Jason Aaron says "fuck you Alan Moore"

[Swany]

i had no idea Alan Moore was the guitar tech for Nevermore.

In all seriousness i'm in the pro Jason Aaron camp.
Regardless of the person, if they stated, alluded or insinuated that i have no talent, my gut reaction is " hey buddy go fuck your hat". But that's just me

[Jay Tomio]

I want to get it but I can't even begin to understand WTF Aaron is referencing unless I pretend to lack reading comprehension when reading Moore's statements.

If Kirkman had said it, then everyone would be breaking their necks to pile on the "fuck yeahs!"

 

[Nojfotra (Jonathan D. Gordon)]

I believe we had this same chat when moore out of hand trashed Geoff Johns work on Green Lantern.
I always wonder how people defend what moore has done in recent year. If this moore was random guy x,
saying in a forum, "I haven't read that book but its shitty and can't be good cause all modern stuff pales in comparison to it forefathers". We would label that guy a troll after awhile and ignore him. It seems thats what Aaron is saying to do. Label him as a troll and let him hate everything all he wants. we dont have to pay attention.

[jdudley]

VinceB:
Moore is the greatest comic writer of all time. It just so happens that no comic writer deserves to be told to "go fuck himself" more than Moore as well. But Aaron is on his way to deserve it too.
I think it is obvious that Aaron would love nothing more than to  have his work validated by one of his idols--instead, said idol simply shit on not just the work of contemporary writers, but the entire medium. This is fucked up because there has never been such a high volume of quality, unique comic titles on the stands.
The fact that Moore has quite clearly allowed his success to go to his head makes him a giant D-Bag and deserving of some mud slinging--even if Aaron stoops down to Moore's level to do it.
But despite it all, Moore remains the greatest comic writer of all time.
Basically, to not read Moore and/or Aaron's work because of this argument is a huge mistake.
Indeed, it is quite clear by this whole controversy that Aaron and Moore are actually extremely similar in temperment. I think they are both irrational--but to not read either works because of their insane passions would be even more irrational.

[Greg Leclair (greg1ca)]

I only read Aaron's article so i am not sure if there is more to this story or not. But I am only going on what Aaron himself provided. As much as I admire Aaron's writing on Scalped (the best ongoing comic today IMHO), I am surprised how whiny he comes across. Moore's comments were not only pretty much dead on (even though I think he was just trying to be witty), there were not even that controversial. Certainly there were too generic to be truly offensive. I just think Aaron went well out of his way to be offended.

I find it hard to believe he really is that put out. At least he got an eye catching CBR article out of it.
And I seriously doubt you would see a similar article from Moore.

[Inazuma Tiger]

So Moore didn't act like a professional because he explained his side of the story of how DC is communicating with him?  I read that interview a couple of times and he can be a bit harsh, but in a way its the old man way of saying what Kirkman said. See Kirkman is young, he didn't want to hurt any feelings and hell he got in dumb debates and stuff. Warners in reality has did Moore over the years. He can be mad. Is it unprofessional if I call Watchmen sequels lame? It's lame. Why are you jumping to do that? That's like remaking Beat It or PYT or something. Why not pitch a dope Question story. Why not go back. Do something dope about Watchmen and not BS sequels of Watchmen. The industry isn't going to come back with doing that stuff.

I read like 15 issues of Scalped. It was ok. Not bad. I haven't read any of his Marvel work and from what I've heard about I have no want to. How about you put that time in before dissin' the elders.

You said it best, Julian.

So to Aaron or any other creator that takes issue with this:

YOU create a body of work that contains numerous works that can be perpetually reread and something new to be found each time.

YOU create a narrative voice that influenced an entire generation of creators and spawned an entire line .

YOU create a catalog containing almost every genre of comics that defies pigeon-holing.


Like Julian said, this whole thing feels like sour grapes to me because Aaron and other creators who took offense won't be able to say that they worked on Watchmen related in their career.get off that corporate teat and do your own 'Watchmen'!

Also, what does Moore care? When you've done Watchmen, Miracleman, Swamp Thing, Promethea, From Hell, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and V for Vendetta, you're pretty much the G.O.A.T. and can say whatever f*ck you want.

F*ck Alan Moore?

Seriously...?



 

[judekill]

Also, what does Moore care? When you've done Watchmen, Miracleman, Swamp Thing, Promethea, From Hell, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and V for Vendetta, you're pretty much the G.O.A.T. and can say whatever f*ck you want.

QFT

Would it be gratuitous to add "The Killing Joke", "Lost Girls", and "Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?"

