Whatever Happened To 1963?

In 1993, Alan Moore, Steve Bissette and Rick Veitch planned an ambitious, seven issue miniseries for the new publisher, Image Comics. Six issues were published but the concluding issue never materialized. So…what happened?
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[@khowell66]

Steve Bissette has posted some slight factual corrections to the video which I will post here verbatim: "(1) It's perhaps splitting hairs, but it was Larry Marder who originally called me, on behalf of Jim Valentino; I then spoke to Jim Valentino who indeed was the Image partner extending the invitation-THEN my first call was to Rick Veitch. THEN, and only then, Alan Moore was called. Rick was absolutely critical and central to the project; he wasn't invited in after-the-fact. If Rick hadn't been on board, that would have been the end of it, and in fact Rick is the one who pretty much single-handedly soldiered through the final issue. (2) No mention is made of Murphy Anderson and Murphy Anderson Jr., who saw through all the production and were both absolutely essential to the creative teamwork and packaging and look of the whole project. Don Simpson should have also been named, as Don was also crucial to the team efforts and did a lot of the logo design (along with Rick Veitch), and our project colorists (including Anthony Tollin) and letterers (those cited, but Don and Rick handled some of it as well) were equally essential. (3) Jim Lee usurping (with our own stupid-in-hindsight San Diego Comicon 11th hour on-the-spot conference calls with Alan Moore, and hence our permission) the planned 1963 Annual didn't mean Jim Lee was overseeing 1963. Jim Valentino, and only Jim Valentino, was the Image partner and 'Godfather' for the entire 1963 venture that saw print. Jim Lee absolutely dropped the ball on what he'd usurped; I've no doubt (then, or now) that had we not fallen for Jim Lee's 11th hour Comicon ploy, it's likely that the 1963 Annual (in some form: since the Image partners were all over the place, it likely wouldn't have been what was originally envisioned with all Image creators on board) would have been completed and seen print under Jim Valentino's stewardship. The rest is pretty spot on, save for: (4) The Dynamite/1963 reprint volume was deep-sixed (as were any hopes of any reprint volume ever existing) because Alan simply refused to sign ANYTHING. Given all the partners (all of whom were on board for a reprint) and moving parts, how Alan would have thought it possible for anything to move forward without Alan signing SOMETHING... well, that was what drove in the final coffin nail. Alan wouldn't sign on or sign off. That was that."

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Thank you for posting the clarifications. And to Mr. Bissette for taking the time to write them out.

[@dashfatbastard]

How cool is it that he pays attention :) Are you connected, or are you reaching out to artists directly for your research?

[@jamesmeow3039]

@Jeremiah Colby this seems unethical

[@donaldsimpson2237]

I was supposed to letter the entire thing until Rick Veitch, in a pique, fired me for going to a Dallas Fantasy Fair Mini-Con where I was previously scheduled as a guest, instead of staying home and getting one of the 1963 issues three days closer to being finished. Sure, 1963 was running slightly behind schedule, but that was nothing compared to the chronic lateness of nearly every other Image Comic at the time, and certainly not due to any fault of mine. That I was supposed to break personal professional commitments to speed things along by a weekend was just absurd; I've always considered Rick's firing of me to be one of single most mean-spirited, unfair, and utterly unjustified injuries gratuitously inflicted on me in my career (and by a fellow creator, no less, not a corporation). Frankly, I never thought the lettering for the rest of the series looked nearly as good. All this to show that even the six issues that were completed suffered from ego and insanity behind the scenes, and in some respects it's amazing that even the six issues exist, considering how determined some were to take all the fun out of the collaborative process. As for the annual, I was already out of the picture well before then, but my impression was that Jim Lee was the one who gummed up the works; he never had an independent bone in his body and was completely wrong for the kind of dark satire 1963 was supposed to be. The great irony to me is that Image Comics was supposed to be all about what creators could accomplish free of the corporate controls and constraints of Marvel and DC. 1963 stands as a perverse testament that God intended superheroes--even sardonically satirical ones--to be work-for-hire, so at least they would come out.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Thank you for taking the time to provide your input, Mr. Simpson!

