Rating: 
Summary: Alan Moore introduces us to the mystic warrior Promethea
Review: After reading both "From Hell," where Alan Moore detailed in endnotes where he was getting his historical facts and speculations regarding Jack the Ripper, and the original story of "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," where he created a team of comic book superheroes out of some of the most famous literary creations of the late 19th century, it is easy to read Moore's prologue in Book 1 of "Promethea" and buy it hook, line, and sinker. Entitled "The Promethea Puzzle: An Adventure in Folklore," Moore explains how the character of Promethea has appeared in works from the epic sentimental fantasy "A Faerie Romance" by the New England poet Charlton Sennet to the comic books written by Steven Shelley. Next thing you know you are off doing a Google search to find out more about these "real" people and finding out that what you should have been thinking in reference to Moore's work is "The Watchmen" with its memorable group of faux super heroes.Book 1 of "Promethea" collects the first six issues from America's Best Comics with the script by Moore, pencils by J. H. Williams III, inks by Mick Gray, and lettering by Todd Klein. The story begins with a prologue set in Alexandria, 411 A.D., in which a strange old man with mystical powers saves his daughter from a group of killer monks. We then jump ahead to a New York existing in the year 1999 that has cabs hovering without wheels, police in flying saucers, and a successful comic book about the "Weeping Gorilla." Here we meat Sohpie Bangs, who is writing a term paper and visits Barbara Shelley, the widow of the last guy to write the Promethea comic book. However, Sophie gets a big time brush off and the following advice from Barabara: "You don't wanna go looking for folklore. And you especially don't want folklore to come looking for you." There is something of misdirection to this advice, not only because it is too late for Sophie, who is gong to become the new "host" for Promethea, but also because ultimately Moore is not really writing about folklore here but about the female super hero. In modern times that pretty much takes us back to the creation of Wonder Woman, but Promethea harkens back to ancient Greece and elements of Artemis, Athena, and Atalanta. However, in a similar way Moore is also dealing with the archetypal nature of comic books, which is where the folklore part really comes into play in his concept of the Immateria, a realm where stories are real. If you can believe in the power of Story, then it can transport you to the Immateria, as young Sophie finds out. The first three stories deal with Sophie getting indoctrinated into the ways of Promethea, although there are always more questions than answers. Meanwhile the city's resident superheroes, the Five Sweel Guys, are dealing with their arch-enemy the Painted Doll. But in issue #4, "A Faerie Romance," Moore adds a great conceit to the mix, as the various incarnations of Promethea sit around in the Immateria discussing the newcomer. The idea of the archetype becomes reinforced, not by going back to the beginning, but rather by showing how each generation has had a Promethea it could call its own. This is where the series slips into the next gear and exhibits the most promise. There is a Promethean movement, which is "dedicated to advancing human life through self-expression, augmented by authentic freedom, experimentality and individualism." Now, I am not really sure if looking at these comic books as valuing the liberated and realized person while opposing repression, orthodoxy, and collectivism is the way to go, but the important thing is that you need a foundation for approaching Moore's work. Fortunately Moore is always worth reading and you can get by the scholarly mysticism by just taking the story at face value. After all, Moore is just making this up as he goes along.
Rating:
Summary: Alan Moore introduces us to the mystic warrior Promethea
Review: After reading both "From Hell," where Alan Moore detailed in endnotes where he was getting his historical facts and speculations regarding Jack the Ripper, and the original story of "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," where he created a team of comic book superheroes out of some of the most famous literary creations of the late 19th century, it is easy to read Moore's prologue in Book 1 of "Promethea" and buy it hook, line, and sinker. Entitled "The Promethea Puzzle: An Adventure in Folklore," Moore explains how the character of Promethea has appeared in works from the epic sentimental fantasy "A Faerie Romance" by the New England poet Charlton Sennet to the comic books written by Steven Shelley. Next thing you know you are off doing a Google search to find out more about these "real" people and finding out that what you should have been thinking in reference to Moore's work is "The Watchmen" with its memorable group of faux super heroes. Book 1 of "Promethea" collects the first six issues from America's Best Comics with the script by Moore, pencils by J. H. Williams III, inks by Mick Gray, and lettering by Todd Klein. The story begins with a prologue set in Alexandria, 411 A.D., in which a strange old man with mystical powers saves his daughter from a group of killer monks. We then jump ahead to a New York existing in the year 1999 that has cabs hovering without wheels, police in flying saucers, and a successful comic book about the "Weeping Gorilla." Here we meat Sohpie Bangs, who is writing a term paper and visits Barbara Shelley, the widow of the last guy to write the Promethea comic book. However, Sophie gets a big time brush off and the following advice from Barabara: "You don't wanna go looking for folklore. And you especially don't want folklore to come looking for you." There is something of misdirection to this