Alan Moore: A Critical Guide(Bloomsbury Comics Studies)

A complete guide to the comics work of the writer Alan Moore, this book helps readers explore one of the genre’s most important, compelling and subversive writers. In an accessible and easy-to-navigate format, the book covers: · Moore’s comics career – from his early work in 2000AD to his breakthrough graphic novels and his later battles with the industry · Moore’s major works – including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Saga of the Swamp Thing and Promethea · Key themes and contexts – from Moore’s subversion of the superhero genre and metafictional techniques to his creative collaborations and battles with the industry for creator control · Critical approaches to Moore’s work The book includes a bibliography of critical work on Moore and discussion questions for classroom use.

Table of Contents:
Dedication Series Editor’s Preface List of Figures Acknowledgments 1. Introduction Do We Need Moore? The Original Writer A Guide to this Guide 2. Historical and Biographical Contexts Mage of the Midlands Thatcherism The British Invasion Creator Rights 3. Key Texts, Part One Invading British Comics Origins 2000 A.D.: Short Stories, Skizz, DR and Quinch, and The Ballad of Halo Jones The Bojeffries Saga Reinventing Superheroes: Britain Marvelman/Miracleman Captain Britain V for Vendetta Reinventing Superheroes: America The Saga of the Swamp Thing Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? The Killing Joke Watchmen 4. Key Texts, Part Two Horrors of History From Hell A Small Killing Big Numbers Brought to Light Re-Imagining Superheroes 1963 Supreme Moore’s ‘90s Superheroes Cultural Commons “In Pictopia” Lost Girls The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen America’s Best Comics Tom Strong Tomorrow Stories Top 10 Promethea Histories of Horror Lovecraft Cycle: The Courtyard, Neonomicon, and Providence Crossed + 100 Cinema Purgatorio 5. Critical Questions Themes and Techniques Intertextuality Magic Psychogeography Englishness Representations Race Sexuality Sexual Violence 6. Social and Cultural Impact Authorship and Ownership The Revised Superhero Mature Readers? Politics and/of Comics Cultural Remixing Moore After Comics, Comics After Moore Glossary Works Cited Index

About the Author :
Jackson Ayres is Associate Professor of English at Texas A&M University, San Antonio, USA.

Review :
Ayres' comprehensive study explores Moore in all his contradictions: a superstar who was exploited by the system; a champion of minority representation who has been criticised for his use of stereotypes; the man who made graphic novels 'grim and gritty' yet embraced gentle comedy alongside dark realism. This critical examination is perfect for those discovering Moore, but long-term fans will also find new angles and insights, encouraging them to revisit the work of this towering, complex figure. In Alan Moore: A Critical Guide, Jackson Ayres takes on the daunting task of covering Alan Moore’s career historically, chronologically, formally, thematically and ideologically. He does so with impressive thoroughness, sensitivity and panache. Ayres reminds us of why Alan Moore is so important to the history of comics in the first place, while also productively and impressively examining recent challenges to his canonical status. This book is a great place to start for Moore fans, but also for those who are more skeptical about his work’s value and relevance. Ayres leaves very few stones unturned in the quest to grapple with Moore, his legacy, and the development of the comics medium and industry over the past 40 years.