Publication History
Zenith appeared in August 1987 during a period when editor and assistant editor, Steve MacManus and Richard Burton respectively, were shaking up 2000 AD by publishing numerous new stories which gave new talent a chance. Grant Morrison had been thinking along the lines of Zenith since 1982 but "he original version had a more traditional superhero costume and was a little grimmer in tone" and the final concept came together as "a reaction against torment superheroes." Despite liking both Dark Knight and Watchmen he felt that "both books felt pompous and concept albumy to me as a young man in the 80s" He found more of an influence in the work of Brendan McCarthy: "tell the truth on to the page and let your psyche all hang out" and it was McCarthy who would provide the initial character designs, although he never drew the actual story because Morrison says "the story as it unfolded would have been too ponderous and long-winded for him".
With hindsight Morrison says that "I like Phase I the least now - it wears its influences a little too obviously on its sleeve" He rates Phase III far higher, saying "I think it is one of the greatest superhero crossover events ever."
Zenith returned for Phase IV in 1992 but Morrison's attention was elsewhere: "I'd moved on and was more excited by the possibilities of working with American superheroes, By 1992 Zenith seemed like something dragged up from my past." However, this does not mean he thinks any less of the story, saying "I like a lot of things I write under duress. I actually really like the last book of Zenith, I'm very fond of it"
Titan Books published five trade paperbacks of Zenith between 1988 and 1990 collecting Phase I through III. Attempts to republish the series (including the never collected Phase IV) have so far been prevented by a copyright dispute between the publisher and Morrison. In 2007 Morrison said "Fleetway have no paperwork to confirm their ownership of Zenith so I'm currently involved in legal proceedings to clear things up"
Read more about this topic: Zenith (comics)
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