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Supreme: Blue Rose #1
You are not dreaming. We are trying to communicate with you. Local reality has been reinstalled. Things have gone wrong. The revision has corrupted. Finding Ethan Crane is your supreme priority. We are speaking to you from the ultimate bunker within the structure of multiversal time. Do not trust Darius Dax. We are all going to die. SUPREME: BLUE ROSE. Re-introducing the central Image Comics character, with WARREN ELLIS and TULA LOTAY.
32 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2014
141 people want to read
About the author
Warren Ellis
1,972 books5,763 followersWarren Ellis is the award-winning writer of graphic novels like TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FELL, MINISTRY OF SPACE and PLANETARY, and the author of the NYT-bestselling GUN MACHINE and the “underground classic” novel CROOKED LITTLE VEIN, as well as the digital short-story single DEAD PIG COLLECTOR. His newest book is the novella NORMAL, from FSG Originals, listed as one of Amazon’s Best 100 Books Of 2016.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 26, 2014
Warren Ellis’ latest Image series is a new story arc for Rob Liefeld’s ‘90s creation, Supreme. Diana Dane is a troubled young woman with strange dreams that seemingly bleed over into reality. But then it’s not her fault - she can’t afford all her meds as she’s an out of work investigative journalist. Out of the blue, she’s hired by the mysterious and wealthy Darius Dax (what is it with DD names in this series?) to look into an airplane crash - except it wasn’t an airplane. It looked like a man caused the damage: Supreme?
I’m not a huge fan of Liefeld reboots though I know Prophet and Glory were both critically acclaimed. That said, Supreme: Blue Rose is an intriguing start to the series as Ellis approaches the fantastical via the mundane. The issue’s story mostly focuses on Diana’s problems paying the rent, and not knowing what she’s going to do next given that her career is made obsolete by the current trend for click bait articles in lieu of comprehensive and thoughtful content.
Dancing around the edges of normality are hints of a much more colourful - and dangerous - world with the issue opening in a dream-world where Diana talks to a man wearing a helmet but doesn’t know he’s wearing a helmet. Dax’s office is full of futuristic technology and later Diana encounters a man whose blurry face is one big “birth defect” only she can see.
Tula Lotay’s incredible artwork enhances the feeling of magical realism in the comic. Every page contains colourful lines zig-zagging across it like someone’s gone through the comic with a box of crayons and scribbled on each page - the zig-zags appearing in both the dream sequences and her waking life, underlining Diana’s increasing inability to tell the difference between what’s real and what isn’t. Or is that someone trying to communicate with Diana? Besides the snazzy effects though, the artwork is out-and-out gorgeous. The character models, the landscapes, both real and imagined, and the exquisite colours are all amazing.
Ellis’ recent work on Moon Knight has downplayed the superhero angle and focused on the more street level aspects of the character and the kinds of stories he’s in; Ellis’ other Image series, Trees, is a sci-fi story that ignores the aliens and their invasion, and instead looks at how human society adapts in the aliens’ wake; with his Supreme series, Ellis continues to shift aside the more dramatic elements - in this case the superhero himself - to look at the everyday characters and, once again, it works. Also, if you’re unfamiliar with the series, you can still pick up this series and follow what’s happening.
Fans of Supreme might be disappointed with the lack of the character in this issue- there are a couple of glimpses and nothing else - but there’s plenty of other material to appreciate as well as some extraordinary artwork to enjoy. Supreme: Blue Rose #1 kicks off what looks to be an exciting journey that tackles the superhero story from an unusual but interesting angle.
I’m not a huge fan of Liefeld reboots though I know Prophet and Glory were both critically acclaimed. That said, Supreme: Blue Rose is an intriguing start to the series as Ellis approaches the fantastical via the mundane. The issue’s story mostly focuses on Diana’s problems paying the rent, and not knowing what she’s going to do next given that her career is made obsolete by the current trend for click bait articles in lieu of comprehensive and thoughtful content.
Dancing around the edges of normality are hints of a much more colourful - and dangerous - world with the issue opening in a dream-world where Diana talks to a man wearing a helmet but doesn’t know he’s wearing a helmet. Dax’s office is full of futuristic technology and later Diana encounters a man whose blurry face is one big “birth defect” only she can see.
