Queen Elizabeth II
Grant Morrison proudly displays his MBE
Courtesy of Grant Morrison’s Twitter account arrives a look at the Scottish scribe, clad in a purple suit, fresh from receiving the badge from Prince Charles of Wales recognizing him as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to film and literature.
“He asked me about comics, and said he used to like reading the Eagle in the 1950s,” Morrison is quoted as saying in the Irvine Herald. “”I would like to think the award is for the work I’ve been doing in America — it’s mostly British people who have changed the complexion of American comics, which has influenced the movies and TV, and expanded the sphere of British imagination.”
An order of chivalry established in 1917 by George V, the Order of the British Empire consists of five ranks, with Member being the lowest. Only the highest ranks automatically confer a knighthood.
Asked in July whether the award makes him feel more chivalrous, Morrison joked to Comic Book Resources, “No, it actually made me feel more evil, I think. I mean, when a howling witch hunt turns up on cue to accuse you of ‘joining the Establishment’ as if you’d signed up for the Secret Society of Super-Villains, what else can you do but cackle and rub your hands together? I’d love to tell you I’m now qualified to join the Round Table and declare war on Narnia but the truth is, absolutely nothing has changed.”
Morrison’s father received an MBE in 1998 for his community work.
Grant Morrison honored by Queen Elizabeth II
Grant Morrison has been recognized as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to film and literature on the just-released Queen’s Honours Birthday list.
An order of chivalry established in 1917 by George V, the Order of the British Empire consists of five ranks, with Member being the lowest. Only the highest ranks automatically confer a knighthood, so the writer won’t be referred to as “Sir Grant.” (However, he does get to include “MBE” after his name.)
Thor director Kenneth Branagh is another story: He’s been knighted for services to drama and to the community in Northern Ireland. “I feel very humble,” he said. “I feel elated.” If you’re confused by all of this (I know I am), BBC News has a handy guide to the U.K.’s honors system.
Born in Glasgow in 1960, the 52-year-old Morrison now divides his time between Los Angeles and Scotland.