The Thousands

Like the Beatles were to rock ‘n’ roll, Alan Moore is to superhero comics. The Pom who blew the lid off, who started it and ended it.

And WATCHMEN is both the beginning and the end of the superhero genre in comic books. It represents the stillborn renewal and maturing of the genre, as well as calling into question the motivations and proclivities of all previous superhero activity.

Moore’s genius (and that of Dave Gibbons, the artist) was to make us imagine the reality of costumed ‘heroes’. Their highly questionable ethical and moral positions. Their demented, psychotic, mundane, perverted actions. Their smelly, threadbare costumes. Now think of the shiny CGI costumes you’ve seen in the trailers.

There is too much to say about WATCHMEN, it’s too good and important a work of fiction to try and do justice to in a couple of hundred words. In the same way as it’s too good and important a work of fiction to try and do justice to in a couple of hours of film. Alan Moore has taken his name from the film. And he’s not going to go see it. Just go and buy the comic.