Zenith (comics)
| Zenith | |
|---|---|
Zenith on the cover of 2000 AD prog 792, by Steve Yeowell
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| Character information | |
| First appearance | 2000 AD #536 (August, 1987) (1987) |
| Created by |
Grant Morrison Brendan McCarthy Steve Yeowell |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Robert Neal Cassady McDowell |
| Abilities | Initially Flight, strength, & durability. Later also realises telepathy & pyrokinesis |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | originally IPC Media (Fleetway). Now Rebellion Developments |
| Schedule | Weekly |
| Formats | Original material for the series has been published as a strip in the comics anthology(s) 2000 AD. |
| Genre | |
| Publication date | August 1987 – December 2000 |
| Main character(s) | Zenith Mandala Lux Voltage |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Grant Morrison |
| Artist(s) |
Steve Yeowell Jim McCarthy (Mandala: Shadows & Reflections) M Carmona (Interlude 3: Maximan) |
| Letterer(s) | Mark King Gordon Robson |
| Colourist(s) | Gina Hart |
| Creator(s) |
Grant Morrison Brendan McCarthy Steve Yeowell |
| Editor(s) | Tharg (Richard Burton) |
| Reprints | |
| Collected editions | |
| Book 1 | ISBN |
| Book 2 | ISBN |
| Book 3 | ISBN |
| Book 4 | ISBN |
| Book 5 | ISBN |
Zenith was a story about a British superhero, which appeared in the British science fiction comic 2000 AD. Created by writer Grant Morrison and artist Steve Yeowell, with original character designs by Brendan McCarthy, it first appeared in 2000 AD #535 (22 August 1987). The character Zenith (real name Robert McDowell) first appeared in the second episode - the first episode set the backdrop for his introduction.
Shallow and sarcastic, Zenith was a distinctly Generation X superhero. Morrison used the Zenith serial to explore cultural differences between generations and criticise the Conservative Party.
Zenith was featured regularly in 2000 AD from 1987 until 1992, with occasional appearances since. The series was an early success for Morrison, who has since written popular works for DC and Marvel, using his own characters.
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 fresh talent a chance. Grant Morrison had been thinking along the lines of Zenith since 1982, but "[t]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 said "... the story as it unfolded would have been too ponderous and long-winded for him."
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