[@dafullclip]

WHOA!

[@littlebigcommentary]

Hoof. That was a brutal but honest assesment

[@alexauclair1]

Very insightful and well said.

[@choosecarefully408]

Awesome. Thanks, Don. Even the intro on your blog makes clear the need for an editor. Good ones can & should keep egos in check. (Was it Salicrup who ended up printing scathing letters about McFarlane's writing in Spider-Man along with scathing notes about how the comments were right)? & how well did Jack Kirby do without Stan Lee cleaning up some of his rough edges? Yeah the creators lose sight of everything themselves when pushed into that role. _Especially_ ironic considering Veitch's own work after leaving mainstream comics. Btw, _LOVE_ the title _of_ your blog which is perfect from a letterer's perspective. 😂

[@TheJohnnyCalifornia]

Ironically, Moore agrees to oversee a series of comics in the Marvel style of the 60's and ends up behaving as badly toward his co-creators as he accuses Stan Lee of behaving toward Kirby and Ditko in the 60's.

[@srnigromante9214]

He was role playing

[@HipHopHappens]

@@srnigromante9214 lol

[@docsavage8640]

People like Stan Lee. Alan Moore is an ass.

[@jacob_ian_decoursey_the_author]

"Moore only penned 10 or 11 pages of the annual." So for Moore that's...two panels then?

[@dashfatbastard]

Boy, that's off the mark. You ever read those issues of Swamp Thing he did? RICH in content, man.

[@kforcer]

@@dashfatbastard That was his point. His scripts were loaded with details for the artist, thus, 10 or 11 pages of scripts amounting to 2 panels.

[@donaldsimpson2237]

It would take him a weekend to finish off the script and publishers would line up to publish it, and every stakeholder would gladly grant their permission to publish it tomorrow. I know creators struggling to find the means to create their work, but Moore, one of the best remunerated creators in comics history, can't be bothered to make good on his promise to fans and retailers thirty plus years later. How anyone can admire that behavior let alone regard it as an example of creators' rights is beyond me.

[@TheChrisHype]

True story: back in the mid-90s, I found “Tales of the Uncanny” buried under a pile of old, unsold coloring books at my local dollar store. I had no idea what it was, and being a dope kid who didn’t notice the Image logo, nor the 1993 production date on it, I thought I found myself a genuine silver age book for 63. I still proudly have the issue, and after hearing that the entire saga will never be republished, I’m happy I stumbled across it.

[@OM19_MO79]

What's the matter with Moore? Whenever he tries to destroy comic books, he revitalizes them. When he tries to bring back the simpler times of comic books, it becomes a dud.

[@jordancoswell]

That t-rex panel just kept getting funnier

[@Quiro26]

Went to a local Comic Book store and found issue one, four and five. One dollar each!

[@BF-Gator]

Valentino never gets enough credit for anything he's ever done

[@johnminehan1148]

Johnny Behan, the Dr. Strange character, might have been the highlight of the whole thing . . . . I think Valantino used the 1963 charactors in a Shadow Hawk story in 1994 . . . .

[@TheZooropaBaby]

Stephen Bissette himself said that Jim Valentino was probably the only person in Image who really understood the whole 1963 concept and why it's fun for creators involved.....I wish he was the one who oversaw the project all the way thru without Jim Lee's involvement, I dont think Jim got the concept

[@tomfool23]

I always thought that the way for 1963 to get finished was for someone to do a comic called 1993 with analogues to all the ‘93 Image characters and analogues of the 1963 analogues of the ‘63 Marvel characters ... publish it in 2023 so the whole thing can have a neat 30 year pulse, and wait for a sequel in 2053.

[@danielg.w5733]

You must be a prophet lol. That is actually happening

[@tomfool23]

@@danielg.w5733 Really? That’s amazing. Who’s doing it?

[@danielg.w5733]

@@tomfool23 Don Simpson if you can believe it

[@adinocc2042]

1963 is, IMO, one of the best things to come out of the entire 1990s. I never knew about all of the behind the scenes drama until now. But I do remember noticing that the quality of the second 3 books wasn't up to that of the 1st 3. Despite this, my favorite single issue was Horus: "Lord Of Light". We definitely need a reprint/ending, tho.

