them, but I'll buy anything written by my friends.
What might we see in a movie about your life?
My beautiful 12 year old son, Jake. Unfortunately, he doesn't exist and perhaps never will...
Choose three things you couldn't live without.
Heart, lungs and brain. Or hot peppers, cats and the press.
What's the strangest thing in your house?
A magical servant, whom I have created to guard the house in my absence... I've never seen it, but its terrified many guests, who speak of a fireball that turns black in the room without stopping.
When was the last time you laughed out loud?
This morning. I'm laughing now, in fact. Apparently it's the best medicine.
What music do you listen to these days?
Pulp, Momus, Stereo Total, Lovage ... Anything with ironic, romantic lyrics that tell me something about my life.
What is your favorite movie of all time?
O Lucky Man!
Who is your best friend?
My wife Kristan. Emilio Machado. Mark Millar.
What is the worst advice you ever received?
"Don't you realize that there are already people who write comics? Why would they be willing to let you write them? You'd be better off working in a bank..."
When was the last time you were really scared?
Last week, when I realized the size of the bags under my eyes.
What would you like to see happen in the world of comics over the next 12 months?
I'd like to see Alan Moore show his "equipment" for a special "naked" cover of Promethea. He and J H Williams could symbolize the journey of consciousness into the realm of the nude, while
carrying out a deliberate tribute to John Lennon and Yoko Ono's album "Two Virgins". It would be great. And who here wouldn't be curious to see the backside of the creator of Watchmen?
What the world needs now...
Is more fighters.
Thank you, Mr.Morrison!