Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Chas Truog
Inks by Doug Hazelwood
This is a very excellent story and Grant Morrison's last issue of Animal Man. I always remember the impact that this issue had from the very first time I read it. For one, writers are always looking for a way to end their run on a series. Now many try to leave you on the edge with whatever they do. Kind of a way to keep you interested, as another writer picks up where they left off. Or they end their story with said charecter as a way for the new writer to take it in the direction that they want to go.
But no one, I think, has ever left a series like Grant Morrison did with Animal Man #26. It was quite obvious his intention was surprise his readers, by putting himself in the comic. And that in itself has been done. In fact, John Byrne did it so much in his run of Sensational She-Hulk that it quite frankly got old real quick. But with Byrne he was doing it as a cameo per say, a lot like Alfred Hitchcock did in his movies. Morrison was going for something else. Actually I retract my earlier statement about Bryne. I think She-Hulk was written after Morrison did his run on Animal Man. I won't swear to it, but I believe that is correct.
Just take a look at this first page, as Morrison explains to Buddy (Animal Man) who he is and what he is doing talking to him. (If you have any trouble reading it, try checking the gallery and enlarging it that way.)
Morrison is explaining to Buddy that he is in control of his life. That everything that Buddy did and does is what Morrison wants him to do. Buddy has no control over his life. He shows that what he just typed on his computer, and Buddy did exactly what Morrison said he would do. So it puts an interesting twist on a charecter's perception of who they are. Morrison further tells him that his adventure where all for the entertainment of the readers. And then Morrison actually takes out the Animal Man comic book and shows it to Buddy.
Of course Buddy is outraged at the fact that Morrison has done all these things to him that caused him such stress and turmoil. But Morrison tells him that, that is what entertains people. They want to see things that don't happen to them in real life. Things that they could never do themselves. Morrison even reminds Buddy of his cat, and how the name and the description of the cat was just like one Morrison use to have himself. So he's telling Buddy that he is really just a fictional reflection of himself. At one point, Buddy asks him what will happen to him when Morrison leaves. He tells Buddy that it will depend on what the new writer has in store for him. Morrison then says that the new writer may even make in a meat-eater, as Buddy is a vegetarian. Well Buddy screams at Morrison that he will never eat meat, he is a vegetarian. Morrison says no, your not, I am. I just made you a vegetarian because I am.
Buddy is just a super-hero created by Morrison and much of who he is and what he does is just reflections of Morrison's personality. Morrison tells him that there is no need to worry about what will happen to him and his life. The new writer will take over and you'll be just fine. There is no need to worry. Quite obviously, Buddy is, as he sits there on the ground as Morrison tells him that things will be no different, because he won't remember this. This last page is where Morrison leaves Buddy to his thoughts.
Quite the interesting story. One that I was moved surprised by. There are many comics I have read and there are a lot that I can recall. But very few that stuck with me like this one had. It was one of the most innovative ways for a writer to make his exit.
I hope that you have enjoyed this and there will be much to come on some of my favorite comic books. Take care all.