[@TheChadTI]

Agree! I loved it.

[@stardust_memories2260]

I heard that Moore's head grew so big during this time that he couldn't find shirt collars big enough to fit and hence had to go shirtless, and Image had a no shoes/no shirt/ no service policy at the time and therefore, the project was scrapped.

[@Otis_.]

Alan moore claims afterwards that Grant Morrison casted the spell to make his head bigger.

[@danebarrett237]

I still love that original run of Swamp Thing. But it showed me, that early on, that Alan's massive opinion of himself does not allow for compromise. I since then never allowed myself to become too invested in what he did, because you never knew when some (real or imagined) slight was going to make him walk away. Moore's ego is as big an impediment as Jim Lee's drawing speed. So who is surprised that a project involving both of them never came out...?

[@littlebigcommentary]

Why would you let your weird opinion of alan moore's professional dealings disrupt your reading of his material?

[@RockandrollNegro]

No collaborator who has worked with Moore has ever accused him of ego tripping. You look at any interview with Veitch, Bissette, Bolland, Gibbons, Sears, O'Neill, Campbell, etc, and the recurring statement, to a man, is that Alan Moore allowed them unprecedented freedom in artistic interpretation of his words. What it seems to me is that you formulated a negative opinion of Moore because you didn't like something he wrote, or you didn't like the way he came off in an interview, or maybe he kicked your puppy- whatever; and so you created a caricature of some Ditkoesque mad wizard unwilling to bend even slightly in a collaborative environment, which is absurd. Even people who have had fallings out with Moore, like the Image guys, have never accused him of being an uncompromising writer with an inflated ego. Show the jury where, on the Dane Barrett doll, that you say the mean sorceror hurt you with the bad touch. Don't be afraid, nobody here is going to hurt you or judge you; we're here to put the Bad Man away, ok? Was it here? Or maybe there?

[@yeez13]

“If Alan Moore’s books were as good as people said they are, they could cure cancer” - Some Guy, paraphrased

[@choosecarefully408]

I have a friend who, like Moore, childishly cannot adjust when reality doesn't live down to the expectations he develops from something _said._ But to be fair, it's quite likely that everyone reading this suffers from a similar form of this emotional dyslexia. We pick up on *unspoken* social cues _WAY_ more intensely than spoken ones & they cause within us an Utter Fear of breaking them. If, in a classroom I were to ask students if they thought that the framers of their constitution allowed politicians to do anything with impunity &/or gave us zero legal means of holding them accountable, what do you think the reaction would be? Confusion. It's blatantly obvious they wanted *'Politicians'* as a group to have no more ability to rule as tyrants than anyone else, but the mere fact that no one _says this_ causes everyone in Western society to feel a fear of holding politicians accountable So Primal likely everyone's eyes have slipped away from this text in avoidance. Moore childishly has never grown tf up on this & yeah, it _is_ egotistical to assume one is right & cut off everyone who may disagree. This is a very personalized version of 'blaming the victim' that we do _as a society_ & for the Exact Same Reason, victims make us feel as if *our* preconceived notions on what Morality was are false. I'll provide at _least_ as many examples as people want.

[@jseger9000]

I didn't want to see 1963 disappear completely, so I loaned my paper copies to a friend who scanned and converted them to CBZ (or CBR?) files for me. It's too bad it will never be finished, but it is still an enjoyable read, even so. Be sure and see it's '63!

[@pablom.g-m]

If anyone's looking for more 1963 stuff beyond the miniseries, there was a crossover with 1963 in Big Bang Comics #35. Moore didn't write it, it's not a conclusion to the story, but if you're looking for more of the characters then I reccomend it.

[@jacobanderson6520]

There was also a crossover with ShadowHawk. It didn't conclude 1963

[@pablom.g-m]

@@jacobanderson6520 Thanks. Will check it out.

[@SkotNealey]

i actually loved this series. It was a fun run.

