Review of The Mindscape of Alan Moore DVD

Northampton's Magician, Shaman and Comics Writer Reveals All

Sep 17, 2009

The creator of Watchmen, V for Vendetta, From Hell etc. reflects on his early years, the price of fame, living in England, and his religious and magical views.

Graphic Art, Comics and Magic

The working class boy from the rough end of Northampton is most famous as the curmudgeonly genius behind The Watchmen. In this creative and intriguing documentary, Moore explains his feelings on the nature of art, reflects on his early years in England, the start of his career with 2000ad and his work in the American comics scene. He then explains in depth his views on the relationship between magic, art, religion and science.

Talking Head

The main part of the DVD is made up of a talking head, with Alan Moore waxing lyrical at length on his preoccupations. The biographical element is run through briefly, and will not provide a great deal for viewers who want to know more about the development and creation of his more well known characters. Moore is not someone to spend an inordinate amount of time obsessing about past glories, preferring too move on to his more recent work. Nor does he recount any of the problems he has had with the films based on his work.

Mind and Body in The Lost Girls

Moore spends time bluntly deriding the snobbery of graphic novel versus comic book and erotica versus pornography. He claims what terms you prefer "...depends on your income bracket." He talks of his own great erotic comic book, Lost Girls, created in collaboration with Melinda Gebbie, explaining the delicate balance between the groin and the head.

Magicians and Shamans

The bulk of his stream of consciousness concerns his spiritual and artistic thoughts. He equates traditional magic and shamanism with art, and the transformative effect of words. He declared himself a magician on his 40th birthday and argues that "...magic is art, literally." He illustrates his argument that words are magical with the effect and power of advertising.

Spirituality and Science

Moore makes an argument for spirituality, complementing not contradicting science. This interesting but flawed argument states that quantum theory, for example, reflects older thoughts on universal energy etc. He does display a grasp of scientific knowledge and processes, but too much of his arguments are based on simple assertions and wish fulfilment. He is constantly in danger of falling into old hippy status, entertaining though it is.

The DVD has some great extras. The making of is highly recommended and shows a great deal of sympathy between Moore and the film makers. The 2nd DVD also has a number of talking heads of many Moore collaborators such as the great Kevin O'Neill and Dave Gibbons. Some of them could have done with a bit more editing as the film makers let them talk on a bit too much.

A Fan's Documentary

Moore is seen in some circles as an English genius. He is certainly an intelligent, thoughtful and expressive writer who has had a major impact on comics writing in the anglophone world. He is a bit too pleased with himself at times but has a playful and open mind. This documentary will not answer any straight forward questions but will satisfy the desire of hard core fans to get deeper into the mind of the man himself.

The Mindscape of Alan Moore: A Psychedelic Journey Into One of the World's Most Powerful Mind, Running Time: 78 mins Shadowsnake Films, 2003

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