Get To The Working Overtime Part
...recently I posted my thoughts on one of Alan Moore's recent tirades against the comic book industry. At the time, which only happened to be about a month or more ago, I basically felt his blanket negativity against the fans of the medium was wrong. Then I read the following blog post this morning.
http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2014/01/18/it-was-years-ago-but-were-still-angry-with-you/
For me, as a fan of both Alan Moore and comics as a whole, this made a compelling argument. There is little doubt that Alan Moore has been likely wronged by the major imprints. In that sense, his anger is entirely justifiable. Being a fan, it is a bit disappointing that he became so incensed before plying his trade with a company like Image.
The argument presented is that Alan Moore does not owe anyone what is termed "his greatest hits". In other words, he doesn't have to give in to discussing Watchmen or The Killing Joke with annoying fans if he decides he is finished with it. I can see that viewpoint as I can only imagine how tired a band like Motorhead must be of dusting off Ace Of Spades on a nightly basis. Compelling as this perspective might be though, I still cannot accept this and close the debate.
As much as Alan Moore is tired of talking about his past in a medium he clearly has grown to loathe, the fact remains that new people are discovering him every day/week/month and so on. Those people who might buy V For Vendetta this month, read it and fall in love might want to ask questions if ever given the opportunity. It is entirely possible that this presumed person has no idea what Alan Moore feels today. In simple terms, would it truly be that aggravating to discuss this work once more?
And what of the people who read Watchmen or Saga Of The Swamp Thing when it was being released? I watched the documentary on Alan Moore recently. With his own voice, he made no effort to conceal that he grew up in dire poverty with a mediocre education at best. Yet, through his creative impulses and a hefty dose of timing and luck, he was able to escape the doldrums of working poverty to become what so many others only dream of becoming. In a medium then known mainly for "cheap storytelling", he was able to rise to the top, both bringing a writer's mind to comics while simultaneously being recognized as groundbreaking and a great writer. Without the accolades from the people that admired him as a new writing voice, Alan Moore might today be working in the factory he once despised.
I can understand the levels that fans can go to that will irritate the kindest of souls. Every person has experienced a moment in their lives whereupon they felt overwhelmed. For someone of any modicum of fame, the feeling must resonate a hundredfold. Still, I think to be recognized and hailed for a gift like creative writing is something so many would long for. So, being one of the biggest names to have left a huge mark on comics and transforming the medium into something respected and revered beyond the fans themselves, I still feel as if Alan Moore is wrong.
...we went to see The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug over the weekend. Initially, I had planned a lengthy post about the movie and tie it in with the recent passing of my father. He really wanted to see it and due to other unfortunate circumstances, we had to postpone it. Five days later, my father was gone. Beyond mere mention of it, it turns out that it is still something I am not ready to talk at length about so publicly. Watching the film, so many times I sat there thinking "This feels weird without him being here" and "Damnit...he would have loved this."
Read: Batman: No Man's Land by Greg Rucka
Listen: Dag Nasty Wig Out At Denko's
Watch: Jeopardy
http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2014/01/18/it-was-years-ago-but-were-still-angry-with-you/
For me, as a fan of both Alan Moore and comics as a whole, this made a compelling argument. There is little doubt that Alan Moore has been likely wronged by the major imprints. In that sense, his anger is entirely justifiable. Being a fan, it is a bit disappointing that he became so incensed before plying his trade with a company like Image.
The argument presented is that Alan Moore does not owe anyone what is termed "his greatest hits". In other words, he doesn't have to give in to discussing Watchmen or The Killing Joke with annoying fans if he decides he is finished with it. I can see that viewpoint as I can only imagine how tired a band like Motorhead must be of dusting off Ace Of Spades on a nightly basis. Compelling as this perspective might be though, I still cannot accept this and close the debate.
As much as Alan Moore is tired of talking about his past in a medium he clearly has grown to loathe, the fact remains that new people are discovering him every day/week/month and so on. Those people who might buy V For Vendetta this month, read it and fall in love might want to ask questions if ever given the opportunity. It is entirely possible that this presumed person has no idea what Alan Moore feels today. In simple terms, would it truly be that aggravating to discuss this work once more?
And what of the people who read Watchmen or Saga Of The Swamp Thing when it was being released? I watched the documentary on Alan Moore recently. With his own voice, he made no effort to conceal that he grew up in dire poverty with a mediocre education at best. Yet, through his creative impulses and a hefty dose of timing and luck, he was able to escape the doldrums of working poverty to become what so many others only dream of becoming. In a medium then known mainly for "cheap storytelling", he was able to rise to the top, both bringing a writer's mind to comics while simultaneously being recognized as groundbreaking and a great writer. Without the accolades from the people that admired him as a new writing voice, Alan Moore might today be working in the factory he once despised.
I can understand the levels that fans can go to that will irritate the kindest of souls. Every person has experienced a moment in their lives whereupon they felt overwhelmed. For someone of any modicum of fame, the feeling must resonate a hundredfold. Still, I think to be recognized and hailed for a gift like creative writing is something so many would long for. So, being one of the biggest names to have left a huge mark on comics and transforming the medium into something respected and revered beyond the fans themselves, I still feel as if Alan Moore is wrong.
...we went to see The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug over the weekend. Initially, I had planned a lengthy post about the movie and tie it in with the recent passing of my father. He really wanted to see it and due to other unfortunate circumstances, we had to postpone it. Five days later, my father was gone. Beyond mere mention of it, it turns out that it is still something I am not ready to talk at length about so publicly. Watching the film, so many times I sat there thinking "This feels weird without him being here" and "Damnit...he would have loved this."
Read: Batman: No Man's Land by Greg Rucka
Listen: Dag Nasty Wig Out At Denko's
Watch: Jeopardy
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