The final LOEG book.
(https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/07/21/arts/21MOORE/21MOORE-blog427.jpg)
Opening simultaneously in the panic-stricken headquarters of British Military Intelligence, the fabled Ayesha's lost African city of Kor and the domed citadel of 'We' on the devastated Earth of the year 2996, the dense and yet furiously-paced narrative hurtles like an express locomotive across the fictional globe from Lincoln Island to modern America to the Blazing World; from the Jacobean antiquity of Prospero's Men to the superhero-inundated pastures of the present to the unimaginable reaches of a shimmering science-fiction future. With a cast-list that includes many of the most iconic figures from literature and pop culture, and a tempo that conveys the terrible momentum of inevitable events, this is literally and literarily the story to end all stories.
Commencing as a six-issue run of unfashionable, outmoded and flimsy children's comics that will make you appear emotionally backward if you read them on the bus, this climactic magnum opus will also reprint classic English super-team publication The Seven Stars from the murky black-and-white reaches of 1964. A magnificent celebration of everything comics were, are and could be, any appreciator or student of the medium would be unwise to miss The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume IV: THE TEMPEST (http://www.topshelfcomix.com/news/1086).
👍👍 can't wait 👍👍
I hope I didn't wake any of you up with my 'YAHOOOOO!'.
.
Emailing Jess Nevins now:
Issue 1, page 1
The Tempest was Shakespeare's last play before jacking it in. It's about a grumpy magician who takes the huff then jacks it in. Alan Moore has said he's jacking it in.
Neither Shakespeare nor Prospero succeeded in jacking it in, and ended up making comebacks. Possibly some kind of symbolism here?
Oh nice. I won't lie, I liked both Century and Nemo. So if this is both A)more of that, and B) The End. I'm down for that. Looks like Mina, Orlando, and Emma Peel(?) on the cover too. So that's a cool cast. And I won't lie, seeing the future of 2996 has me the most excited. I guess Earth doesn't get snuffed out by Vogans at some point.
The preview text is a little unclear though. Its going to be a six issue series? Like series 1 and 2 were?
June 2018?! That's a whole year! Waaaaaah!
Wait, Keven O'Neill is retiring from comics too?
Quote from: The Adventurer on 21 July, 2017, 02:09:58 AM
seeing the future of 2996 has me the most excited. I guess Earth doesn't get snuffed out by Vogans at some point.
Seems likely it's based on
Yevgeny Zamyatin's novel WE (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_(novel)), which was a template for Orwell's 1984.
Am I wrong in thinking that that would be a departure from the way the series has worked so far, where events/characters occurred in roughly the period in which they were written/filmed, rather than the time they were set? Thus the Airstrip One era was in 1948 not 1984.
Is that Lara Croft in that pic?
Orlando doing her best Lara Croft impression I'd guess.
Orlando could do both Indy and Lara though.
Quote from: The Adventurer on 21 July, 2017, 02:17:15 AM
Wait, Keven O'Neill is retiring from comics too?
They're the hook that keeps me buying Cinema Purgatorio on an (almost) monthly basis.
Can't imagine it continuing without their input, but we'll see.
Quote from: Steve Green on 21 July, 2017, 11:22:44 AM
Orlando could do both Indy and Lara though.
Couldn't we all. -
swoon-
Quote from: Link Prime on 21 July, 2017, 11:40:47 AM
They're the hook that keeps me buying Cinema Purgatorio on an (almost) monthly basis.
Can't imagine it continuing without their input, but we'll see.
Alan & Kevin are definitely the hook for me as well but I like Kieron Gillen & Ignacio Calero's 'Modded' at lot ("My name is... [looks around] Lady...Glass...Hat...Dildobeast?") so that strip would keep me buying CP but I'm assuming when Al & Kev finish that will be the end of the title. (Seem to have read somewhere that it's ending with #18 but maybe that's just idle, ill-formed speculation?)