advice, not only because it is too late for Sophie, who is gong to become the new "host" for Promethea, but also because ultimately Moore is not really writing about folklore here but about the female super hero. In modern times that pretty much takes us back to the creation of Wonder Woman, but Promethea harkens back to ancient Greece and elements of Artemis, Athena, and Atalanta. However, in a similar way Moore is also dealing with the archetypal nature of comic books, which is where the folklore part really comes into play in his concept of the Immateria, a realm where stories are real. If you can believe in the power of Story, then it can transport you to the Immateria, as young Sophie finds out. The first three stories deal with Sophie getting indoctrinated into the ways of Promethea, although there are always more questions than answers. Meanwhile the city's resident superheroes, the Five Sweel Guys, are dealing with their arch-enemy the Painted Doll. But in issue #4, "A Faerie Romance," Moore adds a great conceit to the mix, as the various incarnations of Promethea sit around in the Immateria discussing the newcomer. The idea of the archetype becomes reinforced, not by going back to the beginning, but rather by showing how each generation has had a Promethea it could call its own. This is where the series slips into the next gear and exhibits the most promise. There is a Promethean movement, which is "dedicated to advancing human life through self-expression, augmented by authentic freedom, experimentality and individualism." Now, I am not really sure if looking at these comic books as valuing the liberated and realized person while opposing repression, orthodoxy, and collectivism is the way to go, but the important thing is that you need a foundation for approaching Moore's work. Fortunately Moore is always worth reading and you can get by the scholarly mysticism by just taking the story at face value. After all, Moore is just making this up as he goes along.
Rating: 
Summary: Women, story, and magick
Review: Alan Moore and J.H. Williams have outdone themselves on this beautiful series. Not only does the series have multiple interesting, believable female characters (a rarity in comics, in my opinion), but the plot reflects a deep understanding of the way story and symbol create meaning. _Promethea_'s truly gifted team of artists has allowed Moore not just to explain and articulate some sophisticated philosophical ideas, but to demonstrate them visually and with an emotional impact that mere text lacks. Sophie's transformation into a goddess each month reminds me (as another struggling urban college student) that there is a spark of the divine within each of us, as well as the ability to transcend our ordinary, day-to-day selves in favor of something greater. While the series takes a few issues to begin to delve deeply into its material (this book covers issues #1-6, while my favorite issues are #7-10), this collection contains important character development and set-up that I think is quite enjoyable and sets _Promethea_ apart as one of the most innovative superhero comics ever conceived. Can't wait for Book 2...
Rating:
Summary: Moore Unbound
Review: Alan Moore has consistently proven to be one of the most interesting and engaging writers in the comic book medium. Longtime fans will never forget his "Watchmen", "V for Vendetta" or his stint on "Swamp Thing". Since these mid-80s triumphs, Moore's labored a bit in obscurity. The gripping "From Hell" didn't appeal to the comics mainstream, nor did "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen", but were still well-written and worth the read. Then Moore started "America's Best Comics", marking his return to the superhero genre, with a distinct Moore-ish twist, of course. "Promethea" is Wonder Woman as seen through a realistic lens. The daughter of a sorceror rescued by mythological gods when her father was murdered, she is immortal, but lives only through possessing the bodies of mortals. Naturally, she has some supernatural foes to take on and some rather exotic powers, yet the world she inhabits is quite similar to our own in all its ragged glory. I won't reveal any of the plot but will note that it is quite good and reveals Moore to have fallen in love once more with the superhero genre which spawned him. The illustrations are wonderful as well.
Rating:
Summary: Moore Unbound
Review: Alan Moore has consistently proven to be one of the most interesting and engaging writers in the comic book medium. Longtime fans will never forget his "Watchmen", "V for Vendetta" or his stint on "Swamp Thing". Since these mid-80s triumphs, Moore's labored a bit in obscurity. The gripping "From Hell" didn't appeal to the comics mainstream, nor did "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen", but were still well-written and worth the read. Then Moore started "America's Best Comics", marking his return to the superhero genre, with a distinct Moore-ish twist, of course. "Promethea" is Wonder Woman as seen through a realistic lens. The daughter of a sorceror rescued by mythological gods when her father was murdered, she is immortal, but lives only through possessing the bodies of mortals. Naturally, she has some supernatural foes to take on and some rather exotic powers, yet the world she inhabits is quite similar to our own in all its ragged glory. I won't reveal any of the plot but will note that it is quite good and reveals Moore to have fallen in love once more with the superhero genre which spawned him. The illustrations are wonderful as well.
Rating:
Summary: a great architect
Review: alan moore is a master of storytelling, overall architecture, and dialgoue; on top of that, all of the characters are completely believeable and interesting; give this book a chance
Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone, but a magnificent book!
