The Multiversity: Mastermen #1 Review

The idea of nefarious versions of known heroes is not a new concept. Mark Millar famously explored this in Superman: Red Son (2003) where Superman works to further the cause of socialism and the Soviet Union. In Season Four of The Adventures of Superboy television series, an alternate reality Superboy known as the Sovereign — a fascist, Nazi-like opposite of the superhero we know — is introduced in Part Two of the two-part episode Roads Not Taken. These are just the tip of the iceberg, as many other incarnations of an “evil” Superman have also been seen throughout the years in various comic book, video game, and animated storylines — Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013), Ultraman introduced in Justice League of America #29 (August 1964), Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010), etc. The list goes on and on. The reason these stories keep popping up is because it caters to our “what-if” desires.

The Multiversity: Mastermen #1 (Spoiler-Free Synopsis)

Writer: Grant Morrison

Penciller: Jim Lee / Inkers: Scott Williams, Sandra Hope, Mark Irwin, Jonathan Glapion / Colorists: Alex Sinclair, Jeromy Cox / Letterer: Rob Leigh / Cover: Jim Lee, Rian Hughes

We open with a hilarious splash page of Adolf Hitler sitting on the “throne” and doing his “business.” There’s also a nice reference to a classic comic book from another universe — our universe — which shows Hitler being punched by Superman. Quickly finishing, Hitler is brought to a rocket ship made of material that’s impervious to any damage. You see, Kal-El’s ship, in this universe. landed in Nazi Germany instead of Smallville, Kansas. Discovering baby Kal-El, Nazi soldiers fire on the infant, but he proves to be invulnerable. Hitler sees this as a “strategic miracle” — thinking that the baby was sent from the future to help him (this is perhaps Morrison’s way of paying homage to the ending of Millar’s Superman: Red Son). First calling the baby “The Superman”, Hitler settles on the concept of “The Overman.”

Seventeen years later, we see Overman in all his glory. Dressed in muted black-and-grey colors — except for the red found in his Overman chest emblem — Overman has taken over the world. The comic books featuring heroes we’re familiar with (Superman, The Justice League, etc.) are considered propaganda, and are instantly burned by his army. Overman has led an all out war against anyone opposing him ever since the death of the Reichsmen, his version of the Justice League, and Overgirl — who is basically this universe’s Kara Zor-El, Supergirl.

Things take an even more dramatic turn when, during a memorial service, a rebel from the United States (or Germanica), Uncle Sam, makes an impromptu announcement and follows it with a bombing. Gathering with his New Reichsmen, Overman questions if these terrorist attacks are, in a way, deserved due to their actions against the world. The New Reichsmen prove to be even more militant in their responses to Overman’s theory.

The rest of the story deals with Overman questioning his own actions and the New Reichsman concerned about his leadership. There’s definitely a mystery to be solved also. And when they do, it brings this universe’s conflicts to another level.

Best Moments

The opening scene with Hitler sitting on the “throne” and screaming his lungs out.
The two-page spread introducing Overman.
Uncle Sam’s plan coming to fruition at the end.

Overall Verdict

The Multiversity: Mastermen #1 shows off Grant Morrison’s ability to create a fleshed out world. Virtually no detail is left out, yet the reader never gets a feeling of heavy or tedious exposition. That’s the beauty of this story — it moves. When I got to the end of the issue, I had to question if Comixology messed up on the conversion. I thought they forgot to copy over a few pages. This story could’ve easily used another twenty pages.

This is also Morrison’s most straightforward story. I thought The Multiversity: Thunderworld #1 was less heady, but it actually isn’t. The Multiversity: Mastermen #1 is as self-contained as any story can be. With only a few references to comic books from the main continuity, The Multiversity: Mastermen #1 focuses its philosophy and brain-teasing more towards ethics and how Overman still retains some of Superman’s “goodness.” Which brings us to what this story is really about — Superman’s true nature.

Again, referencing The Multiversity: Thunderworld #1, the aspect that brought that issue into more campy territory was the villain doing evil things for evil sake. Overman, in contrast, believes that he’s doing the right thing — that he’s innately good. So when horrible things happen, he questions what went wrong with his leadership. In a way, the story questions if Superman’s underlying potential for good can ever be stamped out. The only differences between the Supermen of different realities is how they carry out their good. Our main continuity Superman is a bit more liberal and tries to balance freedom with justice. Overman thinks that the approach should just be overall control of the world. However, he now thinks that it’s not such a good idea.

Sidetracking just a bit — and going into my love for everything Superman — any person collecting this series should really look into the cover variant for The Multiversity: Mastermen #1. I picked up the rarer one that was illustrated by Yanick Paquette, which prominently features Superman, his multiple incarnations, and Darkseid.

The Multiversity: Mastermen #1 moves away from the multiple universe storyline by focusing on the problems of one universe. Does it still make for an interesting story? It sure does. Self-contained with a well-crafted world and well-crafted characters, this installment in the Multiversity series can be picked up by anyone who just wants a great story — or a great story that’ll make you hungry for more.

Next: Catch up on The Multiversity series with The Multiversity: Guidebook Review

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