Want it! (The book that is)
Very much looking forward to this one!
I recognise Mina and Orlando on the preview pic. Who's the third gal?
Quote from: Apestrife on 23 July, 2017, 08:35:41 AM
Very much looking forward to this one!
I recognise Mina and Orlando on the preview pic. Who's the third gal?
Emma Peel (of Avengers fame).
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 23 July, 2017, 09:51:50 AM
Quote from: Apestrife on 23 July, 2017, 08:35:41 AM
Very much looking forward to this one!
I recognise Mina and Orlando on the preview pic. Who's the third gal?
Emma Peel (of Avengers fame).
thanks! "emma night". i remembered her being old. perhaps visiting the pool of youth then :)
.
It's set in the year 3000, so she's Emma Peel's great-great-great granddaughter. In the Bustedverse we live underwater, so the Nemo clan should do well.
Interesting that Moore figures the genre fiction of the present day as dominated by superhero comics*, rather than bigger selling YA novels or - given his interest in porn - EL James.
* Those Kev O'Neill superheroes are (understandably) redolent of Marshal Law. The next series of Defoe looks like it's going to be Marshal Law by another name. Marshal Law seems sort of zeitgeist-y and more relevant than ever... maybe Tharg should give Mills and O'Neill a ton of cash to produce new Marshal Law material (and get the back catalogue into print).
The ML version of Pat's discussions about Hollywood and the CIA/Military involvement?
Snuff movies on an MCU scale, never mind crowd sims and CGI, just find some city overseas and blow the shit out of it, with real superheroes in the middle of it.
Quote from: Frank on 23 July, 2017, 11:59:18 AM
.Interesting that Moore figures the genre fiction of the present day as dominated by superhero comics*, rather than bigger selling YA novels or - given his interest in porn - EL James.
With the incorporation of fictional and aesthetic elements of TV shows and films, Moore has taken LOEG beyond just the literary – in the literal sense of being confined to books – so I don't think he considers literary fiction to be dominated by superhero comics but does think the fictional gestalt is dominated by superhero
films, and what they represent.
Quote from: Frank on 23 July, 2017, 11:59:18 AM
* Those Kev O'Neill superheroes are (understandably) redolent of Marshal Law. The next series of Defoe looks like it's going to be Marshal Law by another name. Marshal Law seems sort of zeitgeist-y and more relevant than ever... maybe Tharg should give Mills and O'Neill a ton of cash to produce new Marshal Law material (and get the back catalogue into print).
I believe they're thinking about it but it might be a while before
The Tempest is completely finished. Zack Snyder's version of Bruce Wayne/Batman seems an even closer fit to Pat Mills' analogue, Scott Brennan/Private Eye
I bought the Superheroes on the promo art are the ones we've seen before, the team Mina was a member of in the 60s? The Tempest takes place across three different time periods.
Quote from: The Adventurer on 23 July, 2017, 04:01:13 PM
The Tempest takes place across three different time periods.
I was making a crap joke about a novelty song (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu7HoGZaspo) that doesn't translate across cultures.
Century ended with Emma headed for a dip in the pool, so her appearance isn't a guide to the time period depicted above.
And yes, Captain Underpants and the gang are the League Of Marvels. Orlando thinks Mina only managed them, but both of the girls in the group portrait sport costumes that cover their necks completely.
JOE SOUP: yeah, but Moore didn't choose Mr Tumble as the Antichrist, and it wasn't Peppa Pig who parted the heavens and turned him into pavement art. Whatever point Moore was making in the modern era books
was about 'culture' in general*, but his solution seemed to be
old books.
* Moore basically admits, through Orlando, he isn't sure whether he wants to argue that modern culture's terrible because it reflects the times we live in or vice versa. The only specific criticism he offers of Rowling's franchise is that it's bland and a retreat from reality, all of which I suppose applies equally to Disney, Warner, and their works.
