Alan Moore = Such a downer

[Wood]

The dude can write some funny books, but he gives new meaning to the concept of stick in the mud.

Or maybe dildo in the bum.

http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/09/19/moore-spitting-venom-on-watchmen-film/

[Paul]

Hard not to understand why though.  His name has been slapped on a lot of crap movies, that were based on otherwise fine works that the man produced.

Hell, he even got named in a lawsuit when League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was being made into a movie, because some disgruntled hack screenwriter claimed that Fox had stolen a screenplay that placed literary characters in adventure settings.  Never mind that Moore had written the comic years before that.

I guess the money isn't what's important to him.  Kinda refreshing if you ask me!

[deadcowaroma]

That's what makes Alan Moore cool though. It's cool to not want to be cool. As soon as you are cool, you're not cool anymore.....

At least that's what the children tell me...

[Wood]

That's what makes Alan Moore cool though. It's cool to not want to be cool. As soon as you are cool, you're not cool anymore.....

At least that's what the children tell me...

Sorry but I say bullshit to that. If Moore really didn't give a shit, he would just stay out of the spotlight entirely. He NEVER passes up a chance to explain to the world how no one can begin to know how to do justice to his creations. Other than his wife, have you ever heard him speak kindly of someone he's been associated with? He's an ASSHOLE and one of my least favorite people in this business. But I'll still keep buying his funny books.

[VinceB]

He's an ASSHOLE and one of my least favorite people in this business.

Somebody needs a hug. C'mere... 

[deadcowaroma]

Sorry but I say bullshit to that. If Moore really didn't give a shit, he would just stay out of the spotlight entirely. He NEVER passes up a chance to explain to the world how no one can begin to know how to do justice to his creations. Other than his wife, have you ever heard him speak kindly of someone he's been associated with? He's an ASSHOLE and one of my least favorite people in this business. But I'll still keep buying his funny books.

Yea, I totally get your point. I'm just joking around  .

But I can also see where he's coming from. As I understand it, when they made Watchmen, they intended to create something that couldn't exist in any other medium (with all the repetition of images and panel layouts and such). Watchmen sort of proved that comics were an specific and important art form that could work on levels that movies and books couldn't. To turn around and make Watchmen into a movie kinda undermines their point.

...I really want to see Rorschach kick the crap out of people though  

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

...I really want to see Rorschach kick the crap out of people though  

...hurm...

Gotta side with Wood on this one. If he's so far above the masses and their insipid media, he wouldn't deign to speak to them...except to bolster sales and add to his image of outsider genius

[deadcowaroma]

...hurm...

Gotta side with Wood on this one. If he's so far above the masses and their insipid media, he wouldn't deign to speak to them...except to bolster sales and add to his image of outsider genius

Yea, but if you made a sculpture, and the sculpture was made specifically so it had to be viewed in person and you intended this work to show that photographs are 2 dimensional and can not give the 3d effect that sculptures give....and then some guy comes along and takes pictures of your sculpture and sells them as prints to a mass audience....wouldn't you be a little bit irritated.

[Jose Chung]

I think Moore is releshing his status as a grouch (and a good pull quote).  Exhibit #294 why I would rather focus on my heroes' work rather than hearing them opine...about pretty much anything other than the actual creative process, really. 

[Wood]

Yea, but if you made a sculpture, and the sculpture was made specifically so it had to be viewed in person and you intended this work to show that photographs are 2 dimensional and can not give the 3d effect that sculptures give....and then some guy comes along and takes pictures of your sculpture and sells them as prints to a mass audience....wouldn't you be a little bit irritated.

If I created the sculpture while working for hire on a company's dime, I would shut my piehole even if they decided to make plaster casts of it and ship them with bright neon polka dots all over the world.

[deadcowaroma]

If I created the sculpture while working for hire on a company's dime, I would shut my piehole even if they decided to make plaster casts of it and ship them with bright neon polka dots all over the world.

I still see that as a fuzzy line though. Guys like Alan Moore put a lot of work into these books even though they don't end up owning them. They can't help but feel attached to the things they write or draw.

...not to make it sound like I'm an artist in any way 

[Mike Murphy]

Alan Moore: I'm with Wood.

Whenever this point comes up, I always think of Peter David's infamous words on Moore.

David said something to the effect of yes, he may shit all over the films, and reject the cash offered from the studios, but he aint saying a damn word when it comes to all that extra cash generated by book sales.

These films are drumming up interest in works that have been gathering dust on store shelves for years, and it's asshole-ish behavior of the highest order for Moore to be shitting all over them.

If you're so above it all, turn ALL the cash away, and shut your mouth about the whole thing.

And yes, I too will continue to buy anything he puts his name on. 

[Equinox]

The dude can write some funny books, but he gives new meaning to the concept of stick in the mud.

Or maybe dildo in the bum.

http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/09/19/moore-spitting-venom-on-watchmen-film/

That's too bad.  He had another interview a couple of months ago with Entertainment Weekly that actually made him sound quite reasonable and pleasant by comparison.

[Pat Loika]

Moore is probably using his sorcery to come up with a way to give Wood some negative karma.

That said, I'm with Wood, too. He's making money from something he wrote 20 years ago. Probably more money than ever, thanks to this film. And now he's hoping that the work of hundreds of people, from the director and everyone down the line would fail.

That's pretty fucked up.

P.

[deadcowaroma]

Watchmen was selling crazy before the movie was announced though...maybe not as crazy, but it was a top selling book none the less.