Review: Alan Moore is perhaps the most groundbreaking and innovative comic book scribe in the history of comics. Sure, the field has provided many groundbreaking and innovative comic book artists (from Windsor McKay to Will Eisner, from Jack Kirby to Frank Miller, from Alex Ross to Steve Ditko, and many many more...), but in my opinion, no other comics writer (emphasis on the term "writer") has brought so much to this often maligned art form. Alan Moore has proven that sequential storytelling can be as interesting, thought provoking, inspiring and imaginative as prose storytelling (and indeed, even more at times, since comics have one advantage over prose alone: imagery). Alan's best known work is of course "Watchmen", often copied and emulated but still unequaled in depth and richness after more than a decade. However, it must not be forgotten that Alan has provided his avid fan base (and an immense number of casual comic book readers from all walks of life) with many delightful comics works since Watchmen. Of these, Promethea stands apart as a very emotional and personal work from its author. This series is a vehicle for Alan to explore and expose to the readers many themes presumably dear to him. To be able to do so, he has devised a rather interesting trick for the story, creating a framework in which the primary characters (Promethea and her immediate supporting cast) evolve and convey the message to us readers (at some point, the so called "fourth wall" is even breached, much to the delight of Scott McCloud's fans). This trick consists, in fact, of a gigantic road trip through various realms (that is, places the characters visit during the stories) existing outside of our perceived "real" or physical world. These places can be called psychic realms or metaphysic worlds or the imagination space, they are intended to convey Alan's views concerning various concepts such as the Kaballah, the numerous earthly religions and their impact on us, the relationship between magic and technology (hint: they are two sides of the same cosmic "coin"), mysticism and spirituality, the liberating power of imagination, the neglect of our spiritual sides, the divine nature of womanhood, etc. This mind bending road trip makes for a unique comics series, and through it all we get to see what are Mr. Moore's views and beliefs. For those willing to put up with the non-traditional approach in words and pictures (the artists, J. H. Williams III and Mick Gray show us how superb draughtsman they can be, adopting many different styles throughout the series - an aspect of this comics series worth the price of admission in itself) Promethea makes a fine and enriching read! Not only do I highly recommend this series, but I recommend the purchase of all the trade paperbacks, and the reading of them in sequence, preferably over a few days... A guaranteed mind trip!
Rating:
Summary: Alan Moore's female archetype
Review: Alan Moore is, and deserves to be, a highly regarded author of what we should still call comic books (other names seem largely a reflex action hide embarrassment - which makes me annoyed to see them referred to as "the graphic story medium" in this book). He has in more recent years created a line of comics under the imprint "America's Best Comics", of which Promethea is one of those titles. This volume reprints the first five issues of that comic. 'Promethea' is an attempt to render the female super hero in an archetypical form. This book has a strong mystical or spiritual theme, with the female lead cast in a pluralistic role: she is both Sophie Bangs, student, and Promethea, imagination personified. Our Promethea is not the first, there is a whole line of Prometheas stretching back to ancient Egypt, and we get to know some of the earlier ones in this book. What's good: as Promethea, Sophie doesn't know all the answers although, it seems, Promethea does (sounds confusing? Sophie is Promethea, but Promethea isn't Sophie). Indeed, Sophie finds herself thrust in to a broad canvas full of elements that she doesn't know about or understand. The book allows for Sophie and Promethea to be intellectual, rather than just wiping the enemies off the face of the Earth (and the Immateria) with her caduceus - even where she does that, it is thought through. What's not so good: I gave it 5 stars, so not much. My main complaint is that it finishes at an inopportune moment. Sophie is learning about the four weapons she has, and learns about two and then it stops. The comic book has continued, so the rest will be in volume 2, but it still a bit inconsiderate. Lots of thumbs up, and also check out Alan Moore's male archetype in 'Tom Strong'.
Rating:
Summary: Great comics from Moore (again)
Review: Alan Moore's America's Best Comics has spawned several wonderful titles (along with the middling Tomorrow Stories), but Promethea stands out. The art is outstanding, the color perfect, the lettering spot-on for the different speech types employed, and the writing entertaining while also waxing philosophical. Sympathetically drawn characters tie up the whole package in a beautiful ribbon. Moore dares to tackle the very nature of creativity and comes away with much more than the Wonder Woman clone some were expecting. While exploring the world of fantasy, he examines through the changing face of comics (the tribute to Little Nemo is marvelous), sexuality, religion and pure wish fulfilment. Comics are still growing up, maybe, but this may be some of the most mature work from the man who brought us The Watchmen.
Rating:
Summary: Very Nice
Review: I didn't like this one as much as I liked Top Ten, or even the relentlessly grim and depressing Watchmen. But it's still about three floors up from most of the other stuff on the market. And maybe it's just a longer story, and all I've read so far is the first book. Promethea is a living idea, and she can posess people - but there has to be an asking for it, a looking for it. And she has enemies who have nothing to do with her body; other living ideas and organizations. I'll be getting books two and three now. I want to know what else happens.
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