Alan Moore explains why he stopped making comics

Alan Moore’s Perspective on Comics

Alan Moore explains that he wants to dissociate from his comics career because the medium—and its industry—has become “horribly arrested” in development. He argues that comics’ structure and audience expectations keep it stuck in prolonged infancy, and that the culture around “comic books” has shifted away from sequential art toward superhero film and merchandising fandom.

Illuminations and “The Foundation” as Exorcism

Moore revisits Illuminations, describing the “Foundation” story as an almost therapeutic “exorcism” of the feelings he had about the comic book business. He characterizes it as:

• Darkly satirical
• Grotesque
• Funny
• Personally freeing

He also suggests that his lingering satisfaction comes from a sense that the comic industry has become more grotesque the further he steps away from it.

Superhero Fetishization vs. Comics’ Original Potential

A major theme is the commercialization and fetishization of superhero imagery—such as spandex, capes, and masks. Moore claims many self-described “comic book fans” haven’t read comics at all, but instead mean the Avengers movies.

He contrasts this with what he sees as the original potential of comics as an exploratory art form—something he believes Watchmen demonstrated. Moore argues that people responded to Watchmen mainly for “dark, gritty, depressing superheroes,” missing—or failing to replicate—its narrative and medium-specific effects.

Why Moore Stopped Making Comics

Moore frames his decision to stop making comics as recognition that he was no longer improving the medium. Instead, he believes his involvement coincided with deterioration.

He acknowledges a small number of works he remains proud of, including:

• Lost Girls
• The League

But he says the rest is something he won’t revisit, likening his choice to amputation because the situation had “gone gangrenous.”

Presenters or Contributors

• Alan Moore
• Interviewer (unnamed)