Alan Moore: big scary guy what writes good
After a number of polls checking your opinion on matters less important, we decided to find out how comic book geeky our comic book geeks are.
So we asked what your favorite Alan Moore graphic novel/trade was. We were a little surprised at the winner:
1: The Killing Joke (click photo to link to Amazon.com)
Surprised not because it’s unworthy, because it most certainly is. Surprised because Moore’s most famous and reknowned work, “Watchmen” wasn’t at the top. I suspect that a little overexposure and underwhelming response for the film had something to do with that.
Nevertheless, The Killing Joke is a great read. Not only is it a graphic novel that became part of DC continuity, but it featured a game-changing moment in the life of one Barbara Gordon. In addition, Moore takes the relationship between Batman and the Joker to a new level, really focusing on the similarities between them, while also exemplifying the differences.
It also serves as an origin story for the Joker, as we see some of the choices and events that led him to become what he is. Simply put, Moore took Batman and made him important with this book.
2: He’s Scary
Dude, seriously. He’s one scary looking dude. Try it. go to Google and do an image search for Alan Moore. It’s hard to find a picture where he DOESN’T look scary.
3: Watchmen (click photo to link to Amazon.com)
If you’ve read Watchmen, I don’t need to tell you anything, you already know how great this book is. If you haven’t, well, here goes: It’s arguably the finest “graphic novel” ever written. I use the quotes, as there’s a lot of debate about its proper usage. Watchmen was originally a 12 issue series, so technically, it’s a “trade paperback”. Call it what you like. It’s literature. It’s a deep, smart, clever, exciting read. It so filled with literary allusion and detailed drawings that it will likely take you 3 or 4 reads to appreciate it all, certainly 2. The nature of the story is such that you can’t appreciate it all the first time through.
Some say that the movie sullied the idea and the book, but really, they’re two different things. Having said that, I have no issue with Alan Moore pulling him name of a lot of the movie adaptations of his work. A lot of them have been abysmal.
4: V for Vendetta (click photo to link to Amazon.com)
As good as Watchmen is, V for Vendetta might be better still. It a rich tale with great characters, and a compelling story. I think North American readers in general might find it a bit “British”, but it’s not really a story that could have come from America. Complete with its own soundtrack, and a chapter than could very well bring tears to your eyes, it’s a must read. (Again, ignore the film, that’s not even close to what you’re getting here.)
5: From Hell (click photo to link to Amazon.com)
Another great story, very British, and researched to the utmost. Moore’s take on Jack the Ripper combines fact and fiction to make a great narrative. Not one of the first titles that comes to mind when most people think of Alan Moore, but and important one nonetheless.
The rest had 1 vote or none, but in this list, there are no clunkers. Promethea is arguably the furthest from what we expect from Moore, though he has a great love for witchcraft, so it’s not all that surprising. The Swamp Thing issues he did were great, bringing a character that was an afterthought for a long time back in to focus. Top Ten is one of my favorites, a fun romp through a city filled with superheros, and those who police them. Lots of inside jokes in that one.
Thanks for helping with the poll, comment away below. If you haven’t read any of the books above, click the pics to take you to amazon, we get a little taste.
