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(including Alan Davis, Dave Gibbons, Eddie Campbell and David Lloyd) have provided never-before seen materials; an unpublished script for V for Vendetta, rare artwork (Captain Britain and Watchmen among others) and photographs.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

Dalek creator Terry Nation celebrated in new book

Aurum Press release The Man Who Invented Daleks later this month (25th May), focusing on the life of script writer and author Terry Nation, and includes background on the creation of the Dalek comic strips for TV Century 21 and other titles.

The book is written by Alwyn W. Turner, author of a number of acclaimed books on modern British culture, including Crisis? What Crisis?: Britain in the 1970s, Rejoice! Rejoice!: Britain in the 1980s, Halfway to Paradise and The Biba Experience. 

The Man Who Invented Daleks includes background on how the Daleks were brought to comic strip, revealing that the first Dalek merchandising - capitalising on the huge popularity of the genocidal pepper pots - was The Dalek Book, with Nation even then attempting to create an entire mythology for the creatures beyond the Doctor Who series. Published in 1964, it became one of the fastest-selling children's books of the year.

After the broadcast of the original Dalek story Britain as a nation went "Dalek mad" with one range of 'mini-Daleks' quickly selling 100,000 units.

The Daleks also became featured characters in cartoons by artists such as Giles for the Daily Express and had their own weekly strip in TV Century 21. "I suppose the thing that attracted me to the Daleks was jealousy," the book reports Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson as saying, explaining why these rivals to his own characters were included in the title's mix.

Turner notes that the strip provided ideas and storylines beyond Doctor Who that he hoped to be able to exploit in a standalone Dalek TV show which, despite the popularity of the monsters, never quite managed to materialize.

Despite this, almost half a century after their first appearance, new additions to Dalek mythology continue to top the Saturday-night ratings, while the word itself has entered the Oxford English Dictionary, passing into the language as the name of the most famous race of aliens in fiction.

Terry Nation was one of the most successful and prolific writers for television that Britain ever produced. Survivors, his vision of a post-apocalyptic England, so haunted audiences in the 1970s that the BBC revived it over 30 years on. Blake's 7, now revived as audio dramas and novels, endures as a cult science fiction classic.

But while the Daleks brought him notoriety and riches, Nation played a much wider role in British broadcasting's golden age. As part of the legendary Associated London Scripts, he wrote for Spike Milligan, Frankie Howerd and an increasingly troubled Tony Hancock. And as one of the key figures behind the adventure series of the 1960s - including The Avengers, The Saint and The Persuaders! - he turned the pulp classics of his boyhood into a major British export.

Like Arthur Conan Doyle before him, Nation was frequently bemused by the appeal of his most famous creations, and similarly cavalier toward them. Now, The Man Who Invented the Daleks explores their curious and contested origins, and sheds light on a strange world of ambitious young writers, producers and performers without whom British culture today would look very different.


In addition to charting the history of the Daleks, the book also charts their return in the 1970s - with Nation paid the princely sum £25 per episode for their appearance (low usage fees quickly came to an end once Roger Hancock established himself as Terry's agent - in the 1980s, he was paid £25 a page for any Dalek appearance in Doctor Who Magazine strip); the development of Survivors and Blake's 7; and the Daleks return to the modern Doctor Who, the creatures Nation's enduring legacy long after his passing.

• Buy The Man Who Invented Daleks from amazon.co.uk

• Buy The Man Who Invented Daleks from amazon.com

• Aurum Press Official Site: www.aurumpress.co.uk

Markosia to publish Henry Fint art book

(via ECBT2000AD and Cy Dethan): Markosia will be publishing Broadcast, The TV Doodles of Henry Flint later this year.

The book will contain about 100 pieces of all new artwork from Henry, best known for his work on 2000AD, Vertigo and Dark Horse, along with text and commentary co-written by Cy Dethan, author of Cancertown and just-launched Slaughterman’s Creed.

"It's Henry's personal work and will take a look at the stories behind the art, Henry's creative process, and, perhaps more scarily, explore the receiving equipment inside his head!" notes Cy.

"The book will be published by Markosia, and it's their first art book, but when Harry Markos heard about that the book was looking for a new publisher he leapt at it, being a big fan of Henry's work himself."

Posting a couple of examples of Henry's work on the Everything Comes Back to 2000AD blog, Rich Mcauliffe says " the scans I’ve posted here are doing the peices and their insane levels of detail no justice whatsover so I’m really looking forward to checking out these previews and of course the finished book."


• Broadcast, The TV Doodles of Henry Flint is due to be published in time for the 2011 Birmingham International Comic Expo but expect to see previews on the Markosia stand at this year's Bristol Con. Web: www.markosia.com

Art © 2011 Henry Flint