[Jose Chung]

Alan Moore: I'm with Wood.

Whenever this point comes up, I always think of Peter David's infamous words on Moore.

David said something to the effect of yes, he may shit all over the films, and reject the cash offered from the studios, but he aint saying a damn word when it comes to all that extra cash generated by book sales.

These films are drumming up interest in works that have been gathering dust on store shelves for years, and it's asshole-ish behavior of the highest order for Moore to be shitting all over them.

If you're so above it all, turn ALL the cash away, and shut your mouth about the whole thing.

And yes, I too will continue to buy anything he puts his name on. 

He's refused enough money with the films to earn my respect in terms of sticking by his (imo, warped) ideals.  I think it is perfectly appropriate to keep cashing checks for works he had a direct hand in creating.  As far as "works...gathering dust on store shelves", Watchmen has been a wintergreen title, not to mention one of Time Magazine's greatest novels since 1923 (or whatever year in the 20's it was).  

Although his understanding of the work-for-hire process astounds me, I do have to hand it to him for turning away what I would imagine isn't pocket change.  I'd have changed my tune in a heartbeat.        

[Paul]

Sorry but I say bullshit to that. If Moore really didn't give a shit, he would just stay out of the spotlight entirely. He NEVER passes up a chance to explain to the world how no one can begin to know how to do justice to his creations. Other than his wife, have you ever heard him speak kindly of someone he's been associated with? He's an ASSHOLE and one of my least favorite people in this business. But I'll still keep buying his funny books.

He's an asshole because he's not some corporation's bitch?

He tried the "I'm not saying anything" route before, and ended up getting words put in his mouth by Joel Silver (speaking of corporate drone lockstep wanks).

How many times have you told someone to check out League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and they make a face and say "ooh, yeah, saw that movie.  It was crap." ditto for From Hell.  The fact is, those movies compared to the original works upon which they were based is like comparing breathing underwater through a drinking straw to high-end scuba equipment.  It doesn't matter though, because it's HIS name that goes on the credit roll.  After those two travesties, it's no small wonder he wants his name taken off the movies!  People don't remember that it came out from DC, they're conditioned to looking for authors' names.  If I didn't know better, those movies would have put me off anything with his name on it.

He got royally screwed by DC on both V and Watchmen, in that the rights were supposed to revert back to Moore and the respective artists after they went out of print.  Of course, they never went out of print, which was virtually unheard of at the time.  In any case, this wasn't a standard work for hire contract, it just turns out to have ended up that way.

I may not agree with a lot of what Moore has to say, but I do respect that he has the balls to say it, and act on it!

[Chad (Grilled Cheese Sandwich)]

Given the Alan Moore based movies I've seen so far and his apparent reaction to them... ...I think I've reached a point where I don't give a damn about his thoughts on the movies...He's belligerent to the point of hilarity when it comes to his creations...I like V for Vendetta and I like From Hell...they are movie adaptations and I'm smart enough to know they aren't perfect translations of a different medium and depending on my mood, I'll seek out the medium I want to experience...

He signed off somewhere along the line making these movies possible...if he didn't want to see his work altered and rethought or presented in a way other than as his vision, don't put it out there for the public...or if you do, make sure you have complete control over the rights and never let a movie be made...otherwise, I feel like you lose your right to complain as vociferously as he does...express your disappointment and move on...

[Paul]

If I created the sculpture while working for hire on a company's dime, I would shut my piehole even if they decided to make plaster casts of it and ship them with bright neon polka dots all over the world.

If his deal was that simple I'd say you have a point. So, to stretch the analogy, what if you were told that they just wanted it for one show, and then after that, it was all yours to do with as you please.  What a great deal!  Nobody else will give you such a great deal to pay you for the work, and once they're done with it, let you have it.

Oh, except that one show?  It's never going to end.  Did we forget to mention that?  Sorry.

Yeah, that "It's work for hire so I deserve to get screwed" mentality is exactly why the Hero Initiative is needed so badly.

Wood, I'm not trying to be contrary to you here, it's just that you're pressing all the right art vs commerce buttons for me with this.  So karma to you to counteract that wicked witchcraft coming from Northampton

[Mike Murphy]

He's refused enough money with the films to earn my respect in terms of sticking by his (imo, warped) ideals.  I think it is perfectly appropriate to keep cashing checks for works he had a direct hand in creating.  As far as "works...gathering dust on store shelves", Watchmen has been a wintergreen title, not to mention one of Time Magazine's greatest novels since 1923 (or whatever year in the 20's it was).  

Although his understanding of the work-for-hire process astounds me, I do have to hand it to him for turning away what I would imagine isn't pocket change.  I'd have changed my tune in a heartbeat.        

Yes, it's a wintergreen title, but is that due to sales from the bookstore market, or the direct market? Basically, it'd be interesting to see numbers showing just who is buying the trade. I have the feeling that up till this point, it's mainly been comic readers in the direct market buying new printings of the trade to replace old ones, or to give as gifts.

You have to admit that with Watchmen (and V for that matter), the general public wasn't much aware of it's existence. Hell, when Celina and I saw Dark Knight, a couple behind us actually said "Huh? I've never heard of that"
during the trailer. This kind of exposure leads to a swell in sales, and royalties. While I'm sure it can't compare to the Hollywood cash, it still must be a nice check to cash.

And that's all due to the film.

Oh, and yeah, I have no morals or principals when it comes to this crap. Someone hands me money, I'm taking it.  Beliefs don't pay the bills.