Comic Review – Nemo: Heart of Ice
A spoiler-free personal review of the latest League of Extraordinary Gentlemen book, the graphic novella Nemo: Heart of Ice.
I say personal as it was near impossible for me to put aside my prior feelings when it came to reading this comic, and yet I felt compelled to review it in some manner after racing my way through it in a thoroughly enjoyable manner.
(Hit the jump for the full review!)
The Strange Case of Grant Morrison and Alan Moore, As Told By Grant Morrison
Over the last few weeks, my good friend Pádraig Ó Méalóid has been writing a series of articles on The Beat about Alan Moore and Superfolks, which became an edgeways look at the long running friction between Moore and fellow writer, Grant Morrison. While Moore has previously spoken out about his thoughts on Morrison in various interviews, Morrison has generally kept quiet on the issue. There have been occasional barbs of course, and plenty of praise, but very little on the actual facts of the matter.
The popularity of the articles suggested that there is a demand for such information however, and many of the comments certainly demonstrated a lack of adequate knowledge of the facts. Now who could possibly shine a light on this topic…? Ah, hang on, I know just the fella.
Over on The Beat then, I've re-mixed Part 3 of the original series, which focused on the relationship between Moore and Morrison, with Grant Morrison's own thoughts on the matter. So go and have a read, while I retreat to my bunker!
The Beat - The Strange Case of Grant Morrison and Alan Moore, As Told By Grant Morrison
The Independent on Sunday: Review of Century 2009 by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill
My review of the just published League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century 2009, by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill, is published in today's Independent on Sunday in the lead slot. I've had the (only) review copy for nearly a month now and have resisted looking too smug about that rather well.
The Independent on Sunday has also run a news article about the comic, and one of its more controversial aspects, in the news section. It contains a quote by me, and I've included my full quote below for those interested, written for a mainstream audience.
Our new adventure begins with Orlando fighting once more in an unending war, this time in the Middle East's Q'umar. Our trio has failed to stop the birth of the Antichrist and their union has fractured. A televised news report ponders whether we are returning to an era of spin, resulting in a furiously foul-mouthed tirade from one Malcolm Tucker. As with the opera of 1910 and the cinematic references of 1969, the world of the League is open to all fiction, not only literature, and mentions of Hollywood stars and famous footballers can be found with a keen eye. References to previous instalments show the grand scale of Moore's meticulous planning.
Weaving together Britain's mythic dreamtime into one glorious creative tapestry, this latest percipient adventure is a thrilling ride.
Full review here: League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century 2009, By Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill - Reviews - Books - The Independent
The news story can be found here: Revealed: Harry Potter is the Antichrist!
And my full quote:
Alan Moore is perhaps the greatest comic writer of our time, changing superheroes forever with his genre-breaking Watchmen, altering the face of protests the world over with V for Vendetta, and famous too for his rare stance on film adaptations of his many works: a polite distancing based on personal disinterest. Having turned his back on the US comic publishers and their often questionable approach to creators rights, Moore found a happier home with Knockabout Comics and Top Shelf, where he has cheerfully produced a series of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen graphic novels that have outsold almost every other comic on the market.
From the late 19th century, the series has shown us a parallel world to our own, one in which our fictions are reality, where Captain Nemo and Professor Moriarty shape England's history. Moving events now to 2009, that fiction expands to encompass The West Wing, 24, and of course a certain boy wizard. Moore is always keen to point out that the League books are satire and that he has respect for all characters that he uses and hints at, expressing hope that people will look beyond the Harry Potter connection to appreciate the whole. He and artist Kevin O'Neill have layered several other fictions on top of the character who may (or may not!) be JK Rowling's creation, with nods towards Platform 13, Groosham Grange, and The Dark is Rising, predecessors all to the Boy Who Lived.
Make no mistake, the wily Moore is in no way making a statement on one character by his crafting of the ultimate bad guy in his series to date, rather his chosen Antichrist is a commentary on a perceived degradation of society, both in our world and the fictional. As the publishing industry takes less risks, originality is visibly dwindling, while major franchises and celebrity biographies are relentlessly pushed upon us. When the Antichrist comes face to face with the one character who can terminate his domination, it's difficult not to feel a swell of love for the old books that we all hold dear. People will perhaps be keen to paint this as a curmudgeonly assault on the popular Harry Potter, painting him as an evil abomination that has corrupted our children and heralded the death knell of children's fiction, but that is a shallow reading of a complex series that delights in layering meanings and references in the playground of our imagination.
Before Watchmen, After Moore
DC's announcement that a slew of prequel Watchmen comics were in the pipeline caused quite the fuss in February. The latest issue of The Drink Tank, a Hugo award winning fanzine, has just gone live with a Before Watchmen special - you can read my contribution on page 17.
The "Watchmen moment", as my lecturer in Comic Studies describes it, is when we read a comic so great and revolutionary that we have to rush out and tell everyone we know to read it and share in the experience. In comics history, these moments are few and far between. What is perhaps more common is the "Before Watchmen moment", when we discover that our beloved medium has been pressed once more into chasing profitability through the ashes of past glory and ethical wrongs.
Comic Review: Neonomicon by Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows
The trade collection of Alan Moore's Neonomicon is out, and the reviews have started to trickle in; the more knowing ones from those who read the single editions, and the utterly horrified gasps of those who didn't. The latter reaction is understandable, Neonomicon is a horrible story – not horribly written, but horrible in itself.
This is HP Lovecraft with all that the old master of pulp horror kept implicit, made explicit. Lovecraft was racist, even for his time, and incredibly uncomfortable with sexuality. In some respects, Moore has taken those "indescribable" horrors and made manifest what Lovecraft himself feared most. But Neonomicon is more than that; Moore, like Grant Morrison, never simply lays the facts out for the reader. Instead the reader is part of a collaboration of meaning and intent; do a bit of work yourself, and the experience is that much richer.
Neonomicon then, as I see it, is more than a horrible story, and more even than a knowing look at what horrors really plagued Lovecraft; it's a surge of anger and horror at the comics industry itself, as well as the racism, misogyny and lack of imagination within. But can a horrible story ever be more than simply horrible?
Please note, Neonomicon features an extended and brutal rape scene which is referenced (not explicitly) and condemned in this review.
Full and Uncut Interview with Alan Moore
Last month I had the fantastic experience of interviewing Alan Moore for the Independent on Sunday. Restricted in print to 1000 words and with Alan chatting for an hour on the phone, there was a whole heap of material left over.
My full and uncut interview with Grant Morrison was received so warmly, I have once more slaved over a full transcript for my fellow comic geeks. You can read the printed article here, and the full interview after the jump!
Sadly I could have done with another hour at least to expand more fully on some of my questions, but Moore is of course tremendously busy writing his novel, Jerusalem, and a good interview for the Indie was my priority. Still, I managed some of the women in comics angle!
About a Grrrl
Freelance writer. Comic geek, film addict, metal head, book worm, gamer. I sell books and write. I'd prefer to write books and sell.
This is a collection of my writing, thoughts and interesting links about my geeky interests.
Oh, and I'm not a guy. A woman reading comics still surprises some people...
Recent Tweets
-
@tauriqmoosa my sweat is important!
-
Best spam comment of the week: "I’m sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks to your sweat!"
-
@johnreppion I am indeed! I shall schedule up a review on The Beat next week - it deserves the love ^_^