Alan Moore – On Superheroes, Magic, and Imagination | How To Academy

Mon, 5 December 2022

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm GMT

Alan Moore – On Superheroes, Magic, and Imagination

In Conversation With Robin Ince

Join Logo

Join the legendary author of Watchmen, Jerusalem, and V For Vendetta for a journey into the fantastical underside of reality.

Few figures make such a seismic impact on their artistic medium that they transform its reputation from childish pulp entertainment to a vital and exhilarating creative form, capable of exploring the great mysteries of metaphysics, science, and the human spirit – but Alan Moore is one.

A modern-day alchemist who transmuted comic books into literary gold, his works not only inspired a later generation of authors who are now household names, from Neil Gaiman to Susanna Clarke, but filmmakers, artists, and storytellers in every medium. Alexandra Ocasio Cortez quotes him online; the Occupy and Anonymous movements adopt the mask of his hero V; and Time magazine honours Watchmen as one of the 20th century’s greatest works of literature.

In Illuminations, his first ever collection of short stories, Moore introduces us to the Boltzmann brains fashioning the universe at the big bang, invites us into paranormal study groups and fantastical brothels, and transports us to uncanny seaside resorts where not all is as it seems. And in the wildly brilliant satire What We Can Know About Thunderman, shares his personal take on the last seventy-five years of the comic book industry, revealing the dark, beating heart of the superhero business.

Join us for an unmissable night with one of the greatest writers this country has ever produced.

Praise for Alan Moore’s Illuminations:

‘One of the most significant fiction writers in English … Moore’s influence can be felt everywhere – in our literature, on our screens, in our politics’ – Guardian

‘A wonderful collection, brilliant and often moving … Both mind-expanding and cosmic while utterly rooted in our urban reality’ – Neil Gaiman

‘One of the great fiction minds of his generation’ – Rolling Stone

How To + Subscribers receive discounts to our live, on-stage events and free access to our livestreams and video library of 600+ videos. The first month is £9.99 + VAT, thereafter £17.50 + VAT a month.

Already subscribed to How To + ?
Please Log in here

Join how to +

Alan Moore

Author, Performer, Magician

Alan Moore, born in Northampton in 1953, is a writer, performer, recording artist, activist and magician. His comic-book work includes Lost Girls (2009) with Melinda Gebbie, From Hell (1991) with Eddie Campbell and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (for which he won a Bram Stoker Award in 2000) with Kevin O’Neill. He has worked with director Mitch Jenkins on the Show Pieces cycle of short films and on forthcoming feature film The Show, while his novels include Voice of the Fire (1996) and his epic Jerusalem (2016). He lives in Northampton with his wife and collaborator Melinda Gebbie.

Robin Ince

Comedian, Actor and Writer

Robin Ince is a comedian, actor and writer. The Guardian once declared him a ‘becardiganed polymath’ which seems about right. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including The Importance of Being Interested and I’m a Joke and So Are You.

With Professor Brian Cox, he created and presents the award-winning BBC Radio 4 show The Infinite Monkey Cage, which ranks among the most popular science podcasts worldwide. He also won Celebrity Mastermind but forgot that calcium was the dominant element of chalk. After being diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 52, he finally has an excuse.