Watchmen...

Heruka · Post by **Heruka** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:55 am

Not seen the film yet, and as ever Alan Moore removed himself from the credits in wanting no piece of the filmic hype. He's a bona fide magus (no, he really is) and generally sees the moving image as a lesser form than that made possible through the multi-linear graphic style. Films simplify and tyrranise, whereas the picture and word blend of a comic or graphic novel is endlessly referential and interactive. A point worth holding in fantasy roleplay culture, I'd say. The Watchmen graphic novel is a definitive 80s work, of course, and Alan Moore is a certified genius of the medium. By the way, has anyone here delighted themselves with his 'Promethea' series? You need to if you haven't. And Peter Bradley et al, indeed all you girl-on-girl devotees - you are familiar then with 'The Lost Girls', no doubt, his erotic-porn-titillation-liberation treatment of a trio of literary heroines (Alice, from Wonderland, Wendy from Peter Pan and Dorothy from Oz) with art by his partner Melinda Gebbie?

There's a good documentary on dvd by Shadowsnake films 'The Mindscape of Alan Moore' which I'd highlt recommend too.

Finally, you could do much worse than check out Moore's novel 'Voices of the Fire' as well. Imagination comes screaming through.

Enjoy! Meanwhile, I'd better get along and see the film - can't keep Dr Manhattan waiting.

Jason Vey · Post by **Jason Vey** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:47 pm

Removing himself from the credits without ever having seen the screenplay, let alone the final product, shows a bitter and closed mind, IMHO. The film does great credit to his work, and maintains its integrity in every way.

Jason Vey · Post by **Jason Vey** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:51 pm

gideon_thorne wrote:
I didn't have a problem with the League movie. Just the kind of film I enjoy.

Agreed. The graphic novel translated to the screen would've been abysmal. Even though both are visual mediums, some things work in comics that just wouldn't on screen.

Like the original realization of the villainous plot in Watchmen, for example. Thank God they changed the specifics of that.

Heruka · Post by **Heruka** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 3:12 pm

Hey Grey Elf -

He didn't remove himself from the credits, (sorry - my poor phrasing in original post) actually he was never on there. Alan Moore has always steered clear of film adaptations of his work and isn't credited on any of the films cashing in on his work, by his own wish. Nor does he take any money from the projects, so far as I know, often signing his rights over to the original artists on the comics.

Anyway, Watchmen has taken over twenty years to make and been through numerous plans, scripts and wannabe directors in that time, Moore maintained a distance from the lot (even when it was slated to be directed by Terry Gilliam). Your assumption that he has a bitter and closed mind is highly amusing, and couldn't be further from the truth; I know of few minds more open than Alan Moore's.

Not wishing to speak for him, but I guess he'd say that the film just isn't his work, and he would want none of the credit - nor any of the blame for it.

I also think he has a lot more integrity than you're prepared to allow him, and I wonder why you seem to have a problem with that? One result of his choice is that because he isn't drawn into the Hollywood machine he puts his emphases elsewhere, that's what he's all about - maximising his autonomy and creative expression - for him the page of text and pictures is just inherently more magical and powerful (and interactive and multilinear) than a film can ever be. I've never heard him want anyone else to agree with that view, he isn't about converting anyone, but that is is his own position (as I understand it). I guess that's just curmudgeonly working-class punk-radical Northampton-bred psychedelicised Kabbalist magicians for you, eh?

gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:30 pm

The author just doesn't like the film medium it seems. I've listened to a number of his interviews. He was good enough to turn all of his share of any money over to the artist. That speaks of class to me.

But, for those who missed certain scenes from the graphic novel, here ya go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDDHHrt6 ... r_embedded
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Traveller · Post by **Traveller** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:03 pm

That is so wrong.
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