Warren Ellis Quotes

Powerful Warren Ellis for Daily Growth

About Warren Ellis

Warren Ellis (born 1968), an English comic book writer, novelist, and essayist, is renowned for his innovative and provocative works that blend science fiction, mystery, and satire. Born in Cambridgeshire, England, he spent much of his youth in a small village, where a lack of television fueled his love for reading and storytelling. This early isolation would become a key influence on his dark, introspective, and often dystopian narrative style. After dropping out of school at 16, Ellis took up various jobs, including working as a freelance journalist and music critic. It was during this period that he first began writing for the comic book industry. His breakthrough came in 1994 with the creation of the character "Transmetropolitan" for DC Comics' Vertigo imprint. The series, which ran until 2002, followed the life of a rough-around-the-edges journalist in a dystopian future. It was praised for its sharp social commentary and complex characters, earning Ellis critical acclaim. In addition to "Transmetropolitan," Ellis has created numerous other notable works. These include "Planetary" (1998-2004), a deconstruction of superhero tropes set within an alternate history, and "Fell" (2005-2013), a series of graphic novels exploring the mysteries of rural England. Ellis has also written for various media, including novels such as "Gun Machine" (2013) and "Normal" (2017). Ellis's work is characterized by its dark humor, complex characters, and incisive social commentary. He continues to push boundaries in the comic book industry with his unique storytelling and thought-provoking themes.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The internet is what happens when Beaker People find a box of crayons."

This quote by Warren Ellis suggests that the internet, as a vast interconnected network of information and communication, is essentially an expression of human creativity and curiosity, much like how children might use crayons to color and explore their surroundings (as depicted in the Muppet character "Beaker"). The box of crayons symbolizes the limitless potential of the internet, with each unique creation or piece of information representing a different color or possibility.


"A hero isn't measured by how hard a thing is, but by enduring that hard thing."

This quote by Warren Ellis emphasizes that true heroes are not defined by the difficulty or ease of their tasks, but rather by their ability to persevere through challenging situations. Endurance in the face of adversity is a key characteristic of a hero, demonstrating resilience, determination, and a commitment to seeing things through. This quote suggests that one's true heroic qualities are revealed during hardships, as it is in these moments that one must dig deep and find the strength to continue onward.


"Every time I think I've seen the stupidest possible application of new technology, I see another damn kitten video."

This quote by Warren Ellis suggests that despite witnessing numerous seemingly absurd uses of technology, he remains unsurprised as he encounters yet another example in the form of frivolous online content like kitten videos. The implication is that human creativity has an uncanny ability to find novel ways to apply technology, even in seemingly trivial or nonsensical contexts. This can be interpreted as a commentary on the evolution of digital culture and our relationship with technology, where we find amusement and connection in unexpected places.


"Science doesn't know everything. We don't know what darkness is."

This quote highlights the inherent limitations of human knowledge, particularly in the realm of science. While we have made immense strides in understanding the world around us through scientific exploration, there are still many unknowns, such as the nature of darkness. It underscores the humility required in seeking truth and encourages us to continue exploring, questioning, and learning.


"The only way to find a new idea is to leave the old one behind."

This quote suggests that progress, innovation, or the discovery of new ideas often requires a departure from our current understanding, beliefs, or ways of thinking. To find something fresh and novel, we must be willing to let go of what we already know and explore uncharted territories. It encourages us to question, challenge, and sometimes abandon old concepts in order to make room for new ones.


I think the New Aesthetic is a series of observations. I think most of the trouble people have had with it comes from a misunderstanding of it as a movement.

- Warren Ellis

Think, New, Aesthetic, Observations

The lesson of 'CSI' is: No matter what horrible things happen, nice policemen will turn up and fix everything and return it to the status quo.

- Warren Ellis

Happen, Horrible Things, Status Quo

I am a messiah. Ask anyone on the Internet.

- Warren Ellis

I Am, Ask, Anyone, Messiah

You're miserable, edgy and tired. You're in the perfect mood for journalism.

- Warren Ellis

Perfect, Miserable, Mood, Journalism

It's a strange world. Let's keep it that way.

- Warren Ellis

World, Strange, Keep, Strange World

I was originally going to train as a journalist, passing a series of exams that winnowed ten thousand applicants down to one hundred places on a National Union of Journalists course.

- Warren Ellis

Going, Hundred, Originally, Passing

On the evidence I have on hand at home, social media isn't killing our children. It isn't killing families, either, because the constant long bloody phone calls that parents complained to their teenagers about in decades past are gone.

- Warren Ellis

Evidence, Constant, About, Decades

Learning to write comics is, in fact, so bloody difficult because it's such a weird form that it does actually make you a bit more adaptable for other forms.

- Warren Ellis

Fact, More, Other, Forms

If you write any kind of fiction about America, you immediately have to start doing some research about guns, so in some ways, 'Gun Machine' is just the culmination of 20 years of reading about guns.

- Warren Ellis

Doing, Gun, Some, Culmination

I'd like to recover some of the strangeness and wonder of consideration of the future.

- Warren Ellis

Some, Strangeness, Recover, Consideration

I think one of the bigger lessons the Internet has taught us is that 'niche' or 'subculture' are a lot bigger than anyone ever thought.

- Warren Ellis

Thought, Think, I Think, Lessons

I try to read a Kindle Single a week, but I'm getting bad at that. I usually have a few books on the go.

- Warren Ellis

Week, Bad, Read, Kindle

If it's accessible by hundreds of millions of people, then it's as mainstream as it gets.

- Warren Ellis

Mainstream, Accessible, Hundreds

Comics is still my first love. But I always did other kinds of writing, too, so I think of myself as a writer first.

- Warren Ellis

Love, Think, Always, First Love

I can be collaborative, for instance, in situations where I go and study the artist's work before I start writing. Then I can at least try to write towards their style.

- Warren Ellis

Artist, Study, Instance, Situations

When I'm working in finite serials, I always think in terms of the entire book rather than the individual episode because, by far, the vaster sector of the project's lifespan will be in complete book form rather than the singles.

- Warren Ellis

Book, Project, Rather, Complete

If you believe that your thoughts originate inside your brain, do you also believe that television shows are made inside your television set?

- Warren Ellis

Thoughts, Television, Set, Originate

I think blogging is a muscle that most people wear out.

- Warren Ellis

Think, I Think, Most, Muscle

The things I have sold to film, I've sold because I was happy to rent out the right to adapt those works. Some things, I haven't sold to film, because I was less interested in having no control over the adaptation.

- Warren Ellis

Some, Over, Sold, Adapt

For me, the Internet's like music. I don't like working without it. I will tune it out for hours at a time, as I get lost in the work, but I'd know if it wasn't there. If that makes sense.

- Warren Ellis

Will, Like, Hours, Tune

I try not to get involved in the business of prediction. It's a quick way to look like an idiot.

- Warren Ellis

Business, Like, Quick, Involved

It's always difficult with the superhero stuff because you're working with characters who have been written by 100 to 200 people over the past 20 years, at least, so they never sound the same or act the same. The best approach is to try to draw the best fitting line through all of the interpretations.

- Warren Ellis

Through, Line, Been, Draw

I live on my phone: I have a bunch of news and informational apps on there.

- Warren Ellis

News, Phone, Informational, Apps

Here's the thing about Apple technology: once you own a piece, you want to use it.

- Warren Ellis

Here, Once, Piece, Apple

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