What We Know So Far About Mosaic, Marvel’s Newest Superhero

Last week, writer Geoffrey Thorne launched two new series at Marvel: “Solo,” with artist Paco Diaz, follows James Bourne; and “Mosaic,” with artist Khary Randolph, follows the adventures of a brand-new superhero named Morris Sackett. So what did we learn about Morris/Mosaic in issue #1 – and what hints does that give us about his larger role in the Marvel Universe?

He’s an Inhuman.

In “Mosaic” #1, star basketball player Morris Sackett gets hit with Terrigen Mist at a party and emerges from his cocoon with strange new powers. So will he join up with his fellow Inhumans? He already teamed up with them to take down Tony Stark in “Uncanny Inhumans” #11, but it doesn’t seem likely that he’ll stick around. Despite all those years of basketball, he’s not exactly a team player. His teammates accuse him of “act[ing] like you’re Doctor freaking Doom” and “talking about championship rings like you’re the only one that won those games.” Mosaic will likely be flying solo most of the time.

He’s a celebrity.

Before his transformation, Morris was used to the limelight on and off the court. He’s taken his team, The Stride, to five championships in five years, and Randolph and colorist Emilio Lopez do an excellent job showing off Morris’s swagger, glamour and style.

In addition to his own fame as an athlete, Morris is dating a pop star named Tia, popularly known as T-Fleek. He’s even met Tony Stark before – though he wasn’t able to secure that Stark Industries endorsement money, so I’m not sure they’ll be joining forces, either. (Besides, Tony’s probably not too happy about what Morris got up to in “Uncanny Inhumans.”)

He can inhabit other people’s bodies – and skills.

Morris’s new powers allow him to enter the consciousness and bodies of other people, and even after he’s left them, he hangs on to some of their skills (like speaking a different language). Practically speaking, this power set is all a little Deadman-like. However, there’s a danger in his ability: if he doesn’t concentrate, his consciousness and his host’s will begin to blend. This would make some of the MU’s stronger, more controlled minds – like Jean Grey, Black Panther or Doctor Strange – both formidable foes and tempting targets. With Morris’s arrogance, he’ll likely get himself into trouble taking on a mental target he isn’t ready to face.

Something’s wrong with his vision.

After undergoing Terrigenesis, Morris doesn’t see people as people anymore. He sees what look like pixelated, electric outlines. Randolph and Lopez don’t give too much away about the nature of this vision in issue #1; they keep Morris’s world spikey and vaguely digital. Does it give him heightened abilities, like Daredevil’s? Future issues will tell.

He doesn’t do apologies.

Thorne’s dialogue for Morris and his world is definitely distinctive. At times, it tries too hard, tossing around slang until some sentences sound like buzzword bingo, but it’s mostly snappy and well-paced. Plus, it’s always fun to see a superhero go full Kanye with his self-love, and the issue’s opening sequence on the court – “When that clock’s running down…You come see the wizard” – is a showstopper.

Mosaic’s powers and personality are still just developing, but the picture we have so far is a familiar one for Marvel: an arrogant man whose life is changed by new powers. Thorne and Randolph will need to play with that classic script to make their new character stand out, but hopefully Mosaic’s body-hopping, mind-melding powers will give them an inventive way to do that.

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Marykate Jasper
via Comic Book Resources

AMC and Vertigo Pay Tribute to Preacher Co-Creator Steve Dillon

Joining a host of creators and fans, AMC and Vertigo have released statements mourning the loss of artist Steve Dillon, who passed away Saturday at age 54.

In addition to his many other achievements in the industry, Dillon co-created “Preacher” with Garth Ennis, the acclaimed comic book series published by the DC Comics imprint and adapted for television by AMC.

“Steve Dillon was an enormously talented illustrator who, with Garth Ennis, created a cult classic comic we were so proud to bring to television with Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Sam Catlin and our partners at Sony,” AMC’s statement reads, in part. “He will be missed.”

Rogen added his thoughts on Twitter, writing, “Devastated by the loss of Steve Dillon. My favorite comic artist who drew my favorite comics. RIP.”

Vertigo had previously tweeted a tribute, but Group Editor Marie Javins later posted more personal remarks on the Vertigo Comics Facebook page. “To say working with Steve was a pleasure doesn’t begin to describe his gentle nature, or his easygoing demeanor,” she wrote. “His name, along with writer Garth Ennis, is practically synonymous with ‘Preacher,’ but I know him as a lovable wisecracker who enjoyed New York, and could always be depended on to deliver a sly remark. Steve had a great sense of humor; it’s fitting his last work for DC was a cover of a tin foil Dogwelder.”

Dillon made his professional debut at age 16 in the Marvel UK anthology “Hulk Weekly,” and later worked on “Doctor Who Magazine,” where he created the character Abslom Daak. He contributed regularly throughout the 1980s to “2000AD,” illustrating such strips as “Judge Dredd,” “Rogue Trooper” and “Bad Company.” Dillon also launched the magazine “Deadline” in 1988 with fellow “2000AD” artist Brett Ewins.

However, Dillon is probably best known for his collaborations with writer Garth Ennis, including Vertigo’s “Hellblazer” and “Preacher” as well as Marvel’s “The Punisher.”

The post AMC and Vertigo Pay Tribute to Preacher Co-Creator Steve Dillon appeared first on CBR.com.

Marykate Jasper
via Comic Book Resources