Quote from: Frank on 23 July, 2017, 06:39:24 PM
JOE SOUP: yeah, but Moore didn't choose Mr Tumble as the Antichrist, and it wasn't Peppa Pig who parted the heavens and turned him into pavement art. Whatever point Moore was making in the modern era books was about 'culture' in general*, but his solution seemed to be old books.
Endless film and TV franchises created from the pocket-universes of superhero comics are the dominant genre narratives; more than they were in Moore's heyday in comics and arguably to a far greater extent than YA novels and Twilight fan-fiction, so I presume the idea of their importance in LOEG Vol. IV is driven more by their larger cultural position than the popular 'literature' of today – although I wouldn't be surprised if a cyphered
Christian Grey and
Bella Swan turn-up shagging. Alan Moore might find the literary incestuousness of such and idea too hard to resist.
I'm not presupposing superheroes occupy the same position in
The Tempest as
Harry Potter does in
Century but it's likely superheroes are part of the zeitgeist of the present era just as rockstars like
Turner and his Purple Orchestra were in the 1960's LOEG.
A clue might be at the end of the synopsis:
"A magnificent celebration of everything comics were, are and could be...". Since LOEG is primarily a comic, it's possible Moore is making yet another meta-statement on the state of the medium, which at least in Western publications, is still dominated by men in spandex.
" maybe Tharg should give Mills and O'Neill a ton of cash to produce new Marshal Law material (and get the back catalogue into print)."
DC own the publishing rights at the moment, DC wanted a new Marshal Law story according to Pat Mills where he teamed up with a certain billionaire superhero, but was not allowed to kick his ass
Quote from: rogue69 on 24 July, 2017, 09:36:21 AM
Quote from: Frank on 24 July, 2017, 09:36:21 AM
maybe Tharg should give Mills and O'Neill a ton of cash to produce new Marshal Law material (and get the back catalogue into print).
DC own the publishing rights at the moment, DC wanted a new Marshal Law story according to Pat Mills where he teamed up with a certain billionaire superhero, but was not allowed to kick his ass
Weird. Thanks for the info.
Quote from: rogue69 on 24 July, 2017, 09:36:21 AM
" maybe Tharg should give Mills and O'Neill a ton of cash to produce new Marshal Law material (and get the back catalogue into print)."
DC own the publishing rights at the moment, DC wanted a new Marshal Law story according to Pat Mills where he teamed up with a certain billionaire superhero, but was not allowed to kick his ass
Come now, this is foolish talk. Everyone knows Batman would hand the Marshal his barbed-wire pants.
Quote from: rogue69 on 24 July, 2017, 09:36:21 AM
" maybe Tharg should give Mills and O'Neill a ton of cash to produce new Marshal Law material (and get the back catalogue into print)."
DC own the publishing rights at the moment, DC wanted a new Marshal Law story according to Pat Mills where he teamed up with a certain billionaire superhero, but was not allowed to kick his ass
Really? How did they manage that? Seeing as ML has been published by Marvel, Dark Horse, Apocalypse (Toxic!) and Image, but never by DC. I always thought it was creator owned, so it would be in Pat and Kev's hands. Though Rebellion are mainly interested in publishing things they own IP for (hence buying Scarlet Traces before reprinting and continuing).
Quote from: sheridan on 24 July, 2017, 02:39:12 PM
Quote from: rogue69 on 24 July, 2017, 09:36:21 AM
" maybe Tharg should give Mills and O'Neill a ton of cash to produce new Marshal Law material (and get the back catalogue into print)."
DC own the publishing rights at the moment, DC wanted a new Marshal Law story according to Pat Mills where he teamed up with a certain billionaire superhero, but was not allowed to kick his ass
Really? How did they manage that? Seeing as ML has been published by Marvel, Dark Horse, Apocalypse (Toxic!) and Image, but never by DC. I always thought it was creator owned, so it would be in Pat and Kev's hands. Though Rebellion are mainly interested in publishing things they own IP for (hence buying Scarlet Traces before reprinting and continuing).
p.s. you're not thinking of Metalzoic, are you?
