Legendary Alan Moore has some wild things to say about superheroes

As fans await the release of his first short story collection “Illuminations”, Alan Moore has bluntly expressed what they knew was coming but may not have wanted to hear: he’s officially done with comics.

Alan Moore has followed through on his indication that he would retire after volume four of “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”, titled “The Tempest”, the final issue of which was released in 2019. In a new interview with The Guardian, he said, “I’m definitely done with comics…I haven’t written one for getting on for five years. I will always love and adore the comics medium but the comics industry and all of the stuff attached to it just became unbearable.”

All that “stuff” seems to be a combination of the political climate, the wave of superhero movies and that comics weren’t maturing but rather its fan base wasn’t. “I thought that it had serious and worrying implications for the future if millions of adults were queuing up to see Batman movies. Because that kind of infantilization – that urge towards simpler times, simpler realities – that can very often be a precursor to fascism.” Alan Moore continued, “It wasn’t comics growing up. I think it was more comics meeting the emotional age of the audience coming the other way.”

Alan Moore is one of the most recognizable figures in the comic book world–maybe it’s the beard?–and now at 68, the official word of retirement will undoubtedly leave a hole in the industry. His most notable works include “Watchmen”, “V for Vendetta” and the aforementioned “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”, in addition to proving a vital role in the reemergence of the Swamp Thing character. Even if you haven’t read the comics and graphic novels, you would likely be familiar with the film and TV adaptations.

“Illumination”’s official synopsis, courtesy of Bloomsbury: “In his first-ever short story collection, which spans forty years of work, Alan Moore presents a series of wildly different and equally unforgettable characters who discover–and in some cases even make and unmake–the various uncharted parts of existence.”

“Illuminations” hits book shelves on Tuesday, October 11th.

How do you feel about Alan Moore declaring he is officially done with the comic book industry? What was your favorite Moore work? Let us know below!