Alan Moore
| Name: | Alan Moore |
| Also Known As: | |
| Occupation: | Writer |
| Medium: | Comics, graphic novels |
| Works: | Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Lost Girls, Swamp Thing, From Hell, Hellblazer |
| Official Website(s): | |
| Fan Website(s): | Alan Moore Fansite |
| On Fanlore: | Related pages |
Alan Moore is an English writer of comic books and graphic novels. He is best known for his work on ground breaking graphic novels as well as for his work on major comic characters such as Batman. Alan Moore hails from Northampton, England (born 18 November 1957)[1] and is also known to be an anarchist and a believer/practitioner of certain forms of magic.[2] He's often been critical on works based on his writings (mostly films), which has caused some stir and discussion amongst fans. Much of Moore's work has sparked various forms of controversy; some because of its political content - as it is the case of for example V for Vendetta - and others for their portrayal and use of graphic sexuality - such as Lost Girls. Moore is cited as a great influence by many well-known creators of works popular within fandom, such as Neil Gaiman and Joss Whedon.
Notable Works
In fandom, Alan Moore is perhaps best known for his work on Batman and for being the writer of the style setting Watchmen. His graphic novel V for Vendetta gained wide popularity when it was turned into a film starring Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman, both actors well known to fandom via other large projects. Much of Alan Moore's work is considered must-reads for fans of this type of media, particularly his graphic novels. He is also renowned for breathing new life and creativity into all but dead franchises, as he did in his breakthrough in mainstream comics, Swamp Thing and has later done with WildC.A.T.S..
Popular Culture influence
The use of a badge with a smiley face in Watchmen has been reported to help popularise the symbol. The use of Guy Fawkes masks in V for Vendetta led to these masks being used by groups such as Anonymous in various protests.
Themes, awareness and criticisms
Moore has often written alternate universes or near-futures that used the possibility to criticise the current political climate through the strategy of the unrealistic. Both V for Vendetta and Watchmen draw on the fear of nuclear apocalypse that was prevalent in the 1980s and allude to cold war and, in the case of V for Vendetta, particularly to the risk of ultra-conservative politics leading to dictatorships and reigns of terror. While Moore is often very explicitly aware of political issues and especially classism (based on his upbringing in Northampton's poor working class), he can be criticised via feminist readings and for being unaware of/not dealing with racism. Alan Moore's interest in magic and spiritual themes have grown, perhaps starting with his work on From Hell, which is about the Jack the Ripper murders and overlaid with a rich symbolism that draws on Masonic tradition.
Fanworks
Alan Moore has both been the author of fanworks like the lyrics of Mr. A (recorded by his band, The Emperors of Ice Cream) and the subject of them. A Japanese schoolgirl version of Alan Moore was depicted by Ryusuke Hamamoto in his doujinshi, Alan Moore Fan Book.
Resources
References
- ^ "Alan Moore Wikipedia page". Archived from the original on 2022-06-26.
- ^ "Alan Moore Wikipedia page sub-entry Religion and magic". Archived from the original on 2022-06-26.