DC published the recent-ish (2013) Marshal Law hardback collection that a load of us picked up for peanuts* due to an Amazon glitch.
*(Now priced at £44.99 :-\)
Quote from: Link Prime on 24 July, 2017, 02:48:00 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 24 July, 2017, 02:39:12 PM
Quote from: rogue69 on 24 July, 2017, 09:36:21 AM
DC own the publishing rights (to Marshal Law) at the moment ...
Really? How did they manage that? Seeing as ML has been published by Marvel, Dark Horse, Apocalypse (Toxic!) and Image, but never by DC. I always thought it was creator owned ...
DC published the recent-ish (2013) Marshal Law hardback collection ...
... and so, presumably, have some kind of limited period of influence over what else Mills and O'Neill do with their property. Bummer.
After half a dozen or so othe publishers, the deluxe hardback was published by DC over 4 years ago - would DC have such a hold - if any - over new stories?
Quote from: JOE SOAP on 24 July, 2017, 04:29:50 PM
After half a dozen or so othe publishers, the deluxe hardback was published by DC over 4 years ago - would DC have such a hold - if any - over new stories?
I suppose it depends how recently Rogue 69 heard/read Mills say DC were blocking his cock. *
At least not having another project to rush onto would allow O'Neill to fill
Tempest with the inspired design work and gorgeous double page spreads we saw in the last two books, after the deliberately loose style of
Century's latter half.
* If Mills & O'Neill agreed not to take Marshal Law elsewhere for a wee while, there isn't much incentive for DC to let it go early. Nobody wants to risk seeing others make a go of something you thought was worthless. Same reason you hear of studios buying or holding onto screenplays they have no intention of making.
Pat has mentioned this several times recently over the past few months in talks & interviews. He keeps saying that they still want to do more Marshal Law but never have the time
If Marshal Law is off the books for new stories, what about Kevin O'Neill's lost work, John Pain.
It's a similar vibe to Marshal Law – with a bit of LOEG fancifulness – and with a few nudges could easily be imagined as another corner of the same universe.
Only 2 episodes were published in separate anthologies by BlackBall comics.
A special was advertised and intended to complete a storyline but BlackBall comics collapsed before it appeared.
If Kevin O'Neill finished those episodes, and they still exist, Rebellion are a possible venue for publication. I estimate it would amount to about 50 pages of story.
(http://i.imgur.com/IK2l2th.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/1kkn2Sr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xD0KXx4.jpg)
Never heard of John Pain but it looks awesome!
In a strange yet wonderful parallel dimension, O'Neill produced a memorable run on Ghost Rider.
I'm thinking that DC:s recent push for positivity (Rebirth watchmen stuff, comments regarding their films, DKMR and so on) Marshal Law vs Batman seems a bit hard to get off the ground.
Hopefully with the upcoming push (DC uttered such at comic con) for DC OGN, perhaps Mills could get DC and O'Neill onboard.
Quote from: Apestrife on 27 July, 2017, 10:42:55 AM
I'm thinking that DC:s recent push for positivity (Rebirth watchmen stuff, comments regarding their films, DKMR and so on) Marshal Law vs Batman seems a bit hard to get off the ground.
Hopefully with the upcoming push (DC uttered such at comic con) for DC OGN, perhaps Mills could get DC and O'Neill onboard.
DKMR? DCOGN?
Quote from: sheridan on 27 July, 2017, 01:05:27 PM
DKMR? DCOGN?
'Dark Knight: The Master Race' (aka DKIII) and DC 'original graphic novel'.
Another page from John Pain!: Folk Law
(http://i.imgur.com/L21kqQI.jpg)
Quote from: Link Prime on 27 July, 2017, 01:11:33 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 27 July, 2017, 01:05:27 PM
DKMR? DCOGN?
