What’s Happening?

So, here’s the scoop: legendary comic book wizard Alan Moore hasn’t thrown his hat into the ring to critique anything James Gunn has been up to with his DC projects—think Superman and Peacemaker. But let’s be real, it’s safe to bet he’s not exactly sending Gunn a thank-you note. Moore, the genius behind classics like Watchmen and The Killing Joke, has been pretty vocal about how he feels about the big wigs at comic book companies, and let’s just say, he’s not a fan. He even removed his name from HBO’s take on Watchmen because, you know, integrity!

Gunn’s Bold Move

Now, rumors are swirling that Moore might be feeling a little extra cranky because Gunn and his buddy Peter Safran are cooking up an HBO series based on V for Vendetta. Yep, you heard that right! And the writing duties are going to Pete Jackson—not the one who brought us The Lord of the Rings, but the guy behind Somewhere Boy. Because nothing screams “trust” like directing a show based on serious political themes without hobbits!

V for Vendetta: A Quick Recap

For those who’ve been living under a rock, V for Vendetta is a wickedly good story that first came out in the ‘80s, thanks to Moore and the visually stunning David Lloyd. Imagine a dystopian England in the ’90s run by a totalitarian regime called Norsefire—yikes! Our heroine, Evey Hammond, gets caught up in all sorts of chaos and eventually teams up with V, the masked anti-hero fighting against the establishment. Yeah, sounds fun, right?

Previous Adaptations

This tale has hit the big screen not once but twice, and trust me, the results were… mixed. The first time was 2005 with a film directed by James McTeigue and written by the Wachowskis, featuring Natalie Portman as Evey and Hugo Weaving as V. Then there was the less-than-expected adaptation in a little show called Pennyworth, which, not to be confused with a cooking show, is actually about Alfred, Batman’s butler. It’s got some ties to our friend V—it dives into the UK’s descent into fascism. By season two, Norsefire is in full swing, and everyone is running around in Guy Fawkes masks!

The Big Question

Despite all the efforts, neither of these adaptations truly capture the brilliance of Moore and Lloyd’s original comic. Their storytelling and art are like a fine wine, while the adaptations feel a bit more like… grape juice. Sure, they get that fascism is bad, but they lean a little too much into the idea that V is a hero. But Moore and Lloyd keep us guessing—could V just be another product of the oppressive regime? Hmm, food for thought!

Looking Ahead

If this new HBO version wants to stand tall and proud, it’s got some hyperbole-sized shoes to fill! It needs to tackle the intricate themes that make the original so compelling, especially since we’re currently dealing with real-life rising fascism. But even if they nail it, don’t expect Moore to be clapping in the front row at the premiere. This guy is not going to be amused—ever!