Writer Alan Moore Talks About His Watchmen

I don't want to hear about Alan Moore saying he theoretically hates the Watchmen movie in the sense that he's saying he'll hate any movie made from his comics. (I'd already seen this interview btw) If he says something new (IE he's seen the movie and now wants to comment on it) I'll be interested.

in my opinion, the movie does everything he described that the book was meant to do.

I can certainly understand how pissed off the guy must be about taking a smart, entertaining comic that he created like League and turning it into a steaming pile, but...

I agree, he shouldn't automatically dismiss the Watchmen movie--or any movie--without even seeing it. That's pretty ignorant.

Alan Moore, while not the greatest writer of all time is a spectacular writer for the comic genre. say what you will about him, everyone here has read and enjoyed one of his peices of work

i do not beleive that what Rorschach1 has said about him is fair. i think the watchmen movie just proves exactly what he was saying about the scope of his films and how they do not translate well to movies. he never says 'i write the greatest stories out there' what he says is that his work, his writings are specifically geared towards the comic book genre.
there was so much more depth in his writing that could never be shown in a 2 hour or 3 hour movie
i think it is fair for him to be a little annoyed after putting so much work to create Watchmen to see it made into a movie that will take so much focus away from the book by the average joe. its like a slap in the face to the months of work the went into the book.

Dramatic. He's purposely being difficult about the issue, in his own holier-than-thou way...

i will say though that Watchmen is one of my favorite works of literature ever, and every word that comes out of Rorschach's journal entries is pure art.

but man, that Alan Moore guy sure is a weird [frick]er

Quagmire - Stop shouting, Its unnecessary! (Did I spell that correctly?)

Everyone has their own opinion and if Rorschach thinks Alan Moore is up his own arse it's not up to you to say he is an idiot and that it is people like him that are the reason studios put out bad films.

The studio will put out bad films no matter what. Its what they do! (Someone will go and see any film the put out)

(I'm not saying Watchmen i a bad film, I'm making a generalisation)

I happen to love the film and i agree to an extent with Ror but even if i agreed with you (your opinion counts) but abusing people over this is low and you dont make the point you think you have made.

Hey, gang! I'm super-stoked to see how passionate all of you guys and girls are...on BOTH sides of the argument.

I'm of two minds on the subject:

On the one hand, Alan, as the writer of Watchmen or any of the other comics-that-became-films, has every right to nay-say any adaptations of his work. After all, he is the "god" of the worlds that he creates.

As a writer, artist and comic fan myself, I feel that Alan is sticking up for not just himself and his works, but for the unique and intrinsic value of the comic book medium itself. He's basically saying that comics are an art form superior than, or at least equal to, film. That's cool! Who else does that? Every "comic guy" I know is just dying to get out of comics and into film.

On the other hand, anyone who dismisses a movie—or song, novel, comic book, etc.—without actually watching it is pretty sad. The films adapted from his works are just that: adaptations. You can only fit so much into any one film, considering the time constraints, so stuff is always going to have to be cut, combined and restructured to suit the plot form of a film. In addition, films are far more collaborative than comics, with hundreds of people involved from beginning to end, so you're going to see differences from the source material, even if you try to remain true to it. That being said, I think Alan should just be happy that people are interested enough in his work to adapt it into other mediums.

The bottom line is…we're all entitled to our opinions! Right?

Now what was that about worshipping snakes…

@BrentSprecher: I agree. I respect Alan's view as it is his creation, as well as your statement about how creations in comic mediums are better than, or at least as good as movie's. I do, however, feel it's very narrow minded to judge anything without knowledge of it. You can't say a movie is terrible if you've never seen it.

I can easily see Alan's side though. 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' was awful and 'From Hell' was bland at best. I did like 'V for Vendetta' a lot. I would hate for someone to take my work and just tear it to pieces riding on a name.

Alan Moore is 100% correct on this one. Hollywood has takin his stories, Which are FAR superior to the films & hacks them into watered down versions. I think his comic books are ruined by hollywood so much is because main stream viewers won't be able to grasp the concepts and ideas Moore is trying to say. I wish I was moore's friend. He's a little crazy, But what genius isn't?

Alan Moore is a batshit crazy hippy who really needs to let his grudge against warner brothers and DC go. I mean he is the moron who signed a deal saying that he could have the rights to Watchmen when it went out of print. Why on earth would he believe DC would let it go out of print. Althought I do love reading his interviews they also give me a good laugh.

well the dumbass should have never signed his rights over to the movie companies, it's his fault, if u sign the rights to your comic books over, they can do whatever the [frick] they want with them.

Alan Moore's portrayal of Rorschach is good, but I still think that the movie Rorschach has him beat as the best acting for that character.

HarrisonBergeron--cool name, that short story was [frick]ed up but pretty awesome at the same time

Dam quagmire14 you really need to get your issues in check. It doesnt take "any idiot" to "insult the actual creator" (alan moore), it just takes "one idiot" (YOU) to need justification from him to enjoy an adaptation of his work (which aparently he sold or gave rights to) through an alternate medium. I bet if he told you to [frick] a snake you would do it all in the name of keeping with tradition and fandom.

Movies obviously cannot show every aspect of the writers thoughts, but even if ONE thought makes it through and onto the big screen, that is still making it through to a audience (sometimes larger) otherwise un-aware.

Also ITS NOT "psychological", its just a collection of video interviews and statements that have lead us to the conclusion that he is a seriously weird guy (and theres nothing wrong with that) who produces Great pieces of literature.

So can you please stop accusing us all of being sellouts, there will always be great books and there will always be great comics and to state the obvious great writers.
In the words of the TIME magazine dated Monday, Jan. 17, 1949 "May God Help You".

Hey quagmire I'm not saying Alan Moore isn't good at what he does. I'm just saying he's crazy. He can still be crazy and and good at his job.

It doesn't matter if it's Moore, Gayman or even [frick]in' Shakespear. No matter how good the material is, it's creator is not to be placed above any goddamn thing or person!!! What, because he wrote watchmen he's god now and we should all adore him and lick his anus??? You know Quag, by licking enough anus's, it makes an ass out of yourself. Any hole that smells like shit is an ass IMHO.

Cheers, i must check that out..i read Slaughter house 5 years ago but never any of his other stuff.

By the way, in addition to worshiping a snake god, i hear Moore has a necklace made from badgers penises, and takes baths in Catholic childrens tears!

All true!!

Hey Brent, here's an another interesting interview with Alan that might help explain his snake worship. It's pretty wild. I'd heard the vague details of his beliefs, but up till now, hadn't come across an interview in which he spoke so candidly about them. Very cool stuff. Here's the link -

http://homepages.tesco.net/~kettlecup/amms/glycon.htm

Also, if any of you guys are into his comic work, I suggest his spoken word albums. All amazing. And if you can get past the cave-man speak in the first chapter, his novel "Into The Fire" was also a great read.