[The Questyen]

I don't believe in the thought that just because someone is the greatest you can't call them out on their bullshit. If Alan Moore is going to make comments that insult all of the current industry creators then he should expect a few to tell him to fuck off.

If Michael Jordan came out and said their are no top tier basketball players in the league today or even any second tier players, you don't think someone would call him out on it?

[judekill]

"If Michael Jordan came out and said their are no top tier basketball players in the league today or even any second tier players, you don't think someone would call him out on it?"
 This is a forum, of course we respect freedom of speech; what is most compelling to me about your argument is that you chose to pick Michael Jordan-the as close to undeniably, without argument, greatest basketball player that ever played. If Carmelo Anthony took umbrage to anything Jordan said,you know what, I probably would give as much credit to Anthony as I am to Aaron.

[GLewis]

No one gets a pass with fans the way Moore does. I love Mr. Moore's work and in fact one time started a thread on this very forum about my love for his work. However, Mr. Aaron is correct. The article he referenced wasn't the first time Mr. Moore has insinuated that there is no talent working in comics today. It sometimes feels like this is how he opens all his interviews. "Hi, I'm Alan Moore and everyone working in comics today is no talent buffoon."

At no point did Mr. Aaron insult Moore's work, he in fact praised it, over and over. He went on for a good portion of his column to explain his long time love for Mr. Moore's work. Then he explained how it felt to be shit on by the very same man.

Since when have comic book writers or artists ever acted professional, aside from a few Simonsons here and there? Why does Alan Moore get to shit on everyone, and Aaron can't take a dump on one guy? Aaron isn't the new kid any more. He has a deepening body of work, that is almost all above par and Scalped will be considered a classic years after it is complete by most of those who dismiss it now.

All in all this is just more bluster between artists and it's nothing new. It's not pretty and I definitely don't think more highly of Mr. Aaron because of this. However, Aaron isn't going to be judged fairly on this issue, not because of what he wrote, but because of who he wrote it about. Moore has already spent so much time painting himself as the persecuted comic book messiah, that any ill word written about him only confirms to him and his followers that this is true. Moore has been treated unfairly, but it's been by the industry and not the current crop of talent he enjoys insulting.

I'll still read both of their works. I'll still cringe when Moore says everyone in comics is a hack. I'll wish later that one of my favorite writers would have stayed above the fray.

[NeverWanderer (Joey Cruz)]

A professional you say...    ... If only Moore handled himself like one.


Moore is a self centered man child who is a horrible ambassador for a medium he claims to love.


The Tiki

Wow, have you ever heard the man talk? He's nothing like that at all. He's always been composed, articulate and intelligent.

One set of features does not preclude the other.


Aaron's article is just a little too unhinged, a little too indulgent and sensationalist, and his second quote actively works against what he's saying...

But the first quote doesn't. And the first quote is enough. Aaron is right. He's not being incredibly classy about it, but I can certainly identify with the emotion driving it. Moore blithely insults the integrity and intelligence of modern comic creators and fans alike every time, or so it seems, that he opens his mouth to the media. If he wants to badmouth the companies, the people making the decisions, fine, but the minute he takes it to the working man, he loses my sympathy.

Mind you, I don't take his shit personally so much. I'll still read his work when it interests me, and I'll always respect his talent and vision and hold him up as a creative inspiration, but the man is WAY out of touch and caught in a self-perpetuating cycle of of bitterness and self-righteousness. And, sadly, at his age, he can afford to be, and isn't likely to change.

Sad that a man who did so much for the industry has become such a negative figure, but Aaron, in writing his piece, is only accentuating that negativity.

Don't make him wrong, though.

[Farrell]

I like a lot of Alan Moore's work.  I like a lot of Jason Aaron's work.  I really don't care if they like each other or not.

[NeverWanderer (Joey Cruz)]

I like a lot of Alan Moore's work.  I like a lot of Jason Aaron's work.  I really don't care if they like each other or not.

Heh. Well said. 

[Steve-t]

I like Alan Moore. He is intelligent, articulate, not remotely pretentious (though he does say crazy things in order to give himself a laugh at the interviewers expense) and an extremely talented, well read and adaptable writer.

And the gist of his speech seems to be that new ideas are better than rehashing old ones and that the writers at the big 2 aren't perhaps the best writers in the whole comics field. Which are valid points he just put them in a rather aggressive way.

None of this deserves a "go fuck yourself" from Jason Aaron who is a great writer but not as rounded as Moore. So it makes me sad to hear this.

