It was only a matter of time before Alan Moore let the world know exactly what he though about DC’s Before Watchmen prequels , and in an interview with comics writer Kurt Amacker for publisher Seraphemera Books , he’s done just that.
Letting rip in a lengthy interview that makes for fascinating reading for Moore fans, he gives his typically forthright feelings on Before Watchmen , his legal problems with DC and much more besides. Talking about DC’s plans regarding the prequels, he says:
“This latest news wasn't even really a surprise. I can't imagine that if there was anybody of even average intelligence at DC, that they wouldn't have ever wanted to bring out a load of substandard prequels and sequels… It would seem to me that in bringing out 35 books - even if these, for some reason, sell remarkably well; even if there are some people out there who are so undiscriminating that they are going to have to collect every one of these books - even if that happens, that is not going to generate enough money to reverse the comics industry's rapidly declining fortunes. That's not the reason why they're bringing these things out. I don't think that DC are interested in comics anymore.”
He also spoke at length about the readership:
“As for the readers, I have to say that if you are a reader that just wanted your favourite characters on tap forever, and never cared about the creators, then actually you're probably not the kind of reader that I was looking for. I have a huge respect for my audience. On the occasions when I meet them, they seem, I like to think, to be intelligent and scrupulous people. If people do want to go out and buy these Watchmen prequels, they would be doing me an enormous favour if they would just stop buying my other books. “
The full interview is well worth a read, both for the detailed account of Moore’s dealings with DC over Watchmen , as well as his views on The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen , Swamp Thing and much more besides.
Moore also talks about the progress of the next instalment of The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century , which he says has been completed and is on its way to the printers, as well as a 48 page book called Nemo: Heart Of Glass set in the 1920’s and featuring Captain Nemo’s daughter Janni.
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