HORSE PLAY

Morrison reveals more about the world of Happy!

GOLDEN YEARS

For Morrison, today’s golden Age of television is reminiscent of the late ’80s and early ’90s, when he and a cabal of British creators first arrived on the American comic book scene. “I think that television right now,” he says, “is what Vertigo was in the ’90s. It’s so advanced and there are so many amazing dramas. In the way that I did The Invisibles and garth [ennis] did Preacher and Warren [ellis] did Transmetropolitan… We committed to very long-form dramas, and I think that’s what’s happening in television right now. It’s quite interesting.”

IN THE BEGINNING

Morrison tells Red Alert that Happy! began its journey from comic to tV when it attracted the attention of Original Film, the company behind the Fast And The Furious and Goosebumps films. “Original Film took an interest in the graphic novel by me and Darick [Robertson]. We came to really love those guys. We thought they were very smart and really good at picking projects. they put me in touch with Brian taylor, who I loved from the Crank movies particularly. We worked on the pilot for a couple of years, and it came to fruition. It really started with Original having faith in Happy!”

LOST IN TRANSLATION

though comics creators aren’t often involved in adapting their work, Morrison hopes the situation changes. “I’ve been involved with Happy! all along,” he says. “Because I think we should be. I don’t know why comic authors shouldn’t get deeply involved in the translation of their work on screen. It’s a lot of fun, because it’s definitely taught me a lot of new tricks.”

HOLDING PATTON

Stand-up comedy king Patton Oswalt has long worn his love of comic books on his sleeve, with roles in The Amazing Screw-On Head, Axe Cop, Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD, and Justice League Action. He’s also a longtime fan of grant Morrison. “I’m a huge fan of his too,” admits Morrison, “so it’s a mutual appreciation society… Patton was familiar with the stuff and he gets the sensibility. He’s also a very smart human being. So he brings a lot of nuance to it that even I wouldn’t have thought of. It’s very much the product of a super-intelligent man pretending to be a blue unicorn.”