I Read: Promethea - Book 1

I Read: Promethea - Book 1

Now its time to read over a graphic novel. It's a nice change of pace to read something visually instead of just textually.  And when its Alan Moore, its a great experience.

Promethea - Book 1 by Alan Moore & JH Williams III

Illustration: Promethea
Gorgeous. A knock-out creative team has created a story about story, and a new character. Promethea is the embodiment of creativity and imagination, and has existed as long as men have told stories. And she continuously reincarnates in various bodies along the way, finally entering the form of our hero, Sophie Bangs.
She comes across Promethea as a pulp comics character as well as an enduring character in poetry and folklore.  And like so many 'fish out of water' stories, she soon finds out that its 'all for real.'
And I don't mean to say that it falls into a familiar plot in a bad way.  Not at all.  If falling into a preexisting plot was universally bad, then I wouldn't like anything.  I don't think they make new plots, only new clothes for them.  And Promethea had some gorgeous outfits.
Moore creates a mythology in a flash that is both new, yet familiar enough to be comfortable in.  It also helps that it is drawn by the amazing JH Williams III, who's work always makes the most, both narratively and aesthetically, out of every inch of the page.  The panels are formed by Mucha-like frames and wreathes of roses.  The images are loaded with details, gags, and, when needed, negative space that gives the viewer both a full page and some breathing room.

Moore's writing is also wonderful, as well. He creates fun characters to follow as well as fun concepts to follow through the story.  In this world, there is a super-her- I mean SCIENCE-hero group called the Five Swell Guys, that float around on a hovercraft in business suits.  There is also a great gag in the leading comic character of the world: The Weeping Gorilla.  Funny not only for using a simplification of the human condition as a literalistic character for spewing morose one-liners, but also just plain silly fun.  Seeing billboards with a giant gorilla shedding a tear while saying "Modern Life makes me feel so alone," "Go on, ask me about my marriage," and "Can we hear that Radiohead track just once more?" is just a creative delight that makes the reading experience all the more enjoyable.
This was just the first volume of the trade paperbacks collecting this series.  It was a great start to an interesting comic and I look forward to reading even more.
Thanks Alan and JH!

TGIF!

TGIF!

Thank God it's Friday!

Alan Moore

Now that we've been introduced to Alan Moore, I'd like to share his rather refreshing view of religious belief and practice.  He believes that spiritual pursuit should be decided by the individual, or that one religion for everybody doesn't make sense.  Everyone is different, and since everyone id different, we each have our own spiritual needs that we should seek to satisfy on our own.  If you don't have much of a spiritual hunger, then just get a salad and a diet coke.  But if you crave exotic tastes, then look into the ancient deities of the Mayans, Inuit, or Roman snake deities.

Moore, as I've said before, is a bit of a weirdo.  As a comic writer he has been incredibly influential on the medium, and has even been called one of the most in important contemporary writers in Britain.  Many of his comics have been turned into films, though you'll notice his name isn't on it.  Why?  Because for him, the movie is something  completely different than the comic, and he wants no part of it and thus, he gives his portion of the royalties to the other contributors.  At least he practices what he preaches.

He supports an open view of reality, religion, and personal values.  He also has some interesting views on the idea of magic and mysticism.  Simply put, magic  is Art.  Magic is manipulation of symbols, words, and ideas in order to change the consciousness of yourself and others.  This is so cool to me.  To think that being a magician is to someone who creates with words, with colors, and with objects what was not before is empowering to me.  I think I will be a magician.

Moore is a fascinating personality because he is at the same time mystical and rational.  He has poetic air bout him that is almost intimidating, yet he has a gentle sense of humor and an open mind that would invite you to join him for tea.  There are many great interviews with him on Youtube and other places, including an 80 minute documentary about him.  Here is a few (10 minutes worth) words from Kevin Smith and friends on the amazing run on Swamp Thing that Moore worked on in the 80s.

 I'll leave you with a quote from the video I linked to in the last article.  As Alan stands on stage a callous version of himself accuses him of having a messiah complex.  He responds:

"Would I have a haircut like this if I didn't?"

See you on the other side

Creators: Alan Moore

Creators

A growing list of influential Artists, Writers, Poets, Filmmakers, and Creatives.

Alan Moore

I like this guy, he's weird.  He's the oddball who cut his name out of the movie adaptations of his works and refused to accept the money for it.  He has weird religious beliefs (more on that Friday), a bizarre dress code, and he thinks comics are the best kind of art (can you guess what I think of him?). Alan Moore is one of my favorite comic writers because he consistantly challenges himself and the medium with complex characters, morally ambiguous stories, and vivid visual storytelling. To keep things brief, I will list off a few of my favorite works by him.