Supreme: Blue Rose

First off, I totally get how this book might be off-putting to someone who isn't familiar with Alan Moore's long-running SUPREME comic, and if you have the option to read that first, please do so. That was a great book that gave a master-class demonstration of how to build a vibrant fictional world out of a character that started off pretty plainly. I used to think that Moore's Supreme was the pinnacle of what could be done with the character...AND THEN I READ THIS. Despite the fact that it seems like maybe I missed a chapter of what happened (between Erik Larsen's run and this), the story is pretty clear: Supreme's world is used to a succession of "revisions" where both real and fictional editorial decree updates their entire physical universe over and over again to match current fashions, and spiriting away the main characters in a limbo-like heaven, one for Supreme(s) and his friends and family, one for archfoe Darius Dax(es). But during the last revision, the Supreme limbo (The Supremacy) actually collapsed INTO the regular universe and corrupted the revision, leaving behind a series of wildly different and confused characters trying to figure out the connections between them, led by an ominous new Darius Dax, who hires Diana Dane (formerly Supreme's girlfriend, now a down on her luck investigative reporter) to crack the case. The artwork is a true break from the superheroic tradition of the book from Liefeld to Larsen, opting for a moody, dour realism with strange interference obscuring every page. And Ellis does what he does best: take a heady science fiction concept and make it seem like science fact. The dialogue is taut and mesmerizing, the character design is terrific, and I finished the story feeling like that kid at the end of NeverEnding Story, when the real and fictional worlds collide. Highly, highly recommended, but you'll get so much more out of it if you hunt down the Alan Moore stories first. Unbelievably good, but not super-accessible.

The superhero multiverse concept was introduced in THE FLASH OF TWO WORLDS (Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino, editor Julius Schwartz) in 1961, and Warren Ellis has mastered the science behind it. Ellis understands how different versions of the same character; in this case Rob Liefeld's creation Supreme from 1982; completely resets the table and what kinds of story you are able to tell. SUPREME: BLUE ROSE is told from Diana Dane's point of view. Diana was created by Alan Moore and Joe Bennett in 1997 as a comic book writer who was paired with Supeme's secret identity Ethan Crane who was a comic book artist. Darius Dax; who had been a non-super-powered Bronze Age comic book villain with great resources always scheming to destroy Supreme; is now an isolated billionaire who simply wants to control humanity's destiny. Darius has become the ultimate capitalist control freak, pleasant enough until his vision for the world is threatened. Diana is a failed journalist who is offered a king's ransom by Darius to track down Ethan, and the more she learns about why Darius wants to find Ethan, the better she understands how dangerous that Darius truly is. Ellis shows that Darius is incapable of compromise, which is something that Lex Luthor has never been shown to be. Tula Lotay's artwork illustrates the multiple levels of discovery that Diana goes through as she tries to locate Ethan, and this is what elevates this Graphic Novel from just another superhero power ballad. Every character has a purpose, has weight, and possesses a life force. While Darius is willing to kill anybody in his way, we the reader are no longer willing to see anyone die in this fragile reality. Ellis and Lotay set the stage for an ongoing Supreme title that I would love to read with tremendous skill :D

I know there are a lot of mixed reviews on this page, but I thought Supreme: Blue Rose was fantastic. I definitely understand the David Lynch comparisons, and as a big fan of David Lynch, that made me even more excited to read the comic. I love Warren Ellis' works, and even though I had never read Supreme, I thought this story was accessible enough for first-time readers of the series. Also Tula Lotay's art is absolutely stunning. In fact, I would definitely purchase this comic for her art alone.

While most people might really hate the fact that this is such a different take on the Supreme lore it is very fresh and inventive take that actually feeds directly into some major plot points and characters that Moore's run created. The best thing about this mini series is that it ignores the downright ignorant and insulting Eric Larsen run and resurrects some of Moore's best ideas as well as blending in Ellis' long running themes like a self aware universe. I highly recommended this book for a more cerebral dip into the super hero world.

I'd always meant to write a novel with a good strong female lead. I only made a screenplay and then a novella. What Ellis and Tula Lotay have done here is outstanding! Can't wait for more. If you're hesitating, punch that mouse button! Don't delay. It's worth it. Enjoy!!

Let's start off by mentioning that Tula Lotay's art is fantastic; it's the only redeeming quality about this book. Warren Ellis does little to nothing to flesh out the world or the characters. It seems to have been written almost exclusively for those familiar with Supreme. Reader investment is seemingly hinged on readers getting a kick out of seeing this reinterpretation of established characters of Supreme. The sci-fi angles are familiar ones seen previously in the likes of Ellis' previous work. The whole thing plays out in a predictable fashion. As a Warren Ellis fan, Supreme: Blue Rose was a disappointment.

Like the time travel

I really felt lost throughout this entire book. It turns out to be a sequel to an out-of-print series. This was listed as a "superhero" book, but I kept waiting for something, anything, anything at all to happen.

excellent

Intento de Warren Ellis en el universo Supreme. No está nada mal, obviamente no llega a la altura de lo que escribió Alan Moore pero es un pasatiempo interesante.

It was awesome.