
Of the two, Black Dossier is, quite easily, my favorite, because it doesn't quite stick the formula. Many have "complained" about the assorted text pieces, mixed media, and other diversions...but I see it in quite another way - it's Alan Moore having some fun. Of course, his idea of "fun" is a Cthulu/Jeeves & Wooster crossover, but that's what makes it a really unique read. However, Black Dossier does more than that - it really creates an entire world out of whole cloth, taking the whole of British (and some American) pop culture and creating a unique tapestry out of it. The story is relatively simple - Mina Harker and Allan Quartermaine steal a valuable book and attempt to get away - but the pleasure is in the details, with references ranging from...well, television and movie buffs will probably get these a lot more, but Black Dossie

...and Century: 1910 is...well, it seems almost like Moore-by-numbers. I understand Moore's love of The Threepenny Opera, but he used it to better effect (in my opinion) in Watchmen. Here, I liked the whole idea of an occult-created "moonchild", and there were some clever insertions, but on the whole, for some reason, this volume felt a little forced in writing. It may just be that, because Moore is using a slightly different cast, it doesn't seem to have "jelled" - and maybe Black Dossier "spoiled" the series somewhat, but there wasn't much to this first volume. Although Moore may intend for each volume to be a stand-alone edition, Century: 1910 feels more like set-up than a full story.
There's also something else that bothers me - and I must admit, it's come after reading this particular blog article. But the whole issue of a female character being 'developed' through sexual assault is slightly...well, it's off-putting. Moore's not the only person who does it - and quite frankly, I can't say he does it so frequently as to be a major trope of his writing, but it seems slightly lazy and ineffective. I won't say rape is off-limits in fiction...but it should mean something, not just as a way to get from plot point A to plot point B.
Given the length of time between volumes (the next Century won't be out until next year), I don't know if I can honestly recommend Century, but the Black Dossier? One of the best comics I've read.
And I'll stand behind that statement.
1 comment:
Great post! I did quite like 1910, but agree, coming after the dazzling Black Dossier, it felt like a bit of a retreat in form. Black Dossier was just overflowing with ideas, even if some didn't quite work (the 3-D climax fizzled for me). Moore plays it a bit safer in 1910 (although having German musical interludes isn't too safe I guess).
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