Comic Book Resources

Alternate-future Alan Moore’s shirt is absolutely PERFECT.

Let’s hope we don’t get Neil Gaiman cheesed off like this before Marvelman gets completed.

that will be up to marvel and editors over whether they do something to tick off Neil to have him not take part in finaly finishing his mircle man run. and scary to think if Alan had made peace with Dc that that dream of alans would become a reality.

Wasn’t Kurt Busiek wearing a shirt like that when Jonah Weiland interviewed him for CBR’s boat show?

“My beard eats monsters.” I need to find a way to work that line into everyday speech. Of course, not having a beard will make it seem all the more strange.

Should I know who the bald guy next to Alan Moore is supposed to be?

If “Crisis for The Man Who Has Everything” was 18 issues of Moore and Gibbons having Mongol slay the entire DC Universe, I’d be camping out at the comic book store.

Yeh, excuse me for being thick, but who is baldy-beardy guy?

Dave gibbons I believe

No way. It’s gotta be Dan Didio, right?

Oh man, this one made me laugh wildly every panel.

Yes, it’s Didio. C’mon, people.

I didn’t know who he was, either. My knowledge of most comics creators is restricted to recognising their names when I see them in credits.
I did figure out who Alan Moore was, though. (I think I saw him on the Simpsons once.)

Alternate reality Alan Moore is Chris Claremont? Interesting…

Maybe in the Comic Critics universe we’ll get those V is for Vacation and Watchmen Babies cartoons?!?!?!?

(Thx Mary for the Simpsons inspiration!)

See, I wasn’t sure that the other guy was supposed to be DiDio. It’s funny no matter who the guy is though.

But why does Alternate Alan Moore have glasses, and he’s balder? I guess being at DC that long would do it. But why would he announce the crossovers at SDCC?

My beard eats monsters, too.

Considering how the alternate Moore turns out, why would current Alan Moore have to come “back” to sanity, though? I’d say he’s still got the better end of the deal.

Since no one said anything like this yet, 1 panel too short.

I saw the punchline coming a mile away. But I totally cracked up at “My beard eats monsters.”

Heh. Human beans.

Let’s see… A guy who represents DC Comics and the recent practice of gimmicky events with Crisis in the title… Wants to make money off of Alan Moore in any way he can…

Seriously, how could that be anyone other than Didio?

Pure Gold and I can’t see it being anyone other than Didio

The fact that everyone in the comments is having to *guess* that that’s Didio illustrates a big problem with this strip, I think.

Here we have a character who’s never been seen before in the strip, whose identity is ostensibly important to the strip (considering that he appears to be in counseling with Alan). But who is never identified by name or title or relationship to Alan. None of his dialogue suggests who he’s supposed to be, any more than it suggests he’s just some random starstruck greedy fanboy. “DC Comics” doesn’t even get name-checked until panel 6.

And while you can safely assume that the average reader recognizes a cartoon of Stan Lee, I don’t think the same is true of Dan Didio. In fact, now that I notice it, the cartoon never actually identifies Alan Moore by his full name either. This isn’t nearly as big a problem, since Alan is at least visually distinctive (and is identified both by first name and his work), whereas the other guy is just some balding white dude.

Finally, even if you do assume that the reader can recognize Didio, that cartoon doesn’t actually look much of anything like Dan Didio. I’m pretty sure Didio is completely bald, and he doesn’t look like an aging senior citizen.

A little exposition goes a long way.

Here we have a character who’s never been seen before in the strip

It’s actually his fourth or fifth appearance, but I get what you’re saying.

I understood who the players were and what the strip was about instantly. But I have this strange mutant ability to place what I’m reading in a broader cultural context, especially in regards to this strip and what’s going on in the comics pundit-sphere.

Although I did briefly think the shrink was Brandon for some reason.

All you really need to know is that the bald guy represents “DC Comics,” and that’s in there.

Add me as another person who assumed it was Dave Gibbons, since he’s been willing to actually participate in the making of the movie and other promotional things associated with Watchmen.

Why did the two of them swap seats by the second panel?

Alan was on Baldy’s left in the first, but on his right in the next panel. Did they already not agree to seating arrangements that quick?

haha you’re right. they did switch places.

It’s because Alan Moore is a magician.

I noticed the switch after I posted it. I may fix in the next few days and update the comic on the CCI site.

While I was one who wasn’t sure it was DiDio (I also thought it might be Gibbons, due to that comment I’ve read about from the interview about collaborators not thanking Moore), I also said it wasn’t out right essential to the strip. As Hatcher said, he represents DC, and that’s in there. The strip is funny enough that you don’t need every little thing explained to you.

I didn’t notice the seating switch until it was pointed out.

And in the second panel, I like that Alan’s dialogue is either a quote, or paraphrase (I don’t have Watchmen right in front of me) of Rorschach’s attitude at the end of Watchmen. Nicely done.

And if you don’t love this strip just based on the “My beard eats monsters” line, you’re never going to find ANY of it funny.

As you can see, I’ve decided for the nonce (hope I’m using that right) to add that great line to my name on the comments. Which means I can’t shave my beard for the nonce.

I spent some of this morning reading through the first 64 Comics Critics (may have missed a few inadvertently), and you guys started pretty good and then got really good pretty quickly. I’ll have to (re)read the rest soon. Nice work, guys.

Yeah I thought it was Dave Gibbons too until it became obvious that he was some kind of representative of DC

Sorry to pile on, but I was as confused as others. It really doesn’t look too much like Didio.