Alan Moore, Storyteller

downthetubes has just received an advance copy of Alan Moore, Storyteller by Gary Spencer Millidge -- and it's simply stunning.

We'll be posting a review of this gorgeous-looking book nearer publication date, but the book, published by ILEX, is the first serious examination of the life, career and work of one of the UK's most distinctive and popular creative voices.

Fully illustrated throughout, featuring images from almost every Alan Moore story, it traces his creative development from his modest contributions to Northampton Arts Lab fanzines and local newspaper strips (who here remembers Maxwell the Magic Cat?) to the very top of his field, writing some of the most widely read and critically acclaimed comics and graphic novels ever produced: Swamp Thing, Watchmen, From Hell, Lost Girls, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and V for Vendetta.

The book provides an unparalleled insight into the mind and work of this enigmatic and at times controversial creator.

Moore's extraordinary body of work is examined in depth, with rare and previously unseen material, glimpses into unfinished and abandoned projects and new light shed on overlooked masterpieces. With co-operation from Moore, and full access to his archives, Gary Spencer Millidge has written a book which will not only be essential reading for the writer's many fans, but for anyone interested in contemporary literature and pop culture.

Author Gary Spencer Millidge, who has been working in comics for over 20 years, is also the writer and illustrator of the acclaimed comic book series Strangehaven and author of Comic Book Design, also published by ILEX.

"Alan Moore: Storyteller is, I believe, the most comprehensive and accurate biography of one of Britain's most creative minds ever published," says Gary. "It's going to be presented in a lavish format; A 320-page 8.5" x 11" full colour hardcover with audio CD.

"The book not only includes an in-depth survey of all of Alan's comics creations, but also covers his musical projects, prose writings, magical performances and artwork in some depth. Some of his most renowned co-creators (including Alan Davis, Dave Gibbons, Eddie Campbell and David Lloyd) have provided never-before seen materials; an unpublished script for V for Vendetta, rare artwork (Captain Britain and Watchmen among others) and photographs.

 

"Alan himself was incredibly co-operative, generously making time for numerous interviews in person and by phone, providing family photographs and allowing me access to some of his personal notebooks which give unprecedented insight into his working techniques, from Lost Girls, From Hell and Voice of the Fire.

 

"Alan has also granted permission to reproduce the entire legendary Big Numbers chart, detailing the whole plot of the sadly abandoned project with Bill Sienkiewicz."

 

Even on a first 'skim', we think it's one of the best-ever biographies devoted to a British comics creator - check it out on publication!

• Alan Moore, Storyteller is published in the UK by ILEX on 18th July; and on 5th July in the US by Universe.


• Pre-order Alan Moore, Storyteller from amazon.co.uk

• Pre-order Alan Moore, Storyteller from amazon.com


• Gary Spender Millidge: Official Site


• Gary Spender Millidge: Official Blog

New Biography of Showbiz Legend Lew Grade

A new biography of British media entrepeneur Lew Grade - without whom shows such as Thunderbirds, UFO and The Muppets might never have been made - is to be published by Aurum Press next month.

All My Shows are Great is the first biography of a giant of British show business and the story of a pioneer of commercial television. A portrait of a genuinely larger-than-life figure legendary for his witticisms, Lew Grade was the last of the old-time media moguls – a genuine show business tycoon. From humble Jewish immigrant beginnings in east London, he became the world Charleston dance champion (and could dance it well into his eighties), from which he drifted into theatrical agenting, at which he discovered he was extremely good.

Soon he was a top impresario, with his brothers Bernard (Delfont) and Leslie Grade putting together variety bills, owning theatres, and eventually booking showbiz’s biggest names from both sides of the Atlantic.

The birth of commercial television saw him win a franchise with ATV, where Grade was a pioneer of popular culture, responsible for such TV hits as Saturday Night at the London Palladium, Robert Powell’s epic portrayal of Jesus of Nazareth and bringing shows like Thunderbirds, Space:1999 and The Muppets to British TV screens. It was his genius that also, then, paved the way for fan favourite comics such as TV Century 21 to reach the news stands.

Grade then went into films, most notoriously with Raise the Titantic! whose cost over-runs inspired his most memorable witticism, that “It would have been cheaper to lower the Atlantic”.

Grade was still working until he died in his early nineties, in the office at dawn, puffing on his trademark giant Montecristo cigars, and never losing his love of a deal. “Some of my shows are good, some are bad,” he once said. “All of them are great”.

Former Sunday Times journalist Lew Chester’s biography – the first to be written, is an entertaining portrait of someone who was truly larger than life.

• All My Shows are Great by Lewis Chester is published by Aurum Press on 18th February at £20 in the UK