Congratulations are in order!

Today, Prince Charles of Wales presented legendary writer Grant Morrison (ACTION COMICS; BATMAN, INCORPORATED; MULTIVERSITY) with the honor of becoming a Member of the British Empire (MBE). Recognized for “services to film and literature,” the Scottish writer was awarded with this ranking as part of the celebrations of the Queen’s birthday that are currently taking place in the United Kingdom.

To learn more about the Queen’s honorees, click here. Congrats, Grant!

(Photo credit: Kristan Morrison)

The phrase "legendary artist" gets tossed around a lot these days. Picasso? He couldn't even draw a face properly. And what's up with those melting clocks, Dali? (Nah, just kidding, they're great). But considering the fact that J.H. Williams III has worked with some of the most renowned and influential writers in comic book history—Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and now Neil Gaiman—the term "legendary artist" just doesn't seem like enough.
 
So, we're coming up with a new term! Legendeawesome... Awesomedary... Legawesomedary...
 
Yeesh… This is a lot more difficult than we though. So instead, we're just going to list off the 5.2 Reasons Why J.H. Williams III Rocks Our World!

1. BATWOMAN
Every month as part of DC Comics—The New 52, Williams grabs hold of the writing reins alongside W. Haden Blackman and provides art on alternating arcs of the Batwoman series. This week sees the release of Batwoman #12, which returns Williams to penciling duties; however, he also previously worked on the character of Kate Kane during his Eisner Award-winning run on DETECTIVE COMICS #854-860 with writer Greg Rucka.
 
2. SANDMAN
One of the biggest announcements to come out of this year's San Diego Comic-Con was the news that awesomedary comic book writer and novelist Neil Gaiman will be making his triumphant return to the world of Sandman next summer with a brand-new limited series—with art provided by Williams. Already our brain cells are exploding from amazing overload just imagining this team-up. Then this happened and we lost consciousness for a while:
 


3. BATMAN
It takes a certain type of artist to delve into the mind of Grant Morrison and put onto the page the mad genius found within. Thankfully, Williams ranks as one of those artists and more than proved his ability to do so with his collaboration with Morrison on the BATMAN #667-669 arc, "The Island of Mister Mayhew."

4. PROMETHEA
Mixing magic, mythology, and mysticism, Promethea teamed Williams with writer Alan Moore. The series stands as one of the most experimental in comics—both in storytelling and especially in art—and to this day Williams' unique style, attention to detail and beautiful imagery shines through with almost blinding brilliance.
 

 
5. CHASE
Besides being a great series in its own right—focusing on the character of Cameron Chase who gives readers a different, more grounded perspective on the world of superheroes—the nine-issue Chase series first elevated Williams to prominence in the comic art community. Reading the series from its first issue to its last, you really see the evolution of Williams' art as he grows into the artist we see today that continues to wow us with every image he puts on paper.

5.1 Splash Pages Like These

5.2 He Rocks an Awesome Beard

What's your favorite work from J.H. Williams III that you think everyone should check out? Let us know in the comments section!

This week sees the publication of ACTION COMICS VOLUME 1: SUPERMAN AND THE MEN OF STEEL. Written by the incomparable Grant Morrison (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN) and drawn by the sensational Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS), this hardcover book is the premiere collection of the acclaimed series that launched with DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. This updated Superman has been re-imagined as a more vulnerable and relatable hero. Young, naïve, and with incredible powers he’s only begun to explore, Superman is waiting to be discovered by a whole new generation.        

Collecting issues #1-8, ACTION COMICS VOL. 1: SUPERMAN AND THE MEN OF STEEL is in comic book stores now and in bookstores everywhere on August 7th. Below, take a first look at some of the bonus material from the back of the hardcover.

When superstar writer Grant Morrison launched ALL-STAR SUPERMAN back in 2005, he crafted a tale that took the Man of Steel back to his more classic roots while still approaching the character with modern sensibilities. He reinvented the Superman of old for today's audience and the end result quickly became lauded as one of the greatest Superman tales ever written.

With last year's relaunch of ACTION COMICS, Morrison reinvented the Man of Steel once more—and the results were once again, in a word, super.

This week marked the release of SUPERMAN: ACTION COMICS Vol. 1, which collects Morrison’s first major arc on the title, and within those colorful comic book pages lie the 5.2 Reasons We Love Action Comics' Superman!

1. Reinvention Through Reinterpretation
With Action Comics, Morrison once again returned to an intrepretation of Superman from times past, but one even further back than in All-Star--all the way to the Man of Steel's original appearance. And by once again keeping a modern sensibility, Morrison created a younger, rasher and bolder Man of Steel, one who seems to enjoy using his powers (all while helping others, of course).

2. More Powerful Than...
As a younger version of the character, this Superman hasn't quite reached his full potential, which means when it comes to threats and dangers… Well, this beautifully chilling image that plays on the old Superman adage says it all:



3. Superman's Clark Kent's Pal: Jimmy Olsen
With Action Comics, Jimmy Olsen is now friends with Clark Kent instead of Superman, and like a butterfly flapping its wings in Metropolis causing a tornado in Smallville, a little change makes a huge difference in the logistics of their friendship.

4. New Krypton
Morrison and artist Gene Ha's interpretation of Krypton and Kryptonians is stunningly beautiful and visually breathtaking. Plus, the little tweaks Morrison made to the destruction of the planet and ultimate rocketing of the infant Kal-El off-planet make events much more realistic—or rather as realistic as a baby in a rocket from another planet facing untimely destruction can be.

5. References Abound
As any Morrison fan knows, reading between the lines is not so much a suggestion as a requirement. Morrison loves adding winks and nods to previous continuity and stories, and his Action Comics run holds no exception. Check out a few we found below, and let us know in the comments any references you may have found!





5.1 Sensational Backup Tales by Sholly Fisch

5.2 Costume of the People

Is Action Comics taking you up, up, and away into the stratosphere of awesome? Let us know what you think in the comments!