But by 1985, almost all of the superheroes have retired with the exception of the sociopathic Comedian, the paranoid Rorschach, and the god-like Dr. Manhattan. Moore tells the story as a way of seeing the world of Victorian London in a new way. "Ballad" introduced elements of feminism in the male-dominated "2000AD," and continues to resonate with readers. The child torments him with how he's given up his dreams for short-term gains. It's all an amazing journey, once again showing how Moore takes even the most stereotypical character and makes it unique. 2 #1-6 (2002), The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier #1 (2007). The government rules with Orwellian surveillance systems, and much of Britain has become resigned to their fate. Publishers:  Quality Communications,  DC Comics,  Image,  Wildstorm,  Kitchen Sink Press,  Avatar Press The book also features incredibly bold and symbolic artwork that begs close study. His latest work is a novel titled "Jerusalem." Here’s the All-Time Alan Moore Top 10, as determined by me, the guy who has reread all of the Alan Moore comics and written about 100,000 words on the topic. This series truly cemented his reputation as an outstanding writer, and contains elements of the spiritual and metaphysical journeys he would make in his later work. While not as controversial as "Watchmen," "Miracleman" plays around with the same concepts. The Ballad Of Halo Jones. MARVEL UNLIMITED. As he tends to do with existing characters, he completely turned the character upside-down. With his family and a team of volunteers around the world, Strong fights for Earth and justice throughout the universe. He meets and raises his children back into childhood, falls in love with his wife, and grows younger and younger. Alan Moore is one of the greatest comic book writers fo all time, and we ranked his 10 all time best works! The conversations and arguments between the five of them are great with clever quips and retorts. The series Here is a reading list of Alan Moore comics that are generally recommended. Sophie discovers Promethea is a legendary female warrior who exists in Immateria, a realm created by imagination. Despite the main characters being aliens and robots instead of mutants, it all felt very familiar to anyone who had read Marvel, which may be why it was so hugely popular in the 1990s comics boom. Alan Moore has been one of the most popular and critically acclaimed writers working in the comic book industry in the last 30 years. Alan Moore's 10 Best Comics, Ranked. There is simply no comparison. His work on superhero comics such as Superman and Batman have made him a favorite among regular comic readers, but his experimental and more complex work has earned him a reputation among critics as an artist who elevates the medium. In 1981 Dez Skinn, formerly of Marvel Comics’ British publishing division, embarked on a plan to create a new anthology of creator-owned comics. Alan Moore's "From Hell" (1989) dramatically stretched the boundaries of what the comic book format is capable of. Unlike most comic book heroes, Halo Jones didn't carry guns or have superpowers. Hermann Huppen is one of the all time greats of French cartooning, and I’m a little surprised he hasn’t won the grand prix before. The group was composed of all the original 'C.A.T.s. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen #1-6, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. The main cast of Watchmen (from left to right): The Comedian, Nite Owl, Rorschach, Silk Spectre, Dr. Manhattan, and Ozymandias. The biggest controversy of this story was the Joker paralyzing Barbara Gordon. Behind a stylized mask, he works to undermine the public's trust while assassinating various members of the government. Decades before Alan Moore came along, a blatant knock-off of Captain Marvel called Marvelman was created starring a young boy who would say the word "Kimota" ("atomic" spelled backwards) to transform into a superhero. You can read the story on its own, then re-read it while examining the characters and events in the background. 1 (March 1982). Created in 1999, "Tom Strong" is Moore's ode to pulp heroes and comic book conventions of the past. Alan Moore’s most popular book is Watchmen. Along the way, the dark and twisted conspiracy that led to V's birth are revealed. Years Active:  1975-Present, Black entries are ongoing series As Miracleman, he tries to find the truth about his past, stop his former partner, and struggles with his identity. The story was published in September 1986 in two parts, first in "Superman" #423 and ending in "Action Comics" #583. A parody of the series, MadD.O.G.s, was seen during Alan Moore's run in the comics. Green Lantern #288 – Mogo Doesn’t Socialize (1985), Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual #2 – Tygers (1986), Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual #3 – In Blackest Night (1987), Superman #423 – Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow (1986), The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen #1-6 (1999), The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 1 (Trade Paperback) In 1984, Moore and artist Ian Gibson created "The Ballad of Halo Jones" in "2000AD" #376. With this comic, Moore created some of the most complex characters in comic book history, where both villains and heroes have strengths and weaknesses, along with rich histories extensively told in flashbacks. He created Jeremiah and a zillion other things, and remains active at age 77. This being Moore, he doesn't just repeat the work of the past. A company set up by Alan Moore as an imprint of Wildstorm, Jim Lee proposed the idea to Moore in the late 1990s. Fandom Apps Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Because the Kherubim/Daemonite war had been over for centuries, nobody bothered to tell those still on Earth. It's the only Superman story on this list, but it ranks among Moore's best works. It's an extraordinary work, especially compared to the story where Superman died in continuity, "Death of Superman.". Well, not just paralyzing, but also stripping naked and pasting his photos on the walls to torment her father. Alan Moore has 969 books on Goodreads with 2502398 ratings. Then there was "The Last Rumble of the Platinum Horde," about an army launched by a bloodthirsty empire to conquer their way to the edge of the Universe. Through "Promethea," Moore explored the power of comic books, superheroes, and their connection to ancient mythology. In 1984, Alan Moore was given the chance to work on a low-profile comic book on the verge of cancellation, "Saga of the Swamp Thing."