[@powerofpop8747]

Good video. Alan Moore is an enigma for sure. For him, principles are everything...

[@timetravellerregisteredtra850]

what principles? Ego, sure. Principles? Money, sure. Principles? Didn't stop him writing pap for Image, did it?

[@alltheserobotsshallfall]

what kind of principle is cashing in a lot of money and then giving his back on the rest of the team. He is a scumbag. Talented but that is not ethics, that is being an asshole.

[@carbootstudios2459]

@@timetravellerregisteredtra850 ouch

[@carbootstudios2459]

@@alltheserobotsshallfall harsh

[@danzigvssartre]

First Moore says they can reprint 1963, just don’t credit him and give the other creators the money, then he changes his mind and prevents any reprints. Sounds more like a wizard-bearded-baby then a man of principles.

[@Hassus]

Bissette is on Moore's bad side which - a lot like Rorschach's - is seemingly pitch black. Great video and research, btw. Very informative :)

[@carlospointofview]

Man I just found your channel and congrats for not falling into the monotony of another channels and talk about the same stuff. Love these behind the scene stories. SUBSCRIBED!!!!

[@brentsummers6666]

Sigh.. That's a damn shame. Loved 1963! Great vid!

[@rockmacher]

I’m happy i was able to track down the individual issues

[@travishiltz4750]

Loved the 1963 mini. It was a fun take on silver age comics without getting too snide or mean spirited. Shame to hear about the drama behind the scenes. Though, to be fair, at the time, I almost believed the lack of a big resolution and the cliffhanger ending was part of the conceit. Moore's time at Image is weird, as he did some great stuff, and they seemed genuinely thrilled to have him on board and then Image seemed to completely fail to follow up on any of it or capitalize on it.

[@stavroginsilver]

I only wish that Mr Moore would swallow his principles and finish Halo Jones, not for the money, not for the businesses, but for us the fans.

[@youraveragecrownofthorns8919]

I read a fairly recent article where this subject was addressed. It seemed that Moore was receptive to the idea...now, when i remember where i read this at, i'll let you know.

[@castironchaos]

As much as I'd love to see more Halo Jones, at least that story had a reasonable ending. After spending the entire storyline trying to "get out" and "going out," Halo ended by leaving with the words, "...and I'm out."

[@stavroginsilver]

@@castironchaos I remember seeing an interview with Neil Gaiman where he said Moore told him the whole story and it brought tears to his eyes, though to be honest, even if he did finish it it probably wouldn't live up to my massive expectations.

[@funkyweapon1981]

@@stavroginsilver Great writer, terrible person, that's Alan Moore.

[@stavroginsilver]

@@funkyweapon1981 why terrible? I dont agree with everything he says and does, but I've never heard anything about him that would suggest terrible.

[@upyours192]

God I wished Dynamite was able to reprint this. Hopefully someone can convince Alan Moore to change his mind on this. Maybe give it to someone else so he doesn't have to worry about it, like Gaiman with Miracleman.

[@christopherlockery9629]

Disney, being Disney should do to Moore what the American government do to terror suspects thus knocking him down a few pegs and make him Marvel and DCs bitch when it comes to reprinting his work. LOL Seriously though to be quite frank I can't stand the guy, although I have enjoyed some of his work. Just don't let him near any school playgrounds, our children are high enough as it is LOL

[@alternity28]

Imagine the last page of Tomorrow Syndicate being redone to include either DC's Green Arrow or Marvel's Hawkeye. Instead of contrasting 60s comics to 90s comics, the annual could contrast the pre Hollywood, comic book fan-driven era of comic characters to the modern MCU/DCU, consumption for the masses, pop culture era of comics we're in now.

[@chrishlady]

Jim Lee and Alan Moore really shit the bed on this one.

[@mmickle6191]

Didn't know of this comic before I watched this. I really dug some of the cover art. Kind of want to doodle some ideas I got from them.

[@alternity28]

The one good thing to come out of this is that Rob Liefeld DIDN'T draw the annual. Never knew Moore had partially written a script. Makes my heart ache for this bucket list dream even more. 😞

[@AKAPAD]

I often reference this series. Great video dude.

[@GenericProtagonist118]

At a local thrift store I just picked up "You Cannot Escape The Fury", I knew something was up with it.

[@NicoBleackley]

Why does this channel have such a low sub count? It’s fantastic!

[@youraveragecrownofthorns8919]

Thanks, Overlord! I totally dug it.

[@nunyabizness1342]

Thanks a lot for this video. (And for the two creator addenda below.) I've never had all of this background information together in one place and succinctly explained before. Now I know why I have to hold on to my individual 1963 issues instead of being able to put a paperback collection on my shelf as I've done with many other titles.

[@VerveQuest-zc4ri]

Looking into comics history it's hilarious how many creator's think way too highly of themselves. Just bc they were at the top of their professions doesn't mean there aren't thousands of ppl out there that could have replaced them if they'd chosen that particular artistic route. Many potentially talented ppl never get that chance....look at entire other continents were art isn't an option.

[@jackofallclaws6672]

I have the first and third issues of this series...surprised to know it’s unfinished!

[@unrulysimian3897]

Loving these history lessons. I knew part of the broad strokes, but not the whole story, nor the details. Good stuff. Sounds to me as though it was ego, ego, ego, that caused this.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

All things considered, it's hard not to arrive at that conclusion.

[@danebarrett237]

Ego ego ego? Moore Moore Moore...

[@PazBinv1]

@@danebarrett237 Maybe, but if Jim Lee hadn't interfered the final issue might just have made it into print.

[@jackfairy666]

Jim Lee was a dick. He made a dick move. 😡

[@dionturner4279]

‘It will never be finished..’ - Don Simpson enters the chat

[@TheChadTI]

I loved this series.

[@Demonstryke13]

So sad, it could have been one of the greatest projects ever if egos didn't get involved!!!

[@alexphillips4644]

I think I know how 1963 would ended IF its characters appeared in Alan Moore's run on both Supreme and Youngblood at Awesome Comics.

[@simonrhoden4457]

I loved the 1963 concept always disappointed it wasn't finished were you aware image used some of the characters during their run of big bang comics

[@peterkuchenbrod5696]

A real shame this ended so abruptly. It was very clever, and the fake ads, 'bullpen bulletins' and letters were HOWLINGLY funny!

[@horrorstew3577]

Alan Moore is a writer who deserves respect and the way the big companies treated him always baffled me.... Why p*ss him off? Makes no sense

[@donaldsimpson2237]

Alan Moore was one of the best remunerated and well-treated creators in the history of comics. He's completely hallucinating his mistreatment and somehow has convinced his toxic following that somehow he's been trampled on. It's the most incredible instance of mass psychosis in the history of comics.

[@Thenameless1]

I had the pleasure of picking up a copy of this anthology from the comic's section of a game store and that poor fucking thing was left in there for so long that it's front and back cover actually left an imprint on the shield thingy it was incased with, and I'm glad I picked it up. It was very cute, and hilarious in some cases.

[@edward2962]

Alan Moore had a grudge against Marvel even before the Miracle Man/Marvel Man thing. Basically he thinks they owe him money from some Capt Britain reprints that came out in the early 80's.

[@PersephoneDarling28]

he thinks everyone owes him money

[@TheComicsCube]

Hi! Just wanted to say we used this video as a starting point for this interview with Rick Veitch on his side of the whole 1963 saga! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXrJgXeBnNWSpq8

[@docsavage8640]

My favorite comics of the 1990s. I'm actually glad there is no annual because I don't want Jim Lee art. What we got is great.

[@alfredhutchinson3713]

The 1st Comic History Synopsis I listened & watched from u wz Re Charlton Comix. This' the 2nd 1&, like the 1st, I find it informative, ntriguing & ntertaining.Thx 4 posting📚🤔 Nov26F2021 Bar🇧🇧bados

[@geinikan1kan]

1963 is fun. It's a parody. Moore and Veitch especially have been doing that their whole career. But in 1963, would I care about any of the characters, or ho they are going to extricate themselves from some parodic plot twist? Not really. Maybe the unfinishedness was built into the series. Inadvertently.

[@johnminehan1148]

I always thought that was part of the joke . . . .

[@lennywolfe6220]

Its my understanding that the final issue did come out in some form.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

That is correct...to a degree. Don Simpson did a finale very recently. While he did work on the series, it's not quite the ending one would have gotten from the entire creative team. Which will never happen.

[@99Michael]

There most have been warehouse filled with unsolicited issues, I see some1963 comics in Flea markets all the time in NM condition, although never a complete set.

[@99Michael]

I find them too scattered in flea markets and antique booths. I noticed the same with DC Firestorm ( A book and character I had no interest in reading) just bundles of issues dumped everywhere.

[@BigBandelero]

Because I like to start some shit, I’ll just throw this out there... How about having the available creators just collaborate and produce a clone version of this series, in the same spirit and vein of 1963, using new characters (of course) and another writer. Since they’ve done it before, I bet they could do it again from start to finish, bigger and better. At this point, who cares if Moore writes it. Plus, there are a boatload of artists out there to pick from, who would love to be all over such a project like this ! Jim Rugg, and Tom Sciolli come to mind. I can easily see them cranking out awesome high concept visuals. Fans would love it, and I’m sure it would go a long way to putting that bitter experience of 1963 far behind them, imo. ...damn, the more I think about this, the more I actually want to see it!!

[@chwenhoou]

Image Comics in the 90's was the living embodiment of "Dig up, stupid!" I can't fault Moore on this, mostly because the creatives behind this were a bunch of lazy primadonnas who got distracted when something shinier caught their attention. I've picked up a couple of the 1963 books. Impressive stuff. Maybe 1963 will finally see an end. Maybe not.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

With Mr. Moore officially retired from comic book writing it's highly unlikely this will ever be completed.

[@johnminehan1148]

@@StrangeBrainParts I had always thought that was part of the parody, that you could not revisit the past in a new comic produced by Jim Lee. Odd that the 1963 series is almost as far in the past today as the real 1963 was when it was produced in 1992 & 1993.

[@markshulusky6680]

Never read it, but your review (and the clips shown) makes it seem equidistant from both classic (60s) doom patrol and the more restrained work of Grant Morrison.

[@timepoet77]

Dynamite would have encountered a very serious problem regarding the 1963 series' potential reprinting. The idea was to have the 1963 characters join up with the current crop of Image characters like Spawn and WildCats, but a lot changed between 1993 and 2009. For one, as we all know Jim Lee sold WildStorm (including the WildCats) to DC/Warner Bros, and Dynamite would have been forced to either pay an exorbitant licensing fee to WB or else use their own characters. For another, it's excessively doubtful that one Mr. Todd McFarlane would ever let Spawn be licensed to a small publisher with at best an average reputation. So Dynamite would lose their proverbial shirts on 1963, regardless of Alan Moore's signing on or signing off on the property. I say let sleeping dogs lie.

[@Thenameless1]

Well uh, did you hear about Don Simpsons' attempted unauthorized annual?

[@johnminehan1148]

I liked it. But I had the idea that the lack of an annual was part of the joke . . . .

[@TheZooropaBaby]

on Cartoonist Kayfabe with Ed Piskor/Jim Rugg, Stephen Bissette himself said Rick and him were really committed to finish the project, apparently Rick got kind of sad/disappointed when Stephen stopped committing after Jim Lee/Alan Moore stopped working on it

[@macsnafu]

No reprints? Good thing that pirated copies are available for download.

[@funkyweapon1981]

YAAAAAAR!

[@DeathAlchemist]

Do you know a place where we can read that comics' journal interview.

[@alexphillips4644]

8:41 10 or 11 pages of the "lost" 1963 Annual script exists? Wow.

[@stavroginsilver]

Please do, I'd be very greatful

[@youraveragecrownofthorns8919]

I THINK... what i read was in connection to the recent re-issue of the HJ material, but i'll look further... i'm aware that it was announced The Tempest would be his last comic work... but i personally don't believe it.

[@youraveragecrownofthorns8919]

Ok... what i found is that it was actually Ian Gibson who wanted to continue doing new HJ stories. This was in an interview printed in the Previews catalog a few months ago. Sorry to get your hopes up, but i just could not remember the details until i looked it up again...so no Alan Moore Halo Jones. I doubt Gibson's take on the character writing it would be the same, if it ever happened.

[@stavroginsilver]

@@youraveragecrownofthorns8919 oh well, another one for gaimans library of unwritten books, I thought it might be too good to be true.

[@pablom.g-m]

I've enjoyed 1963 since I first found out about it. The reason I was told as to why it wasn't finished was fairly un-nuanced. Very curious to find out the real story.

[@CosmoShidan]

That's no surprise. In Watchmen, Moore does not even give a darn about nuances in moral philosophy as he is too concerned with how people do act in the real world, as opposed to how people should act. I feel he just rants than suggest an open-ended answer.

[@pablom.g-m]

@@CosmoShidan No, I mean that the explanation a friend of mine gave me as to why 1963 was cancelled was lacking in nuance. Personally, I don't consider Watchmen to be a work of realism. I think it's much more compelling if read as a formalist piece. Also, I disagree that Moore was giving an open-ended answer. It is fairly well established, given (among other things) the not-so-subtle allusion to Percy Shelley, that Ozymandias' accomplishments will ultimately be temporary, regardless of whether or not it is because New Frontiersman exposes his slaughter.

[@tdpp2006]

Darn it at least we got Supreme reboot ( And you know what happens then)

[@MrMaxHauser]

Sometime last year, I saw that the annual will be finished without Alan Moore in 2023

[@timepoet77]

Not happening now.

[@Thenameless1]

@@timepoet77 Is it? I thought Don Simpson"s unofficial release was coming out this 22nd?

[@abloshow91]

This is why We need editers

[@dafullclip]

From what I've read, Comics is a cut-throat business. That said, aint it that way with all businesses?

[@jaredgarcia8638]

And dc trusted Lee to run dc because....

[@johnlabor4254]

Well. Now I’m just sad.

[@Thenameless1]

If there's any silver lining, series letterer Don Simpson has produced an unofficial 1963 Annual.

[@fad23]

Violator vs Badrock was one of those high profile books at Image at the time. I'm not sure principles are exactly the reasoning.

[@sisyphushappyband]

From my view, Moore's principles are not about the work, but about the agreement from which the work is derived. He can write a shitty comic as a hired gun if he's agreed to write a shitty comic as a hired gun. It seems that his ire gets up when people try to change or amend an agreement, which I have trouble taking umbrage with myself.

[@funkyweapon1981]

If you talk shit about capitalism, then turn around and cash your paychecks, you have no principles.

[@sisyphushappyband]

@@funkyweapon1981 I think that's an unfair oversimplification; you can (and should) criticize elections but can (and should) still vote. Though I don't see the relevance of "criticizing capitalism" here, as that's not my take on Moore's gripe. Perhaps I'm ill-informed.

[@votedworstchannelonyoutube1537]

1996 jim lee returned to drawing comics not writing yo

[@dashfatbastard]

I had forgotten it was unfinished. Shameful.

[@gregorblack5557]

Moore's gotta tuck that ego away somewhere. It seems to ALWAYS rear it's ugly head. Humble yourself & understand the medium, whether he likes it or not, like all else, is about $ & many would die for such opportunities. Great synopsis SPB

[@youraveragecrownofthorns8919]

Gregor, Moore's ego has been a beast that we as fans have dealt with for 30+ years now. It, sadly, is'nt going anywhere.

[@snakes3425]

@@youraveragecrownofthorns8919 Unfortunatally, he's a popular writer and artist who wrote what many consider the greatest comic of all time: Watchmen, he could get anything he wanted out of Image, MARVEL or DC. But he always let's his ego get in his way. It always comes down to money and ego

[@youraveragecrownofthorns8919]

@@snakes3425 said far more better than i, one wonders what could have been if his personality operated on a more cooperative level.

[@drawfiend3104]

Considering all the great stories he put out that reshaped and influenced comics, Moore can do what he pleases.

[@gregorblack5557]

He's written some classics & I wish him positivity.

[@tg995nation6]

None of the commentators has a vested interest in these properties. Yet you'd think they were owed money. The comic industry has long had dubious labor practices. These are "Brands", not individuals. This is what it means when they say comic books have conquered. They're muck and and mire have spread to everything else.

[@germaholic]

Any chance of talking about any of the other early Image comics?

[@kjk7611]

1963 LIVES ON!😃 Anyone can pick-up where they left-off & make it whatever they want it to be. On fansites. With respect to the original material.

[@nigelflood7074]

Such a great loss to the world of comics.

[@GuyEndore]

Moore comes off as a principled writer who is completely unprofessional.

[@jimgillespie6109]

Kinda hard to "like" a video that ends on such a sad note.

[@smutskates]

Those hammering Alan Moore for his ego do not understand what it's like to be an artist/writer unwilling to compromise your vision or principles. Artistic integrity is often lost when catering to "fans" (ie star wars or got) I personally applaud Moores stance on vision and 5he need to stay your particular artistic course.

[@thejazzcoder8336]

You are talking about artistic integrity when the video explains clearly that Moore lost interest because he was making more money on Spawn?

[@ovalvox7888]

Wow! Such drama from grown men and their egos. It’s an effing comic book. They all think to highly of themselves apparently.

[@alecaquino4306]

I don't think you got the details quite right for this situation. At least from what I've heard anyways.

[@AWW8472]

Yeah, Moore was reported to have made a comment insulting the fans of his comic book work. I've blacklisted him from my collection. If what was reported is true, he can take a flying leap. Warren Ellis and Grant Morrison are way more talented than him, anyways.

[@repussified]

Funny enough Moore has said any fan of Morrison can stay away from his work.

[@MaulSlasher]

Don't wanna sound bitter but fuck the comic business and history it's so fucking depressing.

[@helious5056]

This video just made me not like Alan morr even more

[@graham2021]

Dude, he got burned by the medium he loved. He was told he'd get to create his own chaeacters and keep the rights but then Jim Lee sold the rights to Dc, the people who screwed him originally. I dont know how you can dislike moore after this. I dont hate Jim Lee but i dont know how you cant see him as the bad guy here.

[@philipebbrell2793]

"Not even in the face of Comics Publisher. Never compromise..."

[@CosmoShidan]

@@graham2021That is a good point. Though, I would only fault Alan Moore on he keeps putting rape of his female characters in his comics that Grant Morrison called him out on. This clip here sums up Moore's reactions to his critics: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZnSfa1-bqqEsMk

[@graham2021]

@@CosmoShidan im in tbe middle now, he got fucked over by lee, but he was also kind of a dick to rob liefeld, which is what lead to him shifting to Lee's studio

[@CosmoShidan]

@@graham2021 Oh man, his run on Youngblood stunk. He just can't seem to get rid of some his devaluing of female characters. What I mean by that is, how he made the story revolve around the superhero Riptide getting fridged over a book. Although I am in the middle when it comes to Rob Liefeld, as his art can vary as he can at times draw realistic portions as evident with the superhero Psi-fire to exaggerated ones like Combat, but I find his writing to be lacking, which is why he brought Moore in and then acted like a dick. Although, there is some shady stuff about Liefeld I've heard, like how he conned Jack Kirby's widow to obtain the rights to the superhero Daring Disk.

[@drderrickchua]

Did people actually like 1963? I couldn't stand it and the perpetual bargain bin finds in spite of a lack of collections or reprints says a lot. Moore is my favorite writer but I didn't care for 1963.

[@kjk7611]

Derrick Chua I liked it.☺

[@johnminehan1148]

It was intended as a parody and it was effective in those terms. The FF & Spider-Man parody characters were not very effective but the others were on-point & funny, especially Johnny Bahan (the Dr. Strange character).

[@KClouisville]

Years late with this response, but the "perpetual bargain bin finds" for them were because of the amount of print runs they did for comics at that point in comics history (the "speculator boom")....the lack of reprints is all due to the stuff mentioned in the video.