Alan Moore Talks About The Significance Of The Superhero

[Logan Westbrook]

Alan Moore Talks About The Significance Of The Superhero

With the release of Watchmen imminent, Alan Moore, author of the original comics, talks at length about the significance of the superhero archetype.

Alan Moore seems to be the living embodiment of the idea that madness and genius are closely related. On the one hand, he has a beard like a hedge and worships an imaginary snake, but on the other hand, he has penned some of the most influential comics on the history of the medium, titles such as V for Vendetta and, of course, Watchmen, the only comic to ever win a Hugo Award.

In an interview with Wired [http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/magazine/17-03/ff_moore_qa?currentPage=1], Moore examines the idea of superheroes , before discussing his past works and the film adaptations thereof and the medium of comic books in general

Amongst other things, Moore suggests that superheroes are a uniquely American phenomenon, and deeply tied into the the American psyche, as well as discussing how his most celebrated work became one of the biggest stumbling blocks for comics ever since. The full interview can be read here [http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/magazine/17-03/ff_moore_qa?currentPage=1], but those of little patience be warned, it's a very, very long interview.

Picture [http://www.flickr.com/photos/fimbrethil/2236561177/]



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[GothmogII]

So...much...hair.

 

[SomeBritishDude]

Alan Moore is a genius. The kind of genius who lives in a box and shouts at you in the street.

 

[EeveeElectro]

He looks like he's gonna pounce on me if I bend over to tie my shoelace...

 

[HobbesMkii]

He should really just teach classes. He'd be a great professor. He'd probably hate it, hate his students, but he'd be wonderful to listen to for an hour or two every week.

A lot of what he says seems to be hitting the nail on the head, especially because people are doing the same thing nowadays as he describes as having happened in the '80s. I still don't think comics have grown up. More blood and nudity doesn't make a medium grown up. Just look at video-games. But I think Moore almost faults the people who are responsible for this misinterpretation for trying their hand at comics, which is something I don't really agree with. You can't fault someone for trying (unless it's to destroy the world, then you can). You can fault them if they try and fail and claim they succeed though.

I also might read his grimoire when it comes out. It might be a lot of fun.

 

[GothmogII]

So...much...hair.

I wish I had hair like his so don't insult his awesome face hair.

No, you misunderstand...I'm in awe of it.

 

[blackcherry]

Well, that interview was quite interesting. Its quite obvious that the bloke knows his stuff and isn't afraid to state his opinion.

 

[Duh]

So...much...hair.

I wish I had hair like his so don't insult his awesome face hair.

No, you misunderstand...I'm in awe of it.

yeah, the firts time i saw one of his pictures i was like "JESUS CHRIST ITS A LION GET IN THE CAR!!!1one1!!"

 

[zoozilla]

Well, that interview was quite interesting. Its quite obvious that the bloke knows his stuff and isn't afraid to state his opinion.

Yeah. I respect him for that, but he can come off as a bit pretentious at times (but what genius doesn't, no?).

He's an interesting guy. And he'd make a great Father Christmas. Well, maybe not. His facial hair would definitely make a good Father Christmas.

 

[space_oddity]

Alan Moore is a genius. The kind of genius who lives in a box and shouts at you in the street.

Seconded.
With vigour.

 

[000Ronald]

I adamantly disagree with the idea that the idea behind comic books comes from a desire to have an uncannily strong military. Comics have a stronger root in Tall Tales (Paul Bunyon, John Henry, Ect...) which kind of have a root in Arthurian legend, which have a root in ancient mythology.

That would more or less make comics modern mythology.

At least that's what I think.

Apologies for...oh what's the use...

 

[HobbesMkii]

I adamantly disagree with the idea that the idea behind comic books comes from a desire to have an uncannily strong military.

That's not what Moore said. He said that the superhero comic (not comics in general, just the genre of superhero comic) is distinctly American and he hypothesized that it's because America's world track record is one of fighting from unmatched strength, which is generally what a superhero has: unmatched strength.

 

[000Ronald]

I adamantly disagree with the idea that the idea behind comic books comes from a desire to have an uncannily strong military.

That's not what Moore said. He said that the superhero comic (not comics in general, just the genre of superhero comic) is distinctly American and he hypothesized that it's because America's world track record is one of fighting from unmatched strength, which is generally what a superhero has: unmatched strength.

My point still stands. My understanding is that the idea of a super-hero isn't a militaristic idea, it's more rooted in ancient myths, as I explained.

Apologies for the confusion.

 

[scotth266]

The man is a genius, but I think comics have grown up a lot recently. Hopefully they continue to do so.

 

[Pseudonym2]

I have to disagree with him about the artistry in Lord of the rings. I found the sets, costumes, props, and makeup to be breathtakingly beautiful.
I also have to disagree with him about super hero comics. The superheros are usually the weaker ones fighting somebody slightly more powerful than they are and only win through a battle of wits. Batman beats up gods. While many still fall into the boring attempts a deconstruction, there's also been a lot of superhero reconstruction by Gran Morrison, Kurt Busiek and a few others, with Seven Soldiers, Astro City, Umbrell Academy, Marvels, Runaways, Blue Beetle, Sea Guy and Final Crisis.

 

[Abedeus]

I think heroes existed back in the ancient Greece. Hell, Gilgamesh is a "Hercule from Uruk".

So I guess we can assume that the Greeks had superhero painting (not comics, hell no) of heroes and gods. I mean, the word "hero" comes from the Greek "hērōs".

 

[matrix3509]

he hits the nail on the head with this one. The comic industry is (just like the video game industry) based upon imitation. They saw the blood and sex and knew it would sell. Like every other business, they care little for quality and more about profit (which is why he's trying to distance himself from Hollywood). Instead of really exploring what can be done with the medium as an art form, they tirelessly rip each other off.

Although, I did chuckle at his metaphor about the demented girlfriend. I guess I identify with him a little too much with him there.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Hrrrm. Moore may be a genius, but then so was HAL, Dr. Frankenstein, Leonardo Da Vinci and Dr. Morbius.

Very good at theory, not so good at the practice.