There are a few people who have been majorly influential in the world of comics, and the co-creator ofWatchmen,Alan Moore, is undoubtedly one of them. Taking his place among legends like Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko, Moore has opened up worlds across Marvel, DC, and other publications. But lately, he’s got some thoughts about modern comic fans - and they’re pretty scathing.
In a recent piece written forThe Guardian,Alan Mooretakes it upon himself to interrogate how fandom has influenced contemporary culture. In his essay, he relates the cult mindset of superhero comics to politics as well as the unrealistic inflation of a piece of work with the worship of its artist. For fans, however, he has one message:
I’m sure that fandom is sometimes a grotesque blight that poisons the society surrounding it with its mean-spirited obsessions and ridiculous, unearned sense of entitlement.
While he does go on to say that fans have generally been very good to him throughout his tenure as a writer,he illustrates how the modern craze of pop culture tends towards an unhealthy fanaticism.
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Moore knows his stuff. As theauthor of some of the biggest, most influential comics, such asWatchmen, V for Vendetta,andSwamp Thing,he certainly has a resume to rest on. His words hold weight, if only because of his past history and if not because of the persuasiveness of his essay alone. Moore has been a comic writer since 1979, and as such, he’s seen comic fan culture change many times.
Watchmendeals with superhero fascism as well as international paranoia and the dying age of the golden superhero as it drifts into a more modern lens.
It is also obvious thatMoore has his ear to the ground when it comes to modern culture, especially considering every work of his directly links back to social commentary.Watchmenis one of the best examplesof this commentary, as the comic, created with artist Dave Gibbons, deals with superhero fascism as well as international paranoia and the dying age of the golden superhero as it drifts into a more modern lens. In his essay, Moore tracks the death of collaborative comics culture, especially as reflected in contemporary politics, where the power of comics lies more in “serving fandom” than in creating stories.
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More than anything, Alan Moore fears that the voice of the masses has more sway than artistic creators who have something important to say. He champions creators instead of, in his words,
…this reflexive belligerence – most usually from middle-aged white male conservatives – [that] is now a part of many fan communities.
The solution, however, lies in liking something without violence. He reminds comic fans that comics are a fun medium and thatan enthusiasm for something can enrich life.What he does not condone is the cult-like shouting into the megaphone when a new work of art doesn’t correspond with expectations.
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With this,Mooreconcludes his newest thoughtson the superhero dream. As a comic writer, he has seen the rise and fall of many comic trends, and his voice comes through as clearly as it does in any of his comics. Hopefully, his fans will hear his words and consider them, just like any of his pieces of art,Watchmenand otherwise - in a contemplativeAlan Moorestyle.
Source:The Guardian
Alan Moore
Discover the latest news and filmography for Alan Moore, known for V for Vendetta and Watchmen.