Tula Lotay’s incredible artwork enhances the feeling of magical realism in the comic. Every page contains colourful lines zig-zagging across it like someone’s gone through the comic with a box of crayons and scribbled on each page - the zig-zags appearing in both the dream sequences and her waking life, underlining Diana’s increasing inability to tell the difference between what’s real and what isn’t. Or is that someone trying to communicate with Diana? Besides the snazzy effects though, the artwork is out-and-out gorgeous. The character models, the landscapes, both real and imagined, and the exquisite colours are all amazing.
Ellis’ recent work on Moon Knight has downplayed the superhero angle and focused on the more street level aspects of the character and the kinds of stories he’s in; Ellis’ other Image series, Trees, is a sci-fi story that ignores the aliens and their invasion, and instead looks at how human society adapts in the aliens’ wake; with his Supreme series, Ellis continues to shift aside the more dramatic elements - in this case the superhero himself - to look at the everyday characters and, once again, it works. Also, if you’re unfamiliar with the series, you can still pick up this series and follow what’s happening.
Fans of Supreme might be disappointed with the lack of the character in this issue- there are a couple of glimpses and nothing else - but there’s plenty of other material to appreciate as well as some extraordinary artwork to enjoy. Supreme: Blue Rose #1 kicks off what looks to be an exciting journey that tackles the superhero story from an unusual but interesting angle.
September 11, 2014
Not quite sure what it is I read, but at least the pictures are purty to look at, and that's what it's about, amirite?
March 11, 2020
There is some lovely artwork in this book, but after reading it all, I have no idea what's going on or why I should care enough to find out. Basically, all I learned is that an out-of-work investigative reporter was offered a job by a mysterious man, along with a ridiculously huge salary. I wasn't attached enough to her or given enough information about what the job entailed or who her new boss was to make me feel like I had to keep reading to uncover the mystery. And the style of the art, while beautiful, got stranger as the comic went on. Ultimately, I felt like I was looking at a 3D book without 3D glasses on and it was hurting my eyes. It was too busy and my eye didn't know where to settle. So I wish the creators of this comic well, and perhaps once it finds its feet, it'll be so fabulous that I'll eat this here two-star review. But for now, I'm going to pass on reading issue 2.
January 12, 2015
It's about a superhero, but it's also not. I like what Ellis is doing here--setting the stage for a longer story with mysteries within mysteries and plenty to puzzle over. I would say the story is very Twin Peaks-like, but without the soap opera melodrama that annoyed me. The art is also ridiculously gorgeous. Tula Lotay is amazing, and I think the aesthetic here (swirls and backgrounds that aren't quite backgrounds) goes with the story very well. I'm not sure what's going on, but neither do the characters. This should be fun. :)
January 2, 2015
The art is stunning, if (fittingly I guess) unsettling to look at. The story ... well. I'll just throw some words at you and we'll see what sticks.
Surreal. Metaphysical. Pretentious. Weirdly mundane at the same time. Confusing. Emotionally distant (like starship-distance away).
Surreal. Metaphysical. Pretentious. Weirdly mundane at the same time. Confusing. Emotionally distant (like starship-distance away).
July 31, 2014
A surreal storyline with absolutely gorgeous art. I'm intrigued.
January 3, 2018
ask me what my dream gig would be. hunting down and disseminating the rarest of truths. this epistemological mystery book is right up my alley. can't wait to read what's next.
the art i find a little distracting. it's solid, for sure, but the whispy lines overlayed on top of, well, everything makes me think i should be looking at the pages with like a pair of 3d glasses or something.
the art i find a little distracting. it's solid, for sure, but the whispy lines overlayed on top of, well, everything makes me think i should be looking at the pages with like a pair of 3d glasses or something.
January 2, 2020
You know how flip open to a random page in a book and start reading? That's how I felt about this graphic novel, from the first page it felt like I was in the middle of the story. I felt I caught only a fraction of what was going on and the rest I'm unsure about
November 10, 2014
Some of the best art I have ever seen in graphic novels. Tula Lotay's work is a treat for the eyes. Beautiful character design, surreal colors, and a masterful capture of what it's like to live in a dream-like state. The issue I got came with a sketchbook in the back, which was awesome. I'll definitely be sticking with it for the art.
That's being said, I'm kind of weirded out by the concept. A reboot of a Superman knock off? Definitely not something I would usually be interested in. But the first issue has me hooked.