'Dark Knight: The Master Race' (aka DKIII) and DC 'original graphic novel'.
Sorry about that. Wasn't that much in a hurry that I couldn't have taken the time to just write those out.
I am going to pick up The Tempest when it gets collected. Quite enjoyed vol 3 and Nemo, even if they were nowhere near as much fun as the earlier ABC stuff.
Latter-day Moore is pretty good - see also Neonomicon and Providence - just been a while since he's put out anything really great.
Quote from: Apestrife on 27 July, 2017, 03:21:19 PM
Quote from: Link Prime on 27 July, 2017, 01:11:33 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 27 July, 2017, 01:05:27 PM
DKMR? DCOGN?
'Dark Knight: The Master Race' (aka DKIII) and DC 'original graphic novel'.
Sorry about that. Wasn't that much in a hurry that I couldn't have taken the time to just write those out.
No worries, am I to presume that the Master Race is the newest creation of Frank Miller, seemingly trying his best to destroy any legacy he left with the first Dark Knight Returns?
On another note - that John Pain looks interesting. Not taken with the title character, but liking the Termight meets Marshal Law meets League of Extraorindary Gentlemen style imagery.
Quote from: sheridan on 30 July, 2017, 10:36:33 PM
No worries, am I to presume that the Master Race is the newest creation of Frank Miller, seemingly trying his best to destroy any legacy he left with the first Dark Knight Returns?
Actually, I think he did really good. Wouldn't mind if LOEG ended on a similar note as it :)
Yes, I haven't read it yet, but I've genuinely read positive things concerning the third book!
I was reluctant to read it as I wasn't keen on the second, but I may look out for it in future.
Quote from: Mardroid on 01 August, 2017, 04:34:20 PM
Yes, I haven't read it yet, but I've genuinely read positive things concerning the third book!
I was reluctant to read it as I wasn't keen on the second, but I may look out for it in future.
I'm not going to say it was
great, but it was really solid stuff, and had a decidedly different flavour than what came before.
I picked up the oversized hardbacks- gorgeous, with great production values.
The slipcase sure looks pretty on the shelf.
To me it felt like the best bits of both DKR and DKSA, taken in a new direction. Something I really liked with is the meta aspect. It recognizes the influence both DKR and DKSA (which it had, but in another way than DKR) have had (for good and bad), and puts a twist on it.
Would be cool if Moore took things in a similar direction. But regardless, I'll be quite happy if Tempest delivers a twist to that's even half as insane as when [spoiler]Antichrist Harry Potter killing one of the main characters with lightning from his penis[/spoiler] :P
Looking forward to it. The whole swipe [spoiler]Harry Potter being the Antichrist[/spoiler] I felt was Moore being a bit cynical and a little snobbish.
Quote from: Rudolph88 on 16 August, 2017, 02:37:06 PM
Looking forward to it. The whole swipe [spoiler]Harry Potter being the Antichrist[/spoiler] I felt was Moore being a bit cynical and a little snobbish.
Wasn't really
just [spoiler]Potter[/spoiler] though, was it? [spoiler]It was
all young wizards/chosen ones, the antichrist had a bit of Will Stanton from
The Dark is Rising too, and if I'm remembering the right parody even Angelica Button from The Simpsons: likewise the railway and the school are mash-ups of numerous magical trains and schools of wizardry. If anything Moore is taking a pop at the narrow repetitive nature of a large and popular subset of children's literature.
However, his introduction of Voldemort in Century 1969 did rather steer us in this particular Rowlingward direction, and it would be odd to look at fictional characters of 2009 and not place Potter slap-bang centre stage: 450 million copies sold is a veritable literary singularity, which is probably the point. [/spoiler]Better than bloody Bella Swan anyway!
Also its not like [spoiler]Potter's public school predecessors [/spoiler]got off any easier (look at Bunter in the Black Dossier!), or indeed ANY of the dominant heroes of an earlier generation. Look at poor Quartermain himself.