Alan Moore Is Really Really Really NOT Pleased
"Watchmen" scribe Alan Moore has never been shy about his distaste for movies -- or certain prequels -- based on his work. But a recent interview he did with the site Seraphemera was, quite simply, the mother of all Moore screeds. All seven pages of it. Now, you may not have the time to read all seven pages (though in order to get a full perspective on all issues addressed you really might want to take a crack at it), so here are a few highlights:
What Is The state Of The Comics Medium Today?
"The comics medium is brainless."
And What Of The Current Crop of Comic Creators?
"...a generation of fan artists and writers were brought in as kind of scab labor because they would have paid to write Batman. "
Actually, making writers pay to write Batman might be a really great financial move for the industry.
Will "Before Watchmen" Singlehandedly Save The Comics Industry?
"It would seem to me that in bringing out 35 books--even if these, for some reason, sell remarkably well; even if there are some people out there who are so undiscriminating that they are going to have to collect every one of these books--even if that happens, that is not going to generate enough money to reverse the comics industry's rapidly declining fortunes."
Short answer: no. Also, those fanboys are dumbasses.
.Nostalgia: Awesome, Terrible, Or Awesible?
"I mean, these characters were created for the ten year old of the 1940s. The only possible reason why they should still appeal to the 40-and-50-year-olds of the early 21st century is nostalgia in its original sense--an illness."
Grow up, man-children! Put the funny books away, grab a scotch, and watch some "Mad Men!"
Why Him and "Watchmen" Artist Dave Gibbons No Longer Speak To Each Other
"I said to Dave, "The only thing that ever would cause a problem in our relationship is if, when you get the money--that is, my share of the production money--I would ask that you just give me a quick phone call and say 'I've got the money, Alan. Thanks a lot.' Just thank me--or, write me a letter or something like that just saying thank-you. Just the words 'thank you' will be more than adequate."
You hear that, Dave? It was just a freakin' thank-you! Was that so damn hard?! You could have sent a card.
Why Him And "V For Vendetta" artist David Lloyd No Longer Speak To Each Other
"But, like I said, Dave Lloyd hadn't phoned up and thanked me."
IS IT SO HARD???!!!
Why It's Different When Moore Uses The Characters Of Other Authors
"In The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, I am not adapting characters. I am flat out stealing them in what I think is an honorable way."
You see, it's just a matter of semantics. Or something.
What Moore thinks of the "Before Watchmen" creative teams, which include Brian Azzarello, Darwyn Cooke, Andy & Joe Kubert, Amanda Conner, Len Wein, Adam Hughes, etc.
"...possibly halfway-decent writers and artists..."
No, But What Do You *Really* Think Of Them, Alan?
"It strikes me that, yes, I can understand why they took on Before Watchmen. It will probably be the only opportunity they get in their careers to actually be attached to a project that anybody outside of comics has ever heard of... So, no, obviously I won't want anything to do with any of the people who are attached to this project at any point in the future, but that isn't a huge loss."
No "New Frontier"/"Watchmen" crossover deathmatch series with foil covers and scannable QR codes, then? Is this what you're telling us?
Alan Moore Could Have Saved "Continuity" In The DC Universe
"I know a way that they could have sorted out their continuity. I could have gotten rid of all of their problems for them. It would have been really simple. But, like I say, they unfortunately alienated me."
Hopefully, this would have involved a giant squid.
Any Final Thoughts On "Before Watchmen?"
"I'll just let nature take its course."
And by "nature," he means giant squids.
From an interview of Alan Moore by Kurt Amacker, published by Seraphemera Books http://www.seraphemera.org
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