Alan Moore's Songbook

by Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman (Illustrator), Terry Moore (Illustrator)

From the most acclaimed writer in comics who revitalized and redefined characters such as Batman and Superman is this insightful and jagged look at the world via his song lyrics. Alan Moore was the man responsible for catapulting the comics industry into thoughtful and provoking stories and this collection of his lyrics features art contributions from some of the biggest names in the industry. Joining Alan are Art Adams, Richard Case, Terry Moore, Dave Gibbons, Colleen Doran, Neil Gaiman and many more. Each song is fully illustrated by one of the top illustrators in this graphic novel.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Poetry

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Alan Moore is an English writer most famous for his influential work in comics, including the acclaimed graphic novels Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell. He has also written a novel, Voice of the Fire, and performs "workings" (one-off performance art/spoken word pieces) with The Moon and Serpent Grand Egyptian Theatre of Marvels, some of which have been released on CD.

As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.

Reviews

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is (was; it's o.p, natch) a great bunch of remarkable work, of widely varying qualities, consistent in lyric quality and energetic illustration. The black and white reproduction made this economically possible after initial appearances in Joe Pruitt's great Negative Burn anthology series, in those days from this fascinating indy publisher, Caliber Comics. Caliber publisher Gary Reed died last year, and this is one of many legacies of his prolific publishing work. The black and white makes best use in a song lyric illustrated by Dave Gibbons, frequent Moore collaborator, titled "Chiaroscuro." Gibbon's technique is illustrative, rather than cartoony, and it works.
I've never heard Moore's singing (shouting?) voice, but at certain points in this, depending upon the piece and sometimes the illustration or type, I can almost hear the tune. Though I don't have a sense of the Northhampton accent Moore possesses, so I imagine in my inner ear the voice of, say, guitarist/songwriter Richard Thompson. It works.
Highly recommended.

[Fugo Feedback]

Algo "escuché" de este libro, pero jamás lo conseguí y no sé si lo podré retomar eventualmente.

[Variaciones Enrojo]

Libro sobre las canciones de Moore.