That's being said, I'm kind of weirded out by the concept. A reboot of a Superman knock off? Definitely not something I would usually be interested in. But the first issue has me hooked.
November 25, 2014
Not really sure what the point was.
This was supposed to be some kind of relaunch of Rob Liefield's Superman ripoff Supreme, but it seems to have nothing to do with any past version of the character.
So, you just kind of wander along, hoping someone familiar will show up or there will be a big story hook.
Instead you keep thinking 'Why is Warren pretending he's Grant Morrison?"
There's nothing here to hook fans of any of the old versions of Supreme and nothing really happens, so I'm not sure how that hooks in any new readers.
Very pretty art though.
This was supposed to be some kind of relaunch of Rob Liefield's Superman ripoff Supreme, but it seems to have nothing to do with any past version of the character.
So, you just kind of wander along, hoping someone familiar will show up or there will be a big story hook.
Instead you keep thinking 'Why is Warren pretending he's Grant Morrison?"
There's nothing here to hook fans of any of the old versions of Supreme and nothing really happens, so I'm not sure how that hooks in any new readers.
Very pretty art though.
October 3, 2014
I stumbled upon this series at my local comics shop and decided to give it a go because it is simply gorgeous. It borders on being overworked but I find the final result of all the layers to be really engaging. At this point, the story is very cryptic. And wth with the Professor Night interlude? The scene of Diana Dane talking to her shadow looks like something from Waking Life. I'll read more.
October 25, 2014
Warren Ellis resurrects the SUPREME universe beginning with an ethereal dream sequence that warns the unemployed investigative journalist, Diana Dane, to beware of Darius Dax and ending with a proposition for adventure and intrigue from Supreme himself, “Have you heard of a blue rose, Ms. Dane? Blue roses do not occur in nature. My practice tends to specialise in blue rose cases."
Intriguing stuff.
Intriguing stuff.
August 12, 2015
Had no clue about the superhero backstory. This title is really structured as a mystery, with Diana Dane hired to discover what happened after a mysterious accident in upstate New York. Your patience will be rewarded. Loved the illustrations with one quibble: all the women's faces look very similar much of the time, while the men are very distinct.
August 14, 2014
Tula Lotay's artwork is gorgeous and ethereal.
Other than that, this is very much a laying-groundwork issue, but with an intriguing concept. With the team of Warren Ellis and Tula Lotay, though, I'm sure that it will be leaps and bounds better than the 1990s Image Supreme comics.
Other than that, this is very much a laying-groundwork issue, but with an intriguing concept. With the team of Warren Ellis and Tula Lotay, though, I'm sure that it will be leaps and bounds better than the 1990s Image Supreme comics.
August 30, 2014
I was really lost at first but the story came around nicely. The artwork is beautiful. It's rather difficult to review a comic series by one issue though, it's like reviewing a book on one chapter. As a whole I can tell you that this series has great potential.
November 12, 2014
The artwork is gorgeous but I found the overall story to be very confusing and even noticed myself drifting away from the text. I'll give the rest of the series a chance in hopes that it'll pull my interest further.
July 30, 2014
Breathtaking artwork. Story's ok.
August 23, 2014
Interesting beginning.
September 24, 2014
Love it!
December 21, 2021
Stunning artwork.
November 3, 2014
Torn- I really really love the art, sooooo gorgeous. Tula Landry is amazing. But the storyline is meh so far.
November 26, 2014
Noir re-telling of one of Image Comics premier characters, still, not a read for everyone, specially for first timer comic book readers.
September 19, 2015
What the hell did I just read? It's awesome and confusing with great art.
April 14, 2015
Lovely art, a bit confusing though. I'll definitely continue with the series.
July 29, 2015
First off the artwork is gorgeous. The story is kind of Twin Peaks/X files. Diana's dreams bleed over into reality. It intrigued me enough to read more
July 31, 2015
An immersive and surprisingly fresh take on superhero metafiction and revisionism. The prose pops from Ellis, but it's in many ways a supporting act to Tula Lotay's rich, fantastic art.
August 15, 2016
I couldn't get into the story. Not one for me.
August 31, 2014
I'm interested in seeing where this goes. The art is fabulous!
January 15, 2016
No idea what was going on but the art was beautiful beautiful beautiful!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews