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Avatar releases new edition of Alan Moore’s Writing for Comics

By John Freeman on February 11, 2019

A new printing of Alan Moore’s Writing for Comics is released this week by Avatar Press.

Older British comic fans may remember when Alan first shared his thoughts on how to deliver a top notch script. The main essay featured was originally written in 1985 and appeared in British magazine Fantasy Advertiser, right as Moore was reshaping the landscape of modern comics.

Alan Moore’s Writing for Comics collects that essay as one graphic novel, illustrated by Jacen Burrows, and Alan also provides a brand new essay on how his thoughts on writing have changed in the two decades since he first wrote it.

For fans of Moore’s work, new writers, or anyone who wants a peak behind the mental curtain of one of the greatest living writers, at a bargain price of just over £3, this is a can’t miss book.

“Alan Moore was one of the first comics authors to write extensively and intelligently about the underpinnings of the craft,” said writer Warren Ellis when this Avatar editoion was first published. “I know people who’ve been waiting fifteen years to see this reprinted. It goes right next to Eisner and McCloud on the smart reader’s shelf.”

Alan’s “Writing for Comics” essay first featured in Fantasy Advertiser 92 – 95

“It’s hard to imagine anything more fascinating to someone looking to understand comics than a glimpse inside Alan Moore’s mind at a time when he was beginning to formulate works such as Watchmen,” adds Avatar Press editor-in-chief William Christensen. “This book is going to be important for creators, readers, and commentators in our field for years to come.”

Fantasy Advertiser 93 – cover by Nigel Kitching

Alan Moore’s Writing for Comics is one of many Moore projects from Avatar Press, including the critically-acclaimed The Courtyard, Magic Words, Another Suburban Romance, and Avatar’s remastered release of A Small Killing.

• Alan Moore’s Writing for Comics is available here from Forbidden Planet (affiliate link)

Writer: Alan Moore
Cover: Juan Jose Ryp
Artist: Jacen Burrows
Readership: All Ages
Format: B&W, 48 pages, square bound
ISBN: 1592910122

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.