While we don’t know the exact details of the creative process, it seems Alan Moore, the comic book author behind Watchmen, hasn’t been impressed by any of the choices surrounding his work since he put the pen down. That includes everything from DC publishing the comics in one collection and the subsequent prequels based on his story, to Zack Snyder’s big screen adaptation and now, HBO’s highly-anticipated TV series.
That last source of anger rests largely in the hands of showrunner Damon Lindelof, who still deeply admires the seminal creator, despite his disapproval. While on the summer press tour for the Television Critics Association, the former Lost producer went so far as to call Moore “a genius,” before adding that the writer’s “made it very clear that he doesn’t want to have any association or affiliation with Watchmen.”
But Lindelof’s apparently taken inspiration from something more than just Moore’s work: his character. The showrunner went on to theorize and embody what he believes Alan Moore would say if told he wasn’t allowed to do something,
“He would say, ‘F–k you. I’m doing it anyway’… so I’m channeling the spirit of Alan Moore to tell Alan Moore, ‘F–k you. I’m doing it anyway.’”
First things first, the author’s trepidations are understandable. Moore’s been at odds with DC Comics over the rights to Watchmen for years. When it was originally made, it was under the stipulation that the rights could one day return to its creator should they stop publishing the title. Well, as we all know, that has yet to be the case.
But we want to know how you feel about this situation. Tell us, do you empathize with Moore? In the same feeling of frustration I had when Michael Jackson outbid Paul McCartney for the rights to all the Beatles’ music, I certainly understand where the author’s coming from.
Or, are you too excited for Watchmen to worry about that? Either way, perhaps Moore’ll have a different opinion once the show debuts on HBO come October. Though if the past is any indication, don’t count on it.