Category: Articles, News
Tags: Alan Moore, Dodgem Logic, Gorillaz, john coulthart, Mike Patton

Alan Moore (Watchmen, V For Vendetta, Swamp Thing, The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen) is of course a comic book legend, respected author, performance artist, master of the occult and grumpy old bastard. He is also one of our heroes and inspirations, so it’s always great to see he has new projects down the line.

First of all, his planned collaboration with Gorillaz is no more. The cartoon pop stars and the beardy genius were supposed to create an opera together, based on the life of famous occultist Doctor John Dee. Unfortunately, it turns out that (Gorillaz creators) Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett expected Moore to come up with everything on his own, so he got bored and told them to fuck off (in a manner of speaking). Or perhaps he planted a curse on them. I don’t know. Here’s the story, from Moore’s point of view:

http://io9.com/5561932/alan-moore-is-not-writing-an-opera-with-gorillaz-boo

It’s a pity though, as the whole idea sounded unbelievably cool. Well, perhaps not as cool as Unearthing, his other new project. Unearthing is a new story written and narrated by Moore, with a musical score by- among others- Stuart Brathwaite (Mogwai), Zack Hill (Hella), Justin Broadrick (Napalm Death, Godflesh, Jesu) and Mike Patton (Faith No More, Fantomas, Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk, Peeping Tom). Frankly, an Alan Moore / Mike Patton collaboration is an awe- inspiring prospect. Like a Superman / Batman team- up or something. Only Moore (being the only remaining acolyte of a serpent cult and everything) is more like Doctor Strange and Patton (who is insane) is more like the Joker, but whatever, you get the idea. More info at:

http://lexrecords.com/2010/06/unearthing-live-preview/

https://lexrecords.com/shop/pages/view.php?stockcode=LEX090BOX

http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/06/alan-moore-unearthing/

Last but not least, the 4^th issue of his fanzine Dodgem Logic is out now. The issue features articles and artwork by Moore himself, Melinda Gebbie, Steve Moore, Kevin O’Neill and Steve Aylett. The psychedelic cover is by our friend, John Coulthart and the homoerotic imagery is bound to annoy those who deserve to be annoyed, which is always fun. John discusses the cover in his blog and sites the brilliant Greek painter Yannis Tsarouchis and Roger Dean (who is responsible for almost all the album covers by YES and other prog rock artists of the 70s) as inspirations:

http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/2010/06/12/dodgem-logic-4/

You can order Dodgem Logic here:

http://www.dodgemlogic.com/shop?product=23

(-Dimitris Kontogiannis-)

About the Author: CnB