Alan Moore's Dislike in Watchmen: A Closer Look

There is a common misconception that Alan Moore disliked the comic series Watchmen itself. However, Moore’s criticism is more nuanced, rooted in a combination of financial grievances and artistic integrity. This article delves into the backstory and elaborate reasons behind Moore's controversial statements.

Backstory: The Acquisition and Rebranding of Charlton Comics

Charlton Comics, a once-popular publisher, ceased operations in the mid-1980s. In a typical practice for the comic book industry, DC Comics acquired the rights to most of Charlton's characters. This move turned DC Comics into the de facto holders of a plethora of well-known and culturally significant characters.

DC's Plan: An Epic Event to Rebrand and Preserve Fan Loyalty

Confronted with uncertainty over fan acceptance of Charlton characters within the DC Universe, DC Comics orchestrated an epic event called Crisis on Infinite Earths. The goal was to merge these characters into the DC Universe, thus consolidating fan loyalty and market share within the industry. However, the event posed an ethical dilemma: should these characters, which were initially created by Charlton, be essentially phased out without a proper literary send-off?

Alan Moore's Vision and the Proposed Contract

In response to this plan, Alan Moore proposed an alternative: telling a story of his own while ostensibly dealing with the same characters. Moore wanted creative freedom without the traditional editorial mandates that often constrained comic book creators. He sought to create his own analog characters, giving him the autonomy to develop them freely.

DC Comics, recognizing the potential for a new story, agreed to Moore's proposal. However, they set a specific condition: Moore would be compensated like any other writer, and the rights to his characters would revert to him after a couple of years, provided DC did not produce any further trades, hardcovers, or related merchandise from those characters.

Moore had to ensure that DC wasn't profiting from the reprints and related memorabilia, which extended the reversion period. This clause allowed DC to indirectly delay the reversion indefinitely as long as they continued to publish the reprints and sell the memorabilia associated with Watchmen.

Financial and Artistic Concerns

Moore's disenchantment primarily stemmed from two concerns: financial exploitation and the commercialization of his work. He resented the financial disparity where he did not receive a share of the profits generated by his characters through multiple formats such as trade paperbacks, hardcovers, t-shirts, toys, pins, and lunch boxes. His dissatisfaction highlighted a recurring issue in the comic book industry, where creators often do not benefit from the secondary markets for their work.

Additionally, Moore perceived Watchmen as a medium that was being commercialized beyond its artistic roots. He viewed the movie adaptation as an entirely different medium of entertainment, completely separate from the source material. The perceived exploitation of the Watchmen brand through commercial ventures further fueled his antagonism towards both DC Comics and the movie adaptation.

The Impact and Message of His Words

Moore's comments had significant implications. They sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of creators within the comic book industry and the disconnect between the artistic and commercial aspects of comic book publishing. His critique is not just about personal financial loss but a broader statement on the value of intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry.

While Moore's stance is controversial, it serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges in the comic book industry. His comments highlight the ongoing struggle between creative freedom and commercial interests, a dilemma that continues to affect creators and their work in the digital age.

Conclusion

Alan Moore's disapproval of Watchmen was more about the commercialization and exploitation of his work rather than a personal dislike of the comics. His critique delves into deeper issues surrounding the industry's treatment of creators and the financial structures that often work against them. By understanding the context, one can appreciate the complexity of Moore's stance and its significance in the broader context of comic book industry dynamics.