But just to play devil's advocate: why couldn't a Watchmen sequel play with the concepts of the story in a new and exciting way in much the same way as Moore has done with Lovecraft's work?
Had Neonomicon been by someone else would Moore dismiss it for not having enough new ideas?

[Brian G]

You don't read and/or respect my books so I won't read and/or respect yours. Sounds like both writers are missing out on some great work. Yay for tantrums.

[Dean S.]

I think Moore is really taking the tack of "these guys are beneath me", which may supercilious, but I don't think he's passively aggressively attacking creators in saying it, I think he's just ignoring them.  Dickish or no, He's under no obligation to extoll, endorse, or even pay attention to any other creator.

Let him play the recluse if he wants to.  His work will speak for itself.  As long as it continues to entertain and provoke, i'll keep reading.

Oh I think that's exactly what he does, and its typical old dude behavior in any line of work.  He reminds me of an old liberal arts professor who only has to teach one class and kinda muses randomly about how much more awesome it was back in his day and how awesome he was and isn't really aware that he's basically calling all the young guys losers. 

I don't think Moore is being malicious, but I think he's just careless with what he says sometimes.  But, I don't think that gets him a pass.  Aaron's well within his rights to tell the old dude to eff off.

Not that I really care.  They're two of my favorite writers and I buy just about everything they do anyway and that's not going to change.

[Wood]

You said it best, Julian.

So to Aaron or any other creator that takes issue with this:

YOU create a body of work that contains numerous works that can be perpetually reread and something new to be found each time.

YOU create a narrative voice that influenced an entire generation of creators and spawned an entire line .

YOU create a catalog containing almost every genre of comics that defies pigeon-holing.


Like Julian said, this whole thing feels like sour grapes to me because Aaron and other creators who took offense won't be able to say that they worked on Watchmen related in their career.get off that corporate teat and do your own 'Watchmen'!

Also, what does Moore care? When you've done Watchmen, Miracleman, Swamp Thing, Promethea, From Hell, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and V for Vendetta, you're pretty much the G.O.A.T. and can say whatever f*ck you want.

F*ck Alan Moore?

Seriously...?

C'mon son!

See, this is where I get fired up. Moore IS the best writer in the genre's history. No doubt (in my mind). BUT, there is quid pro quo here. Just because Moore is the best doesn't make it okay for him to be a dick to an entire generation of creators. EVEN IF HE WAS RIGHT (which he isn't), what point did it serve for Moore to say what HE said?

I don't think Aaron should've written a column like this, I don't see how it serves himself or his industry. BUT, I can't fathom for one second why people would have a problem with Aaron's column and not be equally put off by Moore saying what he said. Talk about why bother? Why would the greatest ever feel the need to besmirch hundreds of people that -- by his own admission -- he really doesn't give two shits about in the first place? Being mean spirited isn't something worth chastising now?

 

[Steve-t]

C'mon son!

See, this is where I get fired up. Moore IS the best writer in the genre's history. No doubt (in my mind). BUT, there is quid pro quo here. Just because Moore is the best doesn't make it okay for him to be a dick to an entire generation of creators. EVEN IF HE WAS RIGHT (which he isn't), what point did it serve for Moore to say what HE said?

I don't think Aaron should've written a column like this, I don't see how it serves himself or his industry. BUT, I can't fathom for one second why people would have a problem with Aaron's column and not be equally put off by Moore saying what he said. Talk about why bother? Why would the greatest ever feel the need to besmirch hundreds of people that -- by his own admission -- he really doesn't give two shits about in the first place? Being mean spirited isn't something worth chastising now?

 

But the meat of Alan Moore's statement is that new ideas are worth investing in with the writers at the big 2 (doesn't everyone agrees with this?), even if he did put it badly. Aaron doesn't seem to understand this so his column seems to be based on just reading the negative stuff.

[Jordan]

So because Moore is the greatest he can act like a dick?    Doesn't matter if he's right (which I don't think he is)

[Wood]

But the meat of Alan Moore's statement is that new ideas are worth investing in with the writers at the big 2 (doesn't everyone agrees with this?), even if he did put it badly. Aaron doesn't seem to understand this so his column seems to be based on just reading the negative stuff.

I think context is important, but I don't see how "Now, I don't think that the contemporary industry actually has a ‘top-flight' of talent.  I don't think it's even got a middle-flight or a bottom-flight of talent" can be misinterpreted regardless of what points are made in the rest of the article.

I'll keep saying it, Aaron shouldn't have written this bc I don't see how it serves to better the situation, but anyone ripping Aaron for the futility of this rant damn sure better recognize the same holds true for Moore's initial statement.